The most stunning beaches in Panama are found on the Caribbean's San Blas Islands. These are the beautiful lengths of white sand that you often see in images, complete with turquoise oceans and little islands with swaying palm trees. The Kuna people own the San Blas Islands, and staying there requires following a specific procedure and making a reservation with them. They provide basic lodging, three meals per day, and all transportation to and from these magical locations. This is the place to go if you want to actually get away from it all and disengage from the world in a magnificent, yet rustic, location.

A private sailboat tour of the island, stopping at other islands along the route and sleeping and eating onboard, is another far more opulent and expensive way to see the island. Your captain will take you to the greatest snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and kitesurfing spots in the area. The boats are normally elegant catamarans of 40 to 50 feet in length, and the trips are usually all-inclusive. You have the choice of hiring the complete boat with a crew or renting a cabin and sharing the boat with others.

Location: San Blas Islands, Panama

Red Frog Beach is another fantastic beach in the Bocas Del Toro area. This beach is named after the little frog that lives on the Isla Bastimentos. It may be accessed by boat from Bocas del Toro, followed by a 10-minute hike through the jungle. Despite the fact that this is a popular beach with a large number of tourists and a fantastic site for people watching, it is large enough that it does not appear to be overcrowded. The waves here are smaller than those found at Bluff Beach, making it ideal for people who prefer to ease into the water without being thrown around.

For a little cost, you can rent a chair or umbrella, or spread your towel under one of the palm trees that line the back of the beach. Food and drinks are available at a couple of eateries, or you can bring your own beach picnic. It's worth noting that walking to the beach over private land costs money. If you plan on staying for a few days, make sure to arrange your accommodations ahead of time. The region is frequently booked during the peak season. Budget travelers should consider the Selina Red Frog, which has bungalows, regular rooms, and suites, as well as dorm accommodations. The Red Frog Beach Island Resort is perhaps the best spot to stay if you are seeking luxury in the neighborhood.

Location: Bastimentos Island, Panama

Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella) is one of the nicest beaches in Bocas del Toro for families with young children or those looking for a postcard-perfect, peaceful beach. This is a small beach notable for its abundance of starfish and shallow, turquoise water with no waves. The beach is located in a harbor on the backside of Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro area, protected from the ocean waves.

The beach is easily accessible and very popular – particularly on weekends – but it is not as congested as other Panama beaches. You may relax on the beach, go swimming, rent a floating chair, kayak, snorkel, or go wakeboarding if you are feeling more daring. Restaurants providing local and international cuisine are nestled among the swaying palm trees just back from the beach. It is a short cab journey from Bocas del Toro's main town. Moreover, it is a short taxi ride from Bocas del Toro to Boca del Drago, then a short boat ride to Starfish Beach.

Location: Bocas Town, Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Isla Coiba, Central America's largest island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Panama has a small number of natural wonders, but this is without a doubt one of the most impressive. Isla Coiba, an uninhabited jungle island with magnificent beaches and many species, is a must-see for adventurers. The main beach is a lovely crescent of sand with a little island off the coast. Additional beaches are only around the corner, all of which are immaculate and completely uninhabited. Some beaches have calm waters, while others, on the other hand, feature big waves and are only frequented by professional surfers searching for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Snorkeling is fantastic here, and scuba divers should put this on their bucket list to swim with whale sharks.

This is a nature lover's heaven away from the shore. More than 200 different species of birds, crocodiles, snakes, and turtles can be found on the island. Hammerhead sharks, whales, and manta rays may be seen in the sea. These little, beautiful lengths of the beach are sure to bring you peace. From Santa Catalina, the best way to get to Isla Coiba is by boat.

Location: Coiba Island, Panama

Bluff Beach is one of those picture-perfect locations. This is one of the few beaches in the Bocas del Toro area on Isla Colon that has strong waves yet is still swimmable. It is a popular spot for boogie boarders and surfers. The soft golden sands stretch for eight kilometers, making it simple to choose your own little piece of heaven and watch the waves crash. There is a lot of silence here. There are likely to be a few other people around, so if you want to get away from it all, this is the place to go. Although there are a few restaurants nearby, it is advisable to carry your own food and supplies.

The route to Bluff Beach is dirt in many places and might be bumpy, but it is well worth the journey. There is a fair possibility you will encounter sloths in the trees and monkeys swinging around noisily. Except for a few scattered guesthouses and a small restaurant, there are few services in the area. Keep your wits about you in the water because the rips can be powerful.

