Panama

Panama family holidays

Panama is, quite simply, Central America’s best-kept secret. A family holiday to Panama offers incredible wildlife (everywhere), genuinely authentic cultural experiences, grand colonial architecture and a hip city buzz. Plus, there are stunning family-friendly beaches on both Caribbean and Pacific coasts. And all of this without the crowds of the busier Latin American destinations – so go now!

Families will love the ocean activities in Bocas del Toro, where you can snorkel the reef from your over-the-water bungalow. You can hang out with the sloths whilst watching massive ships navigate the jaw-dropping Panama Canal. Or enjoy coffee and cacao combinations in the cooler highlands of Boquete, along with endless adrenaline activities. And all ages can soak up incredible views over cocktails and mocktails in the many chic rooftop bars of Panama City. All year round!

Family snorkelling in turquoise sea on Panama holiday with kids, with palm-fringed beach in the distance and blue sky

See vibrant, colourful reef fish in the Caribbean Sea and rays and turtles on the Pacific coast

Why take the kids to Panama?

There is such a variety of activities for everyone on our family holidays in Panama. Distances are short, so you can travel from Caribbean islands to coffee highlands in a few hours, and there are glorious beaches everywhere!

Our top activities on family holidays to Panama include:

Fun on the Caribbean beaches of Bocas del Toro
Spotting sloths, monkeys & caiman on a wildlife cruise in Soberania National Park
Getting up close to the big ships in the Panama Canal
Shopping and dining in classy Panama City
Exploring Boquete cloud forest by bike, zip-wire or hikes
Meeting the Emberá people and experiencing their culture and lifestyle
Snorkelling with turtles at Coiba Island
Viewing both Caribbean & Pacific coasts from atop Volcan Baru

Stubborn Mule Travel team visit the Embera tribe and cool off in the waterfall - Panama family holidays

Stubborn Mule’s Helene Cooper exploring the highlights of Panama

Families love Panama City – once you’ve got over the humidity! In Casco Viejo (the old quarter), older families will embrace the vibe of the bar scene and younger families can wander the waterfront market stalls. All will enjoy the fabulous mix of cool restaurants, colonial hotels and trendy shops in a wonderfully safe and family-friendly atmosphere.

Just outside the city, the fabulous Soberania National Park is home to sloth, crocs, capybaras, three different species of monkey, iguanas and incredible birdlife. A cruise here will get you up close to both wildlife AND the massive container ships navigating the famous canal. Nearby you can enjoy an authentic encounter with the indigenous Emberá people in Chagres National Park, a unique introduction to the country’s ethnic culture that families really warm to.

Group hiking on holiday in the cloud forest, Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama

Hiking in the Boquete cloud forest

Why is Panama good for families?

The main tourist hubs in Panama lie in a relatively compact area so it is easy to get around, making Panama a fantastic choice for families. Quick domestic flights or short overland journeys make moving around less arduous. And speedboat transfers between islands add to the fun – or why not actually transit the Panama Canal on the ultimate cruise?!

Panama is less expensive than many other Latin American countries. It also offers varied options for accommodation, ranging from high-end boutique city hotels and private island resorts to laid-back Caribbean beach cabanas. There are also coffee plantations with family rooms, hammocks and hummingbirds.

When to go to Panama with your family

Panama can be visited throughout the year, including most school holidays. Whilst some months are wetter than others (as a tropical country, you WILL get rain!), Panama avoids the main hurricane paths that affect the region. The weather is best described as ‘hot and humid.’

To escape the humidity, our families always enjoy time in the cooler highlands of Boquete, in the centre of the country, and also at the beach.

Visit the idilic San Blas islands, on a Panama family holiday, Robinson Crusoe style, with turquoise sea and palm fringed beaches

One of approximately 365 idyllic islands in the San Blas, the Guna Yala Autonomous Territory

Family-friendly Caribbean and Pacific beaches

The only problem will be deciding which beach, as Panama has so many family-friendly options to choose from. On the Caribbean side, you have the fun island archipelago that is Bocas del Toro, Isla Grande (just 2 hours from Panama City) and the San Blas Islands, also known as Guna Yala.

On the Pacific, there are the coastal beaches of Santa Catalina (great for surfing) and Boca Chica. These give access to the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park, Islas Secas and the marine reserve of Coiba National Park. Our expert staff will help you decide which beach (or beaches!) is best for your family.

Top tip – Panama can easily be combined with Costa Rica to create a fantastic family holiday in Central America!

A large ship entering a lock on the Panama Canal

Families can watch the huge ships navigate the locks through the Panama Canal

Family holiday itineraries to Panama

We’ll make your Panama holiday all about your family – and only yours! All our Panama family holidays are bespoke, which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Panama, have a look at our sample itineraries, Highlights of Panama and Panama & Costa Rica.

Explore our Places to visit page for inspiration on the best regions for a family holiday in Panama and check our handy When to go to Panama guide to find the best months for travel in the region. Alternatively, ring us and we’ll start planning with you. We’ll design and arrange a personalised holiday itinerary from start to finish, including flight advice and travel tips. And don’t forget, all our holidays come with complete 24/7 support – both locally in-country and with ourselves back in the UK, so you can travel with absolute confidence.