Jungles, skylines & island time
San Blas islands, rainforest and the Canal, arranged into one seamless journey.
Why we love Panama
Small in size, but large in character, there is much more to Panama than the famed Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. From the clear turquoise seas to coffee fincas and cloud forests, a capital city whose bustling metropolis has been called the New York of Central America, and a plethora of deserted islands along both coasts, there's something here for everyone. Hello, paradise.
Hundreds of isles
Worlds converge
Rainforest and remarkable birdlife
A starting point for your perfect escape
We're good company, and we give great advice
Bocas del Toro is one of our go-to Caribbean escapes when sargassum is washing up elsewhere.
Pacific islands, the Bocas archipelago, cloud forest and the canal, with every flight and boat transfer worked out for you.
Sip Geisha coffee on a finca in Boquete, the highlands that made it famous.
Adrienne and team were so easy to work with, and truly took the detailed logistical stress off of planning AND getting through our vacation. They worked to finalize the perfect itinerary and answered lots of questions and have the scoop on the best tours and best places to stay!
A contact while traveling
Adrienne was great and having a contact while traveling in Central America was so convenient. Everything was perfectly planned and thought out.
Two wonderful trips
We have travelled twice on trips organised by [Osaviva] and we have loved them both. Everything was planned exceptionally well, the hotels were beautiful and we had an amazing time! We look forward to our next adventure with [Osaviva]!
A worry-free vacation
I loved our trip scheduled with [Osaviva] all of the activities and resorts were stunning. With vehicle transfers included it was truly a worry free vacation.
Our top picks
Panama City
Housed within restored heritage buildings overlooking Plaza Herrera, Sofitel Legend is the first luxury hotel to open inside Panama City's UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo. The 159-room property combines French hospitality with Panamanian history, placing museums, rooftop bars, galleries, and some of the city's best restaurants just outside the front door.
Panama
Panama City
Occupying a beautifully restored 1917 landmark in the heart of Casco Viejo, American Trade Hotel remains one of Panama City's most distinctive boutique stays. Its 50 rooms preserve lofty ceilings, original tilework, and historic architectural details, complemented by contemporary Panamanian art and craftsmanship. The renowned Jazz Club, Café Unido, museums, galleries, and many of the city's best restaurants are all just a short walk away.
Panama
Panama City
Occupying a restored colonial mansion in the heart of Casco Viejo, Amarla is one of Panama City's smallest luxury hotels, with just eight individually designed suites. Original architectural details are complemented by handcrafted furnishings and Panamanian artwork, while rooftop views, excellent dining, museums, and cafés are all just outside the front door.
Panama
Panama City
Housed within two restored colonial buildings in Casco Viejo, Las Clementinas offers apartment-style suites with full kitchens, separate living spaces, and balconies overlooking the neighborhood. Its larger layouts make it particularly well suited to longer stays, families, or travelers who prefer a little more room than a traditional boutique hotel.
Panama
Gulf of Chiriquí
Fourteen private islands in Panama's Gulf of Chiriquí form the setting for Islas Secas, one of Central America's most exclusive island retreats. Just eight casitas accommodate a maximum of 24 guests across an otherwise undeveloped archipelago, where protected rainforest and marine habitats remain the focus. Whale watching, world-class fishing, diving, and wildlife encounters all take place within one of Panama's most important marine reserves.
Panama
Bocas del Toro
Nayara brought its award-winning hospitality beyond Costa Rica for the first time with this adults-only private island retreat in Bocas del Toro. Sixteen overwater villas and treehouse suites sit among mangroves and Caribbean waters, complemented by a floating beach, overwater spa, and Michelin Key recognition. Boats connect guests with nearby islands, coral reefs, and some of Panama's best snorkeling.
Panama
When we plan a trip
Engineering
Stand beside the locks as enormous container ships rise and descend through the canal, or spend part of a day traveling along the waterway itself. It is the clearest way to understand how Panama’s geography changed global trade.
History
Explore church ruins, restored mansions, shaded plazas and some of Panama City’s best restaurants. A private guide can trace the neighborhood’s Spanish, French, Caribbean and American influences before dinner or rooftop drinks.
Islands
Travel between mangroves, coral reefs and small Caribbean islands by private boat. Days might include snorkeling, dolphin sightings, beach lunches and a swim in bioluminescent water after dark.
Exploration
Move between palm-covered islands in a private catamaran, stopping at quiet beaches and Guna communities along the way. Local guides add context to the archipelago’s history, traditions and Indigenous governance.
Nature
Follow cloud-forest trails around Boquete in search of waterfalls, hummingbirds and resplendent quetzals. Cooler temperatures and views toward Volcán Barú make the highlands a complete contrast to Panama’s tropical coasts.
Marine life
Explore the reefs and open water around Coiba National Park and the Gulf of Chiriquí, where dolphins, rays, sea turtles and large schools of fish are regularly seen. Humpback whales visit the Pacific coast seasonally.
The things travelers ask us most about Panama, from visiting the canal to island-hopping in Bocas del Toro. Have a question we haven't covered? Send it to
December to April is dry season on the Pacific side and in Panama City. Bocas del Toro gets rain year-round, and September and October are often its driest months.
The US dollar. Panama's balboa is pegged to it, and US bills are used everywhere.
A one-hour flight from Panama City's Albrook airport, then a short boat ride to most hotels.
The Miraflores Locks visitor center near Panama City has viewing decks over the locks. Agua Clara, on the Atlantic side, shows the newer, larger locks.
Yes. The islands are part of Guna Yala, a self-governed Indigenous territory. Stays are simple and island-run, and there's a small entry fee.
In Panama City and most towns, yes. In Bocas del Toro and on the islands, stick to bottled water.
