145 Fun Facts About Panama That Will Fascinate

Panama is small on a map but huge in surprises, from a world-changing canal to jungles packed with wildlife.

This friendly guide packs quick, kid-safe facts you can read aloud or skim on the go.

Whether you love nature, ships, food, or history, Panama has something exciting for you.

Origins & definitions

1. Panama is a country in Central America connecting North America and South America.
2. The nation sits on the Isthmus of Panama, a narrow strip of land between two oceans.
3. The official name is the Republic of Panama.
4. The capital and largest city is Panama City.
5. Spanish is the official language.
6. The national currency is the balboa, which is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar.
7. Paper money in everyday use is the U.S. dollar, while coins are balboas and centésimos.
8. The country code for phone calls is +507.
9. The internet top-level domain is .pa.
10. Panama drives on the right-hand side of the road.

Geography & nature

11. Panama has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
12. The country covers about 75,417 square kilometers.
13. The shape of Panama bends east-west, letting some travelers see a Pacific sunrise and an Atlantic sunset on the same day.
14. The highest point is Volcán Barú at about 3,475 meters.
15. On a clear morning from Volcán Barú, you can see both oceans.
16. Panama’s climate is tropical with a dry season roughly from January to April and a rainy season for the rest of the year.
17. Trade winds cool much of the Pacific side during the dry season.
18. Panama sits outside the main Atlantic hurricane belt, so direct hits are rare.
19. Gatun Lake is a huge artificial lake that lies at the heart of the canal.
20. The Culebra Cut is the dramatic mountain pass carved to link Gatun Lake with the Pacific locks.
21. The Darién Gap is a dense, roadless jungle that separates Panama from Colombia.
22. The Azuero Peninsula is known for rolling hills, beaches, and traditional towns.
23. The Bocas del Toro archipelago offers coral reefs, mangroves, and laid-back Caribbean islands.
24. The Pearl Islands in the Pacific are famous for clear waters and seasonal whale sightings.
25. Panama has hundreds of rivers flowing to both coasts, including the Chagres and Tuira systems.

Record-breakers & wow numbers

26. Panama’s population is over 4 million people.
27. The isthmus formed about 3 million years ago, linking the Americas and reshaping global oceans.
28. More than 970 bird species have been recorded within the country.
29. Three major road bridges span the canal: Bridge of the Americas, Centennial Bridge, and the Atlantic Bridge.
30. The Colón Free Zone is among the largest duty-free trade zones in the Western Hemisphere.
31. Panama operates one of the world’s largest ship registries.
32. Humpback whales from both hemispheres migrate near Panama’s coasts at different times of the year.
33. The Boquete highlands are famous for specialty coffee grown at high elevations.
34. The Panama Metro became Central America’s first metro system when it opened in 2014.
35. The Pan-American Highway stops in the Darién Gap, making a rare break in a road that otherwise links Alaska to Patagonia.

History & milestones

36. The first stable Pacific-side European city in the Americas was founded at Panamá Viejo in 1519.
37. Explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa crossed the isthmus in 1513 and reached the Pacific Ocean.
38. Pirates sacked Panamá Viejo in 1671, leading residents to build a new walled city in 1673.
39. The historic district known as Casco Viejo blends colonial, neoclassical, and art deco styles.
40. The first trans-isthmian railroad opened in 1855 to speed travel between oceans.
41. A French canal effort began in the 1880s but collapsed due to engineering and health challenges.
42. Work on a new canal project resumed under a different administration in 1904.
43. The Panama Canal officially opened to ship traffic on August 15, 1914.
44. Panama declared independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903.
45. The national coat of arms carries the motto “Pro Mundi Beneficio,” meaning “For the Benefit of the World.”
46. The modern flag design was created in 1903 and officially adopted in 1925.
47. The canal administration transferred fully to Panama on December 31, 1999.
48. The expanded canal with new locks opened to commercial traffic in 2016.
49. Historic fortifications at Portobelo and San Lorenzo reflect centuries of trade and defense.
50. Darién National Park was recognized for both natural beauty and biodiversity value.

