Panama

Guest blogger Emma tells: “When we told people we were going to Panama, we remarkably often got the same question: ‘Where did you get that?’ The honest answer is that we were looking for a destination in Central America and let ourselves be surprised. And that turned out to be a good choice.”

Panama is a country that combines many different elements. You will find pristine jungle, beaches on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, mountainous areas, waterfalls and surfspots. There are also cosy villages and a capital that feels modern, but at the same time has a distinctly Latin American character. The country is well developed but still feels authentic in many places.

Practically speaking, it is also a fine travel destination. The country is often considered one of the safer countries in Central America and is easy to travel to. That combination of nature, variety and comfort makes Panama an interesting choice for travellers who like to travel around independently and discover several sides of a country.

Yes, Panama is suitable for a round trip because the distances are relatively short and many places can be easily combined. You can easily travel from the city to the mountains and then on to the coast, without spending days on the road.

You can use local buses, shuttles or a rental car, depending on your itinerary and budget. With a little planning, you can see a lot without feeling like you are constantly travelling. That makes it a pleasant destination for both novice and experienced tour travellers.

During our trip through Panama, we always felt safe. In the areas frequented by most travellers, you can get around well and relaxed. As in other destinations, it is especially important to stay alert and use your common sense.

In larger cities, it is smart to pay extra attention to your belongings and avoid walking unnecessarily through unfamiliar neighbourhoods at night. In addition, always check the current travel advice, so you know what to consider during your trip.

While travelling, it is useful to bring a few practical travel items that will really help you along the way. For example, consider a good daypack for outings, a flightbag For when travelling with a backpack and packing cubes To keep your luggage organised while travelling around.

As you often alternate between city, nature and beach during a round trip, the following are also quick-drying clothes, solar protection and a mackintosh no superfluous luxury. In our blogs, we share which items we ourselves use during our travels and why they come in handy. That way, you will be well prepared for your trip. Do you really have no idea where to start? Then download our free packing lists!

How many days you need for Panama depends mainly on how many places you want to visit and at what pace you travel. If you want to combine several regions, such as the capital, the mountains and one or two coastal areas, we recommend at least three weeks take your time. That way, you'll have just a little more peace and quiet everywhere and you won't have to force choices.

If you have less time, you can also do Panama well in two weeks travel by skipping a few destinations. You can easily adapt the itinerary to your schedule. By deciding for each destination how many days you want to stay and clicking through to our Panama blogs, you will get a good idea of what suits your trip.

Tip: If you want or need to shorten this itinerary, then it makes sense to be the first to take the San Blas islands skip. In fact, travelling to and from these islands alone takes two full travel days, not to mention the time you spend there.

Yes, we always recommend good travel insurance when travelling to Panama. And... honestly, always! Medical care is generally good, especially in the bigger cities, but costs can add up considerably when you have hospitalisations or treatments. Especially in private clinics, you quickly pay more than you expect.

Travel insurance is also nice to have for things like luggage, cancellations and unexpected situations on the road. That way, you will travel with peace of mind and not have to worry about it during your round trip. Read more about why travel insurance is important!

There are no direct flights from the Netherlands to Panama. Most flights make one stopover, often in the United States or Europe. Total travel time is usually between 12 and 15 pm, depending on your route and transfer time. Bear in mind that a transfer in the United States often requires additional documents, such as an ESTA. Always check this carefully before booking to avoid any surprises.

It is not recommended to drink tap water in Panama. Therefore, use bottled water, including for brushing your teeth. Water is easily available everywhere, both in supermarkets and at restaurants. We also recommend taking a reusable drinking bottle, like this one from Dobber (Bol.com) with you. In many places, such as hotels and accommodation, you can refill them with filtered water. This is not only convenient, but also a lot more sustainable.

For outlets type A and B used, the same as in the United States. Dutch and Belgian plugs do not fit here as standard. A world plug like this one from Bol.com is therefore handy to take with you, especially if you want to charge multiple devices. Sockets are limited in many accommodations, making a plug with multiple connections extra handy.

For mobile internet on the go, you can opt for a local SIM card or a eSIM. Local SIM cards are available at the airport and in shops of telecom providers in larger cities. This is often the most economical option if you are travelling for longer.

If you prefer to have everything pre-arranged, then an eSIM like the one from Airalo or Saily a fine solution. This gives you internet as soon as you arrive, without having to change a physical SIM card. Coverage is good in most areas, although the connection can sometimes be less outside cities and in natural areas.

Panama is very suitable for independent travel, but if you prefer to have everything arranged in advance, there are several travel organisations that offer tours. Well-known organisations include Tui, VanVerre and ANWB. When choosing an organisation, pay particular attention to the route, the pace of travel and how much freedom you have along the way.

We recommend reading experiences of other travellers and checking carefully whether the trip suits your way of travelling. Some organisations focus more on comfort, while others leave more room for your own interpretation.

There are no direct flights from the Netherlands to Panama. You always fly with at least one transfer, often via Europe or the United States. Choosing an airline depends mainly on your transfer location, travel time and budget. When booking, it is smart to look not only at the price, but also at the transfer time and luggage conditions. That way, you avoid unnecessary stress during your trip.

A rental car is a fine option if you want more freedom during your tour of Panama, especially if you want to visit remote areas. We recommend booking a car in advance through a reliable platform such as SunnyCars, ensuring you have clear terms and conditions and good insurance.

When booking, pay close attention to whether insurance is fully included and always check the car when picking it up. In our blogs, we share our experiences and tips for renting and driving in Panama.

Check out our blogs to further plan your trip through Panama! It is a diverse country where beaches, cities and nature are close together. Whether you like to be active or are looking for a bit more peace and quiet, Panama offers plenty of opportunities to customise your trip.

In our travel blogs, we share our experiences and practical tips to make planning your trip as straightforward as possible. Among other things, you can read more about the best travel time, great itineraries, nice accommodations and what to expect per destination.

With these tips, you can travel well prepared and decide for yourself what suits your way of travelling. Still have questions or doubts about your planning? Feel free to send us a message via Instagram, we are happy to think with you.