Central America & Caribbean

Panama in August

Whale season on the Pacific side is at its best. Rainy but workable, especially in the morning.

Quiet valueHumid, highs near 87F (31C), frequent afternoon rain

Panama City skyline — PanamaPhoto: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

August is a quiet, good-value month to visit Panama. Whale season on the Pacific side is at its best. Rainy but workable, especially in the morning.

Weather: Humid, highs near 87F (31C), frequent afternoon rain
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Panama

August is rainy but workable, with highs near 87F (31C) and frequent afternoon showers. Mornings are usually the clear window. Crowds drop off and prices are low. The big draw is whale season, which is at its best on the Pacific side now, especially around the Pearl Islands and Coiba.

This is the month for whale lovers and budget travelers happy with a morning-first rhythm. The city and canal work fine. People hoping for dry beach days or calm San Blas crossings should come in the dry season, January to March.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Panama this month.

Peak whale watching

Humpbacks are most active around the Pearl Islands and Coiba, with good odds of seeing mothers and calves.

Low prices, green scenery

Hotel rates are soft and the forest and highlands are at their greenest.

Morning birding

Pipeline Road is lively at dawn before the rain rolls in.

What to pack for August

A good rain jacket
Binoculars
Seasickness tablets for open-water whale trips
A dry bag for camera gear

Our timing tip

Book whale-watching boats for early morning, when seas are usually calmer and the afternoon storms have not built yet.

Book Panama for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Panama
Opens a hotel search for Panama in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Panama
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Panama
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Panama for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Humpback whale season

Roughly July through October

Southern Hemisphere humpbacks visit the Pacific coast, especially around the Pearl Islands and Coiba.

Things to do in Panama

Full guide

Miraflores Locks Visitor Center

The closest view of ships moving through the Pacific locks, with a museum and observation decks. Ship traffic is often heaviest in the morning and late afternoon.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Casco Viejo

Walk the old town in the early morning or at sunset; the heat makes midday wandering hard. The rooftops at night are the best views of the skyline.

Tickets and tours →

Biomuseo

A Frank Gehry-designed museum on the Amador Causeway about how the Isthmus of Panama changed the planet's biodiversity.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)

Simple stays on small islands managed by the Guna people. Visitor fees apply and facilities are basic; go in the dry season when seas are calmer.

Tickets and tours →

Bocas del Toro

Caribbean islands with snorkeling, surf, and a relaxed pace. Its best weather often comes when the rest of Panama is at its rainiest.

Tickets and tours →

Boquete and Volcan Baru

Coffee farm tours, hanging bridges, and the predawn climb to Panama's highest point, from which both oceans are visible on clear days.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit the Miraflores Locks on a weekday morning and check the canal's published transit schedule; watching a big ship pass is the point.
For San Blas, go midweek; weekends bring many visitors from Panama City.
For a wet-season trip, pair the city with Bocas del Toro in September or October, when the Caribbean side is often drier.
Late April, after Semana Santa, keeps most of the dry-season sun at noticeably lower prices.

Know before you go

During Carnival, many Panama City businesses close or run reduced hours as locals travel to the interior and the beaches.
Semana Santa brings closures on Thursday and Friday and very busy beaches.
Guna Yala is governed by the Guna people, who set their own fees and rules and sometimes close the region to visitors for community reasons. Check before booking.
The rainy season can delay small plane and boat transfers to the islands, especially in October and November.