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Solo Female Travel in Panama

Posted on January 24, 2022January 24, 2022 by kowalkowskiallison

I recently returned from 2 and 1/2 weeks of solo female travel in Panama and wanted to get all my thoughts and recommendations into one post for anyone planning their own trip. Or for anyone daydreaming about travel–you’ve come to the right place. Panama had been on my bucket list for years (mainly because of the San Blas Islands) and, spoiler alert, I had the most incredible time exploring this country. This blog will focus on solo female travel in Panama based off my experience there, but know that these tips and this itinerary would also work for a friends or couple trip!

Panama Overview

I spoke to a local guide whilst visiting the Panama Canal and got some fascinating insight into how the people of Panama classify their country. Panama is located between Costa Rica and Colombia, and I feel like most people consider it to be in Central America.

Back in the day, it was part of Grand Colombia and, therefore, part of South America. When Panama became its own country, it was no longer considered part of South America and got lumped into Central America. But the locals say “Mexico, Central America, and Panama” so clearly feel separate. It has a large Caribbean influence but doesn’t identify as Caribbean. At one point, part of Panama belonged to the U.S. Not to mention the indigenous Guna people, who have been living on the islands and in the jungle near the border of Colombia for centuries.

Panama is the sum of all these influences, yet something entirely its own. It is the link between Central and South America, and its canal is the link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A truly fascinating location.

*Panama uses US dollars and has the same outlets as the US. The primary language is Spanish, but you can stumble through most interactions in English and very basic Spanish.*

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Getting There

Speaking of location, I could not believe that Panama City is only a 5 hour flight from Chicago. I flew direct with Copa Airlines into Tocumen International. It’s also only 5 hours from New York and 3 hours from Miami. This country has so much to offer and is quite easy to get to from the States. It’s on the same time zone as New York City, which is another perk for American travelers–no jet lag!

Covid 19 Considerations

At the time of writing, Panama was accepting vaccinated travelers with no testing or quarantine requirement. I had to fill out a health questionnaire and show my vaccine card and that was about it to get in. I did have my vaccine card checked once to get into a restaurant, and masking was required even outdoors. It felt safe in terms of COVID.

To get home, I had to test within 24 hours. I used the BinaxNOW test via the Navica app. After logging into the app, I had people walk me through the test and then verify my results. It was quick and super convenient, but always check the most up-to-date requirements at the time of your visit.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Getting Around

During my time of solo female travel in Panama, I realized that each place I went had it’s own preferred transportation. In Panama City, Uber was the way to go. It was safe and very cheap–each ride was usually less than $5, and from Casco Viejo to the airport I believe it was around $20.

To get from Panama City to Bocas del Toro there are 2 main options. One is by bus, a 10-12 hour journey. If you prefer to fly, it is only a 1 hour flight. I decided to save time and fly. Just note that the flights to Bocas leave from a different airport (not Tocumen International). So if you fly into Panama from another country and want to go directly to Bocas, you have to take about a 45 minute drive to the other airport (Albrook). There are only a couple flights each day, so I would book as far in advance as possible.

In Bocas Del Toro you have to take water taxis everywhere. I found them to be a bit expensive for how short the rides are. Each ride was $5 per person. That really adds up if you plan on going into Bocas Town frequently during your stay. For example, I had to take a 5 minute ride from Bocas Town to my first accommodation, then to dinner one night and back, then to my next accommodation, then back to Bocas Town to leave. That’s already $25 per person for the bare minimum of moving around Bocas. Just something to keep in mind.

To get from Bocas del Toro to Lost and Found Hostel, I went to the water taxi center in Bocas Town and paid $25 for a water taxi/shuttle combo. The water taxi was about 30-40 minutes and the shuttle about 4 hours. They dropped me right at the bottom of the hill at the hostel, so it was very convenient.

At the Lost and Found Hostel there were many things to do in the area, and the best way to get around was by local bus. Each ride was $2.

From Lost and Found Hostel to Panama City, I took the local bus to the station in David. Then I took a big double-decker bus from David to Panama City. That was about an 8-9 hour travel day. There is an option for a night bus from David to Panama City if you would prefer.

