Panama is a country in Central America, and the Republic of Panama is its full name. It is best known for the Panama Canal, the waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and lets ships pass between them without sailing around the southern tip of South America.
What a visit offers
For many travellers, the canal is the reason to come. Watching vessels move through its locks gives a clear sense of how the route works and of the engineering behind it. Because the country sits between two oceans, a trip here can combine time on the coast with time in the interior, and the ocean on each side has its own character.
Planning your trip
- Plan around the canal if it is a priority, since it is the country's defining feature.
- Allow time for both coasts, as the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the country differ.
- Check travel requirements and local conditions before you go, as these change.
Panama is a place where a short stay can still feel varied. The canal anchors a visit, and the surrounding country and its two oceans give you plenty to explore beyond it.
