2-Week Panama Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Panama tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffPanama travel expert at TourRadar

• 12 Day Panama Itinerary, incl. Panama City and Bocas del Toro

  The 12-day Panamanian adventure showcases Panama City's Miraflores Locks, Bocas del Toro's marine paradise, Boquete's cloud forests, and Santa Catalina's UNESCO-listed Coiba Island. Guests enjoy 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 4-star accommodations throughout.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Panama City Region:

    Start in Panama City. Spend your first evening in Costa del Este, an upscale area good for orientation. Stay in the Financial District for security and convenience. Visit Casco Viejo early on day 2 before the streets heat up. Check online schedules to time your Miraflores Locks visit with ship transits. On day 3, be ready for a 6:30 AM check-in at Flamenco Marina for your canal cruise. Bring extra snacks even though meals are included. The 6-hour journey can feel long.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Bocas del Toro:

    Fly to Bocas del Toro (1 hour). Weather here is unpredictable so have backup plans ready. Visit Dolphin Bay in early morning when the water is calm. Use reef-safe sunscreen at Coral Cay to protect marine life. Boat trips to Ngobe communities take 30 minutes. If you get seasick easily bring medicine. The drive to Boquete takes 3.5 hours. Sit up front if you don't like winding roads.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Boquete Region:

    The Cloud Forest zip-line stretches 3 km across 12 cables. You'll need closed-toe shoes and a light jacket for the cooler elevation. Visit coffee plantations between December and March during harvest season. The drive to Santa Catalina takes 4 hours on mountain roads. Download your maps since cell service is limited.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Santa Catalina:

    Coiba National Park offers whale watching from June to October but expect rougher seas. Know your swimming ability before booking water activities. The currents are strong here. If you're an experienced surfer use your free day to catch some of Panama's best waves.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Return to Panama City:

    Leave early for the 5.5-hour drive back to Panama City to beat traffic. Give yourself 3 hours at Tocumen International Airport. Security lines can get long in peak season.

    

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• 13 Days in Panama, incl. Panama City and Bocas del Toro

  A 13-day adventure winds through 6 unique destinations, from Panama City's modern skyline to Bocas del Toro's Caribbean charm. Visit Boquete's cloud forests, El Valle's volcanic crater, historic Natá de los Caballeros, and traditional villages like Oria Arriba.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Panama City

    Start in the capital with a morning arrival to dodge peak traffic from Tocumen Airport (45-60 minutes to city center). Take two full days to explore the city. Visit Miraflores Locks around 9 AM to catch the first ships passing through the Panama Canal. Walk through historic Casco Antiguo in early morning or late afternoon when the heat is less intense.

    
  • Day 4

    El Valle de Antón

    Take a 2.5-hour drive from Panama City to this town set in the world's largest inhabited volcanic crater. The 600m elevation offers a nice break from coastal heat. Visit the butterfly sanctuary in the morning when butterflies are most active. Bring good walking shoes for the El Macho waterfall trail. The path gets slippery after rain.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Las Tablas Region

    This cultural hub is about 3 hours from El Valle. Check out the historic Natá de los Caballeros church and watch traditional mask-making in Parita village. Head to Playa Venao in late afternoon for better temperatures and good surfing conditions.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Boquete

    Plan for a 5-hour drive to this mountain town. Pack layers for the 1,200m elevation. Morning temperatures can be cool. Take the hanging bridges trail before 10 AM for the best cloud forest views. Coffee farm tours work well in the afternoon when processing is in full swing.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Bocas del Toro

    Take a morning shuttle to Almirante (3 hours) and a 30-minute water taxi to Isla Colón. Sit in the middle of the boat if you want a smoother ride. Pack water shoes for Red Frog Beach's muddy paths. Go snorkeling at Coral Cay in the morning when waters are calm.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Panama City

    Fly back to Panama City (1 hour). Book your final departure flight in the afternoon to allow time for potential weather delays from Bocas.

    

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• 13 Day Panama Itinerary, incl. Panama City and Bocas del Toro

  This 13-day trip across 5 Panamanian destinations starts at Miraflores Locks to see the canal's engineering. Snorkel in Coiba National Park's coral reefs with whitetip sharks, tour coffee plantations in Boquete's highlands, then check out Red Frog Island and Zapatilla Cays in Bocas del Toro.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Panama City

    Start your trip in the capital. The airport transfer to your hotel takes about 45 minutes. Book a hotel in Casco Viejo to be close to the main historical sites. On day two, take the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus early at 9 AM before it gets too hot. Visit the Miraflores Locks between 9-11 AM when most ships pass through. Bring a light rain jacket since afternoon showers are common all year.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Pedasi & Playa Venao

    Take the morning shuttle to the Pedasi region. The trip takes 4-5 hours on winding roads. If you get motion sickness bring some medication. For Isla Iguana snorkeling get there by 8 AM when the water is calmest. The beaches are bright white so good sunglasses and a hat are essential. Only use reef-safe sunscreen.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Santa Catalina

    The 5-hour shuttle ride to this surf spot includes some unpaved roads. For your Coiba National Park trip take seasickness pills before the 90-minute boat ride. The best time to spot reef sharks and sea turtles at Granito de Oro is between 10 AM and 2 PM when visibility is best.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Boquete

    This mountain town is much cooler than the coast so pack some warm clothes. Stay near Plaza Los Establos for easy access to coffee tours. Wear sturdy shoes for coffee farm visits since the paths get muddy. Book morning tours to see the misty mountains in the best light.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Bocas del Toro

    Take a shuttle to Almirante (4-5 hours) then a 30-minute water taxi to Isla Colón. Check the water taxi schedule for Red Frog Beach. The last boats leave around 5 PM. Snorkel Hospital Point at high tide for the best underwater views. When visiting Zapatilla Cays pick a tour that includes lunch at Coral Cay since food options are limited on the islands.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Return to Panama City

    You can fly back in 1 hour or take public transport for 8-9 hours. Book morning flights to avoid delays from afternoon storms.

    

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