To get to San Blas from Panama City, the transport should be arranged by the agency you book with and may differ from my experience. For my trip, a car came at 5:30 am. We drove about 3 hours total and then had to take a 45 minute water taxi to the sailboat. It was quite expensive (I think $120 or $130 round trip) and not the easiest ride. You literally drive through the tropics on a barely paved road, pot hole after pot hole, but it was totally worth it to get to paradise. There are other ways to visit San Blas which I’ll talk about briefly in a section below. It is also possible to fly there–it’s just more expensive.

The plane from PC to Bocas

Using Your Cell Phone

For solo female travel in Panama, I recommend buying a SIM card so you have access to the internet at all times. I relied on my phone in Bocas del Toro and Panama City for getting around, but in general, staying connected is more of a safety thing. I like being able to share my location with family if needed or look up information if I get lost. I spent about $10 for a Claro SIM card and one week of data, then topped up with another $10 for 2 more weeks of data. One thing to note is Claro did not have any service in the San Blas Islands, so I was completely off-grid for those 5 days. If you want some reception in San Blas, you are better off with a SIM card from Digicel.

Panama Weather

I visited Panama in December and enjoyed weather in the 70s/80s (except for the more mountainous area I visited–that got into the 50s at night). It is a tropical country, so it’s warm year-round. However, it does get about 9 months of rain so that’s something to keep in mind. It rained a bunch during my trip, but only “ruined” my plans one day (out of 17). January-March is the time with the least amount of rain. Another thing to note: it is too far south to be affected by hurricanes.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Safety

I felt completely safe traveling alone in Panama and even met many other women doing the same thing (but over a decade younger than I am!). This goes to show that solo female travel in Panama is totally doable at pretty much any age. The locals were friendly (even with my lack of Spanish skills) and helpful. The worst I experienced was some very mild cat calling in Panama City that was easily ignored.

When I’m traveling alone, I follow some basic rules for every country. The big ones are: avoid being outside by yourself at night and watch your alcohol consumption.

No matter what country I go to, I always try to be back at my accommodation right after sunset. I do not want to be walking around at night by myself (if I’m with a group of people then I feel comfortable being out late). If it’s unavoidable and I have to walk back alone in the dark, I’ll coordinate a call with a friend so I’m on the phone and someone is there to make sure I get back ok. There was one night in Panama where it was unavoidable and I was out at night by myself. The sunset was quite early in December and I needed to grab dinner. I had to walk about 5 minutes and then take a 5 minute water taxi. Everything was totally fine, and I felt safe– it’s just not something I make a habit of doing when I’m traveling alone.

In terms of alcohol, I limit myself to 1-2 drinks each night (3 if I’m feeling crazy). When you’re traveling alone, there’s no one to watch out for you but yourself. Most people are kind so odds are you’d be ok, but you can’t rely on people you just met to take care of you if you overdo it. You have to be more cautious about how much you drink and be able to take care of yourself.

As I get older I also worry about stumbling while drunk and breaking an ankle or something like that haha. The last thing I’d want to worry about on vacation! This trip I spent 4 nights on a sailboat, and one night, we went out to an island “bar.” It was paradise and tempting to drink more in the moment, but I still didn’t overdo it. I did not want to stumble around on a swaying sailboat at night and fall overboard haha. Or be sick… just not worth the extra few drinks in my opinion.

Obviously, limiting your alcohol consumption means that your decision making will be done with a clear head. When you’re traveling solo, all the decisions are 100% on you, and trust me, you’ll want to feel good about them. I even did one solo trip completely sober which you can read about here.

I wanted to share some other safety tips that I’ve compiled from my time traveling alone in Europe, the UK, Costa Rica, and Turks and Caicos:

  • download Google maps offline. always know where you are and avoid getting lost.
  • know your plans and look confident. Avoid looking like a confused and vulnerable tourist. Dressing how a local would dress also helps with this.
  • don’t feel like you owe anyone anything or have to be nice if you feel uncomfortable in a situation.
  • leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home including addresses of where you’re staying and any activities planned.
  • know where to closest Embassy is.
  • add your trip to the US Department of State STEP program (basically a safe travelers program telling the embassy where you are that they can access in case of emergency).
  • purchase travel insurance.
  • Keep money and passports secure but separate: I traveled with a travel credit card, a travel debit card, and cash. I would keep my credit card and small amounts of cash in my purse when I went out exploring. The other card and stashes of cash would stay behind, locked up in my room. (BRING LOCKS.) I would separate them into different bags, though. Should one bag get stolen, at least I had reserves in another spot. This went for my passport and copy of my passport as well. I would keep those separated in different bags. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your passport in case you lose your actual passport!
  • Be vigilant with your belongings. Traveling with a crossbody bag that zips is what I prefer–they feel the most secure to me because I can keep them in front and have my hand on it to make sure it remains zipped shut. I stay very aware of my surroundings, and I never get lazy and put things down. I always keep everything zipped up–nothing in pockets that can be snatched. If you follow these tips, there’s very little chance you will be the victim of pickpocketing/ getting robbed in broad daylight.

