Let's be honest, Panama City and the famous Panama Canal hold much of the spotlight when we think of Panama--and that's okay! But, we're here to tell you that there's a whole lot more adventure for you to find outside of the city limits. Even if nature isn't your cup of tea, we're sure these exciting places will help get you outdoorsy in Panama!
Explore Bocas del Toro
From hanging with the sea stars on Starfish Beach to chasing waterfalls in the rainforest, Bocas del Toro is a nature-lover's paradise. The unspoiled archipelago on Panama's northeastern coast boasts a wide array of thrilling adventures for visitors to embark on.
Zip line across the treetops, surf at Carenero Island, lounge on five serene beaches, snorkel around colorful coral reefs, tour through bat-filled caves and so much more is at your finger tips here!
(Photo by: @the_pathless_atlas)Stroll through Metropolitan National Park
This well over 500-acre national park is where city meets nature at its finest. Located just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Panama City, this is the perfect spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in the capital. Despite being so close to the city, the park has awesome hiking trails and a ton of wildlife to spot on your way to the top!
There are five trails to choose from that all lead to phenomenal views: Los Momótides and Roble, which are the shortest and easiest for beginners; Sendero Las Caoboas and Sendero La Cienagutia are longer and more strenuous, while Mono Titi Road leads to an amazing sight from the top of Cerro Cedro (Cedar's Hill) and is more moderate.
Yoga at the Metropolitan National Park (Photo by: @gewlzaquino)Experience Volcán Barú
Towering over 11,000 feet, Volcán Barú is an active volcano and Panama's tallest mountain, just 21 miles from the Costa Rican border. Visitors can reach the top by foot or guided 4x4 Jeep tours up a long, bumpy trail to the summit. Although the hiking trail is well maintained and marked for navigating, it can take between five to seven hours to reach the top, depending on experience level.
For non-hikers, the 4x4 sunrise Jeep tours are just as worth the steep trip up the mountain during early morning hours. The summit on Volcán Barú is one of the few peaks in the world where you can see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea at the same time, on a clear day. Don't let the trail length scare you, the summit views are once in a lifetime!
View of Volcán Barú (Photo by: @abel_pitty507)Lounge or venture around San Blas Islands
Have you ever dreamed of day-cationing on islands so remote that even Google Maps doesn't bother showing most of them? Or islands filled with dreamy coconut palm trees, fine white sand and complete tranquility? Well, the San Blas Islands are very real and they're just off the northern coast of Panama.
Made up of over 300 small tropical islands, the archipelago offers just enough to make visitors truly appreciate its natural beauty. Spend the day sailing around the islands, discovering secluded beaches, snorkeling with exotic marine life or learning about the (very) simple living of the native Guna Yala people. The beauty of these islands isn't something you get to experience everyday, so it's definitely a must-do for your Panama bucket list!
Sunset on San Blas Islands (Photo by: @pablokilgreen)If these exciting adventures haven't already convinced you to start packing your bags, take a peek at some of the amazing resorts we offer in Panama. If you're already heading to Panama, then you definitely won't want to miss these breathtaking views either!
