Destination: Panama
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Driving the Interamericana
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TWO WEEKS
Forest-covered mountains, untouched beaches and towns alive with Spanish folklore set the stage for this meandering1294km round-trip along the Interamericana, with detours along the way.
From Panama City, head along the Interamericana to the string of beaches along the Pacific coast.
Playa El Palmar and
Playa Río Mar get their share of surfers. A few kilometers west is the turnoff for
El Valle, which will lead you high up to a picturesque town surrounded by green peaks. The cool climate is ideal for horseback riding, cycling and hiking.
Continuing along the Interamericana, you’ll reach
Santa Clara, with lovely beaches and charming places to stay. You can breeze through
Penonomé, known for its Panama hats, and
Natá famous for its lovely cathedral. Visitors wanting a taste of the obscure can soak in the tidal pools of
Aguadulce. As you drive west, detour at Divisa to the picturesque town of
Villa de Los Santos, and check to see if any festivals are occurring on the Península de Azuero. These fantastic, colorful events shouldn’t be missed. Back on the Interamericana, take the turnoff to
Santa Fé, a tiny mountain town amid sparkling rivers, green mountains and gorgeous waterfalls. On the way back is
San Francisco, a small village with a stunning 18th-century church.
The next stop is the beach of
Las Lajas. Get your fill of sun here, before heading via
David into the crisp mountain town of
Boquete, one of Panama’s top destinations. From here you can hike into nearby forests, lounge in the
Caldera hot springs and fill up on mountain-grown coffee. Nearby lies the less-visited but equally picturesque town of
Cerro Punta; you’ll also need to go via David to get here.
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