Four day trips from Panama City, Panama

A few years ago we flew through Panama City in route to Costa Rica and were amazed by the stunning skyline as we flew over the bay. We decided that one day we'd return and spend time in this beautiful country and get to know it a bit more. Note: We didn't make it to Bocas del Toro, which I know is beautiful and wonderful, because there's not a snowball's chance in Hades that you could get me into one of those tiny prop planes to get there.

All of these destinations are within easy driving distance of Panama City.

First, a bit about Panama City

First of all, Panama City itself is beautiful. The skyline feels like Miami or maybe Dubai with it's interesting and modern skyscrapers; yet it also has an old city (Casco Viejo) filled with colonial-era buildings, churches, plazas, and vibrant street art. Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is great for strolling, dining, and enjoying nightlife. If you're lucky you might even spot a Diablo Rojo on the streets.

Side bar: Not too far from Casco Viejo is a neighborhood called el Chorrillo which is unfortunately well known for high levels of violent crime. We drove past it and saw more than a dozen members of the police or military gathered nearby. The United States played a very unfortunate role in this neighborhood, killing many civilians in the invasion to arrest Manuel Noriega. The US operation destroyed large parts of el Chorrillo and unfortunately, it hasn't recovered. It's really something to reflect on the role of the US and the impact on civilians when you see the scars left decades later.

Parque Nacional Soberanía

Although only a 30 minute drive from the city, Soberanía National Park feels like a million miles away. It's one of Panama's most accessible and biodiverse national parks, covering over 55,000 acres of tropical rainforest. It's a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. You can hike along one of the most famous birdwatching trails in the world- Pipeline Road and climb the observation tour at the Rainforest Discovery Center.

We had a lovely hike where we didn't see any other people. Instead we saw (and heard) howler monkeys, Morpho butterflies, deer, snakes and lizards.

Atos de Campana

About an hour drive west of Panama City is the Altos de Campana National Park, which is the country's first national park, established in 1966. It's situated in the mountains of the Campana Massif, near the Pacific coast. This park is known for its cool climate, stunning landscapes, and rich biodiversity, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The roads up to the park can be narrow and pretty high, so the driving was pretty white knuckled. At one point we even had to share the road with a bunch of free-ranging cattle. That said, the views are spectacular! As you drive along the roads you'll see many hand painted signs of people selling flowers and selling ice cream.

Anton Valle

El Valle de Antón, commonly referred to as "El Valle," is a picturesque town located in the Coclé province of Panama. It's situated in the caldera of an ancient, extinct volcano, making it one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world. El Valle has a cool, pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and a variety of outdoor activities. It’s a popular weekend getaway for both locals and tourists. While there we visited the outdoor market, where we bought some beautiful, hand-crafted art and we visited the Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden which gave us the opportunity to experience local wild-life up close.

Interestingly, El Valle is also home to ancient petroglyphs, which to date back hundreds, if not thousands of years. The most famous site is "La Piedra Pintada," a large boulder covered in mysterious carvings. The petroglyphs are a short walk up a paved path. Also, when you visit, expect to be approached by locals looking to provide you with a guided interpretation for a fee.

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, located only about an hour drive from Panama City, offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Panama's tropical rainforest. The Gamboa Rainforest Resort itself offers a tranquil environment where you can relax, enjoy the pool, or have a meal overlooking the Chagres River and the surrounding rainforest. We didn't stay here but I think if we ever make it back we would, because, hey this was our view from the restaurant.

Traveling in Panama

We rented a car to get around and that’s pretty much the only option if you want to leave the city. The main highways are in pretty good shape but you can run into a fair amount of construction. Also many people walk along the highway to get to the pedestrian bridges where they can cross. So be on the lookout. We also saw a street dog come within a hair of being hit by a car which would have absolutely destroyed us.