Backpacking Panama
One of the most surprising countries, Panama is home to beautiful beaches and the dense city of its own name. You maybe have heard of Boca Del Toro, the San Blas Islands and of course the Panama Canal. The thin long shape of the country makes each place easy to access and easy to get to before entering Costa Rica or Colombia. Lets backpack through Panama.
Panama City
Spanish
Balboa
Backpacking Panama Route
Crossing the border from Costa Rica with a hiccup or two (check our border forum to find out more). We landed in David, so from north to south we will be visiting
ROUTE
TAKE ME TO 0.2. BOCAS DEL TORO
TAKE ME TO 0.3. BASTIMENTOS ISLAND
TAKE ME TO 0.5. SAN BLAS ISLANDS - BOATING TO COLOMBIA
TAKE ME TO COSTA RICA OR COLOMBIA
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Panama Backpacking Master Map
DAVID
0.1.
David or Talamanca
Similar to Liberia in Costa Rica, David is more of an overnight stop before heading onto your next location than a destination stop. Hostels are limited and are not going to be 5 star, but they will do you for a night from David there are buses and shuttle to various locations. I feel I made a mistake here so I also want to talk about approaching Bocas Del Toro from the north of Costa Rica (Talamanca) and through border Cruce de Frontera Costa Rica, which is perhaps the more fun option! Click here for a blog post on this option
Eat
Supermarket Grab
Drink
Juice
Do
Chill
Travel
Walk
Taxi
Stay
Hostels
Time
Lay over
Where To Stay
Bambu
Not the cleanest or nicest place you will stay on your travels, but ... the owner is super nice and super helpful! The pool is kinda perfect after spending 14 hours on a bus! Its within walking distance from the bus stop (30minutes) if you are entering Panama from Costa Rica. This place is a one nighter there are not many other options around David (unless your budget goes to a hotel).
Patampa Boutique Hotel
If you feel like you want a more restful night and cannot face a hostel for the evening then Patampa Boutique Hotel will give you a very comfortable room for a reasonable price. Once you have rested your head get on head to either Boquete from some stunning hiking or to Bocas Del Toro for surf, sun, sea sand and a party!
Bambu
Poolside
Lost Waterfalls
Boquete
What To Do In Boquete
Hike Boquete
The best way to experience this area is to get over to Boquete and take on the hiking trails just a few hours north. Lesser known and off the regular tourist trail you will get a more personal and quiet experience. Los Naranjos has multiple hiking trails including 'The lost Waterfall' ($7USD Entrance fee) with a bus from David for just $4! Shuttles will also be available to take you directly to the trail heads if you do not fancy the public bus!
Stay In Boquete
If you fancy hitting a few trails then an overnight stay in Boquete would allow for this. Consider adding it to the itinery before heading back to David to get across to
To Bocas Del Toro
or
Getting to Bocas Del Toro
From David buses leave at an ungodly hour. Bambu hostel booked a cab from me for around 1am to allow me to catch a shuttle from David at around 2/2:30am. The taxi picked me up promptly and took me to what looked like a scene from a sketchy mob film! No one around I sat on the floor near where the taxi driver had indicated until one gentleman turned up. He would turn out to be the driver for the shuttle that goes from David all the way to Y Almirante, which is the destination you want to get off at for Bocas Del Toro, its called Y Almirante but is just before the town of Almirante! The shuttle is an early morning bus used by locals to get them to work. The journey landed me into Almirante around 8am taking 5-6 hours. The above link is to a blog page on getting from David to Bocas Del Toro.
Taxi
Once in Y Almirante, take a taxi from the bus station to the dock (its super cheap around $1! But only around a 5 minute journey.
Boat
Once at the dock, simply book onto the next marine taxi for $6USD and away you go. 30 minutes later you will arrive in the super cool Bocas Del Toro where you hostel will be within walking distance. Lets get there.
BOCAS DEL TORO
0.2.
