In 2023, I took a Celebrity Cruise from Florida to California. One of the stops on my 15-day journey from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast was Panama.
Our ship sailed into Colon, a cruise port that sits at the start of the Panama Canal. From there, I took an excursion through the ship that offered a boat ride down the canal. The tour took our group to see the famous Panama monkeys. We got an up-close look at the locks and we also explored the historic churches of Panama City.
If you’re planning a trip to Panama, I’d definitely put the Panama Canal on your list. It’s truly a feat of engineering, and the surrounding towns offer a lot of things to do and see for cruisers and travelers alike.
Best Things To See, Eat, and Do in Panama
What To Do in Panama
Panama is a Central American country that sits between Costa Rica and South America. It’s home to rainforests, beaches, and, of course, the Panama Canal. It’s diverse landscape offers a variety of things for visitors to do.
Explore The Panama Canal
Known as “The Crossroads of the World,” the Panama Canal is a 51-mile, man-made waterway. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Since the canal is not at sea level, complex locks lift incoming ships from the Pacific and Atlantic. The locks then place them into the canal, so they can sail on Gatun Lake.
Going through the Panama Canal was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for me. I woke up at 6 am just as the sun was coming up on Colon. I walked the deck for a few hours, watching us square up to the canal. By just after 9 am, our ship had entered the canal and by nearly 6 pm we reached the Pacific Ocean.
I don’t know if it was the intricate engineering I witnessed or the extreme heat that day, but I remember feeling emotional. Maybe that’s why The Panama Canal is considreed the eighth wonder of the world.
I felt lucky to see the locks and canal, and I was amazed the whole time. If you can go through the locks on a ship, I absolutely recommend it.
However, you can also see the locks from land. Good spots include the Miraflores Visitor Center and the Agua Clara Visitor Center. Both offer viewing platforms, IMAX films, and narrations.
Panama Canal Boat & Wildlife Tour
Taking a small boat down the Panama Canal to see it up close is a very popular tour in Panama.
I booked a tour through the cruise ship and had a great time. I got to see giant container ships and other vessels going down the canal as well as several different species of monkeys. Our tour group was able to get close enough to the monkeys that they took the mango out of our hands and climbed on our boat.
Panama City Historical Churches Tour
After lunch, our group ended up near Panama City exploring several historic churches in the area. Many of the churches are from the 1600s and 1700s. Panama City was considered a Spanish Catholic hub in the 1600s. Today, the area is considered a Unesco World Heritage Site.
If you’re nearby, try the GPS My City self-guided audio tour. It takes you to five historic churches.
Watch my Panama Recap on TikTok
More Things To Do In Panama
From exploring the Panama Canal to experiencing the wildlife, there’s a lot to do in Panama. Check out these tours offered by Viator. When I travel, I either book through the cruise ship directly or through Viator.
Where To Eat & Drink in Panama
Explore local food and drinks in Colon and Panama City.
Drink a Cuba Libre
As part of the tour, we were given a Ron Cola Cuba Libre in a can. Cuba Libres are a popular rum and cola drink in Panama, usually served with lime.
This canned version was delightful and refreshing to drink as we boated down the Panama Canal in the hot April sun. It was also very strong at 8% alcohol by volume, and I had to stop myself at 1.5 cans since we hadn’t had lunch yet.
I wasn’t able to find this canned cocktail on Amazon; however, it looks like select liquor stores in the US carry a version of this popular alcoholic drink. If you’re looking to have an authentic Panama experience, I’d definitely recommend you give this cocktail a try!
Where To Eat in Panama
The group tour I was on took us to a local restraunt for lunch called Rincon Isleno. By the time we arrived, our group was hot and tired. The Panama summer sun was intense, and the van’s air conditioning barely worked.
Needless to say, many of us, myself included, weren’t very hungry. I also don’t eat a lot of seafood and Rincon featured mostly seafood dishes. I did try a few tostones that were good. The staff brought me some picante which I drizzled over them to enhance their flavor.
I can’t really say if I would go back to this restraunt or not as I didn’t try enough of the food. As I mentioned, the tostones were appetizing and the restraunt was very open with bench style seating.
I would say that if you’re going to be in the country, definitely get your hands on some tostones! There’s also many private and street food tours if you’re looking to sample authentic Panamanian cuisine.
Where to Stay in Panama
Although I stayed on the cruise ship, there are a ton of places to stay in Panama and throughout. I always book on Expedia when I travel. I find it cheaper than booking directly with a hotel. Plus, there are no annoying cleaning or resort fees like on Airbnb.
I also like that you can earn cash back without having to join 100 different hotel rewards member programs.
Is Panama Safe?
Overall, I felt safe during my time in Panama, especially in well-traveled and tourist-friendly areas. That said, it’s still important to understand the current travel guidance from governemnt officials and use common sense while exploring.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Panama is currently rated Level 2 — “Exercise Increased Caution.”
This advisory was updated on September 23, 2024, primarily to reflect crime concerns and the potential for periodic civil unrest.
What the Advisory Means
Crime does occur in Panama, including:
- Theft and residential break-ins
- Crimes of opportunity, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, particularly in tourist areas
- Occasional reports of break-ins, especially during holiday seasons
In addition, demonstrations related to local issues sometimes take place and have, at times, disrupted travel patterns and the flow of goods and services in certain parts of the country.
Areas to Avoid
The advisory specifically lists the following regions as Level 4 — Do Not Travel due to crime and limited emergency services:
Parts of the Mosquito Gulf
- An extremely remote and inaccessible area along the Caribbean coast
- Travelers should avoid traveling within 10 miles of the coastline from Boca de Río (Chiriquí) to Coclé del Norte
- Drug trafficking and other illicit activities occur in this region
Parts of the Darién Region
- All areas south of Jaque–Manené–Yaviza–Lajas Blancas to the Colombian border
- The cities of Lajas Blancas and El Salto
- Criminal activity and human trafficking networks operate here, with very limited police presence and emergency response
These areas are not typical tourist destinations, and most travelers will have no reason to go near them.
Safety Tips If You Travel to Panama
The State Department recommends:
- Avoiding demonstrations and large crowds
- Monitoring local news and being flexible with travel plans
- Staying aware of your surroundings, especially in remote areas
- Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and emergency assistance
- Preparing a basic contingency plan and reviewing the Traveler’s Checklist
- Checking the CDC for current travel health guidance
Panama is widely considered one of the safer destinations in Central America, particularly in popular areas like Panama City, the islands, and coastal regions. With basic precautions and awareness of restricted areas, most travelers find Panama welcoming, manageable, and easy to navigate.
What To Pack For Panama
Panama has a similar climate to Florida, and it was pretty hot when I visited at the end of April. At home, I usually wear sun-protective clothing when I’m outside, as I find the sun’s rays pretty intense.
A few years ago, I found these sun protective dresses on Amazon, and I wear them all the time at home, especially when traveling to hot climates. I like that they keep the sun off of me, but are lightweight and quick-drying. They also work well as a cover-up, which is great if you are going to be sightseeing and then going to the beach during an excursion. They’re also great if you’re trying to pack light for a trip.
To me, the worst part of traveling to hot tropical climates is getting pounded on all day by the sun, so I would definitely wear sun-protective clothing or at least breathable clothing like linen or cotton while visiting Guatemala.
Tell Me Everything!
What are your favorite things to see, do, or eat in Panama?
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I try myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am a Viator and Expedia partner. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting the Eat Well. Adventure Often. blog!