Where the Americas connect — the engineering marvel of the Canal linking two oceans, Casco Viejo's colonial old town contrasting with a gleaming financial skyline, and the Darien jungle guarding the ultimate adventure.
- Capital
- Panama City
- Population
- 4,064,780
- Area
- 78,200 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
- GDP
- $91,675M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Sancocho de gallina
Annual visitors
647,000 (2020)
Safety
Elevated (11.71/100k)
Avg temp
25.6°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 104 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 103
Travel guide
Panama is a country at the southern end of Central America. The country is known as the "Crossroads of the Americas" due to its location between North and South America. Its name, given by Indigenous peoples, means "abundance of fish," reflecting the country's status as a paradise for water sports lovers and eco-tourists.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Panama
Best time to visit
December–April is the dry season on the Pacific side — the best time for Panama City, Bocas del Toro (Caribbean side is drier September–November). May–November is rainy season. San Blas islands best December–April.
Visa
Citizens of US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Western countries receive 180 days visa-free in Panama.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (6)
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Major cities
Panama City
A city of two faces — the colonial Casco Viejo alongside the modern skyline, all connected by the famous canal.
Bocas del Toro
A Caribbean archipelago of stilted wooden towns, reggae culture, dolphin encounters, and pristine reef snorkeling.
Boquete
Panama's mountain coffee town — hiking through cloud forests, white-water rafting, and the country's finest arabica coffee.