Central America & Caribbean
Panama in November
Still very rainy through most of the month. The patriotic holidays on November 3, 10, and 28 bring parades and marching bands across the country.
The straight answer
November is a month to think twice about visiting Panama. Still very rainy through most of the month. The patriotic holidays on November 3, 10, and 28 bring parades and marching bands across the country.
- Weather
- Very wet, highs near 86F (30C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What November is like in Panama
November stays very wet through most of the month, with highs near 86F (30C) and frequent heavy rain. It is also the month of Fiestas Patrias: November 3, 10, and 28 bring parades and marching bands across the country. Some businesses close on those days. Prices are low and crowds light.
Travelers curious about local culture may enjoy the parades, but most visitors should wait. The dry season returns around mid December, and January to March is the most reliable stretch. If you must come, plan indoor backups for every afternoon.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Panama this month.
Fiestas Patrias parades
November 3 marks independence from Colombia, with marching bands and parades across the country, and more on November 10 and 28.
Casco Viejo in patriotic colors
Flags and bunting fill the old town during the holiday stretch.
Museums and food
Rainy afternoons are good for the Biomuseo and long lunches in Casco Viejo.
What to pack for November
- A reliable rain jacket
- Quick-dry clothes and extra socks
- A small umbrella
- Earplugs if you stay near parade routes
Our timing tip
Check which shops and offices close on November 3, 10, and 28, and plan canal visits and errands around those days.
Book Panama for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in PanamaOpens a hotel search for Panama in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in PanamaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in PanamaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Panama for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in November
Fiestas Patrias
November 3, 10, and 28 every year
Independence from Colombia on November 3 and other patriotic days bring parades and marching bands across the country.
Things to do in Panama
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.
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.
Biomuseo
A Frank Gehry-designed museum on the Amador Causeway about how the Isthmus of Panama changed the planet's biodiversity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Panama in November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Panama?
November is a month to think twice about visiting Panama. Still very rainy through most of the month. The patriotic holidays on November 3, 10, and 28 bring parades and marching bands across the country.
What is the weather like in Panama in November?
Very wet, highs near 86F (30C).
Is Panama crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Panama; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Panama in November?
Fiestas Patrias (november 3, 10, and 28 every year).
Keep planning Panama.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
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