These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. These are the eight best places to visit in Panama. Januarys dry weather makes the month the perfect time to explore Central Americas national parks, jungles and tropical rainforests, including Costa Ricas Manuel Antonio National Park and Cur Wildlife Refuge and Panamas Darien National Park. Average worldwide flight costs to Marcos A Gelabert International Airport (PAC) are between $227 and $294 per person for economy flights and $712 to $923 for first class. Temperatures average between 70 and 95 degrees during May in Panama. Worse yet, the city is frequently gridlocked, making travel by car slow and inefficient. Temperatures average between 65 and 92 degrees during January in Panama. These prices are based on millions of flights. Fria de David is Chiriquis largest festival that draws more than five hundred exhibitors from around the world show off their industrial technology. Flying to Panama City from an airport like Juan Santamaria International (SJO) in San Jose (Costa Rica) for an average $334 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Enrique Malek International (DAV) in David (Panama) at an average of just $222. This usually runs from May to November, and the weather can be unpredictable. Avoid tourist taxis and taxis that wait outside hotels. See below for average, budget, and luxury trip costs. If youre planning to travel during this month, youll want to pack your swim essentials, lightweight clothing, and sun protection. Most towns have an office of the National Environment Ministry, Mi Ambiente, and will point you in the right direction. . Come to Panama in February, March, September and October for the least chance of rain, although any month from mid-December to the beginning of May is fairly dry. The warm-up for the Christmas holidays impacts travel right through December. November 3, 4 and 28 are all celebrated as national Independence Days, and see huge parties throughout the country. Seller of Travel Ref. The area of Bocas del Toro celebrates its fishing heritage with the Feria del Mar (Festival of the Sea) in mid-September. The six-day event features hundreds of renowned jazz musicians from around the world with live performances, a gala evening and concerts. Get fruit from street vendors and local markets (a fruit breakfast in a restaurant is relatively poor value). The beaches are free, and theres no shortage of outdoor activities at Panamas extensive and affordable national park system. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Below, we discuss the weather by month so that you can choose the best time to visit for you and your family. The rainy season is the quietest and cheapest time to visit Panama, but youll get wet. Going (Scotts Cheap Flights) Review: Is This Flight Tool Worth Using? 17 things to know before traveling to Panama. Youll have to pass through immigration, which can be time-consuming. There are around 11 golf courses in the Panama area. Private tours can cost $900 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Alternatively, linger in Panama after your cruise to attend the festival, or look for sailings with full-day stops in Panama City during the jazz festival. Sadly, vegans and vegetarians are not well-served in Panama. The direct bus from San Jos to the international border at Paso Canoas is an hour or so longer than the bus from Panama City to David (the second-largest city in Panama). BTW Panamanian's "summer" vacation is december and january. Ships: If you're interested in a sailing on a luxury cruise ship, Silversea is the only luxury line still in the region in April. Arrive early to stake out a patch of sand. endDate.setDate(endDate.getDate() + 37);
If you're in Panama City, plan an indoor excursion with a visit to the world's first museum dedicated to biodiversity, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo. Affordable Places to Stay Beachfront accommodations in Panama City tend to be far more affordable than in many other resort destinations, but it still pays to shop carefully for not only the best deal but the best location. var endMM = String(endDate.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0');
The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available. Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Luxury Honeymoon. Not only is traveling to Panama with family possible but there are many activities and outdoor adventures you can take. November 10th is considered The First Call For Independence. Ships: Windstar, Star Clippers and Seabourn will also have vessels transiting the Panama Canal in November. Pros: January is regarded as one of the best months to visit Panama with the drier weather and high temperatures around the mid-80s. If youre considering this bucket-list sailing, youll want to find the best time to cruise the Panama Canal, whether that be to find better weather, lower pricing or fewer crowds. is a Florida-based freelance travel writer and a James Beard Award Finalist in Journalism. Cons: It's peak season on land and at sea, so hotel and cruise prices are high. Ships: New luxury line Explora Journeys joins the vessels in the region in March with an extended sailing that includes transiting the Panama Canal. February to May: This is the peak season to visit Panama City Beach. //end of date range
Price range is on the bottom (x) axis. Cons: It's peak season on land and at sea, so hotel and cruise prices are high. Cons: It's still peak season with higher cruise fares and prices ashore but there are fewer cruise lines in the region. The cheapest time to go to Panama is during the rainy season. There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Panama Canal Zone. Savvy travelers mix up time on the coast with trips to explore the rainforests in the interior. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. Ubers are usually cheaper and easier than taxis. October 8th to November 18th (except the week of October 29th). Temperatures average between 70 and 92 degrees during June in Panama. Median flight price is $234. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Pros: October is one of the best months for cooler temperatures, lower fares and fewer crowds. An official taxi from Tocumen International Airport to downtown Panama City can set you back USD $30-40. Warm, dry weather keeps tourists coming to the Pacific Coast, and the Caribbean Coast also sees plenty of visitors. They cost $5 and are good to go with $3 of fares included. Smoothies are another healthy and economical option. This is a 10 day event that has many cultural events. The Best and Cheapest Time to Visit Panama. With the exceptions of Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala and other remote areas, the tap water in Panama is generally safe for consumption. As visitors love to plan their vacations during this time of year, youll want to plan your vacation well in advance. Carnival is a festival in mid-January in Panama City and other towns around the country. Panama may be small but its attractions are mighty and not always easy to get to. 9 years ago. