Panama

Where two oceans meet and ancient rainforests shelter indigenous communities, Panama offers a unique blend of engineering marvels and pristine wilderness. From the mighty Panama Canal to the cloud forests of Boquete and the Caribbean paradise of the San Blas Islands, this compact country punches well above its weight.

The Panama Canal remains one of humanity’s greatest engineering achievements. Watch container ships transit the Miraflores Locks from the purpose-built viewing platforms, then delve into the Canal’s fascinating construction history. But the real Panama lies beyond the Canal Zone — Pipeline Road, one of the world’s premier birdwatching sites, is just minutes from Panama City.

In the western highlands, the town of Boquete sits in a lush valley surrounded by cloud forest. Trek to the summit of Volcan Baru — Panama’s highest point at 3,475 metres — for a sunrise that reveals both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Quetzal Trail through the cloud forest is one of Central America’s finest day hikes. On the Caribbean coast, the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) — 365 islands governed by the indigenous Guna people — offer crystal waters and a genuinely off-the-beaten-track experience.

Panama has a tropical climate with a dry season from mid-December to mid-April. British passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 180 days. The currency is the US dollar (the Balboa is pegged 1:1). Direct flights are not available from the UK, but connections via Madrid, Miami, or Bogota are straightforward.