Panama City’s Casco Viejo district was founded in 1674 after Pirate Captain Henry Morgan ransacked and burned down the original location. This developed into a beautiful Spanish colonial town which was then abandoned over time as residents moved into modern Panama City. A little over ten years ago, much of…
You don’t have to venture far from Panama City to enjoy an incredible home you can rent for the weekend or a special occasion. Think chic beach houses, jungle lodges, mountain cabins, and even sailboats you can stay overnight at. Here are some of the best Airbnb properties available right…
Bocas del Toro is one of Panama’s top tourist destinations and once you visit you can totally see why. This pristine paradise has been attracting surfers, beach seekers, and young partygoers for years. A recent tourism ad for Bocas boasted “Cancun, we see your swim up bar… we raise you…
Boutique hotels are what the latest travelers are after. They offer unique experiences with an immersive design that is Instagrammable from any angle. I’ve rounded up the best-designed boutique hotels throughout the entire country including spots in Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and more. From eco-tree house retreats in…
Located in the archipelago of Panama’s Pearl Islands, Saboga Lodge is for the traveler looking for a chic island getaway surround by nature, hiking trails, and pristine beaches without the crowds. Just off the coast of Panama City sits Saboga, an island with a rich history dating back to the…
Staying in a treehouse is the ultimate way to fulfill your childhood fantasy and luckily as an adult, you can finally make dreams come true! Treehouse accommodation has been popping up all over the world and the trend has made its way to Panama. Here are my picks for the coolest…
Traveling in Panama can be done on the cheap if you know where to stay. Dream of staying right on the beach or being in a private cabin in the mountains? It’s possible on a budget. I’ve rounded up a list of the best bangs for you buck throughout the…
In honor of International Museum Day, celebrated on May 18, Panama’s Tourism Authority (ATP) launched a new website that lets users enjoy the city’s museums in a new virtual way. This virtual platform is an initiative so that people from home, can get to know more about the museums making…
Let’s be honest, it’s HOT & HUMID in most parts of Panama and that glistening, tropical sweat look just doesn’t look or feel good to most people. It’s then easy to develop a dependent relationship with the air conditioner until you see your electric bill for the first time and…
With a cool micro-climate, beautiful hiking trails, and simple access from Panama City, the sleepy mountain town El Valle de Anton is one of Panama’s best spots for a comfortable eco-tourism getaway. Here’s a quick guide on what to do, see, eat, drink, and where to “party” in El Valle. …
The Coronavirus has been hard-hitting to families in Panama that already struggle on a daily basis and luckily local charities are stepping in to help. Most just need financial donations as they are buying food packages and distributing them to local families. This post will continue to be updated so…
Playa Venao is a vibrant beachfront community on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula, known for its world-class surfing, chill beach vibes, and the occasional music festival. I’ve visited Playa Venao several times over the last nine years and am always surprised how much it has grown – from having just a few…
In Panama City, you’ll notice one of the metro stops is called 5 de Mayo, which is located in the 5 de Mayo neighborhood. Have you ever stopped to wonder why it’s called this? 5 de Mayo is often a day confused with Mexican culture (they don’t even really celebrate…
With a diverse landscape of beaches, mountains, and jungles to explore, you don’t have to venture far from Panama City to enjoy the outdoors. Eco-lodges and glamping (glamour camping) provide a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoor aspect of camping with modern amenities and allow yourself to reconnect with nature…
After deciding to relocate from Panama to Bogotá, Colombia in 2018, I still frequent Panama quite a bit to keep up with the Panama Detour and produce new content for this website. My most recent trip to Panama was supposed to just be for two weeks has turned into an…
If you live in Panama or have traveled there before you’ve probably heard of Casco Antiguo Spanish School. The top-rated (with 150+ positive reviews on TripAdvisor) language school has been offering 1 on 1 and group Spanish courses in Panama City’s Historic Old Town for close to a decade. Started…
Want to perfect your photography skills while enjoying incredible adventures in beautiful places around Panama? Lensventure delivers just that in an all-inclusive, weekend photography experiences for people looking to get off the beaten path. Stay in a sustainable town in the middle of the jungle. Hike to a beautiful waterfall.…
Want to get to know the real Panama City, Panama? I’ve worked to narrow down everything there is to do in Panama City to 21 of the must-dos. Don’t worry if you can’t get to them all! You can always come back. The Panama Canal I’m kicking off the list…
With a warm tropical climate, a bustling cosmopolitan center, a laid-back historic area, and a trendy nightlife scene, Panama City is one of Latin America’s hottest destinations year-round. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend getaway in Panama City, Panama. Start your weekend trip to Panama City by staying in…
Now is one of the best times to visit Panama City because the over-construction of hotels in the city has caused hotel rates to drastically drop. Want a swanky rooftop pool in the city center without breaking the bank? Or how about a cute boutique hotel room in the normally expensive…
