Indulge your sweet tooth

Panama has long been known for cultivating cocoa, but only recently has it started producing its own signature chocolate. Some of the most decadent and inventive comes from I Love Chocolate Panama, which operates a sleek shop and tasting room out of a regal building in Casco Viejo. After sampling their small-batch creations—rum-infused, coffee-sprinkled, chili-kissed—you can meander into their adjoining gallery, where local artists have made a number of striking sculptures using only chocolate. Opt for the full tour, and you’ll be taken into the kitchen to create your own customized bar with the help of their in-house chocolatier.

Stroll and snack along Panama’s liveliest street

There’s arguably no better place to experience Panama’s cultural melting pot than Avenida Central. The city’s oldest shopping artery, and an easy detour while roaming Casco Viejo, it’s a bustling, pedestrian-only stretch of discount stores, food carts, and colorful murals where every stripe of Panamanian has converged for the better part of a century. Begin at Plaza Santa Ana, shaded by colossal banyan trees, then duck into the narrow alley of the Salsipuedes (“Leave If You Can”) Market, a warren of crafts, trinkets, and hidden corners. Along the way, you’ll spot men in guayaberas playing dominoes, indigenous Guna women in traditional dress running errands, locals getting pedicures at sidewalk salons, and hip aesthetes checking out the latest show at DiabloRosso, the city’s premier gallery for cutting-edge art.

Snorkel, swim, and unwind on Taboga

Just a 30-minute ferry from Panama City, Taboga Island is a pocket of tranquility where locals head for a respite from the urban hustle. Skip the crowded beach at the ferry terminal and head to Playa Restinga, a majestic curve of white sand and turquoise water backed by verdant jungle, or opt for a day of snorkeling or paddling in the northern coves with the help of Scuba Taboga. Spend some time idly strolling through the car-free village, with its colorful buildings and hilltop church dating to the 1500s, before wrapping up your day with a bite at Calaloo Beach Fishbar & Grill (+507 6358-9037), a funky mainstay for tacos and tropical drinks.