Best Time to Visit Panama

Low Season: October • November

The low season in Panama is rainy, with October and November accounting for the most rain throughout the country. However, even with high chances of rainfall, Panama is an exceptional place to explore.

October and November are quiet for travelers, especially those not wanting to risk rain when visiting the islands or beaches for which Panama is known. The promise of rainfall means fewer crowds, but also offers opportunities for a more relaxing time on the beach, hiking through the rainforest, or trekking to the top of a volcano.

The rainfall does depend on the region you visit, with a number of areas in more humid areas receiving much more precipitation than others during the wet season from May to August.

High Season: December • January • February • March • April

The high travel season in Panama is from December to March, spanning the dry months and offering a great time of year to enjoy the different activities on offer.

Local crowds reach their peak around Christmas and Easter, while international travelers tend to visit around January and February. The tropical heat can be intense, especially around the valleys and coastal areas, without a large collection of microclimates to provide relief. Tropical afternoon rains are not uncommon, even in the dry season.

During Panama’s peak season, you may find incredible festivals, remote island beaches, and water activities at the heart of the travel experience.

Shoulder Season: May • June • July • August

The shoulder season in Panama takes place from May to August, accounting for the majority of the wet season.

Many travelers who prefer the beaches avoid this time of year, preferring to travel in the drier months, but rainfall often occurs periodically between May and August, mainly during the afternoons, as opposed to throughout the day.

Rain is a constant factor no matter the season and May to August often offers clear skies in the morning, afternoon showers, and plenty of time to plan your excursions accordingly.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April

The best time for sightseeing in Panama is from January to March, during the heart of the dry season. Enjoy the clear blue waters and relaxing beaches, wander through the jungle in search of wildlife, and embrace the diverse combination of natural and civil beauty as you explore the best places to visit in Panama.

December and April are often the most popular times to visit Panama, with international visitors competing with local travelers who have Christmas and Easter holidays off. This can result in larger than average crowds in the hotels, on the beaches, or during group activities.

Panama’s consistently great weather and promises of adventure make the dry season difficult to beat for sightseeing, even with larger crowds.

Best Months: January • February • March

The dry season months of January, February, and March are the best times to visit Panama for beaches. While December and April may be the most popular time to travel around Panama, you can easily avoid the crowds and enjoy the great scenery by visiting in the winter and the edge of spring.

Whether looking at the popular Bocas del Toro islands or considering the more secluded San Blas archipelago, you can find beaches perfect for your preferred travel style as you explore the Pacific coastline and Caribbean Sea.

Best Months: January • February • March

Hiking in Panama is best in winter, specifically from January to March.

Panama is an exciting country to visit in the dry season, with trails opening up along the coastline, weaving through emerald valleys, or winding between tropical trees, while avoiding the larger crowds of holiday seasons like Christmas in December and Easter around April.

Whether eager to walk the cloud forest around Boquete or visit the Anton Valley, the dry season is more popular for hiking. There are plenty of opportunities for trekking around Panama during the rainy season, especially if planned before the typical afternoon showers arrive.

Best Months: January • March • June • July • August • September

Crystal-clear waters and active marine life make Panama a perfect place to scuba, especially in January and March or from June to September.

When considering scuba diving, the wet versus dry season is less of a factor than those connected to the variety of marine life known for living in or passing along Panama’s coastline.

From whale sharks in January to manta rays in March, humpback whales in June to the incredible visibility in September, scuba diving in Panama is a treasure throughout the dry and rainy seasons.

Best Months: January • February • October • November • December

The best time to visit Panama for coffee, rum, or tea experiences is in January and February, or from October to December.

Instead of following the dry or wet seasons, the best time in the country for a flavorful experience focuses on the coffee harvest, when farmers cultivate sugarcane for rum, or when leaves are collected for the production of high-quality teas.