Bocas Del Toro
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This place should be called backpackers paradise. You will meet backpackers from all walks of life. Set across 3 islands (Isla Colón, Isla Carenero, and Isla Bastimentos) Bocas Town on the Isla Colón is the main hub and the springboard to get to the other islands. The town itself is laidback but lively with colourful buildings. You can both chill out to the max or party hard till sunrise. There are even surf options, but not in Bocas Town you will have to boat out to them, what a shame! Scuba options are on tap and the hiking options are fantastic! It really has something for everyone so you can tailor your stay to include a bit of everything. On the food front it also has everything from killer vegan foods to sustainably caught fish. You may have guessed this place left a mark and hopefully it will for you also. Lets get into Bocas Del Toro.
Eat
Vegan
Seafood
Noodles!
Drink
Smoothies
Coffee
Cocktails
Shots!
Do
Party
Beach Days
Snorkel
Surf
Hike
Travel
Walk
Water Taxi
Bicycle
Stay
Hostels
Hotels
Time
4-6 Days
(could be more)
Where to Stay In Bocas
I am going to leave this one down to our post on top five hostels under £30. During my time I stayed at a number and if you enjoy exploring multiple hostels this is a good place to do it as there are a number that are of excellent quality. My personal favourite was Bambuda Bocas Town, it was close enough to the action but also better for a more quiet night sleep with comfortable beds!
Bambuda Bocas
Hostel
Bocas Town
Vibe
What To Do In Bocas Del Toro
Sunrise/ Sunset watching
Bocas has beautiful sunrises and sunsets, its always worth findind the time in the morning or evening to catch the spectacular sunsets. Just imagine sitting on a dock with some new friends, a cold drink in hand and an orange/ pink sky over the archipelago! Need we same more!
Get your PADI
If you are wanting to learn to dive then why not learn in the coolest of places. You can also take the formal course to be accredited as a diver from the first level (about $265) to the most advanced (Dive Master, for about $755.)
Scuba
If diving is not your bag then there are of course plenty of scuba options, if you dont want to take them on formally then just grab some goggle and hit the beaches, where you will find fish and coral scattered everywhere.
There are as plethora of options for surfing across all the islands in Bocas, I am going to link you to a blog post from the Panama tourism board here as they have it covered, just click below
This is a must in during your time in Bocas Del Toro. I stayed 2 days in Bocas town before spending an entire week on Bastimentos! I was feeling a little under the weather so wanted to do nothing but lay on beaches, swim and walk to get better! It really worked well and felt like a holiday from backpacking! Isla Carenero is just over the water from Bocas Town (2minutes in a water taxi) and you can walk around it in 30 minutes. Hop across for a day to check out the beaches. There are also some cool spots to stay here and there is also a party hostel if you are wanting that flex!
Surf Flex
Swell
Want to explore your own way? Bocas Ebikes hire out 2 bikes for 9 hours from around $75USD. Pack your snacks and drinks into your day back and hit the road to discover the beaches and take in the Colon Island.
How about an island hopping party? Much like Sunday Funday in San Juan Del Sur, Bocas attracts a crowd just for this one event. Tickets are around £40 and as you can guess ... its on a Driday evening
A Pirate ship party! Yes you heard me right, for $45 on a Saturday you can jump on board the Black Magic where you will sail out into the waters and party into the night.
Hikes
There are a lot of hiking trails some more formal than others. In Bastimentios you can probably take most on with your sandals, along your way you will pop out to unreal beaches! If you are staying on Bastimentos then walk to Playa Coco. The walk is stunning and the beach even more so! Scroll down to the Bastimentos section to see some video snippets.
Trails
Bocas Del Toro
Where To Eat & Drink In Bocas Town
For the Vegans this place knocks out great Falafel in a nice spot by the water
For cheap local tacos this place on the central square is a very popular choice!
Restaurant Tom (local Cuisine)
Modern fresh food including smoothies and veggie burgers.
El Patio
Vegan options available and a great smoothy, can be a bit slow on the service, not a bad place for morning coffee/ breakfast.
Amaranto & Café Del Mar
Next door neighbours both these options are a little more expensive but they are worth the costs. Fresg ingredients, fresh coffee, smoothies, and vegan options. Both usually busy, if you cant get in one simply go into the other for a good meal and drink
Bastimentos
or
BASTIMENTOS
0.3.
Bastimentos Island
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If you want to feel like a real cast away then Bastimentos Islands is the place for you. If is a place where it feels like the world disappears and what you are left with are gold beaches, crystal clear waters. Time spend here feels like a holiday from your backpacking! There are largely two places to stay Palmers and Socialtel. Bastimentos is the place for the ultimate chill.