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing. Temperatures average between 67 and 92 degrees during December in Panama. Plan your travel well ahead of time for any public holiday; hotel prices can rise to double the normal rate, and transport is often booked out weeks in advance. From the cobbled streets of Casco Viejo to the sleek skyscrapers of downtown, there is a neighborhood in Panama City to suit you no matter what you want. During this time, air travel is likely to be cheaper and you may be able to save extra money when purchasing tickets for any activities, especially outdoors. Delicious fresh fruit is widely available in Panama and makes for a great budget breakfast Pedro Merino / Getty Images, 12 top tips for visiting Panama on a budget. Do I need a visa to visit or work in Panama? For your beach island getaway you will get to experience the Christmas lights, parades, and the Christmas villages. We advise avoiding the coastal beaches of Bocas del Toro, which experience unusually heavy rains in December. The best time to visit Panama is between January and mid-April. Panama City will also be busy with the jazz festival mid-month. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Panama Canal Zone due to very high property costs. What is the cheapest time to go to Panama? Related: Best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip. Here are our top tips for making your Panama adventure bueno, bonito y barato (good, nice and cheap). The beaches are often crowded during this time, as locals take advantage of the cooler temperatures and cheaper rates. While the Pacific Coast Panama City and anywhere south of the continental divide basks under sunny skies, the highlands and Caribbean Coast still get some showers. Panamaspoils its visitors cosmopolitan cities, incredible stretches of sand and wild countryside that is a gift to adventure tourism. December is one of the peak tourism months in Panama, with Panamanians traveling for the holidays and visitors from North America and Europe escaping the cold weather at home. Panama Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources, You can also visit on a day trip if youre short on time, safest countries for traveling and backpacking in Central America, The 6 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama, How to Get Around Central America on a Budget. The prime time to visit Panama is during the dry season, but youll have to share the experience. Find cheap flights and save money on airline tickets to every destination in the world at Cheapflights.com. The San Blas Islands are one of the most idyllic, beautiful places we've ever been! How much is the cheapest flight to Panama? Before leaving the airport, be sure to buy a rechargeable Metrocard, suitable for use on all Metrobuses and trains. Panama has both incredible wild spaces waiting to be explored and chic cities full of glamor here's everything you need to know before you go. Don't expect to get much done in Panama in November the whole country takes off to celebrate multiple independence-related festivals, from both Spain and Colombia. Expect comfort food made with the countrys fresh and plentiful produce. The other cruise lines sailing the Panama Canal in February are Holland America, Oceania, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Lindblad, Tauck, Emerald and Windstar. The Pacific Coast sees sunny skies (and peak prices) during the dry season from December to April when hordes of sun-seekers flock south from the US. If youre looking for another event, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival is rated one of the top ten jazz festivals in the United States. Covering all seven continents, The world your way shows you how you can see the world with us. Arrive early to stake out a patch of sand. While the dry season is the best time to travel and stay out of the rain, it's also when the canal is swamped with tourists, and hotels, restaurants and touring agencies often raise their prices. Mid-month, Panama City celebrates its founding in 1519 with a stream of high-spirited events.Key events: Panama La Vieja Day, Panama City; Festival Nacional del Manito Ocueo, Oc. Of course, the main disadvantage of using hotels is that you wont have a shared kitchen at your disposal. While you can expect typically short, tropical thunderstorms during this period, adrenaline-seekers can take advantage: heavier rains swell the rivers and create excellent conditions for rafting. Its best to seek solid recommendations from your hotel or hostel as they typically know where the best deals are. The ultimate trip planner for every month of the year: discover the best places to visit throughout the seasons. Panama has different seasons that attract different types of visitors, so depending on the activities, some seasons will be more expensive than others. The cheapest trip to Panama City is about $62 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. Best time to visit Panama . Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. This is the end of summer period when all of the summer crowds have left. The Panama Jazz Festival, held each January in Panama City, is quickly becoming one of the best of its kind in Latin America. Prices and availability are subject to change. Looking down on the huge torrents of water flowing through the locks, and the massive steel doors that slam shut to control the flow of water, it's hard not to be impressed when you visit the Panama Canal. Options include a rainbow array of locally grown produce like pineapples, papayas, avocados, bananas, watermelons and oranges. However, its also worth considering traveling to Panama during the rest of the year, when you can experience local events and festivals. Bocas takes advantage of the dry weather to host a festival of the sea, with folk music and a feast of seafood.Key events: Feria Internacional del Mar, Bocas del Toro; Feria de la Mejorana, Guarar. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $27. Overcharging is the norm, especially if you appear to be foreign. International flights to Panama are usually cheapest towards the end of the wet season, September to November. The average cost for one person to visit Panama Canal Zone for a week is $1,187-$1,736($170-$248 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $68 to $100 per day for one persons daily expenses, Lodging: $100 to $133 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room, or $81 to $99 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental, The average cost for a couple to visit Panama Canal Zone for a week is $1,892-$2,786($270-$398 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $136 to $200 per day for two peoples daily expenses, The average cost for 4 people to visit Panama Canal Zone for a week is $3,536-$5,348($505-$764 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $272 to $400 per day for four peoples daily expenses, Lodging: $200 to $266 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms, or $122 to $149 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental. Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what youre interested in doing. Barbados. That means you take a Panama Canal cruise on a small-masted Windstar ship or luxury Silversea cruise or can sail on a megaship as large as the 1,094-foot-long and 136-foot-wide Norwegian Bliss. July is off-peak for visitors, so hotels offer better rates, and theres good surf on the Pacific Coast.Key events: Fiesta de Virgen del Carmen, Santa Catalina; Fiesta de Santa Librada and Festival de la Pollera, Las Tablas. December is the first month of winter in Panama. Panama has different seasons that attract different types of visitors, so depending on the activities, some seasons will be more expensive than others. The month brings a mix of low-priced early-season fares but also several public holidays that bring crowds of both tourists and residents to attractions in places like Panama City and Boquete.