The individual harvests take place over months, but tend to overlap from October to February, offering plenty of time to enjoy one or all of the products Panama has to offer. Coffee, rum, and tea have become essential flavors of the country, with each providing new insight into the history, heritage, and contemporary culture, in addition to the rich flavors shaped by the celebrated microclimates.

Best Months: August • September

The best time to visit Panama for the wildlife is in August and September. Panama has incredible microclimates, with tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and stunning islands accounting for a diverse array of wildlife.

Those looking to spot animals on land and sea can enjoy the passing of humpback whales, sharks, and orcas off the Pacific coast, or wander through the wilderness in search of the Panamanian golden frog, pygmy three-toed sloth, and giant anteater.

Best Months: May • June • July • August • September

The best time to avoid crowds when visiting Panama is from May to September.

Instead of visiting during the high season, the shoulder season months of May, June, July, August, and September can offer exciting excursions, time on the beach, and the added benefit of smaller, even absent, crowds who wish to avoid the threat of rain.

Rain showers are consistent in the wet season, but generally fall in the afternoon, giving you the chance to plan your experiences around the likelihood of rainfall for a more intimate and exclusive trip.

Best Months: January • May • June • July • August • September • December

Summer is one of the best times to visit Panama with a family, specifically from May to September.

These months fall mainly during the heart of the wet season, but offer stunning experiences the entire family can enjoy, whether traveling with young children or older teens eager to explore the top things to do in Panama.

May to September is warm, and while the promise of rain exists, you can generally plan around the afternoon showers and heat by taking advantage of the clear, cooler mornings, constant greenery, and quiet beaches, while embracing the absence of dry-season crowds. December to January is also a comfortable, exciting time to explore the beaches and cloud forests. While a popular time to visit, travelers can still find fewer crowds and more opportunities than other Central American countries during the holiday season.

Best Months: January • February • March

Panama is incredibly romantic, with opportunities for couples and honeymooners to indulge in idyllic scenery, from the beaches to the mountains, when visiting from January to March.

The weather in the dry season is a bit more predictable, offering access to remote beaches, unique accommodations, and unforgettable excursions to share with your partner.

The winter months offer sunshine and coastline, hiking trails and waterways for couples who wish to enjoy any or every kind of experience.

Best Months: January • February • March

The best time to visit Panama for seniors is during the dry season from January to March. The days are generally warm, but without the consistent rain and heat of the wet season.

Enjoy the weather and scenery of January, February, and March, while avoiding the larger, holiday-season crowds of December and April. The clear days can give you a more comfortable experience, while providing safe and exciting opportunities to sail, hike, lounge on the beach, walk Panama City’s favorite neighborhoods, and more.

Best Months: January • February • March

Panama can feel like an adventure, with stunning landscapes, captivating seasides, and incredible heritage to explore during the dry-season months from January to March.

Winter and early spring open the national parks or offer chances to kayak on the open Caribbean waters. These times also reveal remote island beaches or demonstrate the beautiful heritage celebrated in cities and towns across the country. The way you experience Panama can focus on your preferred excursions and travel style.

Activities: Water activities • Cycling • Hiking • Beach visits • Sailing • Kayaking

Best Months: June • July • August • September

The wet season in Panama, from June to September,  is still a great time to discover the traditions, gorgeous scenery, and marvelous wildlife around the country.

Whether winding through lush valleys, exploring the surrounding views from a raft, or sampling the exciting flavors of historic plantations, Panama is an exciting place for an adventure or a cozy destination in which you can relax among nature’s wonder.

Activities: Panama Canal tour • Museum visits • Plantation tour • Cafe cultural experience • Rafting

Panama is an adventure of your own making, from diving into crystalline seas to witnessing the resplendent plumage of a perching quetzal, searching for sea turtles to journeying through the impressive Panama Canal.

Our Panama travel guide can give you more helpful tips or information on how you can enjoy your perfect trip, or find the right inspiration for your trip with our Panama vacations.