A Guide For Active Expats In Panama: Surfing, Diving, Mountain, And Ocean Landscapes Across The Country

Two oceans, one country: a paradise for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts

For the active expat, Panama offers unique lifestyles, outdoor activities, and natural sites. It is one of the few places in the world where you can sightsee the Pacific and Atlantic oceans at the same time (from the summit of Volcán Barú).

This is not only an interesting fact to mention: it speaks of the country's variety, especially when it comes to tropical scenery and landscapes. In this article, we speak to individuals or families who are planning to relocate and want to explore things to do in Panama, the best season to do them, and the ideal places.

Pacific and Caribbean coasts: different conditions, same tropical experiences

In terms of pure leisure, basking in the sun, coastal views, and beaches, the tropical Pacific and the Caribbean compete firmly side by side. Differences arise when the expat visits with more specific interests like trekking, sailing, snorkeling, diving, or surfing. In this sense, each Panamanian coast has its own appeal and satisfies specific interests.

The reputation of the Caribbean as a calm, transparent pool remains intact along the Panamanian coasts, especially in places like Isla Grande, the San Blas Archipelago, or the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Among those alternatives, the main differences lie in infrastructure and approach to tourism more than in geography, climate, and sights.

Even at the same latitude, the oceans present key differences. The Pacific is characterized by a higher sea level and more dramatic tides, which makes it ideal for surfers. On the other hand, the Caribbean coast remains a paradise for those who enjoy water with a mesmerizing turquoise hue, ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Things aren’t that black and white, though, because divers can find superb diving spots also in the Pacific, although with different flora and fauna. On this side, they can expect to see large specimens like game fish, whales, and sharks, while the Caribbean strikes with its shallow reef gardens and colorful, varied fish.

Distances from Panama City and weekend escapades from the Central American capital

Panama is a small nation. It’s smaller in size than some US states like Maine, South Carolina, and Indiana, and drastically smaller than some Canadian provinces. Quebec is 20 times larger than Panama, with roughly 595,000 sq miles, and Ontario is 14 times larger with 415,000 square miles. Panama, on the other hand, has the modest size of 29,119 square miles.

In practical terms, this means that one can travel across the whole country in 8-11 hours by land (7 hours from Panama City to David, and roughly 10 hours from Panama City to Bocas del Toro). Domestic flights don’t take longer than an hour and a half.

For Americans or Canadians used to traveling by plane, everything will be within two hours tops; nevertheless, when travelling by car or bus, voyagers must consider other factors.

What Panamanians and residents usually visit near Panama City

Many still prefer to travel by car because air tickets are costlier; in that case, residents of the capital have beach and mountain destinations within a 2-hour drive. The closest beach to Panama City is Veracruz (a 30-minute drive), and the closest beach town is Coronado, which is an hour's drive away. Also, 2.5 hours from the capital, there is a hiking destination with mild mountain weather. This is Valle de Anton, a town built on the crater of a dormant volcano. The table below shows these weekend escapades and other farther destinations for comparison.

Panama’s most sought-after vacation sites in detail

There is one column in the above table that always shows the same information, and that is “best season to visit”. Clearly, the dry season is better for any activity you undertake. Yet, a museum can be visited on a rainy day, while trekking and diving require good weather.

Heavy traffic is actually heavy

Such a small country has less space to enhance routes, avenues, and thoroughfares. Furthermore, in the past three decades, the isthmus has attracted large numbers of expats, most of whom have concentrated in the capital. Another determining factor is that cars are relatively affordable: it is not uncommon for single, young people who are just starting their careers to have a car, and for families to have two or even three vehicles.

On Fridays and days before public holidays, during rush hour, there is a bottleneck effect around Panama City. This can quickly double or triple the travel times. Foreigners are used to these serious traffic jams happening sporadically, when an important avenue is closed, or relevant routes have been blocked. In Panama, this happens every weekend.

Best sites for active expats: Panama for surfers

Riding the wave: Santa Catalina, Playa Venao, Bocas del Toro

Thanks to its high water level and changing tides, the Pacific is Panama’s surfing region par excellence. This doesn’t mean that the Caribbean side lags behind, as there are also some great spots in Bocas del Toro with fantastic waves to ride.

