hi Jacob, if you go to Bocas, you can also go to Volcan, Cerro Punta or Boquete. This tree places are very cold, and you can climb Volcan Baru.

Near of Bocas: Isla Colon, isla Bastimento and Isla cabo del agua, in there are no hotels and you eat with the aborigens (went i go, two years ago), so you take a launch in Bocas and then go to that places to snork, swimming, fishing. etc.

I advise you not to stay in the city, you can go to Darien, Isla Grande, Portobelo, Gamboa, El Valle.

this map will help you… good luck! you’ll love Bocas.

Of course, the canal is a must. And about the city, well… For central america it looks quite out of place – very modern, skyscrappers, malls, mixed with “chicken busses”, I’d visit it.

I was born in Panama, but lived in the USA for most of my life. I visited last year for the first time in nearly 8 years, and I was very impressed by the modernization that has occurred there. Bocas is supposed to be an unspoiled paradise, although I have not had the pleasure of going. My family still owns land there.

Near the city there are a bunch of decommissioned US Military installations that have been turned into touristy areas. There is one island called “Flamenco” were this is prevalent. There is a “Causeway” that connects the island with the mainland. Although touristy, I felt like it was worth a look. Great views towards the city from here.

Also, there is a new bridge that was constructed across the canal. It is supposed to be one of the highest and longest suspension bridges in the world and a spectacular view of the canal and ships passing through.

You can also catch ferries to different islands near the coast. One that I remember distinctly is “Tabogoda.” Here the water is so clear, you can see fishes in the water.

Good luck on your trip.

Hello Jacob!

I’m glad you are coming over here :-)

Two very useful guides in english:
Lonely Planet
Explore Panama (This one is local and full of off trail places)

1. In Panama City Must sees:
-“El Casco Viejo”, the old quarter. This is the citadel built after Pirate Morgan burnt the old city “Panama la vieja”.
-There are a lot of hostels and hotels in Panama city, from the very cheap to the more expensives.
-Go to an Embera village, the best contact is Adventures in Panama and if you can choose the jungle challenge (About $300)
you get to spent the night in the Embera village and take a trip trought the rainforest.
-clubbing: Well, Panama city’s night scene is pretty intense. Try to befriend someone who’s bilingual to take in your trips.
People at clubs most are bilingual but taxi drivers usually aren’t.
Balboa AvenuePanama CanalFlamenco and Naos IslandPanama CityThe CausewayThe Old QuarterThe Gamboa Rainforest ResortSunrise in the beach after partying all nightClubbing at NextClubbing at Xuma

2. Outside the city, Must sees:
-Colón-Portobelo and Isla Grande (Big Island).
Black Christ ChurchSan Lorenzo FortMamey Island

-El Valle, it’s a mountain town inside a volcano crater (The volcano’s caldera is the “valley”). Take the zip line tour, it’s about $35. Take the one all the way to the top. A warning,
if you don’t like heights, don’t take it!! It’s very scary but a lot of fun. The horseback tours are very slow and take up too much time you can use to see things for yourself.
-Bocas del Toro: blue mondays in Bastimentos Island. You can stay at the Mondo tiatu about $12 a night, it’s very rustic, but fun. Also try camping a night in the beach, you can do it for
about a $10, just ask the water taxi guys and they will find you a place.
-Chiriqui, That’s where I was born, if you have a chance you can take a road trip from Panama city to Chiriqui (that’s about 6 hours ), in Chiriqui go to Boquete (a mountain retreat),Volcan
Las Lajas beach u Horconcitos, also you can go and get to the Costa Rica border. There are bus routes that would take you from Chiriqui to Bocas del toro, it’s a great trip for sight views.
Boquete, ChiriquiLa Barqueta Beach

Well, there’s a lot more, but that’s basically what I can recommend so far!

Cheers,

Ken

p.s. If you need any help while on your trip my cellphone is 64832027.