The best times and seasons for tourism in Panama

Arabia Weather - With beautiful islands, indigenous people, dense rainforests, cosmopolitan cities and two charming arenas to explore, Panama is a place you should stay.

But it's best to go at the right time - Panama is located 9 degrees north of the equator, and is exposed to the trade winds, which means tropical rains often visit the region.

The best times for tourism in Panama

The best time for your trip to Panama depends on what you want to do while you are there. If you want to lie on golden beaches or hike in the rainforest, visit during the summer from December to April.

Surfers prefer the rainy months from April to December when the best waves roll along the coast. Divers and wildlife watchers gather from August to September when whale bustards, sharks and killer whales congregate off the Pacific coast.

Locals say that Panama actually has two climates – one Caribbean and one Pacific. A visit to the Caribbean coast can be a humid experience at any time of the year, although the sun usually appears in the morning and evening. The Pacific Coast sees sunny skies (and high prices) during the dry season from December to April when hordes of sun-seekers flock south from the United States.

Don't underestimate the impact of public holidays in Panama; Normal life comes to a grinding halt during seasonal celebrations such as Independence Day in November, Easter in April, and Christmas in December. Plan the best time for your visit to Panama using our seasonal guide to climate and events throughout the year.

Easter, November, Christmas and New Year holidays are the best times for celebrations

Panamanians greatly celebrate holidays and feast days, so these holidays are a lively time to visit Panama. Locals flock to the coast in large family groups and the beaches can be crowded. Arrive early to locate a patch of sand.

Plan your trip well in advance for any public holiday – hotel prices can be up to double the normal price, and transportation is often booked weeks in advance.

Panama is warm year-round, but temperatures rise most in December, peaking around Easter when daytime temperatures commonly reach 32 °C (90 °F). Plan to stay somewhere near the sea or a waterfall if you are visiting in March or April.

Surfers are still enjoying the surf on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts in March, and if Easter is in the same month, things can get pretty crowded. Semana Santa Panama celebrates the holidays in the week before Easter with processions and re-enactments of the crucifixion held throughout the country. As April progresses, the number of tourists declines, which means lower prices and less competition for space.

Note that Easter coincides with spring break, when North American students join the tourist crowd, increasing demand for accommodation and transportation.

And don't expect to be able to get much done in Panama in November – the entire country stops to celebrate many celebrations related to independence from Spain and Colombia, such as Colon Day and Independence Day. Panama City empties and the beaches fill, but there is still a lot of rain and it can be heavy at times.

The run-up to Christmas affects travel throughout December. As locals move in droves across the country, tourists begin to arrive from elsewhere, especially North Americans seeking winter sunshine. Christmas sees peak demand and highest prices.

With the dry season beginning and the tourism season in full swing, January is a big month for travel in Panama, especially in the beach areas. The weather provides optimal conditions for kitesurfing, with temperatures in the Pacific Ocean reaching their highest levels and constant breezes along the coast. The high country of Phuket is filled with people and flowers during the Flower and Coffee Festival, and music fills the streets of Panama City during the Panama Jazz Festival.

Warm, dry weather attracts tourists to the Pacific Coast until the end of February, and the Caribbean coast also sees many visitors. Depending on the timing of Ash Wednesday, February can be one of the busiest times of the year as Carnival begins in Panama City.

Mid-December and mid-April are the best times for summer weather

The best time to visit Panama is during the dry season, but you'll have to share the experience. The beach areas are crowded with local and international visitors from Christmas until Easter. Smart travelers combine their time on the coast with trips to explore the rain forests inland.

Be aware that "dry season" is a relative term in Panama. While the Pacific Coast — Panama City and anywhere south of the Continental Divide — enjoys sunny skies, the highlands and Caribbean coast still receive some rain.

This is the busiest time for hiking in Phuket and exploring the San Blas Archipelago, but winds can reduce visibility for snorkelers.

With the influx of winter sun seekers, expect plenty of competition for rooms, transportation, and beach space throughout Panama. Prices are high everywhere and hotel prices are not far from the festival peak throughout the dry season.

Mid-April to early December is the best time for budget travelers

The rainy season is the quietest and cheapest time to visit Panama, but beware of getting wet. There are regular rains, some heavy, but it does not rain all day. Every day you will get your daily dose of Vitamin D.

With intermittent and refreshing showers of rain, conditions are generally pleasant across Panama in May. This is the beginning of the five- to six-month spawning period for green and green sea turtles on the Caribbean coast, and is the best time to visit if you want to see them in the wild.

Humidity increases in June and July, and rains become more frequent with regular thunderstorms. Tourist numbers are low, so are prices, and the worst of the rain is still for several months to come. Devils invade the streets to celebrate Corpus Christi, mixing Catholic traditions with Panamanian customs, and music and dancing ablaze in Santa Catalina as locals celebrate Festa de Virgen del Carmen.

The rainy season coincides with the best heights on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, attracting many surfers. August and September are also the best months to visit Parque Nacional Coiba and Archipelago de las Perlas to see sharks, whales and killer whales.

This is a good time to travel with good planning; At the end of October and beginning of November, it can be incessantly rainy, so your base should be somewhere that has plenty of indoor activities. On the other hand, crowds dissipate and prices drop to reasonable levels throughout the country.

Contrary to the national trend, September and October are the driest months to visit the Bocas del Toro Islands. There's also the chance to enjoy the sea festival, Feria Internacional del Mar, celebrated with folk music and a seafood feast in September. In October, Panamanians celebrate regional fairs, such as on Tigre Island in San Blas. In Portobelo, the Festival del Cristo Negro attracts thousands of religious pilgrims from all over the country to pay penance and celebrate.

Scuba diving is an activity all year round, including during the rainy season, but land-based activities can be more difficult. During heavy rain months, travel can be nearly impossible in some mountainous areas.

Source: lonelyplanet