Picture this: morning coffee on a balcony in Casco Viejo, the old city's bell towers on one side and the glittering skyline across the bay on the other. A few days later you're cruising Gatún Lake as monkeys move through the trees and cargo ships glide past, and before the trip is over you're swimming off a palm-fringed island in the warm Pacific. That's Panama. It's a little smaller than South Carolina, yet it holds two coastlines, the famous canal, cool coffee country and hundreds of islands. The trick is matching your bases to your days: two for five days, two for seven, three for nine.
These three Panama itineraries come straight from trips we plan for our clients, with the same routes, pacing and travel days. Borrow them as they are, or use them as a jumping-off point. Either way, Panama has a way of calling you back.
Panama itineraries at a glance
| Trip length | Route | Best for | Sample trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | 2 nights in Casco Viejo, 2 nights on Isla Palenque | A first taste of Panama, a long weekend, a quick escape | Built to order |
| 7 days | 1 night in Casco Viejo, 5 nights on Islas Secas | Honeymoons, milestone trips, private island lovers | Private-Island Escape |
| 9 days | 2 nights in Casco Viejo, 3 nights in Boquete, 3 nights on Isla Palenque | First-timers, nature lovers, coffee fans | Highland-to-Island |
5 days in Panama: Casco Viejo and Isla Palenque
Five days is just right for a taste of city and sea. Two nights in Casco Viejo give you the historic quarter and a day on the canal's waterways, then a short flight west to David puts you on Isla Palenque in the Gulf of Chiriquí for two nights of rainforest trails and island-hopping.
Day 1: Welcome to Casco Viejo. Arrive in Panama City and meet your private driver for the journey to your boutique hotel in Casco Viejo. Spend the evening wandering the neighborhood's cobblestone streets and plazas.
Day 2: Wildlife on Gatún Lake. Gatún Lake's tree-lined shores and tiny islets cover what was once the Chagres River Valley, and today the lake forms part of the Panama Canal. Cruise the lakeshore in search of monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and birds, then return to Casco Viejo for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: To island paradise. Fly from Panama City to David, about an hour, then travel to the coast and continue by boat to Isla Palenque. Check into your beachfront casita and settle into island time with a swim or a hammock.
Day 4: Island hopping in the Gulf of Chiriquí. Explore Chiriquí's islets by boat, with crescent beaches, swaying palms and vibrant reefs along the way. Swim and snorkel in warm Pacific waters and enjoy a picnic basket of refreshments, with stops chosen around the day's conditions.
Day 5: Farewell to Panama. One last morning swim, then head back to David for the short flight to Panama City and your flight home.
Insider's tip: Craving the Caribbean instead? Swap Isla Palenque for Bocas del Toro, about an hour's flight from Panama City, where overwater villas and turquoise seas await.
7 days in Panama: Casco Viejo and a private island
Seven days is our pick for honeymoons and milestone trips. One night in Casco Viejo sets the scene, then a private charter flies you west to Islas Secas, a secluded Pacific archipelago, for five nights of reefs, rainforest trails and island luxury. This route follows our Private-Island Escape itinerary, from $14,900 per person, with meals, activities and your private air charter included as arranged.
Day 1: Welcome to Casco Viejo. Meet your driver in Panama City and check into your hotel in the historic quarter. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the cobblestone streets. Your island adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Private charter to the Pacific. Fly west by private charter over mountains and jungle, then continue by boat to Islas Secas. Check into your island casita, where indoor and outdoor spaces open to the surroundings, and spend the afternoon getting to know your new home.
Day 3: Reefs & rainforest trails. Snorkel vibrant reefs or paddle sheltered bays in the morning, then join a guided nature hike through the forest, listening for birdsong along the trails. Dinner is served beneath the stars.
Day 4: A fishing adventure. Head out with your guide for a morning of fishing in the Pacific, learning techniques along the way. Return for a long lunch and a lazy afternoon of swimming and shade.
Day 5: Indulge & unwind. Enjoy a massage with the sound of the sea nearby, then spend the day as you wish. Wander a beach, return to a favorite cove, or watch frigatebirds circle overhead.
Day 6: One last day of island bliss. Morning coffee with the ocean stretching out before you, a final swim, and one last evening on the islands.
Day 7: Farewell to the Pacific. Travel by boat and private ground transport to David, then fly to Panama City for your international departure.
Prefer life aboard? Guna Yala by Private Yacht trades the Pacific for the Caribbean, with five nights on a crewed yacht among the palm-fringed islands of San Blas. Snorkel coral gardens, swim straight from the boat and enjoy meals prepared aboard, with your route chosen around wind and tide. Six days, from $8,750 per person. Our guide to luxury yacht charters in Panama compares Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro and Las Perlas.
9 days in Panama: Casco Viejo, Boquete and Isla Palenque
Nine days lets you add the highlands to the city and the sea: Casco Viejo and the canal, the cloud forests and coffee farms of Boquete, then island days on Isla Palenque. Boquete and Isla Palenque both sit in Chiriquí province, so the pace stays easy once you've flown west. This route follows our Highland-to-Island itinerary, from $4,450 per person.