Solo Female Travel in Panama: Where to Stay

I plan the majority of my travels around activities and experiences, but when I reflected on my trip to Panama, I realized the accommodation was the star of the show. There were 2 hostels I’d had on my bucket list for years based on blogs I’d seen and travelers I’d met. Then I found an amazing deal on an overwater bungalow that I couldn’t pass up. I also knew I wanted to stay on a catamaran. So the trip kind of came together based on my lodging which is super rare for me.

Bocas Del Toro

Sol Bungalows

I started my trip in Bocas Del Toro at probably the most incredible place I’ve ever stayed: Sol Bungalows. I feel like overwater bungalows are on everyone’s bucket list (I’m looking at you Bora Bora and Maldives) but are sooooo cost prohibitive. Especially as a solo traveler. When I came across Sol Bungalows and saw they were just over $200 per night (which includes an amazing breakfast and access to paddle boards, kayaks, & snorkeling gear), I instantly booked myself in for a 2 night stay.

These bungalows were finished up in 2021 and were the perfect way to start my vacation. I was absolutely blown away by how nice everything was–I didn’t want to leave my room to explore Bocas at all haha. I spent time relaxing and reading, enjoyed incredible breakfasts and dinners prepared by the on-site chef, and even got a massage which was the best massage I’ve ever had.

The owners are so sweet and hospitable. They helped me plan out my days and booked tours & water taxis so I didn’t have to lift a finger. They gave great restaurant recommendations, too. I didn’t have to stress about anything and felt so relaxed and taken care of.

I will say these bungalows are best suited for couples (I’m pretty sure the other guests were on their honeymoon) or groups of friends. You can jump into the water right from your room, go SUPing and snorkeling, have amazing meals together, etc. However, I went by myself and would still highly recommend it for those who have room in their budget and want to feel extra pampered. I would stay again, even solo, in a heartbeat.

Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
overwater bungalow of my dreams
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
How are you supposed to leave bed when this is the view??
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
looking into the living room area of the bungalow from the deck
solo female travel in Panama perfect afternoon at Sol Bungalows
a good book + a cocktail + this view = yep, you’re on vacation
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
sunset overlooking the other bungalows
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
one of the incredible meals I had at Sol Bungalows
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
Do not skip the in-room massage! and yes that is a section of glass in the floor so you can see into the water from your bedroom.

Bambuda Lodge

After 2 nights, I headed to a different part of the island to stay at Bambuda Lodge, a hostel that’s been on my bucket list for sooooo long. I’m happy to report that it totally lived up to my expectations. There’s an incredible pool, lounging nets, a water slide(!!), and just overall good vibes. During my time of solo female travel in Panama, it was important for me to get the hostel experience so I could meet other travelers and socialize. Bambuda knows how to create a fun environment where it’s easy for people to meet. They do happy hours, family style dinners, and daily activities that take all the pressure off trying to make friends–it just happens. I had the best time at Bambuda and met the best people.

solo female travel in Panama Bambuda Lodge
living my best hostel life
Bambuda Lodge Panama
insta-worthy lounging hammocks
solo female travel in Panama happy hour at Bambuda Lodge
happy hour at Bambuda was very happy πŸ™‚
picture perfect Panama

The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel

Panama has a more diverse landscape than I’d realized, and after Bocas I headed inland to check it out. A lot of people go to Boquete which is famous for hiking (there’s a volcano) and coffee plantations. The Lost and Found Hostel is not in Boquete (it’s in nearby Chiriqui), but it’s a similar vibe–more mountainous and green. This is another place I’d wanted to stay at for years.

One thing to note: it’s not the easiest place to get to– you have to have a basic level of fitness. It’s up in the hills and can only be accessed by a 15 minute uphill trail, which you have to be able to do with all your luggage. Then once on the property, it’s built on an incline and has a ton of stairs. I was able to do it and I don’t really work out, but it’s something to keep in mind. I was definitely huffing and puffing.