Panamanians always enjoy a good party! The nightlife here offers a little bit of something for everyone, from underground lairs to chic nightclubs with Panama’s “yeyecito” crowd. Most of the spots on this list are located in Casco Viejo, which in recent years has become the new epicenter of Panama City nightlife…
Casco Viejo is a unique location to stay in Panama City, Panama if you want to be steps away from the city’s best restaurants, nightlife & things to do. In The Guide + 5 TRAVEL TIPS + WHERE TO STAY + THINGS TO DO + SHOPPING + RESTAURANTS + COFFEE &…
Can’t decide where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Panama? From upscale city nightlife to laid back beach towns… here are the best spots in Panama to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Panama City An upscale modern city filled with glass skyscrapers, nightlife, restaurants, shopping, and lots of fireworks on NYE.…
For a small country – Panama manages to pack an incredible amount of terrain that will satisfy any explorer. You’ve got a cosmopolitan city, cool mountain towns, beaches with world class surf, AND ISLANDS GALORE! I’ve traveled quite a bit through Latin America and Panama has some of the most…
Life in Panama is what you make of it and it can offer an incredible tropical lifestyle with year-round hot weather, beautiful destinations, safety, and overall interesting place to call home. I originally came in 2011 to do a study abroad trip and ended up never leaving. During my years…
Located in the heart of the tallest mountain in Panama City, Cerro Ancon, Bodhi Hostel Panama City is the best option for travelers who love nature and still want to be located near all the action that Panama City has to offer. Last year I decided to make a full-time…
With a warm tropical climate, a bustling cosmopolitan center, a laid-back historical area, and a trendy nightlife scene, Panama City is one of Latin America’s hottest destinations year-round. Here’s a quick guide on what to do, see, eat, drink, and party in Panama City, Panama. In The Guide + 5 TRAVEL TIPS + NEIGHBORHOODS +…
There’s been a number of rooftop bars opening over the past few years and Panama City’s tropical climate creates the perfect environment for them. Check out these places and enjoy the spectacular views and beautiful people. Selina Selina is where you’ll find the cool kids of Panama City sipping on…
Panama City has a blossoming restaurant scene that will satisfy any foodie – with Latin, Caribbean, and international flavors are combined to create interesting flavors. From cheap eats to fine dining, here are some of my favorite local eateries in Panama City that you won’t find in the guidebook. Fonda Lo…
Playa Venao has recently grown into vibrant a beachfront community in Panama known for its world-class surfing, chill beach vibes, and the occasional music festival. With all the growth, a number of boutique hotels, design hostels, and apartment or house rentals have opened their doors and I’ve narrowed them down to…
Want to skip the cheesy tour bus and have an authentic experience in Panama City? There are a number of tours that get you off the beaten path and give you a glimpse into what life is really like in the hot Panamanian capital. From urban food tours, visiting forgotten…
If you’re looking for a quick and easy day trip to the beach from Panama City, it doesn’t get any easier than Taboga Island. Taboga Island is home to 1,700 inhabitants that are mostly Panamanians and just a few foreigners that have made it their home. The history of the…
Looking for somewhere out-of-the-ordinary to stay in Panama? I’ve rounded up a list of places that you will never forget! From castles made out of plastic bottles to jungle treehouses to private beach escapes, here are the most unique and unusual places to stay in Panama. Plastic Bottle Castle In…
Panama City’s beautifully restored historic district, Casco Viejo, is the hippest and most vibrant neighborhood to learn Spanish in Panama. Upon landing in Panama City (or anywhere else in Latin America), knowing a little Spanish can go a long way, as well as save you a bit of money. I…
The Panama Sushi Fest is bringing you open sushi this August 16, 17, and 18 at Hard Rock Hotel in Panama City, Panama. Try unique rolls from Panama’s top sushi restaurants and vote on your favorite! Tickets available for $30 via panatickets.com. Heads up sushi lovers! The Panama Sushi Fest…
You can’t leave Panama without seeing one of the most significant accomplishments in Panama’s history. The Panama Canal took the lives of over 30,000 people and allowed ships to quickly transverse the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, increasing world trade. To truly appreciate what the canal is and represents for Panama…
Petkii is the latest sharing economy website to launch in Panama and it allows pet owners and sitters to connect so that you can leave for your vacation with peace of mind or make some extra cash as a sitter. As a dog owner, one of my biggest frustrations of…
Discover a new way to connect with nature at Bodhi Hostel in Kalu Yala, a sustainable eco-hostel that makes it easy to “survive” in the middle of the Panamanian jungle. After a night out, my alarm started blaring at 6:30 am to get myself ready for this weekend’s adventure. I…
Every major hotel chain seems to be opening doors in Panama City, Panama so how do you choose the best one? I’ve come up an extremely narrowed down list of the best hostels and hotels in Panama City and divided them into three categories (budget hostels, mid-priced, and luxury) with…
After launching my Panama website, PTY Life, over five years ago I am ready to expand, and the next city is Bogotá, Colombia! Visit my new website Bogotivo.com for the best places to eat, drink, party, and sleep in Colombia’s cool capital city. After returning to Panama City after another…
