Panama’s geographic size is modest, but its global relevance is not. The country connects two oceans and two continents, operates on a dollarized economy, applies a territorial tax system, and controls one of the world’s most critical trade corridors. The Panama Canal alone positions the country at the center of global commerce. Thus, Panama is also a logistics, finance, and transit hub embedded in international trade flows.
Despite its global importance, daily life in Panama is still quite relaxed. Within a single morning, residents can cycle along the Pacific at the Amador Causeway, hike rainforest trails near the capital, or reach Caribbean islands within a few hours. This combination of strategic positioning and practical livability is uncommon. That is one of the main reasons why Panama is suitable for long-term residence and strategic planning.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to the must-do experiences in Panama in 2026, whether you’re an expat or a tourist. I have organized this guide into three sections: things to do in Panama City, weekend getaways, and festivals. Thus, you can get a clear and comprehensive idea of what you can experience in Panama.
Panama City pairs a sleek skyline with real livability, fast commutes between neighbourhoods, oceanfront living, and top-tier connectivity. For expats, it’s more functional than most Western centres
Panama City is a modern, outward-facing capital without the chaos of a megacity. Its skyline is dominated by towers filled with banks, law firms, and regional headquarters, reflecting the city's role in finance and logistics. Despite this, you can travel quickly between key neighbourhoods and easily access business districts while living on the oceanfront. As an expat, I know that the practicality of a city is more important than its appearance. In this respect, Panama City is more functional than any Western center. It has developed into a capital city that possesses infrastructure, connectivity, and livability all at once.
To capture the spirit of Panama City, like every visitor, you must experience Casco Viejo. Its colonial architecture, restored squares, stone churches, narrow streets, and pastel-colored buildings reflect the foundations of the country's Spanish-era roots. Best of all, this historic district isn't an open-air museum, but a vibrant and functional city center. It's a dynamic social and cultural hub where you can enjoy rooftop restaurants, boutique hotels, and non-stop nightlife. Casco Viejo is a natural point of integration for foreigners, where past and future meet.
Amador Causeway is a significant landmark reflecting the beauty of daily life in Panama City. Extending into the Pacific Ocean, this causeway connects small islands to the mainland with bike paths, wide walking trails, and open ocean views on either side. With cargo ships waiting in the open sea behind them, joggers, families, and cyclists share this space daily. Families gather here on weekends, children ride scooters, and professionals come here to relax after work. You can also easily watch the ships moving toward the locks, a quiet reminder of Panama's global role. The causeway is like a summary of what the city does well: business, open space, and coastal life. All of this is located just minutes from the city center.
Of course, coming all the way to Panama, you can't miss a visit to the Miraflores Locks. Watching the massive ships rise and fall in a precisely engineered sequence from the observation decks leaves most people fascinated by the Panama Canal. By visiting the canal, you can enjoy the interactive exhibits and museum, and have the opportunity to understand its history. I must say, there are very few experiences like watching a living system at the heart of world trade from a balcony.
San Blas, 2 to 3 hours from Panama City, feels worlds away. Governed by the Guna, it stays proudly autonomous and low-key, with simple cottages, small hostels, and the open Caribbean sea
One of Panama's most overlooked advantages is its geographical diversity. In larger countries, you might need to fly in and endure long car journeys if you want to change climates or landscapes. In Panama, you don't need to. In hours, you can go from a financial district to a rainforest, from the Pacific Ocean to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, Panama's geography is sufficient to fit any adventure you desire into a single weekend. Below are some of your options for a weekend getaway.
Few places better illustrate Panama's geographical advantage than the San Blas Islands. Located about 2-3 hours from Panama City, these Caribbean archipelagos have a completely different atmosphere from the capital. They are governed by the Guna people, an indigenous community that maintains its political autonomy and culture. Development here is deliberately limited. There are no high-rise resorts or cruise ship terminals; only small island hostels, wooden cottages, and the open sea.
El Valle de Antón is a small mountain town in Coclé Province, situated inside an extinct volcanic crater. With approximately 7,600 inhabitants, the town sits about 600 meters above sea level, giving it a significantly cooler climate than Panama's coastal regions. Known for its biodiversity and mild mountain climate, El Valle plays a significant role in the conservation of species such as the endangered Panamanian golden frog. I highly recommend adding this extremely popular mountain town to your list of places to visit.
Located in the western highlands of Chiriquí, Boquete surprises with a different side of Panama. Instead of tropical temperatures, Boquete boasts cooler weather, guaranteeing visitors a peaceful stay with its green valleys and coffee-covered hillsides. Its mild climate alone attracts many who prefer the cool mornings and pleasant evenings year-round. Boquete also has one of the largest foreign communities in the country. With English widely spoken, the town is a popular destination for international residents. Furthermore, Volcán Barú, Panama's highest peak, sits above the town. On a clear day, hikers can enjoy views of both the Pacific and Caribbean Seas from the summit.
Off the Pacific coast of Panama lies one of the country's greatest natural assets: Coiba National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park protects a vast marine reserve and an unspoiled island ecosystem. Divers here can encounter reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, enormous schools of fish, and even migrating whales. On land, dense forests are home to endemic species found nowhere else.
The Panama Jazz Festival, founded by Grammy winner Danilo Pérez, turns Panama City into a global jazz hub every January with world-class concerts, workshops, and an international crowd
Panama's appeal isn't limited to its nature, infrastructure, or tax policies. To truly understand it, you must also experience its national celebrations. Festivals are essential for getting to know Panamanian society more closely.
Every February, especially in Las Tablas, the heart of the celebrations, Carnival Panama transforms the country into something else entirely. Spectacular parades, costumes, and performances create a unique experience for visitors. Throughout the day, water trucks called culeco drench the dancing crowds, while fireworks and live music keep the energy high even after midnight.
The Panama Jazz Festival is one of the country's most internationally recognized cultural events. Founded by Grammy Award-winning pianist Danilo Pérez, the festival brings world-class musicians, educational workshops, and a global audience to Panama City every January.
Panama blends work and life like few places: a dollarized, low-tax logistics hub where you can go from finance to rainforest hikes or Caribbean weekends fast. It offers daily freedom plus long-term stability
Panama offers more than just stunning scenery and advanced infrastructure; it allows you to balance your work and private life. You can spend your mornings in a financial center and your afternoons hiking in the rainforest. You can clear your head with a mountain hike or spend the weekend on a Caribbean island. Few countries can combine a dollarized economy, a regional logistics hub, a regional tax system, and geographical diversity in such a small area.
That's why Panama's advantages are a long-term option integrated into daily life. Whether you are a tourist exploring Casco Viejo and the Canal, or an expat making long-term plans, Panama will offer you both experience and stability. You may have many reasons to visit Panama, but I would argue that you have even stronger reasons to build your life there. If you would like to explore your options, download our free report on Plan-B Residency and Instant Citizenship.