What are the driving times between destinations in Panama?
Travel times in Panama can vary significantly depending on where you are going. If you are heading along a well-traveled route, it’s likely that the roads will be in good condition and your travel will be smooth and speedy. If, however, you are in more rural parts of Panama, such as the Darién or the southern Azuero Peninsula, you may encounter worse roads. The speed limit is limited to 50 km/h (30 mph) within cities and 80 km/h (50 mph) outside the cities. There may be bad traffic in urban areas; traffic jams are not uncommon.
The following list is a compilation of general travel times between Panama City and popular destinations: Gamboa (45 minutes), Portobelo (1.75 hrs.), Playa Coronado (1.25 hrs.), El Valle (2 hrs.), Playa Santa Clara (1.5 hrs.), Chitré (3.5 hrs.), Las Tablas (4 hrs.), Pedasi (4.5 hrs.), Santa Catalina (5.5 hrs.), Boca Chica/Boca Brava (6 hrs.), David (6 hrs.), Boquete (6.75 hrs.), Cerro Punta (7.5 hrs.), Paso Canoa/Costa Rican border (6.75 hrs.), Bocas del Toro (8.5 hrs.).
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Panama Cities to Visit
Sometimes it's not that you want to leave 'the city' it's that you want to leave 'your city' — explore new surroundings and treat yourself to new markets, shops, museums, restaurants, architecture, and more when you peruse this list of Panama's cities to visit. You'll get the change of pace you need, and will also enjoy easy access to the outdoor adventure the country offers. Panama City is the most metropolitan city in all of Central America. With abundant cultural and culinary opportunities, it’s a fun place to visit. There are, however, other Panamanian cities worth noting. Chitré is a great place to explore Panama's Azuero culture, while Pedasi is a pristine town with lovely Spanish-Colonial architecture. To discover what else is waiting for you, you'll have to review this list of Panama's cities — these destinations are active, interesting, and typically have a solid offering of restaurants, bars, and cultural curiosities.
Azuero Peninsula
Panamanians proudly refer to the Azuero Peninsula as the “heartland” of their country, an apt nickname considering that the peninsula acts as a lifeline of tradition, farming and even partying to the rest of the country. The Azuero has a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian indigenous groups, as well as a remarkably well-intact Spanish culture, which is best observed in the festivals and architecture that dominate the region. The Azuero Peninsula’s environment tends to be drier than other parts of the country, but its beaches are some of the best in Panama.
Bocas del Toro
With an archipelago that boasts impeccable beaches, turquoise waters, and a distinct Afro-Caribbean culture, it’s easy to see why this region has become a must-see for visitors to Panama. Located along the Caribbean coast in the northwestern part of the country, Bocas del Toro is known for its beautiful islands and laidback vibe, a combination that tends to attract younger backpacker types. Still, the services and amenities offered here are extensive, which makes it possible for travelers of all ages to enjoy the abundance of natural beauty that this region is famous for.
Darien
There are few places on Earth like the Darién. Since its introduction to the outside world, the Darién has peaked the interest of biologists, anthropologists, drug-runners, business owners, and even foreign nations. It is a place with immense beauty and incredible bounty, where the natural world is raw and the indigenous people real. It is Panama’s – and by some measure, the world’s – last frontier.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica is a small fishing village along Panama’s central Pacific coast that acts primarily as the gateway to both the Gulf of Chiriquí National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí) and the neighboring island of Boca Brava. The natural beauty of this place is impressive, but it’s still off-the-radar for most tourists. The town itself is modest and mainly local; however, there are a scattering of nice accommodations and restaurants within the immediate vicinity.
Boquete
The small town of Boquete sits in the highlands of Panama’s Chiriquí province, snugly fitted into a lush valley and surrounded by towering mountains, gushing streams, and abundant coffee farms. Though once a sleepy mountain town forgotten by time, Boquete is beginning to see more and more tourists these days, and for good reason – its natural beauty is astounding and its range of activities spectacular. Panama’s only volcano, Volcán Barú, lies only 9 km away, providing visitors with excellent hiking, nature viewing, and camping. Boquete’s other attractions include white-water rafting, canopy tours, hot springs, botanical gardens, and more.
