Panama is where North and South America meet, where the Pacific and Caribbean almost touch, and where centuries of Indigenous history mingle with Spanish, Afro-Caribbean, and modern cosmopolitan culture. Because of this mix, there are many unique things to do in Panama. In one trip, you can experience world-class beaches, cloud forests, vibrant nightlife, wildlife encounters, ancient ruins, Indigenous traditions, and luxury dining. So many unique things to do in Panama, all within a few hours of each other. This variety makes Panama one of the most exceptional and affordable vacation destinations in the region.
Unique Things To Do in Panama
Below is a curated list of 15 unique things to do in Panama (plus two bonus ones)! They are memorable and often affordable activities.
1. Explore the Historic Streets of Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo—Panama City’s beautifully restored old quarter—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colonial architecture, rooftop bars, boutique hotels, museums, and plazas. Walkable and atmospheric, it’s one of the most unique things to do in Panama and the perfect place to soak up history while enjoying modern cafés and nightlife.
2. Watch Ships Transit the Panama Canal
Visiting the Panama Canal is a must – it’s one of the most unique things to do in Panama since there’s nothing like it elsewhere in the world. The Miraflores Visitor Center offers viewing platforms, exhibitions, and a narrated explanation of the Canal’s history and modern expansion. It’s a fascinating engineering marvel and surprisingly affordable. There’s also a great Panama Canal museum in Casco Viejo.
3. Island Hop in the Pearl Islands
Just a short ferry from Panama City, the Pearl Islands offer turquoise water, white sand, and laid-back vibes. Isla Contadora and Taboga are the most accessible. Activities include snorkelling, wildlife viewing, and secluded beaches.
4. Discover the Embera Indigenous Villages
One of the most unique things to do in Panama is to experience Indigenous culture. You can take a guided canoe trip upriver to visit an Embera community. Here you can learn about traditional crafts, dance, and the rainforest culture. It’s an authentic and respectful cultural exchange that supports Indigenous livelihoods.
5. Hiking In Panama
Panama has some great places to hike where you can experience fabulous vistas, waterfalls and come face to face with the fantastic wildlife, including Howler, Titi, and Spider monkeys, sloths, and hundreds of species of birds. If you’re staying in Casco Viejo, you can hike Cerro Ancon and enjoy amazing views of Panama City. If you’re staying at the beach in Playa Caracol, you can hike Cerro Chame or take a short excursion to many nearby hiking locations.
6. Go Surfing!
Playa Caracol has another of the unique things to do in Panama, with three surfing breaks. Enter one of the local competitions, or hang out with local surfers along the several kilometres of ocean. It’s also one of the best beginner-friendly surf spots on Panama’s Pacific coast. Local surf schools offer private or group lessons, board rentals, and sunset surf sessions. It’s a memorable and very accessible activity for all ages.
7. Visit the Wildlife-Rich Soberanía National Park
Just 45 minutes from Panama City, this rainforest park is one of the most unique things to do in Panama. It’s a birdwatching paradise. In Soberanía National Park, you can find over 500 bird species, with official checklists reporting around 525 distinct species. These include brightly-coloured toucans, motmots, trogons, tanagers and woodpeckers, as well as rarer species like the Harpy eagle and various endemic or near-endemic birds.
8. Relax at Playa Caracol near Chame
Playa Caracol offers quiet beaches, surfing, paddleboarding, and mountain views—without the crowds of more developed resorts. It’s ideal for a peaceful and affordable beach escape where you can relax, dine at several restaurants, enjoy incredible sunsets, and pamper yourself for a few days.
9. Visit San Blas (Guna Yala) Islands
The Guna people control these postcard-perfect islands. They offer rustic charm, crystal-clear water, and some of the purest beach experiences in the Caribbean. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Panama and can be done in a long day trip from Casco Viejo.