They do recommend staying at least 2-3 nights if you make the effort to get there, and I totally agree with that. It’s more of an experience than just a hostel–there’s soooo much to do. I easily could have stayed 5 nights instead of 3. You should definitely check out their website to get an idea of what I mean. This is another hostel that has perfected the art of getting people together to socialize, hang out, and have fun with new friends. It’s great for solo travelers.

solo female travel in Panama at The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel
this hostel was so unique!

Panama City

There were two places I stayed at for just 1 night each because I was only there to head somewhere else (flight to Bocas, car to San Blas). The first was Hostel Mamallena which I stayed at the night before flying to Bocas because it was near the airport. It was basic but totally fine. The next spot was Magnolia Inn which I stayed at the night before heading to San Blas. I picked it because it was in a good location, and they offered free luggage storage. I really enjoyed my stay even though it was short.

When I was actually staying in Panama City to explore, I stayed in this Airbnb. It was so affordable and in the most incredible location. I’m not actually sure how it was so cheap because it’s in the heart of Casco Viejo. I also appreciated that there was a washer and dryer. Oh, and the bed was super comfy!

solo female travel in Panama smiles
in my Panama City Airbnb glowing from my trip so far!

Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)

Sailing the San Blas Islands was a huge bucket list item for me, so it was something I was willing to spend more money on. I do not recommend this option for budget travelers–you can do relatively affordable day trips and 1 nighters if you’re desperate to visit but don’t have much money. However, if you only come for 1 day or 1 night, you will not see the best that this area has to offer….to the point where I don’t even know if it’s worth doing at all. You just cannot get far enough into the islands which is where the real beauty lies.

The affordable huts are extremely basic. I met a couple who spent one night on one island in a hut, and they did not enjoy their time in San Blas. And then if you book a more luxurious hut, it’s just as expensive as the sailing option but you are landlocked. Another way travelers visit on more of a budget is by booking a sailing trip to Colombia (one of the most popular ways to get from Panama to Colombia for backpackers). I think you can find something like that for around $500 and it takes a few days.

I ended up using a company called I Travel By Boat to set up my San Blas sailing holiday. It’s basically a woman who has built relationships with the local Guna people and captains of sailboats/catamarans, and she curates a trip based on what you’re looking for. I told her I wanted to stay on a catamaran for 4 nights and the dates I wanted, and she sent me information about which boats she thought would work best. Then she set up all the logistics like getting there and communicating with the captain.

I had the most spectacular time on this sailing trip and would highly recommend booking through this company. Make sure to do your own research, though, because there are many options out there. I can only speak on what I personally did, which I loved and would do again. It is expensive but it was such an incredible way to see the islands, get off-the-grid, relax, interact with locals, eat amazing food, admire the sea, and all the things. The price per night included all our food and alcohol, too, so once you factor that cost in, it’s not as outrageous. You get breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day (really nice, fresh food), and the alcohol was always flowing if we wanted.

Solo female travel in Panama Guna Yala sailing trip
There are almost 400 islands that make up Guna Yala, mostly small ones like this, so you have endless sailing options for your time onboard.
Solo female travel in Panama San Blas Islands
Could that starfish be any cuter?!
Solo female travel in Panama Guna Yala
Took the dingy across to explore one of the islands (and get a coconut to drink).
Solo female travel in Panama San Blas Islands
Can’t park much closer than this! Absolutely loved our catamaran, Kaya.
Solo female travel in Panama Guna Yala
Spent a lot of time relaxing on the front net, reading and enjoying views of paradise.
Solo female travel in Panama San Blas Islands
Sunset on the boat was always special.

Activities and Tours: What To Do

There is no shortage of things to do during your time of solo female travel in Panama. My style these days is finding the balance between exploring/relaxing and socializing/me time. I’ll let you know everything I got up to, then I’ll mention some things I heard about but didn’t get a chance to do on my trip.