The Panama Canal

51. The canal is about 82 kilometers long from ocean to ocean.
52. Ships traveling northbound actually go from the Pacific to the Caribbean because the isthmus runs east-west.
53. Gatun Lake lifts vessels to a freshwater summit before they descend to the other ocean.
54. Original lock chambers are massive concrete boxes that raise and lower ships by gravity-fed water.
55. The term “Panamax” describes ships built to the original lock size limits.
56. The newer “Neopanamax” locks allow much bigger cargo loads per transit.
57. Each lockage uses large volumes of freshwater released to sea level.
58. The expanded locks use water-saving basins to recycle part of the freshwater used.
59. Tugboats now guide most ships through the new locks instead of locomotives alone.
60. The canal saves weeks of sailing compared with the route around South America.
61. The narrowest excavated section is the Culebra Cut, once called the most challenging part of the project.
62. Landslides were a constant threat during the original excavation.
63. The canal uses a “lock and lake” design rather than a sea-level trench.
64. Freshwater from surrounding rainforests keeps Gatun Lake navigable.
65. The canal marked its centennial in 2014 with historic ship transits.
66. A museum at the locks lets visitors watch ships rise and fall from viewing terraces.
67. A pilot boards each ship to oversee safe passage through the locks.
68. Canal tolls are calculated using complex formulas that consider vessel type, size, and cargo.

People, language & society

69. Most residents speak Spanish, and English is widely used in business and tourism.
70. Panama’s culture blends Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin traditions.
71. The pollera is the elaborate national dress worn at festivals.
72. The tamborito is a traditional song and dance with drums and call-and-response singing.
73. “Reggae en español” gained early momentum in Panama’s music scene.
74. Baseball and boxing have long been national passions.
75. Panama uses Eastern Standard Time year-round without daylight saving time.
76. The education system is structured with primary, middle, and secondary levels before university.
77. Urban districts like San Miguelito form part of the Panama City metro area.
78. Indigenous communities maintain self-governed regions known as comarcas.
79. Many Panamanians have family ties across the Caribbean and South America due to historic migration.
80. The country celebrates Independence Day on November 3 and Flag Day on November 4.

Wildlife & conservation

81. Panama sits on a wildlife corridor that lets species move between two continents.
82. The harpy eagle is the national bird and one of the world’s largest eagles.
83. The resplendent quetzal can be seen in the cloud forests of the Chiriquí highlands.
84. Sea turtles nest on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
85. Mangrove forests protect shorelines and serve as nurseries for fish and birds.
86. The island of Coiba shelters a vast marine reserve with sharks, rays, and schooling fish.
87. The pygmy three-toed sloth is found only on a small Caribbean island off Panama’s coast.
88. Dolphins and whales are regular visitors near the Pearl Islands and the Azuero coast.
89. Poison dart frogs add vivid color to rainforest streams and leaf litter.
90. Howler monkeys are often heard before they are seen in lowland forests.
91. Leafcutter ants farm fungus in underground chambers with impressive organization.
92. Orchid diversity is high, including the white “Holy Ghost” orchid chosen as the national flower.
93. Birdwatchers prize Panama for easy access to both lowland and highland species in a single day.
94. Conservation areas near the canal protect watershed forests that supply freshwater for lockages.

Cities, regions & landmarks

95. Panama City’s modern skyline rises just a short walk from the colonial streets of Casco Viejo.
96. The ruins of Panamá Viejo display stone walls and a famous cathedral tower.
97. Colón sits at the Caribbean entrance to the canal and anchors a major free trade zone.
98. David is a commercial hub for the western province of Chiriquí.
99. Santiago serves as a crossroads city in the central province of Veraguas.
100. Penonomé is known for breezy weather and central-isthmus markets.
101. Chitré hosts lively festivals on the Azuero Peninsula.
102. Portobelo features colorful colonial architecture and waterfront forts.
103. Guna Yala stretches along the Caribbean with hundreds of palm-fringed islands.
104. The Amador Causeway links several small Pacific islands with views of ships lining up.
105. Biomuseo on the causeway tells the story of the isthmus and its species in a striking building.
106. The National Theater in Casco Viejo showcases ornate interiors and performing arts.
107. The Cinta Costera is a waterfront parkway popular for biking and sunset strolls.
108. The Panama Viejo and Historic District are jointly recognized for their cultural significance.

