When to go to Panama? Weather, climate, temperature… The best period by region
Stroll through the old quarters of the capital, watch the ballet of ships passing through the famous canal, and discover the many natural treasures hidden in this still little-known country in Central America. Pay attention to the climate in the main regions to choose the right dates for your trip to Panama.
Panama has a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures ranging from 20°C to 34°C throughout the year. The country has two distinct seasons: the dry season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December, with more precipitation on the northern coast bordering the Caribbean Sea.
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When is the best time to visit Panama City and its region?
The capital of Panama, founded in 1519, is best discovered in the dry season, when the thermometer shows an average temperature of 29°C. Stroll through Casco Viejo, the historic center of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can admire the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, the Palacio de las Garzas, and the 17th-century wall built by the Spanish. The capital’s strategic location in the middle of tropical forests and the Pacific Ocean makes it a showcase of the country’s great biodiversity, where you can find a wide variety of birds, tapirs. , cats and alligators. 20 km south of the city is Isla Taboga, home to a large colony of Latin American brown pelicans. During your stay in Panama, a visit to the canal that made it world famous is a must. Observing one of the twelve thousand ships that pass through the isthmus that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans every year is a unique spectacle that can be fully enjoyed from the observation deck of the Miraflores locks.
From the capital, you can reach the San Blas archipelago, which is located on the border with Colombia. Covered with coconut palms and surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, these 365 sandy islands are home to the indigenous Kuna people, who lead a traditional lifestyle. From there, you can travel to the eastern region of Panama, home to Darien National Park, which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve.
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When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro and northwest Panama?
To the northwest of Panama, on the border with Costa Rica, lies the Bocas del Toro archipelago, known for its magnificent coral reefs that delight divers and snorkelers. This region benefits from an equatorial climate marked by high temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year, with a slight break between January and March. Several islands in the archipelago are protected by Bastimentos Marine Park, including the island of the same name, which is an important nesting site for sea turtles between April and October. Seaside travelers can swim in the year-round 29°C water.
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When is the best time to visit southwest Panama?
Panama’s tropical rainforest, volcanoes, and coffee plantations in the southwest of the country receive less rainfall than other regions, including during the rainy season. With temperatures ranging from 20°C to 34°C from January to December, this region can be visited all year round. For some refreshment, head to the mountain town of Boquete, surrounded by hiking trails around the Baru volcano, which dominates Panama from 3,475m. Look for quetzals, harpy eagles, howler monkeys and sloths. Cover the Chiriki River or zipline before heading to a local coffee farm. Further south, Santa Catalina is a small fishing village popular with surfers who come to compete against the waves of the Pacific between March and October. From there you can go to the Coiba National Marine Park and dive in the 29°C water and meet turtles, rays and many tropical fish.
