About Panama

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of Panama attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

General information

The coastline of Panama is primarily straight and have their charm, giving a feeling of absolute freedom. Many of them have a natural shade that saves in the midday heat.

One of the interesting features of Panama is that most of its beaches are located away from the city's bustle, and many offer unforgettable views and magnificent seascapes. Maybe this This may not be the main factor determining the choice, but you must agree that getting a tan against an amazing landscape is much more pleasant!

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Popular destinations

view the best beach places

Guna Yala

33 beaches
Picturesque • Exceptional beauty • Natural shadow

Los Santos

29 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Chiriqui

18 beaches
Natural shadow • Wild beach • Good for Sup surfing

Panama Oeste

15 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Colon

14 beaches
Picturesque • Secluded relax • Natural shadow

Bocas del Toro

13 beaches
Picturesque • Secluded relax • Natural shadow

Veraguas

11 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Cocle

10 beaches
Natural shadow • Wild beach • Good for diving

Darien

4 beaches
Picturesque • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Herrera

1 beach
Good for Relax • Sand • Middle-sized
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Panama Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Good for Relax

Big Dog Island beach

Niadup 1.6 km

8.9
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Exceptional beauty • Access by boat • Crowded in season • No parking
2 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Dog Island beach

Niadup 0.3 km

8.9
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Exceptional beauty • Access by boat • Crowded in season • No parking
3 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Winfli Sailtrip beach

Niadup 3 km

8.8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Exceptional beauty • Access by boat • Crowded in season • No parking
3 Amenities index
Senior friendly

Bluff Beach

Bluff 0.5 km

8.6
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water
4.9 Amenities index
For explorers

Yani Island beach

Niadup 3.3 km

8.6
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Exceptional beauty • Picturesque • Access by boat • No parking
3 Amenities index
Senior friendly

Escondida Beach

Bluff 1.4 km

8.6
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water
4.4 Amenities index

Popular types of Panama beaches

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 148 beaches in the country.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Panama.

For pet lovers, and even more so for dog owners, the first question always arises whether it is possible to take your pet to the beach since entry with it, in most cases, can be prohibited.

Panama is an exception in this case, since on average there are more pet-friendly beaches than nearby country. According to our data there are 41 beaches which have guaranteed access with pets, a full list of beaches can be found on this page. So you will be sure that you and your pet will have a great time under the gentle sun.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Panama, they are as follows:

  • The country's beaches are mainly wide, long and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is gentle, which is very good for kids. There are 77 such beaches.
  • An important clarification, 48 beaches in the country have a long intertidal zone, which means that during low tide hours you may have to travel a considerable distance. This is also something to consider if you don't want to suddenly be in the water at high tide.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Panama is less than 500 meters. 92 beaches are relatively easy to access, 3 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance, and 53 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of Panama however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Dozens of beaches in Panama attract every year not only relaxation lovers but also those travelers who prefer outdoor activities and, first of all snorkeling lovers, surfers, kayakers.

So, let's see what activities you can do on the beaches:

  • Surfing. There is probably no person in the world who has never seen these talented boys and girls riding the wave. Whether you are a professional surfer or just an athlete with a brave heart, the beaches of Panama will suit both of you, as this country is quite popular among surfers. There are about 22 beaches good suitable for surfing, choose carefully, don't miss the beach of your dream!
  • Snorkeling. For admirers of the inner beauty of coastal waters, it is essential to know that about 40 beaches in Panama that are popular with snorkelers. According to our users, the best locations are: Big Dog Island beach, Dog Island beach, Winfli Sailtrip beach.
  • Sea kayaking is an excellent alternative to long walks along the coast. Instead of being bored on the beach, you can go for a leisurely journey and discover the beauty of the neighboring coves, inlets and wild beaches. Remember, the main gems are always accessible only from the water. Kayaking is an excellent active lifestyle solution for both professionals and beginners. About 14 beaches in Panama can be interesting for kayakers, the most popular are: Needle Island beach, Isla Naranjo beach.

Do you love an active lifestyle but would prefer something other than water activities? Then on the beaches of Panama you can actively spend time playing volleyball. Although this country does not have the privileged status of the volleyball capital of World, it may well compete for this title because there are about 24 beaches where you can play volleyball.

For campers, important information is the availability of campsites in the country. There are such places near the 5 beaches of Panama. 4 of them are official campsites, with all the necessary (showers, toilets, shops, cafes).

Latest reviews on Panama's beaches

Please note that lifeguards supervise 16 beaches in the country, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

Do you know how many beaches there are in Panama? In total there are 148 beaches and the most popular is Big Dog Island beach.

Most viewed beaches of Panama

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Panama?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in Panama, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 148 beaches in total, of which about 31 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in Panama:

View all beaches in Panama and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Panama?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Panama, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in Panama and create your selection by features.

What are all easy accessible beaches in Panama?

Most of the beaches located in Panama are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in Panama by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Panama:

View all beaches in Panama and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Panama?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

Other popular categories

View all beaches in Panama and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in Panama?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Panama by occupancy.

Popular categories:

View all beaches in Panama and select by features

Which beaches in Panama are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Panama?

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Panama?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in Panama and select by activity

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