Panama weather in February
| Avg. temperature: 26.3°C / 79.3°F | Rain: 10.1 mm per month |
| Sun: 8.8 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.8 hrs per day (daylight) | Avg. Humidity: 66% |
If you’re thinking of visiting Panama in February you’ve picked one of the best months to do so! In the heart of the dry season, Panama only experiences one rainy day during February so you can expect clear, bright skies, almost guaranteed!
The truth is, as a country with a tropical climate and year-round pleasant temperatures, there really is no bad time to visit Panama. But, Panama weather in February makes it particularly desirable amongst tourists, particularly those looking to escape the drizzly cold of typical northern hemisphere climates.
With this in mind, be aware that February is the peak of Panama’s tourist season, so you should book your trip in advance to secure your choice of accommodation and get the best deals as hotel prices and airfares are typically higher than the rest of the year.
Despite the crowds, it’s a fantastic time to visit and we’ll tell you some of the best things to do in Panama in February! From lounging on luscious beaches to hiking in some of the country’s best peaks, there is something for everyone in Panama.
Things to do in Panama in February
Attend the event of the year in the lead up to Lent
Starting four days before Ash Wednesday, the annual Carnaval is Panama’s biggest and most celebrated event. The festival takes place before Lent and is a dramatic display of live music, parades, traditional dancing and fireworks and more. Expect the streets to fill with performers and lavishly decorated floats as the Carnival Queen is crowned in this wild street party that takes place throughout the country.
The streets are lined with food vendors offering local street food delicacies and music rings through the towns and cities as communities come together to celebrate in the festivities. This fun-filled fiesta can be best enjoyed in the capital for those wanting a city-style celebration, or small towns on the Azuero Peninsula, most notably Las Tablas. We should warn you: water balloons are commonplace during the carnival, so expect to get wet, and don’t take it too seriously!
Enjoy island life Caribbean-style in Bocas del Toro
This collection of islands cannot be missed during your Panamanian adventure. The region is biodiverse, has lush, tropical vegetation and fauna found only in this part of the world, not to mention its incredible marine life beneath the surface of the crystal blue waters.
The beautiful Caribbean water is perfect for diving and snorkelling, and February is the ideal time to enjoy these activities thanks to the drier days. Though the Caribbean coast can experience showers year-round, February is one of the driest months meaning that the water is clearer as a result of less rain.
The natural beauty of the islands is breathtaking, and can be overwhelming on first sight as it is simply out of this world.
For nature-lovers Bocas del Toro is paradise, with ample opportunities for bird-watching, plenty of forest treks for the ultimate exploration and some of the best views you are guaranteed to see… well, anywhere.
There are boats and kayaks for rent, plenty of watersporting activities on offer and plenty of rich culture and history to soak in as you explore the islands in the region. The islands are also home to lots of wonderful bars and restaurants that will ensure you are fed well in the most incredible surroundings during your stay.
Revel in the rainforest at Soberanía National Park
One of Panama’s most accessible tropical rainforests sits in the 220 square kilometre Soberanía National Park, just 30 minutes from Panama City by road.
Thanks to the dry season in the Panama Canal Zone region, February is one of the best times to visit the park as you’ll experience the best of the outdoors without getting wet. It features many hiking and nature trails, with different levels of intensity depending on your ability and preference.
As you trek through the pristine rainforest your chances of spotting monkeys and sloths, not to mention many native birds, are pretty high as the park is home to more than 120 mammal species, over 400 bird species and nearly 80 species of reptile. This place is a wild paradise!
Also read: Best Waterfalls in Panama
Get an education at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Just 40 minutes from Panama City, the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is an ecotourism hotspot offering environmental education as its goal is the conservation of birds through environmental sustainability projects.
There are various tours available, all of which involve walking trails through the forest where you’ll see (and hear!) a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. The Calamito Lake has a lookout deck where you’ll spot aquatic birds, while the Observation Tower, standing 32 meters high above the canopy of the rainforest, offers spectacular views of the birds flying through the trees.
Soak up the surf in Pacific town Playa Venao
Panama’s Pacific coast doesn’t get quite as much attention as it’s Caribbean half and is much less trodden on the tourist path. Playa Venao is gaining in popularity, though, as one of the most talked about surf locations in the country thanks to its various beaches with different grades of choppy waves suitable for all levels of surfer, from novice to expert.
Aside from traditional surfing, there’s windsurfing, kite surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, diving, snorkeling and more on offer. It is a lively town filled with locals and tourists, and it has a kind of party vibe.
You might be tempted to stick to the Caribbean, but we’d recommend taking a trip to the Pacific coast, too!
Best time to visit Panama: Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul • Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec