10 best day trips from Panama City, Panama

Panama City is a fascinating place to visit, offering plenty to see and do, but there are also many cool locations beyond the city limits that are worth exploring.

I had the opportunity to spend three months in Panama City, during which I did trips to various beautiful places that can be visited within a day, from dreamy tropical islands with tranquil beaches to spectacular mountains, waterfalls hidden in misty jungles and even an indigenous village.

In this post, I have rounded up the best day trips from Panama City, together with some essential information to help you decide which of these destinations are the right ones for you. Some of these locations are pretty off the beaten path, whereas others are well-known tourist spots. Some are best visited as part of a tour, whereas others require renting a car. At the end of the post, you’ll find a map that shows you where each of these places is located.

Be sure to also read my ’Things to do in Panama City’ post, where I cover 12 fun activities to do in and around the city, and the best places to stay.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

1) El Valle de Anton

Me standing on top of La India Dormida mountain with a view of steep green mountains and the town of El Valle de Anton below on a sunny day. — View from La India Dormida

The small mountain town of El Valle de Anton (Anton Valley) is a popular ecotourism destination, located 2.5 hours from Panama City. What makes this town special is that it sits in the crater of an ancient inactive volcano and is surrounded by green mountains in all directions.

Around the rim of the crater, there are several hiking trails that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the town below. The most famous of them is the La India Dormida hike, but Cerro Cara Iguana, Cerro Gaital, Cerro La Silla and Cerro La Gaita are also great trails worth hiking. Check out my post on how to hike La India Dormida for all the details about this trail.

Besides hiking, you can explore several waterfalls in the El Valle area (Pozo Azul, Chorro La Poma, Chorro El Macho) and visit an orchidarium and a butterfly garden.

To get to El Valle de Anton, you can rent a car and drive yourself (find the best deals at Discover Cars), take a public bus from Albrook Station or join a guided tour, such as this full-day tour from Panama City.

2) The Pearl Islands

A drone shot of a deserted white sand beach with turquoise water and palm trees lining the beach on Saboga Island, one of the best day trips from Panama City. — Saboga Island

The Pearl Islands Archipelago, or Las Perlas, is a group of gorgeous, tropical, mostly uninhabited islands that for some reason don’t receive much attention from foreign visitors. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Panama City, the islands are home to unspoiled beaches, irresistible turquoise waters and lush nature.

Las Perlas makes for a nice day trip from Panama City, but it’s even better to stay there overnight, so you’d have more time to enjoy this tropical paradise. The most popular and most developed island of Las Perlas is Contadora. Other islands you can visit by ferry are Saboga, Viveros, Bolaños and San Miguel, but only Contadora and Saboga are close enough for a day trip in my opinion.

Me stepping on a large black rock on a white sand beach with clear blue water in Saboga on the Las Perlas Archipelago in Panama. — Saboga

Since we were looking for a wild and secluded vibe, we decided to visit Saboga Island and were very happy with our choice. If you enjoy relaxing on tranquil, deserted beaches with no people and snorkeling in the turquoise sea, Saboga is perfect for you.

The Pearl Islands can be reached in 1.5-2 hours from Panama City with the Sea Las Perlas ferry. Another fun way to visit the islands is to take this full-day boat tour from Panama City, which takes you to three remote islands in one day.

3) San Blas Islands

A beach with fine white sand, calm turquoise water and tall palm trees in the background on the San Blas Islands.

The San Blas Islands, also known as Guna Yala, are a place that exceeded all my expectations. Located in the Caribbean Sea, this archipelago of 300+ islands is the definition of tropical paradise and truly a bucket-list-worthy destination.

Gorgeous white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, shallow lagoons and calm blue waters, where you might stumble upon starfish and other marine life – this is what you can expect to find on these islands.

San Blas belongs to the indigenous Guna people, who have their own laws and protect the islands against mass tourism developments. There are no hotels or resorts, and the only places to stay overnight are sailing boats, tents or rustic beachfront huts owned by local families. For some, this might sound like a nightmare, but I think these primitive conditions only add to the charm and uniqueness of this place.

Me walking barefoot between rustic bamboo huts and towering palm trees on an island in the San Blas Archipelago.