Bocas Del Toro:

  • stay at Sol Bungalows and truly RELAX. Book yourself in for a massage. Read that book you’ve been wanting to while you work on your tan. Sign up for any dinners offered (the food was amazing). Snorkel or SUP or swim or kayak right in front of your bungalow. Enjoy the beautiful accommodation.
  • Visit Isla Zapatilla. You can join a tour that will take you around for the day– you’ll see dolphins and starfish and search for sloths on your way to what’s considered the most beautiful island in Bocas. Lunch is an additional fee but part of the schedule (weather permitting they will bring lunch to you on the island).
  • Explore Bocas Town. There are shops to browse that are less touristy and sell local handicrafts. There are lots of good restaurants to choose from as well. I was recommended Octo, Tacos La Neta, Om (Indian food), Ultimo Refugio, and Receta Michila.
  • At Bambuda, lounge in the hammocks and enjoy the view from the pool. Meet fellow travelers during happy hour and family dinner. Do not miss the waterslide–it was sooooo fun! I also did the jungle hike to a secluded beach and loved it.
  • There’s a place called Floating Bar/Blue Coconut that I had on my list to check out. It looks super cute, but since I experienced an overwater bungalow in Bocas, the vibe felt similar and I felt ok skipping it.
  • There’s a place called Up in The Hill that does coffee and chocolate tours and I would have loved to visit but I ran out of time.
  • There are lots of different beaches that you can cruise to and spend the day at in Bocas. I didn’t feel this was super necessary for my personal trip (I was staying at some dream accommodations and wanted to spend more time there) but know there’s options if you’re wanting to schedule in more beach time than I did.
  • If you stay at Sol Bungalows, the owners have a fantastic list of activities you can choose from that they’ll set up for you.
  • you can get your scuba certification in Bocas if that’s something of interest! There’s also some cool dive spots if you’re already certified.
Solo female travel in Panama Bocas del Toro
approaching Isla Zapatilla sans rain. Unfortunately the rain started right when we got to shore, so we didn’t get a chance to truly enjoy this beautiful island.
Solo female travel in Panama Bocas del Toro
Muddy jungle hike!
solo female travel in Panama Bocas del Toro
Secluded beach at the end of the hike. Nothing better than jumping into the sea after working up a sweat!
Solo female travel in Panama Bocas del Toro
You will get gorgeous sunsets in Bocas. This one was from my deck at Sol Bungalows.
Solo female travel in Panama Bambuda Lodge
The slide at Bambuda πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ talk about feeling like a kid again.

The Lost and Found Hostel:

If you stay at this hostel, all the activity options are made very clear for you upon arrival. There’s hiking, coffee tours, horseback riding, canyon jumping, etc (not to mention just enjoying the actual hostel). I had my eye on a few things and then chatted with other travelers to see what people were thinking about doing. Each day we got a nice sized group together to do one of the activities.

The horseback riding/farm tour was a highlight of my whole trip!
I mean, look at these views!! A totally different side to Panama.
Helping to juice the sugar cane.
Farm doggies πŸ™‚
Had to squeeze in some hammock time, too!
One of the most fun days, jumping off this cliff and swimming while we watched the daredevil locals.

Guna Yala:

Welcome to the sailing life. If it’s your first time, get ready to become addicted! What you do each day will depend on your captain, but in general I can tell you what to expect. You’ll wake for breakfast and coffee (and usually a swim) before sailing away to a new spot. Then you’ll have a chance to relax, swim, snorkel, go to shore, sunbathe, etc. Before you know it, it’s time for lunch and back to whatever activity you desire. I personally did a lot of reading and swimming then I’d take a sea shower right before sunset and get ready for dinner. The sunsets were breathtaking in San Blas. After another wonderful meal and as many drinks as you’d like, the evening is yours. We did a lot of star gazing and chatting, and one night we even went to an island bar and danced under the stars. In Guna Yala you also have the chance to interact with locals and buy handicrafts, just let your captain know if you are interested.

Beach time in paradise
The food was insane. Ate like royalty for every meal!
This coconut may or may not be filled with rum πŸ˜‰
Sunsets were so special <3