Eat
Vegan
Drink
Smoothies
Cocktails
Do
Beach Days
Snorkel
Surf
Hike
Travel
Walk
Stay
Palmers Beach Lodge or Selina
Time
2-3 Days
Where to Stay In Bastimentos
Palmers Beach Resort
This beautiful beachresort really is just meters away from the beach. You will be able to grab some good food here however there is no kitchen if you are trying to be a bit more frugal. There are morning yoga classes and there are some pretty beautiful rooms if you are not on a shoe string budget. This place is an absolute treat, do not think twice about reserving a dorm or private room for your own slice of paradise.
Socialtel Red Frog
Socialtel Red Frog is buries in the beautiful forest landscape of the island and is only about 3 minutes walk from the beach. The hostel does have a kitchen ... and a pool table ... and a pool! It also has rooms with AC if you go when it is impossibly hot! You will get organised evening activities here so you be able to meet your fellow backpackers!
Tip
Palmers does not have a kitchen for backpackers, so if you want to try and budget ... grab food from the mainland of Bocas Del Toros before you head over and stay in the Socialtel. The food at Palmers is great so you can still enjoy a meal or two here. There is a shop on Bastimentos, it is outrageously expensive (for obvious reasons). Depending on your budget should guide how you approach your stay on Bastimentos Island.
Palmers Beach
Lodge
PANAMA CITY
0.4.
Panama City
Panama City, the vibrant capital of Panama, is a must-visit destination for its unique blend of history, culture, and modernity. The city offers a fascinating contrast between the colonial charm of Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with cobblestone streets, colourful architecture, and lively plazas, and the sleek skyline of its modern downtown. It's also home to the iconic Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, providing a glimpse into global trade history. Add to this a thriving food scene, lush nearby rainforests, and its role as a gateway to tropical escapes like the San Blas Islands, and Panama City becomes an unforgettable travel experience.
Eat
Sancocho
Arroz con Pollo
Carimañolas
Ceviche
Tamales
Drink
Seco Herrerano
Balboa
Chicha
Do
Walking Tours
Casco Viejo
Panama Canal
Evening Cocktails
Bike rides
Travel
Uber
Walk
Stay
Hostels
Hotels
Air BnB
Time
2-3 Days
Where to Stay In Panama City
There are a plethora of places to stay in Panama City that suit all budgets. For backpackers you can get down to as low as $10 a night for your own suite. For travellers and explorers where budget is not an issue, Panama can offer some outrageously expensive penthouse suites with views across the city and sea. Assuming you are here as a backpacker then my top picks range from low to medium budgets. The good news is that here in Panama City, you are going to find some fantastic hostels with a lot to offer. Naturally if like me one of your first questions when heading to a new country is "is Panama Safe for tourists" Then make sure to check out our blog post on exactly that topic.
Magnolia Inn
Hostel
Casa Areka
Hostal
Magnolia is a restored French colonial mansion, its a beautiful hostel with boutique hotel charm. Located in Casco Viejo, it offers elegant private rooms and comfortable dorms, making it perfect for travellers who enjoy a bit of luxury on a budget. It has a fully equipped kitchen, cozy common areas, and fast Wi-Fi, it stands out for its elegant decor and tranquil atmosphere.
A Young and dynamic Hostel located on a big house in Marbella, one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in Panama City. El Machico Hostel boasts a large swimming pool with open air cinema by night, pool table, and a small bar.
Casa Areka is a laid-back hostel with a fantastic outdoor pool area. It’s the ideal spot for sunbathing, relaxing, and cooling off after a day of exploring the city. The hostel has a pool with lounge chairs, free breakfast, barbecue area, and free shuttle service to the beach. Casa Areka is great for those who enjoy a chill, beachy vibe within the city.
Sunset watching
There are a plethora of things to do in this wonderful city and due to that we have put a much more comprehensive blog together to ensure we have covered them all, you can find it by clicking on the What to do in Panama City title above or below,
Best Things to do Panama City Edition for Backpackers and Explorers
Panama City
Commercial district
to the
San Blas Islands
