Panama, Azuero and Guna Yala: New Tourism Infrastructure Takes Visitors Beyond the Capital

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 23, 2026 6:25 PM |

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Panama is making subtle changes to the tourism sector of its economy, and such moves are being experienced not only in Panama City but also in other parts of the country. These include improved tourist facilities, conventions, as well as insurance covers for visiting tourists, which are making other destinations of the country more attractive. Such moves have been made following the country’s plans to make 2026 another successful year regarding the number of international arrivals. For instance, in 2025, the country received close to 3 million international tourists, representing an 8.2% growth from 2024.

Panama Is Taking Tourism Outside Panama City

For years, Panama City has been the obvious starting point for international visitors, with the Panama Canal, Casco Antiguo, modern skyline and major hotels dominating the country’s tourism profile.

But the country’s tourism strategy is increasingly focused on spreading visitor activity across multiple destinations.

El Valle de Antón, Azuero and Guna Yala each offer a distinctly different experience. El Valle combines mountain scenery, outdoor activities and rural tourism. Azuero brings colonial heritage, festivals, agriculture and Pacific coast experiences. Guna Yala offers island travel, marine landscapes and Indigenous Guna culture.

That diversification gives travellers more reasons to extend their stay.

Azuero Gains More Tourism Infrastructure

Azuero is becoming an increasingly important destination for cultural and regional tourism.

The peninsula includes Herrera and Los Santos, where visitors can experience traditional festivals, historic towns, beaches, agriculture and local food. The International Fair of Azuero is one of the region’s major visitor events, with authorities deploying more than 700 police officers during its 2026 edition to support security around the event and its surrounding areas.

The region is also receiving attention through broader tourism and economic development initiatives.

For travellers, Azuero can form part of a road itinerary linking Panama City with destinations such as Chitré, Las Tablas, Pedasí and the Pacific coastline.

This allows visitors to move from urban sightseeing into cultural and coastal tourism without leaving Panama.

El Valle de Antón Is Building Its Rural Tourism Appeal

El Valle de Antón is another destination benefiting from efforts to diversify Panama’s tourism offer.

Located in a volcanic crater in Coclé province, the mountain town provides access to hiking, waterfalls, wildlife, markets and cooler highland conditions compared with Panama’s lowland capital.

In April 2026, Panama’s Ministry of Agricultural Development highlighted new efforts to strengthen agrotourism in El Valle de Antón. The programme includes farm visits, educational tours, participation in activities such as milking and harvesting, accommodation and the sale of local products.

That creates a more immersive tourism model, where visitors can experience rural life alongside conventional sightseeing.

Guna Yala Brings Island Tourism Into the Picture

Then comes Guna Yala, the Caribbean archipelago better known internationally as the San Blas Islands.

The region is built around hundreds of islands and coastal communities, with tourism centred on beaches, turquoise waters, marine activities and Guna culture.

For international travellers, Guna Yala provides a very different experience from Panama City. Access generally involves road travel towards the Caribbean coast followed by local transport to the islands, with journeys requiring advance planning because infrastructure and services vary between communities.

That remote character is part of the destination’s tourism appeal.

Visitor Insurance Is Expanding Its Reach

Panama is also strengthening the visitor-support side of its tourism proposition.

In April 2026, the country’s Cabinet approved up to US$3.5 million in additional funding for the Authority of Tourism of Panama to implement a tourist insurance policy for visitors entering by air.

The updated programme is designed to provide medical assistance to eligible visitors during the early part of their stay. Reporting on the programme indicated coverage of up to 10 days, with eligibility extending to foreign visitors and Panamanians residing abroad who enter through designated airports.

The coverage has also been designed to reach beyond Tocumen International Airport, with designated entry points including Río Hato, David, Panama Pacifico and Bocas del Toro.

That wider entry network is particularly relevant to decentralised tourism.

Convention Travel Is Bringing New Visitors

Business events are another part of Panama’s tourism expansion.

Panama City remains the country’s principal meetings and conventions hub, with the Panama Convention Center hosting international events. Tourism officials have projected between 3.1 million and 3.2 million visitors in 2026 and are positioning congress and convention tourism as an important part of visitor spending.

The wider tourism opportunity comes when business travellers extend their trips.

A conference in Panama City can be combined with a journey to El Valle, Azuero, Bocas del Toro or Guna Yala, spreading visitor spending beyond the capital.

Key Stats

• Nearly 3 million: International visitors recorded by Panama in 2025.
• 8.2%: Increase in international arrivals in 2025 compared with 2024.
• 3.1–3.2 million: Panama’s projected international visitor range for 2026.
• US$3.5 million: Additional 2026 funding approved for the tourist insurance programme.
• 10 days: Reported duration of the planned tourist insurance coverage.
• 700+: Police units deployed for security during the 2026 International Fair of Azuero.

Timeline & Events

2025 — Panama records nearly 3 million international visitors, up 8.2% from 2024.

March 2026 — Panama projects between 3.1 million and 3.2 million international visitors for the year.

April 2026 — Funding of up to US$3.5 million is approved for the tourist insurance programme.

April 2026 — Authorities promote agrotourism development in El Valle de Antón.

May 2026 — Security operations support the International Fair of Azuero during its high visitor period.

What Travellers Need to Know

Panama’s decentralised tourism model gives visitors several ways to build longer itineraries.

Panama City works as the international gateway, while El Valle de Antón can add mountain and rural experiences. Azuero provides cultural and coastal travel, while Guna Yala offers island and Indigenous tourism.

Travellers heading into smaller or more remote destinations should plan transport and accommodation in advance. Insurance should also be checked carefully, particularly for activities involving water, hiking or remote areas, as standard policies can contain exclusions.

FAQ

1. What destinations are benefiting from Panama’s decentralised tourism strategy?
El Valle de Antón, Azuero and Guna Yala are among the destinations receiving greater attention alongside Panama City.

2. What is the tourist insurance programme?
Panama has allocated funding for a visitor insurance programme providing medical assistance to eligible travellers entering through designated airports, with reported coverage of up to 10 days.

3. Can travellers combine Panama City with Azuero or Guna Yala?
Yes. Panama City can serve as the starting point for multi-destination journeys incorporating mountain, cultural, coastal and island experiences.

Dates

2025 — Panama records nearly 3 million international visitors.

March 2026 — 2026 visitor target reaches 3.1–3.2 million.

April 2026 — US$3.5 million approved for tourist insurance.

April 2026 — El Valle de Antón agrotourism development receives additional attention.

May 2026 — International Fair of Azuero draws major visitor and security operations.

Conclusion

The tourism narrative of Panama is becoming quite a bit more than just the capital city of Panama. The new developments of travel insurance, rural tourism, conferences, and regional infrastructure have made connections between Panama City and other tourist locations, like El Valle de Antón, Azuero, and Guna Yala. As a traveller from outside Panama, you will have a lot more chances to create a route which focuses on nature, culture, beaches, islands, and local villages, and not just Panama City.