Day 1: Welcome to Panama City. Meet your driver for the journey to your hotel in Casco Viejo. Rest after your travels or head out to explore the neighborhood's charming streets.
Day 2: Wildlife on the waterways of Gatún Lake. Cruise along the shores of Gatún Lake, part of the Panama Canal, watching for monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and birds. Return to Casco Viejo for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: Into Boquete's coffee country. Fly west and continue into the Chiriquí Highlands, where green hills and cloud forest welcome you to Boquete. Check into your lodge on a historic coffee estate and spend the afternoon walking the gardens and forest trails in the cool mountain air.
Day 4: Hidden waterfalls & the resplendent quetzal. Hike into the cloud forest with a guide in search of hidden waterfalls and the elusive resplendent quetzal. Spend the afternoon back at the finca, watching the clouds move across the valley.
Day 5: Coffee from field to cup. Explore the fields with coffee experts, following the beans from the nursery through harvesting and selection. Continue to the roastery and learn the tasting techniques used to grade gourmet coffee. Your morning cup will have quite a story to tell.
Day 6: From highland mist to Pacific shores. Descend to the Pacific coast and continue by boat to Isla Palenque. Check into your beachfront casita and spend the afternoon enjoying the sand, sea and sounds of the island.
Day 7: Where jungle meets beach. Swing in a hammock, paddle the island's coves, or take a guided hike along rainforest trails that lead from old-growth jungle to palm-fringed beaches.
Day 8: Island hopping in the Gulf of Chiriquí. Swim and snorkel around Chiriquí's islets, stroll crescent beaches and enjoy a picnic basket of refreshments along the way.
Day 9: Farewell to Panama. After breakfast, head back to David to connect with your flight home.
Want both coasts? Our Coast to Coast Island Retreat pairs four nights on Isla Palenque with an overwater villa and private plunge pool in Bocas del Toro, then a final two nights in Casco Viejo. Nine days, from $6,975 per person.
Traveling with kids? Surf, Cloud Forest & Caribbean starts on the Pacific coast in Santa Catalina with horseback rides and snorkeling in Coiba National Park, heads up to Boquete for waterfalls, coffee and zip lining, and ends in a family treetop bungalow on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro. Ten days, from $2,450 per person.
Planning a honeymoon? Our guide to luxury travel in Panama for couples compares our favorite romantic hotels in Casco Viejo, Boquete, Bocas del Toro and the Gulf of Chiriquí.
How to choose your trip length
- 5 days: a long weekend, or a week off with travel days on either end. Two nights in Casco Viejo and two on Isla Palenque give you city and island.
- 7 days: you're celebrating and want to settle into one spectacular island, or spend your days at sea on a private yacht in Guna Yala.
- 9 days: it's your first trip and you want the canal, the highlands and the islands, or you're traveling as a family and like a relaxed pace.
Whichever you choose, give each base at least two nights, three if you can. Looking for hotel ideas? See our guide to where to stay in Panama. Want more inspiration for a trip for two? Read our guide to luxury travel in Panama for couples.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Panama?
Seven to nine days is perfect for Panama City, the Boquete highlands and an island stay, or for a week of island luxury. Five days works for Casco Viejo plus one island, and ten lets you add the Caribbean coast.
What's the best time of year to visit Panama?
Mid-December through April is the dry season on the Pacific side and in Panama City, with sunny days and calm seas. The green season, May through November, brings lush landscapes, fewer visitors and afternoon showers on many days. The Caribbean coast follows its own rhythm, and Bocas del Toro often enjoys calmer, drier spells in September and October. Our guide to the best time to visit Panama has the details month by month.
How do you get to the San Blas Islands?
Travel by private transfer from Panama City to the Caribbean coast, then continue by boat into the Guna Yala archipelago. On our Guna Yala by Private Yacht trip, your yacht and crew meet you among the islands, and the transfer back to the city is arranged for you at the end.
Can you visit both of Panama's coasts in one trip?
Absolutely! Short domestic flights link the Pacific side with the Caribbean, so you can pair Isla Palenque in the Gulf of Chiriquí with Bocas del Toro in one trip. Our Coast to Coast Island Retreat shows how it works over nine days.
How much does a Panama itinerary cost?
Our sample Panama itineraries run from $2,450 per person for ten days with the family to $14,900 per person for seven days on a private island. International flights aren't included.
Can you plan our Panama trip for us?
We'd love to! It all starts with a free call. Tell us when you're thinking of going, who's coming along and what gets you excited, and we'll talk through which regions fit, how many nights to spend in each and the best time of year for your dates. You'll come away with a clear picture of your trip, plus a few ideas you hadn't thought of yet. Book your free call.
About the author
Adrienne Aragon is the founder of Osaviva Travel. She is a Certified Belize Specialist through the Belize Tourism Board and a Costa Rica and Mexico Specialist through Travel Agent Academy, and she plans custom honeymoons, family trips and group journeys across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama.
Plan your Panama itinerary
These routes are just the beginning. Book a free call and we'll talk through your dates, your travel style and the best route for you, with answers to all those "is it worth it?" questions along the way. Or browse our Panama trips for more inspiration. See you in Panama!