Panama City

  • walk the trails at Metropolitan Park and enjoy sweeping views of the city
  • go to Cafe Unido for coffee (I went more than once!)
  • visit Museo de la Mola to learn about the history and significance of this indigenous clothing made for and by women
  • I would have loved to do a guided food tour but the timing didn’t work out for me. I can say without a doubt that my favorite local cuisine was the meal I had at Fonda Lo Que Hay.
  • Explore Casco Viejo by foot. This neighborhood is stunning and is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay.
  • Visit the Panama Canal. I opted to join a guided tour that I booked through Airbnb Experiences. By time I would have paid for the Uber to and from the canal, it wasn’t that much more money to do the tour since I had no one to split the ride with. Plus, by going with a guide I learned tons of fascinating info about Panama’s history and the canal (so many incredible facts I don’t want to spoil for you here). We stopped off at other places besides just the canal, so that was an added bonus. I would not miss the Panama Canal if you find yourself in Panama City. It was a highlight of my trip.
Learning all about molas! It was extra cool because I had just come from Guna Yala where the women still wear and make this type of clothing.
I could not believe this museum was free, especially after being mesmerized by this interactive, insta-worthy exhibit. It would have cost money to experience something like this at a museum in the US.
Absolutely blown away by the detail, intricacy, and beauty of these molas.
Seeing the locks of the canal in action!
Boats passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic and vice versa.
Walking the trails at Metropolitan Park. You can swing on those vines!
Will hike for views!
Casco Viejo from the rooftop of Selina Hostel.

A Sample Itinerary for Solo Female Travel in Panama

This is my exact itinerary, so you can see how everything came together. Looking back I would make some changes. I didn’t need as many nights in Panama City, so I would shorten that and add a day or two to Bocas and/or Lost and Found Hostel. I do like the direction of this itinerary, though, because it has you starting in Bocas and ending with San Blas. Most people will agree that San Blas is the highlight and best to end with.

  • Day 1: Fly into Panama City and have a chill night getting settled in.
  • Day 2: Fly to Bocas del Toro and arrive at Sol Bungalows. Enjoy your welcome drink, start to relax, and sign up to have dinner on-site.
  • Day 3: Day trip to Zapatilla Island. (This was the one day I truly got rained out and we came back from the island early. We did not get to experience how beautiful it is, total bummer, but I still saw some dolphins and had a nice lunch so can’t complain.) The chef had a night off at Sol Bungalows, so I went into Bocas Town for dinner at Octo.
  • Day 4: Massage before you check out of Sol Bungalows and head to Bambuda. Relax by the pool and spend the afternoon reading. See what the hostel has going on at night. I did happy hour, family dinner, and bingo night. If you’re there on a weekend, I think they always get a group together to go out partying.
  • Day 5: Join the jungle hike to a secluded beach. Go down the water slide multiple times when you get back. Repeat the happy hour, family dinner, nightly hang out with new friends.
  • Day 6: The day is spent mostly in transit to The Lost and Found Hostel. Enjoy dinner and meeting new people upon arrival. Be awed by the amazing sunset you get from this spot.
  • Day 7: Do one of the activities on offer at the hostel. I did the horse back riding/ local farm visit. It was stunning to see a different landscape of Panama and so amazing to interact with local farmers. We got to make our own sugar cane juice using their 100-year old machine. It was so tasty! At night, have dinner with everyone and have a couple drinks at the bar.
  • Day 8: Pick another activity recommended by the hostel. We got a group together and explored the local canyon. The day was spent jumping off cliffs, swimming, and sunbathing– so much fun. Nights at the hostel are much the same: dinner with everyone followed by drinks at the bar (or games at the bar even if you’re not drinking).
  • Day 9: Big travel day back to Panama City. Get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow you head to San Blas bright and early!
  • Day 10, 11, 12, 13: SAILING GUNA YALA πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚
  • Day 14: Head back to Panama City. Have a low key day getting organized and catching up on laundry. Walk around Casco Viejo. Get dinner at Fonda Lo Que Hay, one of the best culinary experiences in the city.
  • Day 15: Caffeinate yourself at Unido Cafe. Head to Museo de la Mola in the early afternoon. Then spend the rest of the day at the Panama Canal.
  • Day 16: Spend a couple of hours doing the trails at Metropolitan Park. Head to Selina for tacos and rooftop drinks during sunset. Both of these places have amazing views of the city.
  • Day 17: Get ready to head to the airport and say goodbye to Panama.

Packing Tips

If you are backpacking, you’ll want to keep your wardrobe simple by bringing clothes you can mix and match. Solo female travel in Panama is warm and you’ll be sweaty, doing a mix of adventurous activities and relaxing. I would recommend packing basics– jean shorts, athletic quick dry shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, a couple casual dresses, that kind of stuff. And then swimwear and cover ups–I’d say at least two of each so that one can dry while you wear the other if you have back-to-back days of water time. For shoes I brought a pair of hiking boots, a pair of brown Teva sandals that could be dressed up or down, and a pair of Teva sandals that doubled as water shoes.