10. Explore Fort San Lorenzo and Panama’s Pirate History
Located on the Caribbean side, this 16th-century fortress is perched dramatically above the Chagres River. It’s one of Panama’s hidden historical gems, about 1.5 hours from Casco Viejo, making it a great day trip.
11. Sample Panama City’s Rising Food Scene
Panama City offers everything from fine-dining tasting menus to casual ceviche stalls. The variety reflects Panama’s multicultural influence and makes culinary exploration a highlight.
12. Take a Day Trip to El Valle de Antón
Nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano, El Valle offers waterfalls, ziplining, hot springs, hiking trails, and a lively artisan market.
13. Explore Bocas del Toro’s Afro-Caribbean Culture and Bioluminescent Bays
On the Caribbean side, Bocas del Toro offers beautiful beaches, nightlife, surfing, snorkelling, and occasional bioluminescent plankton tours.
14. Traditional Local Food To Try
One of the really unique things to do in Panama is to try the variety of traditional foods. Panama’s cuisine blends Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Spanish influences, making it flavourful, comforting, and surprisingly affordable. Below are some of the foods you have to try:
- Sancocho – A traditional chicken soup seasoned with culantro. It’s hearty, simple, and beloved—often considered Panama’s national dish.
- Ceviche – Fresh fish or seafood marinated in lime juice with onions and peppers. Try it at the Mercado de Mariscos in Panama City for an ultra-fresh and affordable treat.
- Patacones – Crispy twice-fried green plantains. Served as a side or topped with seafood, guacamole, or shredded meat.
- Hojaldres – A fried dough similar to fluffy flatbread. Enjoy it for breakfast with cheese or eggs.
- Carimañolas – Yuca (cassava) fritters stuffed with seasoned beef or cheese—crispy on the outside and soft inside.
- Arroz con Pollo – A classic rice-and-chicken dish cooked with vegetables and spices. Homey, flavourful, and available everywhere.
- Raspao – A shaved-ice dessert drenched in flavoured syrups and sometimes topped with condensed milk. Perfect on a hot afternoon.
- Geisha Coffee – Panama produces some of the world’s best specialty coffee, and Geisha coffee is the most expensive coffee in the world – you have to try it.
15. Visit the Biomuseo
Designed by Frank Gehry, this striking museum on the Amador Causeway tells the story of Panama’s biodiversity and geological history.
TWO BONUS UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN PANAMA
16. Rooftop Bars & Restaurants
Panama City has a fantastic collection of rooftop bars and restaurants. Visiting some of them is one of the most unique things to do in Panama, and many are located in Casco Viejo. They offer incredible views, especially at night, with the lights of Panama City. (Map of rooftop bars). Add these amazing places to your list.
- Selina Hotel
- Numen Gastro Lounge
- Casa Casco
- Ammi
- Tantalo
- Hotel Baularte
- Sama Sky Lounge
- Lazoteca
You can walk between these eight rooftop bars in about 25 minutes. Plus the time that you spend at each one!
17. Explore Punta Chame’s World-Class Kite Surfing Scene
A short drive from Playa Caracol, Punta Chame is a global kitesurfing hotspot thanks to its steady winds and long, shallow bay. Even if you don’t kiteboard, the colourful kites dotting the sky make for amazing photos and sunset views — a truly unique thing to do in Panama.
Affordable Unique Things To Do in Panama
Below are just a few of the affordable, unique things to do in Panama.
- Wander Casco Viejo’s plazas and waterfront promenades
- Visit the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center
- Take the ferry to Taboga Island (the “Island of Flowers”)
- Explore Soberanía National Park on a self-guided hike
- Visit El Valle’s hot springs and artisan market
- Discover local beaches at Playa Caracol, Gorgona, or Coronado
- Rent bikes and ride the Amador Causeway
- Enjoy inexpensive and delicious ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos
- Visit Panama Viejo archaeological ruins
- Explore Chame or Punta Chame for kite surfing or quiet beach days
Suggested Panama Vacation Itineraries
Below are two sample itineraries that combine Casco Viejo and Playa Caracol.
