Tailor-Made Panama Trips with Local Experts | Rough Guides

Q: Can I customize my Panama trip?

Absolutely. Every Rough Guides trip is tailor-made just for you. Want to surf in Santa Catalina, then sip rum in the Azuero Peninsula ? Or swap out the beach for jungle hikes and wildlife spotting? Our local experts listen to what you want, then build an itinerary to match, choosing the best routes, places to stay, and things to do. You set the pace and vibe; we handle the details.

Q: How far in advance should I start planning?

We recommend planning 3 to 6 months ahead, especially if you’re traveling between December and April , Panama’s dry season. Trips that include island stays or festivals (like Carnival in Las Tablas) often book out early. The good news: with tailor-made travel , you’ll have more flexibility and access to options that can be hard to book on your own.

Q: Is it more expensive to book Rough Guides tailor-made travel?

Not necessarily. The price is similar to planning it yourself, but the value is much higher. You get insider access to local experiences, carefully vetted hotels and guides, plus 24/7 on-trip support. With Rough Guides, you won’t waste money on things that don’t deliver, and you’ll end up with a smarter, smoother trip.

Q: Who are the Panama local experts?

Our Panama specialists are based in-country and know it inside out, the kind of people who’ve driven every backroad and kayaked through the Pearl Islands. They work with you one-on-one to build a trip that fits your interests, whether that’s history, food, adventure, or all of the above. They're your shortcut to a more authentic, well-balanced itinerary. Ready to start planning your trip to Panama? Get in touch with a local expert today.

Step 1. Tell us about your dream trip

Fill out a short form

Step 2.

Exclusive Feature

Get proposals from multiple experts

Collaborate, refine, and choose your best fit

Step 3. Securely book your top choice

And travel with 24/7 concierge service

Learn more about the process

Planning a trip to Panama means diving into a country where skyscrapers, surf towns, cloud forests, and Caribbean islands all fit into one compact slice of Central America. Explore the lively streets of Panama City, then swap the skyline for the sun-bleached shores of the San Blas Islands. For something less tourist-trodden, head to Santa Catalina, a surf spot turned sleepy beach escape.

With Rough Guides’ tailor-made travel in Panama, local experts craft your trip around your style, interests, and pace, from hiking through highland towns like Boquete to snorkelling around Coiba Island.

Meet our Panama travel experts

They will craft your perfect trip

See all Panama local experts →

Verified by Rough Guides

Amelie

Active online: 13h ago

24Years in
tourism

146Offers
created

19200Happy
travellers

Get to know Amelie

Let’s plan your trip

Verified by Rough Guides

Alice

Active online: 5h ago

7Years in
tourism

750Happy
travellers

Get to know Alice

Let’s plan your trip

Things to know before your Panama trip

What does a trip to Panama look like?−

A typical Panama itinerary mixes urban edge and island calm. Start in Panama City, with its rooftop bars, canal locks, and historic Casco Viejo. Head west to the highlands of Boquete, known for its coffee farms and cool climate hikes.

Chill out on the Caribbean coast in Bocas del Toro, or go full remote on the San Blas Islands, run by the Guna people. If you want to avoid the crowds, spend a few nights in El Valle de Antón or dive off the grid around Coiba Island, one of Central America’s best marine parks.

Explore the best Panama trips

Meet our Panama travel experts

Things to know before your Panama trip

What does a trip to Panama look like?−

Can I customize my Panama trip?+

How far in advance should I start planning?+

Is it more expensive to book Rough Guides tailor-made travel?+

Who are the Panama local experts?+