Even though San Blas can be visited on a day trip from Panama City, and many people do this, it’s better to go on a 2-day San Blas tour instead or even stay for 3 days if you have time. This would give you a more relaxed experience and more time to take in the beauty of these heavenly islands. But if you’re short on time, it’s still worth doing a day trip, such as this one that includes 4 islands.

4) Cerro Picacho & Laguna de San Carlos

A panoramic view of verdant mountainous landscapes, including the sharp pointy peak of Cerro Picacho and the small lake of San Carlos, which is a great day trip destination from Panama City.

If you’re into hiking and like to get off the beaten track, consider taking a day trip to Cerro Picacho (Picacho Mountain). Not to be confused with Picachos de Ola, which is another scenic mountain that I’ll cover later in this post, Cerro Picacho is located in the Panama Oeste province, a 2-hour drive from Panama City.

Since it’s a pretty remote area, the best way to get there is to rent a car and drive. You can find good deals on rental cars on Discover Cars.

Here, a short but steep trail leads you through a forest and up a mountainside until you reach the summit. It takes about 45 minutes to hike to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding green mountains and the lake below.

A boy sitting on a floating mattress on the calm green waters of San Carlos Lake, with lush mountain and bright blue sky in the background.

After the hike, you can walk around the small San Carlos Lake at the base of the mountain. Other stops you could add to this day trip are the Los Cajones de Chame canyon, Chorro La Poma waterfall, or Playa Santa Clara if you want to swim in the Pacific Ocean.

5) Waterfalls in Sorá

Las Filipinas Waterfall with a small natural pool at its base and lush foliage around it. — Las Filipinas Waterfall

Another cool place for nature and adventure lovers in the Panama Oeste province is Sorá, which is located about a 2-hour drive from Panama City. There are several beautiful waterfalls to explore in the mountains around this small town, such as Cascada Las Filipinas, Cascada La Gloria, Cascada Nativa and Cascada El Manglarito.

Be aware that this is a remote area with very steep dirt roads that require a 4×4 car. Out of the above-mentioned waterfalls, the only one that you can reach without a 4×4 (an SUV is enough) is Las Filipinas.

To access Cascada Nativa, you have to contact the owner beforehand since the waterfall is on private property. His WhatsApp number is +507 6787 6918.

Other stops you could include in this road trip are Campana Viewpoint and the Cajones de Chame canyon, where you can go for a swim.

6) Taboga Island

Small boats floating in the sea in front of a beach with golden sand on Taboga Island near Panama City.

There are no beaches in Panama City, so if you’re craving some beach time, your closest option is Taboga Island. Nicknamed the ‘Island of Flowers’, Taboga is just a 30-minute ferry ride from the city and a popular destination for a weekend trip among the locals.

There are two main beaches on the island – Playa La Restinga and Playa Honda – plus a few smaller ones that require a bit of hiking to get to them. They are nice enough for a quick and easy beach day from the city, but they can’t be compared to the glorious beaches of San Blas, the Pearl Islands or Bocas del Toro. I visited Taboga on a Saturday, and the beaches were very crowded, so I recommend going there on a weekday instead for a calmer vibe.

Besides relaxing on the beaches, you can go SUPing or kayaking, explore the quaint village of San Pedro and hike to Cerro de la Cruz and Cerro El Vigía peaks for some amazing views of the island. On our hike to Cerro El Vigía, we were lucky enough to see several poison dart frogs along the trail. However, we also saw two snakes, so that’s something to be aware of.

A small poison dart frog with a black and green skin on the forest floor on Taboga Island.

To get to Taboga, you can take the Taboga Express Ferry or join this catamaran cruise with lunch and open bar. If you’re planning to take the ferry on a weekend, book your tickets several days in advance.

7) Emberá village tour

An indigenous Embera man standing in a wooden canoe on the Chagres River, surrounded by rainforest. — Our canoe ride on the Chagres River

For those interested in cultural experiences, one of the best day trips from Panama City is to visit an Emberá village. The Emberá are an indigenous tribe that originally lived in the Darien rainforest in Panama and Colombia. Nowadays, some Emberá communities live in areas much closer to Panama City and welcome tourists into their villages.

