On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Panama. We created climate tables and charts for the locations of Panama City und Bocas del Toro. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.
Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Panama for your holiday.
The independent country between Costa Rica and Colombia is located on the narrowest land area in Central America and therefore offered the perfect location for a waterway from the southern Pacific to the northern Caribbean.
Today, about 3.5 million people live in the Republic of Panama, about 1.4 million of them in the metropolitan area of the capital Panama City.
The southernmost state of Central America is an up-and-coming tourism region that is slowly emerging from the shadow of its much better known neighbour Costa Rica. Apart from Panama City and the island of Taboga in front of it, the most important holiday regions include the island chain Bocas del Toro, the archipelago San Blas (Kuna Yala), the coffee-growing area Boquete and the mountain landscape El Valle.
Panama’s highest mountain is the Volcán Barú with 3477 meters. Due to its peculiarity as a natural land bridge between North and Central America, Panama has a very diverse flora and fauna. Almost one third of the total land area is protected, there are currently 15 nature parks and reserves in Panama.
International tourists usually land at Tocumen International Airport near Panama City.
Only the dry season and the rainy season can be seriously distinguished in Panama and Central America in general. The dry season usually lasts from Christmas to Easter, the rainy season in Panama runs from around mid-April to mid-December.
The rainy season is not only accompanied by increased precipitation, but often also brings with it very high unpleasant humidity and sultriness outside the showers.
Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Panama for your holiday.
Climate Overview
21 °C to 33 °C
26 °C to 28 °C
0.39 – 14.13 in (2 – 26 Days of Rain)
Average Annual Temperature is between 26.8 °C (Panama City) and 26.9 °C (Bocas del Toro)
Show temperatures in degree
Geography & General
Table of Contents
Panama is a state in Central America that became world-famous above all for the Panama Canal of the same name.
The independent country between Costa Rica and Colombia is located on the narrowest land area in Central America and therefore offered the perfect location for a waterway from the southern Pacific to the northern Caribbean.
Today, about 3.5 million people live in the Republic of Panama, about 1.4 million of them in the metropolitan area of the capital Panama City.
The southernmost state of Central America is an up-and-coming tourism region that is slowly emerging from the shadow of its much better known neighbour Costa Rica. Apart from Panama City and the island of Taboga in front of it, the most important holiday regions include the island chain Bocas del Toro, the archipelago San Blas (Kuna Yala), the coffee-growing area Boquete and the mountain landscape El Valle.
Panama’s highest mountain is the Volcán Barú with 3477 meters. Due to its peculiarity as a natural land bridge between North and Central America, Panama has a very diverse flora and fauna. Almost one third of the total land area is protected, there are currently 15 nature parks and reserves in Panama.
International tourists usually land at Tocumen International Airport near Panama City.
Overview:
Climate in Panama
Despite its different altitudes, Panama has a tropical climate in almost all regions. This means that the small temperature fluctuations between day and night are still greater than the differences between”summer” and”winter”. Or to put it another way: there are no classical seasons!Only the dry season and the rainy season can be seriously distinguished in Panama and Central America in general. The dry season usually lasts from Christmas to Easter, the rainy season in Panama runs from around mid-April to mid-December.
The rainy season is not only accompanied by increased precipitation, but often also brings with it very high unpleasant humidity and sultriness outside the showers.
Best Time to Visit Panama: Overview
JanuaryJan Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Panama | FebruaryFeb Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Panama | MarchMar Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Panama | AprilApr Good time to traveltime mostly Perfect weathermostly perfect climate | MayMay Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 12.32 in of rainof rain | JuneJun Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 10 in of rainof rain |
JulyJul Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 10.51 in of rainof rain | AugustAug Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 12.52 in of rainof rain | SeptemberSep Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 13.43 in of rainof rain | OctoberOct Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 14.13 in of rainof rain | NovemberNov Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 10.04 in of rainof rain | DecemberDec Good time to traveltime mostly Perfect weathermostly perfect climate |
When is the best time to travel to Panama?
Depending on the type of travel, the restrictions caused by rain in Panama are sometimes more or sometimes less decisive. In general, however, the much more pleasant dry season is equally recommended for bathing holidays and adventure trips. Also the carnival in Panama falls into the dry season.
