Panama in 10 Days: 3 Recommended 10-Day Itineraries to Panama

Planning a 10-day trip to Panama with Bookmundi? Enjoy day trips to Isla Iguana, explore the Gatun Lake and fly to the Chiriqui Highlands with our Panama 10-day itinerary suggestions.

On a Panama itinerary for 10 days, you want to start and end in the capital, Panama City, for easy onward travel. Arrive in Panama City and enjoy an orientation tour around the historic center, perhaps see the Panama Canal, before heading out along the Pan-American highway to El Valle de Antón, where you can visit the Mozas waterfalls or the stunning Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint. Continue on to one of the oldest towns in Panama, Chitré. Visit the town’s historic church and opt to check out the delicious Ron Abuelo rum distillery. Head to the coast, where you can board a boat to Isla Iguana, which is a stunning 53-hectare wildlife reserve. Relax on the beach or learn more about conservation efforts. Spend a day in the coastal town of Pedasí, where you can chill on beaches like Playa Venao and Playa Los Destiladeros. If you are up for some adventure, you can even go whale watching. Keep the beach vibes going with a stay in Las Lajas, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in mainland Panama. Work on your tan, go for a dip in the clear waters or kick back with a cocktail. Next, travel to Boquete, the mountain town, where you can enjoy a coffee tour of the region, hike around stunning greenery, or spike your heart rate by going zip-lining or white water rafting. After you’ve had your fill of adventure, head back to Panama City.

With 10 days in Panama, you have the opportunity to embrace indigenous culture as well as see the beach-filled hotspots. Kick off your trip with a tour of Panama City. Here you can stop off at Plaza de Francia, the Museum of Old Panama, and enjoy the Colonial Quarter that’s full of history. Next, embark on a visit to an Embera indigenous village in the Chagres National Park. Follow this up with a visit to a local sloth sanctuary near Gatun Lake and an aerial tram ride through the top of the rainforest canopy. Board a boat tour to visit Monkey Island, which is known for its capuchin and howler monkey populations. After that, embark on a tour of the Panama Canal, visiting the famous Miraflores Locks and watching the whole process unfold before traveling to the gorgeous Bocas del Toro archipelago. Here, you’ll have the chance to see dolphins in Dolphin Bay, go snorkeling in Cayo Coral, and relax on the pristine white sand beaches of Cayo Zapatilla. Then, head on a trip to the north side to visit Starfish Beach, and spend some time exploring neighboring islands and hotspots like Red Frog Beach. Once you’ve soaked up the sunshine, transfer back to Panama City where your trip ends. Describe your ideal 10-day holiday for a customized trip to Panama.

If you’re looking to see three different key sections of Panama in 10 days, start off in Panama City. Take a city tour where you can visit the Panama Canal Museum, check out the cathedral, or relax in Plaza Bolivar. From here, embark on a partial transit down the iconic Panama Canal, passing through the Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks and Gatun Lake, before arriving in the Gamboa Rainforest. Visit the colonial-era Spanish fort at Portobelo, where you can visit San Felipe Church and Customs House before checking out the Agua Clara Locks. Start your next day with a walk around the Parque Metropolitano that boasts amazing views of Panama City, before visiting an indigenous Embera village. Here, you can learn about their different traditions and cultures, and how they interact with the wild spaces around them. Next, jump on a flight to the Chiriqui Highlands, home to a stunning cloud forest. Enjoy a guided nature walk around Cerro Puntas where you might see quetzals, flycatchers, prong-billed barbets, and the volcano hummingbird. You can also visit Haras Cerro Punta, which is a thoroughbred horse breeding ground in the mountainous region. From here, journey to Boca del Toros where you’ll embark on an island tour by boat, stopping off to learn to surf at Red Frog Beach or try and spot dolphins at Dolphin Bay. Alternatively, you might just want to relax on the soft sandy beaches before returning to Panama City where the trip ends.

Ten days in Panama is the ideal amount of time to spend if you want to experience city vibes alongside beach relaxation and mountain adventure. Moving between Boca del Toro to Boquete to Panama City to Gamboa takes time, so 10 days is a good trip length to opt for. If you wish to spend more time in the country, check out our 2-week Panama itineraries. Need support creating your dream Panama tour? Reach out to our local travel experts to create a custom itinerary for Panama that suits your exact needs.

Other related articles:
Best time to visit Panama
How many days to spend in Panama
5 days in Panama
7 days in Panama