I've been living in Panama for over seven months, and after exploring a good chunk of the country, I'm ranking everything I've personally done from WORST to BEST.

This isn't a generic list of the "best things to do in Panama." I'm not ranking places because they're popular on Google or because I read that they're worth visiting online. Every place in this video is somewhere I've actually been, experienced, and spent time in.

And that's important because some of the places that look incredible online aren't necessarily worth prioritizing if you're only in Panama for a week or two, while some of the experiences that require a little more effort, money, or driving ended up being some of the highlights of my entire seven months here.

I'm breaking down what I'd actually recommend based on how much time you have, how far you have to travel, what there is to do, the scenery, the overall experience, and whether I'd personally go back.

I'll take you through:

🇵🇦 Panama City including Parque Omar, Metropolitan Natural Park, Ancon Hill, the Panama Canal, Amador Causeway, and Casco Viejo.

🏝️ Beaches & Islands including Playa Gorgona, Playa Blanca, Taboga Island, and some of the Caribbean destinations that completely changed my opinion of Panama.

🌿 Nature & Rainforest including Gamboa and El Valle de Antón, where you'll see some of the incredible landscapes and wildlife that exist just outside the city.

🏛️ History & Culture including Casco Viejo and Portobelo, two places that give you a very different perspective on Panama's history and architecture.

🚤 Day Trips & Adventures I'll also break down which destinations are actually worth spending an entire day getting to and which ones I'd skip if your time in Panama is limited.

I'll tell you what surprised me, what I found overrated, what I wouldn't bother doing again, and which experiences I think you absolutely should not miss if you're coming to Panama.

And at the end, I'll reveal the #1 experience I've had in Panama after seven months of living here.

So whether you're planning a two-week vacation, spending a few months in Panama, considering moving here, or you're already living in the country and looking for your next adventure, this video should help you figure out where your time is actually worth spending.

I've also included places at completely different price points and levels of effort, because the "best" experience isn't always the most expensive one, sometimes the places that take a little more effort to reach end up being the ones you remember most.

If you're planning a trip to Panama, this is the list I'd want to have before deciding where to spend my limited time.

And if you're interested in what it's actually like living in Panama in 2026, check out my other videos on the cost of living, lifestyle, and my experience as a Canadian living abroad.

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