Panama is an enchanting oasis, where easy island jaunts and mountain retreats are a way of life. Until recently, it was known more as Central America’s economic center, but that booming economy is also paving the way for a rise in next generation designers, artists and chefs. And with islands as beautiful as any Caribbean counterpart and lush regions largely undiscovered by travelers, the secret is out. From the seductive, burgeoning arts district of Casco Viejo to the idyllic shores of the San Blas Islands, here are five reasons you should book a flight to Panama now.
Just a short one-hour sail from Panama City is the candy-colored Taboga Island, known locally as the Island of Flowers. You’ll find no cars on this island—this white-sand stretch of coastline is a remote paradise where nature trails and flower-lined walkways comprise the local infrastructure. Skip the ferry lines and opt for a day aboard the Azuleta, which includes an entire day of sailing on a wooden sailboat. You’ll spend your day kayaking the clear open waters, diving from the highest rungs of the ship, and wandering the plentiful paths of quaint Taboga Island.
Located off the northern Caribbean coast of Panama, the 365 islands that make up the San Blas Islands all seem to come standard with white-sand beaches, coconuts for purchase, and leaning palm trees that will make any city-dweller contemplate life off the grid. Explore the region with a tour from Thread Caravan—visit with the indigenous Guna people, learn the complexity of hand-embroidering mola textiles, and spend your days snorkeling and sailing the pristine ocean waters. And if one archipelago isn’t enough, hop a 45-minute flight from Panama City to Bocas del Toro to explore this nine-island expanse, full of dense rain forests and hundreds of uninhabited islets.