Top Panama Outdoor Activities

Experience the enchanting magic of bioluminescence in Bocas del Toro with our unforgettable Bioluminescence Tour. As night falls, the ocean comes alive with a mesmerizing blue glow, created by millions of bioluminescent particles. Paddle or swim through the warm Caribbean waters, surrounded by this angelic light, while gazing up at the starry sky above. This rare phenomenon, produced by marine plankton known as dinoflagellates, illuminates the waves and shoreline, creating a breathtaking display that will stay with you forever. Our expert guides will lead you to the best spots around Bocas del Toro, ensuring you witness this natural wonder in a safe and awe-inspiring environment. Don't miss the chance to be part of this magical experience—book your Bioluminescence Tour today!

Add a thrilling twist to a traditional rainforest tour with this tour package. Explore Panama City’s jungle on an ATV, going off-road and seeing local wildlife from a unique perspective. After a safety briefing, follow your guide through the jungle and onto the El Chorro Macho waterfall and a volcanic crater. Perfect for visitors looking for a different type of activity that will keep the whole group entertained.

Encountering traditional Embera communities in Chagres National Park is a memorable part of exploring Panama, but visiting the park on your own can be tricky. On this day tour you cruise a jungle river, hike to a waterfall, and see a performance of traditional song and dance, with a traditional lunch and round-trip hotel transport from Panama City included.

Make the most of your time in Panama City on a tour that combines 3 experiences in one excursion. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, sloths, and more on a motorboat ride through the Panama Canal. Walk through the jungle and hang from the vines like Tarzan. You'll also get to sample traditional snacks, including empanadas and fresh pineapple. The tour operates in all weather conditions, with ponchos provided if it rains.

Explore Volcán Barú National Park on this half-day guided hiking tour. After a 25-minute drive, you’ll reach the start of the Pipeline Trail, which is about 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) roundtrip. Along the way, discover the cloud forest that surrounds the perimeter of the park. The trail features old-growth trees, bridges over a creek, and rare animal species, such as the quetzal, sloths, and monkeys.

Shoot the rapids on Panama's Chiriqui Viejo River during this full-day tour from Boquete. With an experienced guide to ensure your group's comfort and safety, ride a raft over Class III rapids, through the region's scenic landscape filled with endemic plants and animals. Suitable for all levels of experience, this tour includes use of helmet, life jacket, and water shoes. Picnic lunch and beverages provided.

Many travelers visit the locks at the Panama Canal but fewer venture to the surrounding islands to explore the biodiversity. On this half-day small-group tour, take a boat ride inside the Panama Canal, looking out for wildlife such as monkeys, iguanas, and sloths. Travel with a small group for personalized attention, and a guide who can answer all your questions. The tour includes admission fees and air-conditioned transfers for added comfort.

Cruise the Panama Canal to Gatun Lake on a nature tour from Panama City that includes round-trip transport from central Panama City and time to explore Gatun’s wildlife-rich shoreline by boat. Visit jungle islands that were cut off from mainland Panama by the construction of the canal, which protect a thriving population of monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and mammals.

Escape Panama City on the newest and largest catamaran for a day of boating, swimming and dancing. During this 6-hour tour, you will swim on a beautiful virgin bay, visit the beach and the Island Village. Onboard the catamaran, enjoy sundecks, shaded areas, music, animation, morning snacks, lunch, and an open bar. This 6-hour tour is the perfect choice to avoid the afternoon tropical weather and have enough time for night plans.

Get up close to Panama’s wealth of wildlife on this boat tour of Lake Gatun. Spot monkeys—such as howlers, white-faced capuchins, and tamarins—in their natural habitat, and look out for sloths, anteaters, crocodiles, capybaras, manatees, and a variety of exotic birds. Cruise through this immersive setting with a guide, and benefit from included hotel pickup and drop-off, too.

Casco Viejo, Panama City’s old town area, is a must-visit and you’ll get so much more out of sightseeing with a guide. Hear the stories behind the beautiful facades of the centuries-old churches, town houses, and government buildings on a walking tour. The neighborhood is also full of fashionable restaurants, and your guide will be able to share their recommendations.

Take a break from Panama City and head to the Caribbean coast of Panama, to the beautiful San Blas Islands. Traveling by boat, check out a shipwreck and natural swimming pool, and enjoy the tropical scenery and atmosphere. Your tour includes activities—kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more—and round-trip road and boat transport, with hotel pickup and drop-off. Refuel with a tasty included lunch, too, such as fresh fish and rice.