Itinerary 1: History and Culture (3 Days)
Day 1–3: Casco Viejo
- Explore plazas, churches, and rooftop bars
- Visit museums and the Canal
- Enjoy local restaurants and nightlife
- Enjoy affordable accommodation
This itinerary balances history and culture.
Itinerary 2: Adventure + Relaxation (7 Days)
Days 1–3: Casco Viejo
- Explore plazas, churches, and rooftop bars
- Visit museums and the Canal
- Enjoy local restaurants and nightlife
- Enjoy affordable accommodation
Discover more about Casco Viejo.
Days 4–7: Playa Caracol
- Relax at the beach or pool
- Surf lessons
- Hike Cerro Chame
- Sunset dinners and quiet nights under the stars
- Luxury accommodation at an affordable price
This is perfect for couples or families who want activity and peaceful downtime.
Combine your stay in Casco Viejo with a stay at Panama’s Top Beach Resort and receive 15% off your beach stay. Contact us at rentals@vacationhomerentalsinPanama.com (or WhatsApp 250 538 8159) for further details.
Luxury to Affordable: The Full Range of Activities
Panama is great because you can build a luxury or budget-friendly trip—or mix both —while trying out many of the unique things to do in Panama.
Luxury Options
- Boutique hotels in Casco Viejo
- Private tours of the Canal or San Blas
- Fine-dining tasting menus
- 5-star spas and rooftop pools
- Yacht charters in Pearl Islands or San Blas
Affordable Options
- Public ferries, buses, or Uber
- Street markets and local fondas
- Free or low-cost beaches
- Public museums and historical sites
- Self-guided hikes and nature walks
In Summary – Unique Things To Do In Panama
Because of its location and its history, there are many unique things to do in Panama. In one trip, you can experience world-class beaches, cloud forests, vibrant nightlife, wildlife encounters, ancient ruins, Indigenous traditions, and luxury dining. All within a few hours of each other. Our curated list of activities in Panama has been focused on unique things to do in Panama that are convenient for most visitors to experience. Our sample tour itineraries are based on one of two locations that are easily accessible from Tocuman International Airport. So you can experience exceptional activities in Panama at an affordable price.
FAQs: Unique Things To Do in Panama
What are some unique things to do in Panama?
Some of the most unique things to do in Panama include exploring Casco Viejo, visiting the Panama Canal, hiking rainforest trails in Soberanía National Park, island hopping in the Pearl Islands, and relaxing at fabulous beach resorts.
What makes Panama a unique travel destination?
Panama’s mix of Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Spanish culture—combined with beaches, rainforests, islands, and historic sites—creates many unique things to do in Panama within short travel distances.
What are affordable, unique things to do in Panama?
Affordable, unique things to do in Panama include wandering Casco Viejo, visiting the Miraflores Locks, hiking Cerro Chame, taking the ferry to Taboga Island, and enjoying ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos.
What unique things can nature lovers do in Panama?
Nature lovers can enjoy unique things to do in Panama, such as birdwatching in Soberanía National Park, hiking volcanoes in Boquete, snorkelling in the Pearl Islands, and visiting the waterfalls and hot springs in El Valle.
Are there unique cultural things to do in Panama?
Yes—visiting Embera Indigenous villages, exploring Panama’s colonial history in Casco Viejo, and trying traditional Panamanian foods are among the most unique cultural things to do in Panama.
What unique things can you do near Panama City?
Near Panama City, you can visit the Panama Canal, explore Casco Viejo, hike Cerro Ancón, bike the Amador Causeway, or take a short ferry to Taboga Island—some of the easiest unique things to do in Panama.
What unique things can you do near Playa Caracol?
Near Playa Caracol, you can surf three local breaks, hike Cerro Chame, explore tide pools, visit Coronado’s artisan markets, or watch kitesurfers in Punta Chame.