Location: Bocas del Toro, Panama

Punta Chame may be the best in Panama if it were surrounded by a more active town and surroundings. However, standing on the silky sand and looking out across the lake to the mountains, it is probably Panama's most beautiful beach. This long swath of beach runs along a broad, flat spit of land that juts out into the sea.

Punta Chame Beach is an excellent destination for families. The warm, shallow water is ideal for small children and individuals who are not great swimmers, while parents can relax on the beach. This hidden gem is about 1.5 hours from Panama City and is best seen as a day trip. While the town has little to no nightlife, there are a few lovely little resorts along the beach, as well as affordable motels, hostels, and mid-range villas off the beach. Bring some patience if you go here; the entrance to the beach is not immediately obvious when you arrive, and the area back from the shore might be confusing.

Location: Punta Chame, Panama

This lovely broad beach, Punta Duarte, is one of the few in Panama where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific. The beach has a stunning location, with an outlying island that connects to the mainland during low tide. Because of the beach's angle, it is one of the few beaches on Panama's Pacific coast where the waves are minimal and swimming is easy. When the tide goes out, large tide pools appear as a bonus. You may walk along the rocks and look down into the remaining pools to observe beautifully colored fish and sea creatures.

On what is known as the Sunset Coast, Punta Duarte is 1.5 hours down the only highway. When traveling from Panama City, the Pan American Highway exit is located shortly before Santiago on the left-hand side. The Punta Duarte Garden Inn, which overlooks the beach on one end, is a delightful, tiny hotel that serves breakfast and if customers let the owner know ahead of time, home-cooked dinners. From your balcony, the restaurant area, or the pool, you can enjoy the sunset.

Location: Punta Duarte, Panama

Santa Catalina, a small village across the harbor from the Sunset Coast, has become one of Panama's most popular locations for independent travelers. There are several beaches in this area. La Punta is the beach for surfers who enjoy big waves.

Are you looking for wide-open, level sand that is perfect for horseback riding or cycling? Check out La Coquita, a great spot for a dip in the warm water of a bathtub. Playa Estero is closer to town, with smaller waves and a wonderful location to splash around in or learn to surf. This is a large beach, so you will have no trouble locating a secluded location to relax. Santa Catalina features a lively atmosphere as well as a diverse range of eateries and lodging alternatives. Surfers have discovered the fantastic waves, and those wishing to simply relax on a less-traveled beach might do worse than this location. Fishing is a popular pastime, and seafood is often the first item on a menu. The diving is excellent, and many visitors believe they have discovered heaven. Santa Catalina is also a lively town with a diverse range of activities.

Location: Santa Catalina Island, Panama

La Punta Beach on Isla Grande is the next name on the list of the best beaches in Panama. Isla Grande is a favorite weekend getaway for both foreigners and Panamanians, and it is only a two-hour drive and a 10-minute boat journey from Panama City. The beach, La Punta, on this little island off the coast of Panama is famed for its quiet, shallow seas, picnic tables, fresh water showers, and seats.

There is more to do in this town than merely lying on the beach. The famous 1568 statue known as the Black Christ of Portobelo, three outstanding surf breaks, gorgeous snorkeling, and delicious seafood are just a few of the key attractions. The town of Portobelo charges a daily fee for car parking, the boat shuttle, and beach access. The magnificent beaches at La Punta Beach, which sit in front of thick greenery, are ideal for relaxing, swimming, or surfing.

Location: Isla Grande, Panama

Playa Vanao, on the Peninsula of Azuero, is regarded as one of Panama's top surfing spots. In Playa Venao, surfing is a major attraction. Playa Venao has a variety of wave sizes, making it a great area to learn how to surf. The south-facing beach is ideal for south-facing swells. But even if you are not a surfer, there is enough to do here. You may put up your beach chair or towel on the golden-brown sands and watch the surfers battle the waves. Besides, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, stand-up paddleboarding, and whale viewing are all available activities. Hiking, horseback riding, yoga, and eco-spas are all options for land-based activities, as is visiting the adjacent weekly Pedas market.

Accommodation options range from premium backpacker lodges to luxury beachfront hotels, as well as more affordable options in Pedasi's small town. Playa Venao is just one of the several beaches along this stretch of coastline; Bull Beach and Playa Cambutal are two more worth visiting.

Location: Azuero Peninsula, Panama