Cerro Punta
Cerro Punta, located along the west side of Volcán Barú, is an impossibly picturesque mountain town—intricate patchworks of farmland cling to the mountain slopes, as dairy and strawberry farms dot the valley. And while the town borders two national parks – Parque Internacional La Amistad and Parque Nacional Volcán Barú – it is hardly visited by tourists.
Chitré
Chitré, capital of the Herrera province, is the largest city on the Azuero Peninsula. For most, Chitré serves as a convenient place to refuel or transfer buses before heading down the peninsula, as there is an ample amount of stores, restaurants, and accommodations in town. However, Chitré also has a vibrant Azuero culture and a history of its own, with a sprinkling of places that visitors will find attractive.
David
David, the provincial capital of Chiriquí province, is the second largest city in Panama (pop. 140,000) and the hub for visits to the highlands or other parts of western Panama. Though there are attractive areas within the city, David primarily serves as a place to refuel before launching into other adventures within the region.
El Valle de Anton
Nestled into the valley of an extinct volcano, El Valle is a pleasant highland town in central Panama. Its 600 meters above sea level make it much cooler than the lowlands, and its wide range of activities – including canopy tours, hot springs, and a bustling Sunday market – attract both Panamanians and foreigners alike.
Gamboa
Lying along the banks of the Panama Canal halfway across the isthmus, Gamboa is about a 45-minute drive from Panama City. With an abundance of natural beauty and an incredibly close distance to Panama City, this area is simply a must for anyone passing through the capital.
Las Tablas
For all but a week of the year, Las Tablas (pop. 7,980) is a mellow and conventional Azuero Peninsula town, noted mostly for its close proximity to Chitré and Pedasí. However, Las Tablas is turned upside down in an all-out, booze-soaked party during the annual celebration of Carnaval.
Panama City
Panama City is a hub in every sense of the word. Located in the Gulf of Panama along the Pacific Coast, Panama City sits in the heart of the country and serves as the main artery through which the rest of Panama receives its visitors, commerce, and culture.
Pedasi
The tiny town of Pedasí is slowly emerging as one of Panama’s up-and-coming tourist destinations. Located in the southeastern corner of the Azuero Peninsula, it is tidy, charming, and friendly. The buildings are decorated with some wonderfully intact Spanish-colonial architecture, and there are a number of pristine beaches close to town. Visitors to Pedasí can take trips to the wildlife sanctuary of Isla Iguana, which lays just off the coast, or head down the Azuero 34 km to the surf-haven of Playa Venao.
Playa Coronado
Playa Coronado, located about 80 km from Panama City, is the most developed beach area in Panama. Growth has exploded here during the past few decades, and it shows – almost every inch of beachfront property has been bought up and filled with mansions, condos, and housing developments. It’s definitely one of Panama’s more ritzy areas, but still, the beach is pristine and not too crowded.
Portobelo
Portobelo lies along Panama’s Caribbean coast to the east of Colón in an area known as Costa Arriba. During the Spanish colonial era, Portobelo was an important port town where goods and treasure from the Americas where shipped to Europe. These days the town is impoverished and widely unattractive. Its saving grace, however, lies in the crumbling ruins scattered inside and outside of town. There are also several decent places to scuba dive and snorkel along its coast.
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is shaping up to be one of Panama’s hottest destinations. Located along the Pacific Ocean in the Veraguas province, it has some of the most consistent surf in the country and is the jumping-off point for trips to Parque Nacional Coiba, a massive national park with amazing scuba diving and hiking trails. Santa Catalina's somewhat remote location has kept Santa Catalina devoid of large tourist crowds, but the word is out, and people are starting to show up.
Santa Clara
Located along the Pacific coast in Central Panama, Playa Santa Clara is a white-sand wonder that is a favorite of both locals and tourists alike. The beach stretches for miles unabated, bordering a calm blue ocean that is perfect for swimming or just splashing around.