We took this Emberá village tour and can recommend it. On this tour, you’ll head to Chagres National Park, where you’ll travel in a wooden canoe to a riverside Emberá village surrounded by jungle. You’ll get a tour of the village, learn about the Emberá’s way of life, watch traditional dances, have lunch and visit a waterfall.

Since the experience is designed for tourists, some people may feel that it’s not the most authentic, but it was very well-organized and we enjoyed it.

8) Portobelo & the Caribbean coast

Simple houses and colorful fisherman boats docked on the rocky coast of Portobelo on a rainy day. — Portobelo waterfront

If you’d like to see a bit of the Panamanian Caribbean and swim in crystal clear waters, take a day trip to Portobelo and explore some nearby beaches by boat.

Located two hours from Panama City, the historical port town of Portobelo was an important trading center during the Spanish colonial times. Here you can explore the ruins of several UNESCO-listed forts and learn about the local Afro-Congo culture.

Besides exploring the town, you should take a boat to the nearby mangrove lagoon called Venas Azules (Blue Veins) and to Playa Blanca, which is a beautiful, secluded white sand beach.

Me standing on the sandy Playa Blanca beach with clear blue-green water and tall coconut palms in the background. — Playa Blanca

Although you could rent a car, drive to Portobelo and try to find a boat tour on the spot, I recommend booking a tour in advance. This highly-rated full-day catamaran tour takes you to both Venas Azules and Playa Blanca, and includes lunch, snorkeling, kayaking and SUPing.

Other well-known destinations in the area are Isla Mamey and Isla Grande. These two islands can be reached by boat either from Portobelo, Puerto Lindo or La Guaira. The tiny uninhabited Mamey Island is more rustic and has a nicer beach, whereas Isla Grande is more developed and has hotels and restaurants.

I visited Isla Mamey on a Sunday and it was super crowded, so I only recommend going there during weekdays.

9) Los Picachos de Ola hike & waterfalls

Me walking down a gravel path on top of the Picachos de Ola mountain, with sharp green peaks and ridges in the background.

Los Picachos de Ola is a group of mountains in the countryside of Cocle province, a 3-hour drive from Panama City. With their dramatic, sharp ridges and steep green slopes, these mountains create a fantastic scenery that you can see by doing a short hike.

Although the hike to the top of the mountain is only about a kilometer long, the trail is extremely steep in some sections. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s the steepest hike I’ve ever done. But it’s totally doable if you have good mobility, take it slow, and are not scared of heights.

Once you’ve made your way up to the viewpoint, you can enjoy a sweeping view of the hills and valleys below. The best time to do the Los Picachos de Ola hike is early in the morning or before sunset to avoid the harsh midday sun.

Just a short drive from the mountains, you’ll find the beautiful Las Mesitas Waterfall and Chorros de Ola Waterfall, where you can swim and cool off.

Me standing in a natural pool full of emerald water at the base of the Chorros de Ola waterfall, surrounded by brown rocks. — Chorros de Ola

Because of the 3-hour drive from Panama City, it’s better to stay in the area overnight, but it’s definitely possible to do a day trip if you don’t mind the long travel time. We rented a car and spent a weekend here, but if you only have one day or prefer a guided tour, this full-day tour looks like a great option.

10) Playa Santa Clara

Playa Santa Clara is a lovely beach on the Pacific Coast, about a 1.5-hour drive from Panama City. It’s popular among both locals and tourists, and has a wide strip of sand, a relaxed atmosphere and calm, clear water. It’s definitely not the most beautiful beach in Panama, but it’s one of the best ones on the Pacific Coast and a great option if you’re looking for an easy day trip from Panama City.

Here you can have a meal with your toes in the sand in one of the beachfront restaurants or rent small thatched-roof cabanas with hammocks for the day. There are also showers and restrooms on the beach. To get to Playa Santa Clara, you can drive or take a public bus from Albrook Bus Station.

A map of the best Panama City day trips

The interactive map below gives you an overview of where each of these day trip destinations is located. By clicking on the icon in the top left corner of the map, you can see more details.

I hope this post gave you some inspiration on where to go if you’re looking for a short getaway from Panama City. As you can see, there are a lot of beautiful places to explore in the areas outside the city, especially if you’re into nature like me.

Do you have any questions about these day tours from Panama City? Let me know in the comments below.

Don’t forget to read my other Panama travel guides for more useful tips:

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