Panama City truly is the hub of the Americas, and because of this distinction, receives a lot of international visitors and expats. In Panama, it’s no secret that the city dominates the attention of the country, especially when it comes to business. While tourism to Panama’s interior areas and islands is huge, many city residents (and even tourists) may find themselves without a lot of time to explore the rest of this beautiful country, and on a modest budget. Luckily, due to Panama’s size, finding a cool, relaxing, fun trip for the weekend is easier than you may think. You just need to plan ahead, and know where to go. Here are four of our favorites.
1. Pedasi:
About 5.5 hours in, and 5.5 hours out from Panama City, is one of the country’s most desired coastlines on one of its most pristine Pacific mainland beaches. It’s about as far as you’d want to drive for a weekend trip, but trust us, it’s worth it. Pedasi feels like another world compared to the hustle and bustle of the capital, and it has a unique unspoiled quality to it that will leave you feeling less like a tourist and more like an explorer. You won’t regret the drive after you see the waves and feel the warm breeze from the sea.
2. El Valle:
If you’re looking to escape the heat a bit and head up into the mountains, El Valle is the place for you. Much like Boquete (which isn’t great for a weekend trip), this small mountain town is full of charm. It’s reminiscent of another time, where chain restaurants and traffic are far away, and the ambience is the perfect balance between tight-knit community and rural mountain natural splendor. There’s a lot to do here as well. From hiking to biking, ATV tours and shopping at local fruit/veggie markets, you can easily fill a weekend with activities. You can also check out the zoo, which is a favorite with people of all ages, but especially kids.
3. Isla Contadora:
Contadora is the main attraction in the Pearl Islands, and archipelago that sits a few hours ferry boat ride away from Panama City in the Pacific. Isla Contadora has all the trappings of a beautiful isolated island, but is within easy reach for a day or weekend trip, making it perfect for an urban escape with little hassle when it comes to travel. It’s also the main whale watching area of Panama (during June-August), and is popular with fishing enthusiasts, marine life enthusiasts, and those who love a good beach. Lodging is limited due to the island’s size, but many new options are popping up regualarly, with many older houses being converted to vacation rentals and boutique hotels. You’ll find no big developments here, however.
4. Portobello:
On Panama’s Caribbean coast the history is deep and plentiful, and Portobello stands out as one of the most historic sites in the entire country. Just an hour and a half drive from Panama City up to Colon Province and you can find yourself in an old Spanish colonial fort (well, at least the ruins) with cannons still in tact, learning first hand about invasions, the colony, and the eventual independence of the isthmus. Portobello has a “Pirates of the Caribbean” feel to it, and is great to explore for a day. If you’re spending the weekend, however, you’ll want to explore the beaches and towns around it. This is easy to do by car, and lodging is relatively cheap. Some people even choose to stay on a charter boat while there!
