Panama is more than the Panama Canal and Janosch’s children’s stories. This is where North and South America meet. According to programingplease, the country is home to a variety of animal species from both continents and offers visitors volcanoes, dense jungles with crystal clear waterfalls. Adventurers can let off steam, swap and snorkel with white water rafting or enjoy Afro-Caribbean cuisine.
Best travel time
You can travel to tropical Panama all year round, the driest time of the year is between January and mid-April . This is widely considered to be the best time to visit Panama to see the country at its best. If some rain doesn’t bother you, consider traveling at one of the rest of the year. Then you can experience various very popular Panamanian events and festivals. The temperatures are relatively consistently high all year round, averaging 30 ° C. On the Caribbean coast there is short, heavy rainfall almost every day, while on the Pacific coast there is a pronounced rainy season from May to November .
While you will find the best weather in Panama between January and March, we recommend a vacation in November and early December. For us, these are the most beautiful months to travel: The rainforests are lush, lush green, there are fewer foreign visitors and there are some interesting festivals.
Optimal travel time after months
January – March
Thanks to a lot of sun and only infrequent rain showers, the period from January to March is a popular travel time for Panama. Visitors from all over the world come here. It is best to plan your trip early. This time of year is also ideal for snorkeling and diving.
April
April lies exactly between the popular dry season and the less popular, rainier green season. Temperatures and humidity rise, but April also offers the chance to see the country through the eyes of a local at several major festivals.
May – August
The tropical rains begin from May to August. However, this does not deter visitors in principle, because many Europeans and North Americans also choose to vacation in Panama in the summer. You have to expect short, tropical thunderstorms during this time. Adrenaline seekers can take advantage of the following: Heavy rains make the rivers swell and create excellent conditions for rafting.
September – November
This is the best time to experience Panama with as few tourists as possible. If you can live with the occasional rain, you can see a number of festivals culminating in three grandiose Independence Day celebrations in November. The travel conditions are not for everyone. The roads get muddy in places and are sometimes closed for repairs due to strong thunderstorms.
December
At the end of the year, the rain gives way to bright sunshine in most of the country. This can be one of the most rewarding times of the year, even if the number of visitors increases significantly over Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We recommend avoiding the coastal beaches of Bocas del Toro, where it rains unusually heavily in December.
Money
The national currency in Panama is the balboa. Panama is one of the few countries in the world that does not have its own paper money. Therefore, only US dollar banknotes are used and US dollar banknotes and coins are legal tender.
Food and drink
The food in Panama is good, but the menus are simple and with few refinements. Rice is a staple item on a restaurant’s menu and is usually served with beef, chicken, and fish. Vegetarian dishes are hard to come by.
Language
The official language in Panama is Spanish, although English is widely spoken. English is particularly good at reaching your destination, especially in tourist places.
Tip
In restaurants, the bill may include a service charge, otherwise a tip of 10-15% is common. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Hotel staff tips are at your discretion. Housekeeping is usually the most deserving tip and around € 1 a day is reasonable.
