Hotels · Panama
Where are you going?
9 destinations in Panama
Panama City
Panamá
Beach resorts + city hotels. Canal, Casco Viejo, skyline.
El Valle de Antón
Coclé
Extinct volcano, natural hot springs and cool mountain air.
Chitré
Herrera
Folklore capital, carnival, interior beaches and local food.
David, Chiriquí
Chiriquí
Interior capital and gateway to Boquete, Barú and the Pacific.
Boquete
Chiriquí
Panama's best highland coffee, hiking and expat paradise.
Casco Viejo
Panamá
UNESCO heritage, boutique hotels, rooftop bars and nightlife.
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro
Caribbean archipelago, surf, diving, dolphins and ecotourism.
Coronado Beach
Panamá Oeste
Dark sand beach, surf and authentic Panamanian weekend vibe.
San Blas
Guna Yala
Kuna territory. Overwater bungalows on turquoise water. No wi-fi.
Compare destinations
Prices, distances and who each destination is for
| Destination | From PTY | From | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Panama City Panamá | 0 min | B/.189/night | Couples, families, resort | 3 hotels → |
El Valle de Antón Coclé | 2h | B/.60/night | Nature, couples, weekend | See guide → |
Chitré Herrera | 3.5h | B/.45/night | Interior, carnival, beaches | See guide → |
Casco Viejo Panamá | 10 min | B/.90/night | Culture, nightlife, boutique | 3 hotels → |
Boquete Chiriquí | 6h | B/.60/night | Coffee, hiking, expats | 3 hotels → |
Coronado Beach Panamá Oeste | 1.2h | B/.50/night | Beach, surf, quick escape | See guide → |
Bocas del Toro Bocas del Toro | 7h / vuelo | B/.40/night | Caribbean, ecotourism, surf | 2 hotels → |
San Blas Guna Yala | 3h + bote | B/.70/night | Island, disconnect, Kuna | See guide → |
Who are you?
The best hotels in Panama for your type of trip
Families with kids
From B/.60/nightThe top family destination in Panama is Playa Bonita, just 30 minutes from Panama City. Dreams Playa Bonita offers all-inclusive with free Kids Club, protected beach and five pools. For longer trips, El Valle de Antón (2h) combines cool mountain air, natural hot springs and outdoor activities perfect for all ages.
Couples & honeymoon
From B/.60/nightFor couples, Casco Viejo is the hidden gem: boutique hotels in UNESCO colonial houses, rooftop bars overlooking the Canal and intimate atmosphere 10 minutes from downtown. For a beach resort, Dreams Playa Bonita has suites with private jacuzzis and infinity pools at sunset. Boquete, with its cool climate, coffee farms and Barú volcano hiking, is the most romantic inland destination.
Surf & beach
From B/.40/nightCoronado Beach (1.2h from PTY) is the quintessential weekend destination: dark sand, consistent waves March to November and authentic Panamanian atmosphere. For more advanced surf, Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean has world-class waves at Bluff Beach. Pedasí in Los Santos is the best-kept secret: small town, nesting turtles and near-virgin beach.
Nature & adventure
From B/.40/nightEl Valle de Antón sits inside an extinct volcano. Natural hot springs, river pools, a butterfly sanctuary and Gaital mountain hiking make it unique. Boquete has the Quetzal Trail, Barú volcano (Panama's highest peak) and the annual Coffee Fair every January. Bocas del Toro completes the trio with world-class diving, bottlenose dolphins and virgin mangrove.
Budget travel
From B/.15/nightPanama has surprising options for budget travelers. Bocas del Toro has hostels from B/.15/night and most beaches are free. Chitré has hotels from B/.45. Boquete has guesthouses from B/.35 with volcano views. Coronado has shared rental options that are very affordable for groups.