Join me, biologist ecotour guide @stacebird, on a late afternoon paddle out of Isla Colón's Saigon Bay. We'll explore various tropical ecosystems & learn their vital importance to heathy oceans & our planet's future. We'll have opportunities to see sloths, an array of tropical birds, perhaps even monkeys. We'll paddle out of Saigon Bay for a snorkeling adventure. We will go slow, taking in the rich complexity of the coral reef as I point out & identify marine species & fascinating reef life behavior. We'll "hop" back into the kayaks; upper body strength is necessary for the this part of the excursion. If guests choose to forego snorkeling, we still can still see the beauty of the reef as we glide over it on our kayaks. We'll paddle onward through peaceful bays canals while learning about the vital importance of mangrove ecosystems while keeping an eye out for wildlife.

Panama is a country with fantastic lights due to its geographical position and Panama City is unique in Latin America with its New York style. Mix these two reasons and that’s why you can’t return from Panama without doing this tour. Just look at the pictures and imagine yourself enjoying this show!

The tour to the Emberá indigenous community begins with hotel pick-up, followed by a scenic drive to Chagres National Park. Upon arrival, guests board a traditional canoe and travel along the river, surrounded by lush rainforest and native wildlife, following the same route the Emberá people have used for generations. In the Emberá Tusipono village, visitors are warmly welcomed and learn about the community’s history, traditions, daily life, and handcrafted art. A traditional lunch prepared by the community is served in the village. The experience also includes a visit to a beautiful jungle waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in its clear waters and relax in nature. Important – What to Bring: *Change of clothes *Towel *Water shoes *Biodegradable insect repellent *Hat for sun protection These items will help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout the day.

Step back more than 500 years and explore the rich — and often overlooked — history of African ancestry in Panama. This walking journey unfolds through two defining chapters: the colonial era, marked by the harsh realities of slavery and powerful acts of resistance, and the West Indian migrations — a period of labor, resilience, and cultural legacy that helped shape Panama’s identity. • Our walk begins in Casco Antiguo, moving beyond the former walls that once divided the elite from the working-class community of Santa Ana. • We continue along Central Avenue, a vibrant area filled with stories and local life. • Then we visit the Afro-Antillean Museum to explore the lives and contributions of West Indian migrants who helped build the nation. Optional: Lunch at San Felipe Neri Market for local comfort food and a refreshing natural juice. Book the Walking Experience + Lunch option. This experience invites you to discover the shadows and lights that shape Afro-Panamanian heritage.

An amazing experience in the rainforest from the aerial tram (unique in Panama) to observe the canopy from above and we will find different species of birds and with little luck sloths and monkeys. After a 600 meters route on the aerial tram we will reach the Observation Tower for panoramic views of the Soberania National Park, the Chagres River, the Panama Canal, and some native Emberá villages. Later we will visit the Sloth Sanctuary where we will observe and learn about life and habits of sloths and the efforts for the conservation of the species.

Having the opportunity to enjoy nature appreciating its flora and fauna, breathing that fresh air and hearing the sound of birds is something that should not be missed.

Pozo Azul’s Las Pailas waterfalls are some of Panama’s most beautiful, with a series of cascades tumbling down into turquoise pools, but they’re tricky to reach on public transit. Save yourself the 1.5-hour round-trip hike and enjoy transfers direct from your El Valle de Anton or Cocle address with this small-group tour. Besides the falls, there’s time for valley photos at Mirador Cerro La Cruz.

Join our Zapatilla Island Tour and experience the best of Bocas del Toro in one unforgettable day. Glide across turquoise waters as playful dolphins guide you toward Bahia Honda, where sloths rest lazily in the mangroves. Stop at Hollywood Cove to spot colorful starfish, then snorkel among vibrant coral gardens at Cayo Coral, surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish. Continue to the pristine Zapatilla Cays—two uninhabited islands of powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. Wander the lush walking trail through tropical forest, relax beneath palm trees, or swim in the calm lagoon. From March to September, you may even spot sea turtles nesting on the beach. Enjoy a freshly prepared Caribbean lunch at a waterfront restaurant before returning via the famous Starfish “Hollywood” Pool. This Zapatilla Island Tour is the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty—an essential Bocas del Toro experience.

Discover the wonders of the Panama Canal and learn about its operation on this private tour. Delve into the fascinating history and operations of this engineering marvel at the Miraflores Visitor Center. Then, venture to Gatun Lake for a boat tour, where you'll witness ships navigating the canal's locks and encounter diverse wildlife amidst the lush rainforest of Soberania National Park.

See a piece of Panama's coffee industry on this private coffee tour in Palmira, a small area of the Boquete District. During this hands-on experience, you'll learn everything that goes into the perfect cup of coffee, from growing to harvesting to roasting the beans. This tour offers you an immersive way to gain insight into local life.

Panama’s location connecting Central and South America makes it a wonderful place for unique wildlife viewing. Spend a day outside of Panama City and explore the country’s natural landscape with this day trip. Your bi-lingual guide will take you to the Gamboa rainforest region where you’ll get up close and personal with wildlife. You’ll also pay a visit to a sloth sanctuary to learn about these rescued animals.