17 days in Panama Itinerary

Arguably the most modern of Central American cities, Panama City boasts a shimmering skyline of glass skyscrapers.

Get some historical perspective at Casco Viejo and Iglesia del Carmen. Visiting Metropolitan National Park and Isla Santa Catalina will get you outdoors. The adventure continues: get engrossed in the history at Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama, buy something for everyone on your list at Albrook Mall, look for all kinds of wild species at Punta Culebra Nature Center, and head outdoors with Ancon Hill.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Panama City road trip planning site .

Vancouver, Canada to Panama City is an approximately 12-hour flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from Vancouver to Panama City. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from Vancouver in May; daily highs in Panama City reach 37°C and lows reach 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) early enough to take a shuttle to Colon.

Founded in the 1850s by Americans building the country's first railroad, Colon is now one of the largest duty-free ports in the world.

On the 6th (Sun), contemplate the long history of Fort San Lorenzo, enjoy breathtaking views from Centro de Observacion de la Ampliacion, and then steep yourself in history at Gatun Locks.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Colon vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can take a shuttle from Panama City to Colon in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in May, and nighttime lows around 29°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can travel to Bocas Town.

The colorful and relaxed Bocas Town has a welcoming atmosphere, with the modestly sized urban area showcasing typical Caribbean clapboard houses and home to a mixed community from across the world.

Visit Boca del Drago and Playa Estrella for some beach relaxation. Escape the urban bustle at Scuba & Snorkeling and Dolphin Bay Preserve. There's still lots to do: relax in the rural setting at Up In The Hill and examine the collection at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

To find more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Bocas Town trip itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Colon to Bocas Town in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of shuttle and flight; or fly. May in Bocas Town sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 26°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) early enough to catch the ferry to Isla Bastimentos.

Sitting fairly close to the mainland and just a short boat ride from Bocas del Toro International Airport, the well-connected but still preserved Isla Bastimentos offers access to a national park of protected rainforest and coastline, as well as an abundance of small, uninhabited islands dotted just offshore.

On the 10th (Thu), stroll through Wizard Beach and then enjoy the sand and surf at Red Frog Beach. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Polo Beach.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Isla Bastimentos online journey planner .

Isla Bastimentos is just a stone's throw from Bocas Town. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Fri) to allow time for travel to Rio Hato.

Close to many popular natural attractions, Rio Hato provides a good place to base yourself during a wider exploration of the area.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sat): look for all kinds of wild species at Farallon Butterflies, then head outdoors with Leading Adventures, and then kick back and relax at Playa Santa Clara.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Rio Hato trip itinerary maker site .

Do a combination of ferry, flight, and bus from Isla Bastimentos to Rio Hato in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, car, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Contadora Island.

The most visited of the islands in the archipelago, Contadora Island benefits from having the area's only airport, linking it to the mainland and boosting tourism.

On the 13th (Sun), enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Ejecutiva.

Plan my Contadora Island trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Traveling by combination of bus and ferry from Rio Hato to Contadora Island takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in May, and nighttime lows around 28°C. You'll set off for Panama City on the 14th (Mon).

Start off your visit on the 15th (Tue): examine the collection at Biomuseum, then take in the views from Bridge of the Americas, and then take a stroll through Cinta Costera. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Wed): get to know the fascinating history of Avenida Balboa, then delve into the distant past at Panama La Vieja, and then browse the different shops at Multiplaza Pacific.

You can plan Panama City trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

Traveling by ferry from Contadora Island to Panama City takes an hour. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.