Pass The Passport

Places / North & Central America

Panama

Visited

At a glance

Region
Central America
Capital
Panama City
Population
4.6 million (2025)
Area
75,417 km²
Languages
Spanish
Currency
Panamanian balboa (PAB), United States dollar (USD)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+507
Visited: Panama

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Before you go

Overview

The Republic of Panama is a transcontinental country in Central America and South America.

The country recorded a population of 4.177 million in 2018 and 75,517 km2.

Its capital and largest city is Panama City located in the east-central region of the country.

Other urban centres are Colon City, David, La Chorrera, Santiago and Changuinola.

Since 1914 the 51-mile- (82-km-) long canal, above, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has afforded a long-sought shortcut for shipping and assures the country’s standing as one of the most strategic transportation hubs of the world.

History

It became a Spanish vive-royalty of New Andalucia in 1519.

The country later got its independence from Spain in 1821 and it joined the confederation of Gran Colombia. After the collapse of the confederation in 1830, the country became fully independent.

It, however, gained full independent from Colombia in 1903.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is a mixture of African, American, Indian and Spanish cultures.

The main crops grown here are coffee, bananas, cocoa beans, coconuts, rice, soybeans, potatoes and sugar cane.

The most popular dishes are ceviche, patacones, sancocho and temales.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals are jaguarondi, margays, green iguanas, tapirs, monkey species, ocelots, pumas and anteaters.

Festivals & events

The most common events held in the country are Carnivals, Panama Jazz Festival, Pollera Festivals, Boquete Coffee and Flower Festival and, Feria del Mar.

Things to see

San Blas Islands is an archipelago that is composed of around 365 islands and cays and 49 of them are inhabited.

Panama Viejo is the remaining section of the original Panama City which was the former capital city.

Soberania National Park is located at the banks of the Panama Canal with a variety of wildlife species.

Other must visit places are Miraflores Locks, Taboga Island and Volcan Baru.

Interesting facts

The country has a beautiful scene of the sun rising at the Pacific Ocean and setting on the Atlantic Ocean.

It was the first Latin American country that adopted the US currency as its own.

It was the first country where coca-cola was sold, outside the US.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Panama

2 of 6 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Panama

February 2020 Central America

Comarca Guna Yala, Panama City, San Blas Islands, San Blas, Bocas del Toro, Bastimentos, Changuinola, Arraiján and 1 more

Whole trip gallery
  • Leaning palm trees on a white-sand island in Panama's San Blas archipelago
  • Palm trees and white sand on a San Blas island.
  • Colonial churches and balconies in Casco Viejo, Panama City.
  • A shirtless man kneeling in clear shallow water surrounded by orange starfish.
  • Wooden stilt houses built over calm clear green water.
  • A large blue cargo ship with cranes and containers on calm water under blue sky.
  • The Panama City skyline of tall towers across a bay with small boats in the foreground.
  • A detailed model ship with dredging machinery displayed in a glass case.
  • Large multicoloured letters spelling Panama with city buildings behind.
  • A small palm-covered island on deep blue sea beneath white clouds.
  • A white sand beach with a few people, a leaning palm and a small island offshore.
  • Water droplets flying in front of a small palm-covered island on bright turquoise sea.

Plan your trip to Panama

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Panama

None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.