Luxury & all-inclusive
From B/.189/nightPanama has a surprisingly strong luxury offer. Dreams Playa Bonita is the only 5-star all-inclusive resort near the capital: butler service, à la carte restaurants and a spa overlooking the Pacific. In Casco Viejo, the American Trade Hotel and Tantalo are the most exclusive boutique options. For island luxury, private San Blas bungalows offer a unique Caribbean experience.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Panama
What Panamanians and visitors ask most
Are there cheap hotels in Panama?▼
Yes. Panama has accommodation for all budgets. The most affordable cheap hotels in Panama are in Bocas del Toro (from B/.15), Chitré (from B/.45) and Boquete (from B/.35). In Panama City, the El Cangrejo and Bella Vista neighborhoods have options from B/.40/night with good locations. The average hotel price in Panama is B/.75-90/night.
What is Dreams Playa Bonita Panama and what does it include?▼
Dreams Playa Bonita Panama Resort & Spa is Panama's best-known 5-star all-inclusive resort, located in Playa Bonita Bay 30 minutes from Panama City. It includes: all meals and drinks at 8 restaurants and bars, water activities, nightly entertainment, spa access (treatments at extra cost) and free Kids Club. Prices start from B/.189/night per person double occupancy.
Are there all-inclusive resorts in Panama?▼
Yes, though the selection is more limited than the Caribbean. The main all-inclusive resorts in Panama are: Dreams Playa Bonita (5★, near the capital), Playa Blanca resorts in Coclé (3-4★, 2.5h from PTY) and some Bocas del Toro ecolodges with full board. For families, Dreams is the best option for quality and proximity.
What is the best weekend trip from Panama City?▼
It depends on your time. For 1 night: Coronado (1.2h) or El Valle de Antón (2h). For 2 nights: El Valle, Chitré or San Blas. The most popular weekend destinations from PTY are El Valle de Antón (mountain, hot springs) and Coronado (beach, surf). El Valle is especially recommended by Panamanians looking to escape the city heat.
What are the best tourist destinations in Panama?▼
The most searched destinations in Panama are: Panama City (Canal, Casco Viejo, skyline), El Valle de Antón (nature, hot springs), Boquete (coffee, hiking, expats), Bocas del Toro (Caribbean, surf, diving), San Blas (Kuna islands, total disconnect), Chitré (carnival, folklore) and Coronado (beach, surf). Each has a distinct traveler profile.
How much does a hotel in Panama cost per night?▼
The average hotel price in Panama varies by destination. In Panama City hotels cost between B/.60 and B/.300/night. In inland destinations like El Valle or Boquete, B/.40 to B/.150. In Bocas del Toro you can find from B/.15 (hostel) to B/.200 (private ecolodge). All-inclusive resorts like Dreams Playa Bonita start at B/.189/person.
What is the best time of year to visit Panama?▼
The dry season (December to April) is the best time to visit Panama, especially for Pacific beaches like Coronado or Playa Blanca. Bocas del Toro has its own dry season: September-October and March-April. For mountain destinations like El Valle or Boquete, the climate is pleasant year-round. Easter and New Year are the busiest periods — book in advance.
Where to surf in Panama?▼
The best surf spots in Panama are: Coronado and Santa Catalina on the Pacific (consistent waves, good levels), and Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean (Bluff Beach for advanced surf, Punch Brothers for intermediate). Santa Catalina is considered the country's best wave and attracts international surfers. Coronado is the most accessible from Panama City (1.2h).
Where to dive and snorkel in Panama?▼
The best diving and snorkeling destinations in Panama are Bocas del Toro (Caribbean: Crawl Cay, Hospital Point, Zapatilla Island — visibility up to 20m) and San Blas (virgin reefs, turtles, starfish). On the Pacific, Pedasí is the access point for whale sharks (June-October) and Iguana Island. Diving in Panama is more accessible and less crowded than other Caribbean destinations.
How to compare hotels in Panama without being fooled?▼
When comparing hotels in Panama: 1) check if the price is per person or per room (all-inclusive resorts usually charge per person), 2) verify if breakfast is included (inland destinations often include it), 3) compare actual distance to the beach (many hotels say 'oceanfront' but are 10-15 min walk), 4) read recent reviews (2025-2026) on Booking or TripAdvisor.