One of the most famous surfing places is Santa Catalina, approximately 5 to 6 hours from Panama City, in the Veraguas province. It’s considered a world-class surfing destination and one of the best in the entire Pacific.

The second hot spot is Playa Venao, a crescent-shaped beach in the Azuero peninsula. Its warm waters and waves are ideal for both beginners and experts, and the lush, forested landscape adds an exotic touch and a nice view. You’ll find the closest important town, Pedasi, a short ride away, and Panama City is roughly at a 5-hour distance.

Finally, Bocas del Toro also boasts great places for surfing in Panama, like Playa Paunch and Dumper (Isla Colón), Isla Carenero, or Wizard Beach (Isla Bastimentos). For surfers, this is a unique chance to practice their hobby while fully immersing themselves in the Caribbean charm.

Things to do in Panama: divers' paradises in the isthmus

Diving on the Pacific side: the unforgettable Coiba

The “New Galapagos”, as people call it, is known as one of the hottest diving and snorkeling spots in the country. Coiba Island is home to massive schools of snapper, jacks, and barracuda, and also hammerhead sharks and dolphins. Naturalists can spot humpback whales during their temporary stays, in August- September, when they arrive from Antarctica.

Coiba sits on the Chiriquí Gulf in the province of Veraguas, and it can be reached from the town of Santa Catalina by speedboat (60 to 90 minutes from the Veraguas coast).

Interesting fact: Coiba is the largest island in Panama and in Central America, with a surface of 194 square miles.

Bocas del Toro and diving on the Caribbean side

In the heart of the Caribbean, Bocas del Toro is a truly diverse paradise, with more impressive underwater sights and colorful submarine landscapes than the Pacific coast. With calmer waters, it offers better visibility, allowing divers to relish the rich biodiversity, especially reef fish, turtles, eels, and small specimens.

Since the coral gardens are spread across shallow waters, they receive more sunlight and become truly bright and flamboyant, while their complex structures are ideal for small animals to crawl, hide, and dwell. Another characteristic that makes Bocas an awesome diving spot is its topography. Sudden falls and subaquatic walls, like Hospital Point and Manuel’s Wall, in Isla Solarte, attract sponges, sea fans, and a variety of other species.

Thrill seekers can dive at Tiger Rock, an open-sea diving site about 24 miles from Isla Colon. Here they can explore a depth of 130 feet, that is, if they can handle the strong currents. Tiger Rock presents one of the most challenging adventures, being available only for certified divers with previous experience.

Things to do in Panama: What, where and when

Disclaimer: This article is published to provide general information, and it doesn’t constitute legal advice. Before relocating to another country and applying for residency, always consult with certified professionals.

The other side of Panama: Mountains, trekking, and lovely mild weather

Boquete and Chiriquí: trails, coffee, and the fascinating Volcán Barú

Chiriquí is the westernmost province in Panama bordering Costa Rica. It is mostly known for the city of David (one of the most important urban centers in the country and the most influential city in the region) and the Chiriquí Highlands. This is a mountainous region mainly characterized by a spring-like climate with average temperatures of 70°F to 75° F.

For hikers and trekking enthusiasts, there are several trails to climb the Barú volcano, the highest peak in the highlands, with an elevation of 11,300 feet. If they are lucky and the day is clear, hikers will be able to see both oceans from the summit.

A picturesque fact about Chiriquí is that it produces world-class coffee thanks to its volcanic soil. Expats can not only taste delicious coffee, but also take part in coffee tours and enjoy the lovely, forested scenery.

How can Mundo help you?

Mundo is an international service provider with a focus on company incorporation, trusts, bank accounts, real estate and investment migration. We have a strong presence in Panama with a physical office in the Central American capital, and several staff members working in-situ in Panama City.

We specialize in Panama visa programs which are specially designed as a straightforward route towards legal residency in the country. Our in-house lawyer is an expert on Panama's residency programs, in optimizing processes, navigating bureaucracy, overcoming obstacles, and reducing drawbacks to a minimum.

Contact us if you want to obtain any of the Panama visas or if you seek a second citizenship in the Caribbean, Vanuatu, or São Tomé and Príncipe. Our experts are one click away; you just have to take the first step.