Panama in 5 Days: 2 Recommended 5-Day Itineraries to Panama
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Panama 5-Day Itinerary Options
5 days in Panama is enough to go see the sights in Panama City and relax on the beaches of San Blas Islands! Check out our recommended 5-day itineraries in Panama.
Itinerary #1: Panama City Sightseeing
| Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
| Day 1 | Begin your trip in Panama City | Arrival | Panama City |
| Day 2 | Enjoy a tour of the Colonial Quarter or Casco Antiguo | City sightseeing | Panama City |
| Day 3 | Visit the iconic Panama Canal | Cruise | Panama City |
| Day 4 | Embark on a nature walk in Soberania National Park | Nature | Panama City |
| Day 5 | Say goodbye to Panama | Departure |
If you want to spend 5 days in Panama City and the surrounding area, it’s easy to fill your itinerary. Start with a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Antiguo, or Colonial Quarter, which is home to the Presidential Palace, the National Theater, and numerous beautiful buildings and eateries. It was founded in 1673 after the first Spanish settlement was burned down by pirates. Next, it’s time to visit the iconic Panama Canal. This engineering marvel is a must-visit. You’ll cruise under the "Bridge of the Americas" and through the Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Culebra Cut before arriving at Gatun Lake and the port town of Gamboa. Follow this with a beautiful nature walk in the Soberania National Park. Spot wildlife like anteaters, sloths, white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and tamarins along the way before departing from Panama. See all tours in Panama.
Itinerary #2: Best of Panama
| Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
| Day 1 | Explore Panama City’s Casco Viejo | Walking | Panama City |
| Day 2 | Enjoy the Panama Canal | Sightseeing | Panama City |
| Day 3 | Visit the Gamboa Rainforest | Nature | Soberanía National Park |
| Day 4 | Take a day trip to Portobelo and Mamey Island | Beach | Mamey Island |
| Day 5 | End your trip in San Blas Islands | Departure |
If you want to experience the best of Panama in 5 days, expect your itinerary to be busy. Begin your trip in Panama City’s Casco Viejo neighborhood or historic center, where you can see sights like Plaza Herrera, the National Theatre of Panama, La Cathedral Metropolitana, and the Panama Canal Museum. Move onwards to explore the marvel of engineering that is the Panama Canal. Check out the Miraflores Locks, where you can see ships passing through the canal. Combine this with a visit to the bustling Mercado de Mariscos to eat the freshest seafood in the city. Next, head out to the Gamboa Rainforest. Here you can visit the butterfly house, a Sloth Sanctuary, and enjoy a boat ride down the river where you can spot capuchins and howler monkeys. Follow this with a visit to Portobelo, a Spanish-era fort with military cannons still in place, before heading across to the gorgeous Mamey Island for an afternoon of beach relaxation. Finally, spend a day snorkeling coral reefs and relaxing on sandy beaches in the San Blas Islands. Describe your ideal 5-day holiday for a customized trip to Panama.
Planning a 5-day Itinerary of Panama?
If you only have just 5 days in Panama, we recommend basing yourself in Panama City, exploring the capital, and embarking on day tours from there. This way, you get the cosmopolitan vibes alongside beautiful beach island visits and nature-filled rainforest experiences. If you have slightly longer to spend in Panama, check out our 6-day and one-week itinerary options. Planning a trip can be stressful, but luckily our in-country travel experts are on hand to create custom Panama itineraries to suit you. Get in touch today to find out more. Check out our seasonal overview to find out the best time to visit Panama.
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