The Summit of the Americas has descended upon Panama City, and the town is abuzz with excitement. The town is also very, very crowded. With thousands of delegates, security, and journalists piling in, there are lots of road closures, and moving around the city is going to be tough, if not impossible for the casual citizen. While this may seem like a lot of stress, many expats and Panamanians are taking advantage of the summit to get out and take a small weekend vacation. But if you’re looking to get out of town, where should you go? Here are four great popular weekend trips that you’re sure to love here in Panama:
- Playa Blanca/Farallon. If going to the beach in style is your idea of a great weekend getaway, Playa Blanca is the place to be. Located a short 90-100 minutes drive from Panama City, Playa Blanca is the top resort destination on the Pacific coast. Many of the resorts in Playa Blanca are all-inclusive, and have capacity for thousands of people. Each one is unique, and provides their own entertainment, as well as private access to white sand beaches. If you want to see a more quiet side of this area, check out the small town of Farallon, which hugs the resort-lined coast, but with smaller hotels and cabanas available.
- Cerro Azul. Not everyone is a beach person, even in Panama, and that’s ok! There are plenty of other getaways you can take, and Cerro Azul is one of the best. Located under an hour’s drive from the capital, Cerro Azul is a high altitude mountain excursion, complete with dense rainforest and foliage. It’s also very cool there, attracting people who want to get away from the heat. There aren’t many hotels there, or resorts, but a simple web search will find you some great, unique B&B’s, and boutique hotels. You can be at one with nature and wildlife, all while staying close enough to the city to make it convenient for only a night or two.
Gamboa. While many Panamanians use Gamboa as a quick day trip, it’s also a great place to spend a few nights if you want a weekend getaway! It’s about 30-40 minutes away from downtown Panama, and easily accessible as it’s right on the Canal. Gamboa is a dense tropical rainforest, and is famous for it’s wildlife and flora. There is a great place to stay called the Gamboa Rainforest Resort that’s right in the middle of the jungle, and offers luxury, but eco-oriented accommodations. They also offer great tours, and will set you up with local guides if needed.- Isla Grande. When deciding on where to go for a weekend out of town, the beach is always an option in Panama. However, many people may overlook the Caribbean side, due to the big popularity of the mega resorts on the Pacific. Isla Grande is truly a hidden gem, and located a short boat ride from Colon, at the northern mouth of the Canal. Isla Grande has crystal clear Caribbean waters, and is much more rustic than Panama’s resort towns, which is one of its biggest draws. The best way to get there is to drive up to Colon, and take a small ferry. You can even get to Colon by taxi, if you don’t want to drive your car or rent one.
