Best Time to Visit Panama

• High season: December - April
• Low season: May - November
• All seasons: December - April (summer), May - November (wet season)
• The best time to visit Panama is between December and April, which is the dry season on the island, which will be filled with holiday crowds.
• May to November is the wet season, but the rainfall won’t be high in all the regions, so some places, like the Boquete, Azuero Peninsula, and the Pacific coast can be visited during these months.

Panama offers exciting variations in landscape and activities, so there is something to do for everybody. The country is well known for its bustling nightlife, but it still retains a laidback attitude, which is ideal for the holidaying crowd that wants to relax at the beaches. There are many activities for you to indulge in throughout the year as well.

The dry season between May and November is considered to be the best time to visit Panama for a number of reasons. The azure skies and the warm seas make the beaches rather welcoming, especially for those escaping the cold winters of the north. The lack of rain makes the entire island accessible, instead of just a few parts. Those who want to visit the mountains would want to visit in this season, as there is less rainfall during this time.

However, it should be noted that there are some parts of Panama that do receive rainfall the year round - the Caribbean coast cities like Guna Yala and Bocas del Toro enjoy rainfall pretty much the year round. Places like the Azuero Peninsula and the Pacific Coast are perfect between the May to November seasons, as there is lesser rain, and the prices are way lower.

December to April — Dry Season / High Season

This is the peak season in Panama. If you are traveling during certain seasons, there is a chance you will be sharing the beaches with a large number of people. Panama City will be crowded with tourists, even those just transiting to other locations. There is little to no rain during this period, so people who want to head to the cloud forests for some trekking would want to do that now. Christmas and Easter break are usually incredibly busy on the island, and the resorts and hotels might charge more, due to the demand.

• Avg. Temperature: 72 – 91° F / 22 – 33° C (in Panama City)
• Rainfall: 31 – 235 mm
• Season: Summer
• Highlights: There is no dearth of things for you to do in Panama during these months. You can explore Panama City, and its rich nightlife and wonderful street food. You can visit the Panama Canal, the body of water that changed the world, or Chiriqui or Boquete in the highlands. If you are more into trekking, Darién, Panama’s thick, wild rainforest. The beaches might be crowded, but are beautiful during these months. You can go scuba diving and snorkeling, as there is great visibility, and even go surfing on the Caribbean coast. Expect some rain in the Caribbean coast. The biggest event of the season is the Carnival in February. Almost the entire country celebrates, but Panama City and the Azuero Peninsula are filled with parades, costumes, drinking, and music.

May to November — Wet Season / Low Season

The wet season in Panama is rather tricky. The country can be rainy throughout the year, it’s just that the rain picks up in specific spots during these months. The cloud forests get rather wet, so it is recommended you do not visit Darién in this season. Unlike most other Caribbean destinations, there are no hurricanes in Panama, so you don’t have to worry about that. November is generally a bad month for tourism because rainfall is highest during this period, and there are a number of public holidays that will cause the locals to populate all the holiday spots.

• Avg. Temperature: 73 – 90° F / 23 – 32° C (in Panama City)
• Rainfall: 272 – 401 mm
• Season: Monsoon
• Highlights: The Caribbean side of Panama has erratic weather the year round, so it makes sense for you to visit that coast if you’re traveling during the wet season. The prices would be much lower, and you will be able to explore the country without as much of a crowd. Bocas del Toro, San Blas, Colon, Guna Yala, etc. are all great locations. You can also explore Panama City (or party there). This is a great tie to surf on the Pacific Coast, between April - November, but keep in mind that there might be heavy afternoon showers in towns like Gorgona and Coronado.