If you go inland and stay in the mountainous area, it will get cold, so bring some layering options (I loved having my packable down zip up and some long shirts/pants). San Blas can also get chilly at night so you might use those layers there too. I never got cold enough in San Blas to wear anything more than shorts and a tank, but other people on my boat wore sweaters at night.

It rains a lot in Panama so be sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella (and a waterproof luggage cover if you have it). I honestly didn’t use mine because I got lucky with the timing of the rain on my transport days, but it did rain almost every day.

In terms of things I didn’t bring but wish I had: a dry bag and cortisone cream. In San Blas you do a lot of swimming to islands, so if you want to bring anything with you, you’ll need a dry bag. I was able to get rides in the dingy but I regretted not having my dry bag. I also didn’t pack cortisone cream and after getting bit by a million sand flies I was really regretting that.

Another thing to keep in mind if you go to San Blas: the rooms on the boats are very small. There is not enough space for a suitcase or even an Osprey backpack really. They will recommend just bringing a small bag with essentials that you’ll need onboard. You’ll need waterproof shoes (my Tevas were perfect) but you’ll never wear shoes when you’re actually on the boat. You will live in swim suits and cover ups, so bring as many of those as you want. For the evenings, I brought one pair of jean shorts and a couple cute tank tops that I wore for dinner. Don’t bother bringing make up. Just lots of reef safe sunscreen! I also brought a beach towel. The rest of your luggage can be stored at your Panama City hotel.

Panama uses US dollars, and while many places accept credit cards, there were many times that I needed cash. Mostly for transportation (buses and water taxis) but accommodation, too. Bring cash and have a way to access cash while there.

Conclusion

I’ve been so fortunate to travel as much as I have (Panama was my 18th country I think?), but like all things in life, once you get used to something it starts to feel normal. I’m always excited to travel, but those butterflies I used to feel before big trips just aren’t the same anymore. But Panama had me GIDDY–from planning to anticipating to actually being there. Solo female travel in Panama is something special and will show you magic if you’re open to it! I highly recommend getting there if you can and absolutely loved the itinerary I shared in this post πŸ™‚ Feel free to reach out with any questions, too.

If you liked Solo Female Travel in Panama, you may also like:

Nicaragua: this page has all my posts about Nicaragua travel, my very first taste of backpacking. On that trip, the fellow travelers raved about Panama–I knew I’d have to go one day.

Backpacking Costa Rica: my time traveling Panama’s neighbor. Solo female travel in Panama would pair nicely with a trip to Costa Rica, but reverse the itinerary to end in Bocas! From there you can take a bus to Puerto Viejo.

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  • 9 thoughts on “Solo Female Travel in Panama”

    1. Ryan says:
      January 24, 2022 at 10:54 pm

      Love this post, especially a nice history lesson from the one and only. Keep it up Al.

      Reply
    2. Ramon says:
      January 26, 2022 at 6:44 am

      Really well written and informative!!! Great job!

      Reply
      1. kowalkowskiallison says:
        January 26, 2022 at 7:27 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Ellen says:
      January 27, 2022 at 9:31 pm

      Incredible post! It definitely scratched my travel bug itch and now has me daydreaming! Thanks for taking me along with you on your trip, I really felt like I was there!!

      Reply
      1. kowalkowskiallison says:
        January 28, 2022 at 5:40 am

        Thank you!! We need to plan our next trip. Can’t wait for Mexico!

        Reply
    4. Jen says:
      January 28, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      Spot on regarding the culture and accurate advice! My sister has lived in Panama city since 2014 and is married to a Panamanian. I wish I would have stumbled across your blog when I visited her and we went to San Blas in 2015. I agree it is stunning and well worth the bumpy (putting it lightly) road. I say that as one who vomited on the drive there but have no regrets of visiting and staying a night or two. I’m also a Midwestern who loves to travel so it was nice to stumble across your blog.

      Reply
      1. kowalkowskiallison says:
        January 28, 2022 at 12:09 pm

        I’ve been lucky to not really get car sick but it was rough even for me!! Thanks so much for this comment! I’m glad you stumbled across my blog too ☺️

        Reply
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    Hi, I’m Allison, a blogger (and health care worker) based in the Midwest who focuses on 5-day getaways, solo female travel, and bucket list trips. I hope you’ll follow along and find inspiration for your own journey!

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