Food, drink & daily life

109. Sancocho is a hearty chicken soup seasoned with culantro and yuca.
110. Arroz con guandú mixes rice with pigeon peas and coconut for a classic side dish.
111. Patacones are twice-fried plantain disks served crunchy with dips or meats.
112. Carimañolas are yuca fritters stuffed with meat or cheese.
113. Hojaldres are puffy fried breads often enjoyed at breakfast.
114. Ceviche with lime and onion is a favorite coastal snack.
115. Chicheme is a sweet, creamy corn drink flavored with cinnamon.
116. Raspao is a shaved-ice treat drizzled with syrup and condensed milk on hot days.
117. Street vendors sell fresh pineapple, mango, and watermelon nearly year-round.
118. Locally grown coffee from Boquete and Volcán has won international awards.
119. Sugarcane fields support a tradition of rum and molasses-based spirits.
120. Open-air mercados bustle with tropical fruit, seafood, and handmade crafts.

Sports, arts & pop culture

121. The country has produced world-class baseball stars who reached the sport’s highest honors.
122. Soccer clubs draw passionate local support in city stadiums.
123. Traditional masks like the diablico sucio appear in parades and festivals.
124. The congo dance features bright costumes and call-and-response rhythms on the Caribbean side.
125. Murals and street art add color to neighborhoods in Panama City and Colón.
126. Television and music scenes blend Caribbean and Latin beats with urban styles.
127. Handwoven molas from Guna artisans are prized for intricate geometric designs.
128. Festival parades often end with water spray trucks and confetti, turning streets into giant block parties.

Travel tips & fun extras

129. You can visit both coasts in a single day thanks to the country’s narrow width.
130. Domestic flights connect Panama City with remote towns and island airstrips.
131. Water taxis link islands in archipelagos like Bocas del Toro and the Pearl Islands.
132. Many visitors time trips for the dry season months when trails are less muddy.
133. A light rain jacket is still handy because tropical showers can arrive any afternoon.
134. Power outlets commonly match North American plug types in most hotels.
135. Tap water is treated in many cities, but travelers often prefer bottled water in rural areas.
136. National parks may require permits or guides for certain trails and boat routes.
137. Snorkeling and diving conditions vary by coast, with calmer Caribbean waters in many seasons.
138. Birdwatching tours often start at dawn when forest activity is highest.

For kids: quick comparisons

139. Panama is about the size of South Carolina.
140. The canal is roughly 82 kilometers long, or about 200 laps of a 400-meter track.
141. Volcán Barú is about 11 Eiffel Towers tall.
142. In some places the country is less than 80 kilometers across, which is a short morning drive.
143. A ship that uses the canal skips a detour longer than the distance from London to New York.

Names & etymology

144. Many believe the name “Panama” may come from an Indigenous word for “abundance of fish and butterflies.”
145. The so-called “Panama hat” is a misnomer because the classic straw hats were traditionally woven in Ecuador and only shipped through Panamanian ports.

Quick FAQ

What is Panama famous for?
Panama is famous for its ocean-to-ocean canal, rich rainforests, diverse wildlife, and a vibrant blend of cultures.

Is Panama in North or South America?
Panama is in Central America, which is the southern part of North America.

What language is spoken in Panama?
Spanish is the official language, and English is widely used in business and tourism.

When is the best time to visit Panama?
Many travelers prefer the dry season from about January to April for easier beach days and hiking.

Do I need a visa to visit Panama?
Entry rules vary by nationality and length of stay, so travelers should check current requirements before flying.