As the best travel season in Panama, we therefore recommend the months of January to March in particular, and April and December are generally very well suited as travel seasons. The rainy month in the country is October, on the Pacific side December and January are usually the driest months.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Panama) in the following overview.Location | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|
Panama City | January, February, March, and April |
Bocas del Toro | January, February, March, April, and December |
Climate Charts Panama
In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.
Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.
Show Climate Chart for
Panama City
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Tables Panama
In the following, you will find some climate tables for Panama, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Show climate table for
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Panama City
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Temperature | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 30° | 31° |
Night Temperature | 22° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 22° |
Water Temperature | 27° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° |
Precipitation (inch) | 1.14 | 0.59 | 0.63 | 2.99 | 7.99 | 7.87 | 7.28 | 7.64 | 7.6 | 10.35 | 10.04 | 5.31 |
Rainy days | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 12 |
Hours of Sunshine | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Panama City is 26.8 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: April (27.7 °C)
Coldest month: October (26.1 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Panama City is 28 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.
Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 69.45 inch on 141 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): May, June, July, August, September, October, and November
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 58.78 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Panama City.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, February is the sunniest month with an average of 8.7 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 6.1 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Bocas del Toro (Panama)
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Temperature | 32° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 31° |
Night Temperature | 22° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 21° |
Water Temperature | 28° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
Precipitation (inch) | 1.1 | 0.39 | 0.94 | 2.64 | 12.32 | 10 | 10.51 | 12.13 | 13.43 | 14.13 | 9.53 | 3.11 |
Rainy days | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 22 | 12 |
Hours of Sunshine | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Bocas del Toro is 26.9 °C.Warmest month: February (27.5 °C)
Coldest month: December (26 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Bocas del Toro is 28 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.
Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 90.24 inch on 181 rainy daysRainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): May, June, July, August, September, October, and November
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 82.05 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Bocas del Toro.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, January is the sunniest month with an average of 9.2 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 6.7 hours of sunshine per day on average.Popular Activities
Panama City: Private Airport Layover Tour
Tours
from 85 $ »
Discover the highlights of Panama City on a private tour to take advantage of your flight layover. Explore the Old Town and visit the Panama Canal to admire it during the busiest time of the day.
Tocumen Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Panama
Transfers
from 53 $ »
Experience a hassle-free one-way transfer from Tocumen International Airport to your destination in Panama. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
Panama City: One-Way or Round-Trip PTY Airport Transfer
Transfers
from 47 $ »
Reserve con anticipación un traslado de ida o de ida y vuelta hacia o desde su hotel en el centro de la ciudad. Sea recibido por su conductor y siéntese y disfrute del viaje.
More attractions
Panama City: Layover Panama Canal, Old Town & City Tour | Tocumen or Albrook Airport: Panama Layover Tour | One way Airport to Riu Playa Blanca Hotel Shuttle | Panama City: Tocumen Airport (PTY) Private Transfer |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Panama City (Station Tocumen)
broken clouds, 29.8 °C
Clouds: 84 % Wind: 6 mph NO
Air Pressure: 1007 hPa Humidity: 62 %
Air Pressure: 1007 hPa Humidity: 62 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 10:34 pm
The next days …
8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 | 13th Feb 2023 |
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23 °C to 30 °C | 23 °C to 30 °C | 24 °C to 30 °C | 23 °C to 31 °C | 23 °C to 30 °C | 24 °C to 30 °C |
23 °C to 30 °C | 23 °C to 30 °C | 24 °C to 30 °C | 23 °C to 31 °C | 23 °C to 30 °C | 24 °C to 30 °C |
Clouds: 77 % | Clouds: 81 % | Clouds: 87 % | Clouds: 53 % | Clouds: 66 % | Clouds: 77 % |
No Precipitation | 0 in of rain | 0.01 in of rain | 0.01 in of rain | 0.03 in of rain | 0.03 in of rain |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Share your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Panama holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
Panama: Experiences of our Visitors
Little rain, much sun, occasionally cloudy. That was great for January.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good