Best time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast
The best time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast is usually January, March and April, when a typical day grades B-, B- and B-. August and September are the weakest (C+ and C+). Seaweed is usually lightest in June and July and heaviest in April and September. The quietest months are September and October.
Pick a month
Panama's Caribbean coast month by month
| Month | Typical day | High | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B- | 81°F | 83°F | 81% | Low | Very busy | Very low |
| February | B- | 81°F | 83°F | 79% | Low | Very busy | Very low |
| March | B- | 83°F | 85°F | 80% | Low | Very busy | Very low |
| April | B- | 83°F | 85°F | 80% | Moderate | Busy | Very low |
| May | B- | 84°F | 87°F | 85% | Low | Moderate | Very low |
| June | B- | 84°F | 87°F | 93% | Low | Moderate | Very low |
| July | C+ | 83°F | 85°F | 96% | Very low | Moderate | Very low |
| August | C+ | 83°F | 86°F | 92% | Low | Moderate | Low |
| September | C+ | 84°F | 87°F | 93% | Moderate | Quiet | Low |
| October | B- | 84°F | 87°F | 93% | Moderate | Moderate | Very low |
| November | B- | 82°F | 86°F | 94% | Low | Moderate | Very low |
| December | C+ | 81°F | 84°F | 89% | Low | Busy | Very low |
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 20 resorts here (median resort). Grades weigh seaweed, temperature, rain, sun, water, waves, wind, UV, crowds, storm risk and travel safety.
Best beaches in Panama's Caribbean coast
Resorts with the best typical January, and their grades for the next few days.
- Radisson Colón 2,000 Hotel & Casino Jan A-SatCSunB+MonB-TueB+WedB+
- Guna Yala (San Blas) Island Lodges Jan B+SatBSunBMonB+TueB+WedB
- Red Frog Beach Resort Jan BSatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedA-
- Bambuda Lodge Jan BSatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedA-
- Bocas del Toro Beach Resorts Jan B-SatC+SunC+MonC+TueC+WedB-
- Hotel Palma Royale Jan B-SatBSunB+MonB+TueB+WedB+
- Buccaneer Resort Jan B-SatBSunB+MonB+TueB+WedB+
- Hotel Isla Grande Jan B-SatCSunC+MonB-TueB-WedC+
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- When is the best time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast?
- The best time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast is usually January, March and April, when a typical day grades B-, B- and B-. August and September are the weakest (C+ and C+). Seaweed is usually lightest in June and July and heaviest in April and September. The quietest months are September and October.
- When is sargassum season in Panama's Caribbean coast?
- In a typical year seaweed is heaviest in April, September and October and lightest in June and July. The Atlantic sargassum belt varies a lot from year to year; Veabird's weekly sargassum report tracks the current season.
- When is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast?
- Crowds are usually lightest in September and October and heaviest in February and March (Mardi Gras / Carnaval and Presidents' Day weekend). Quieter months usually mean lower hotel rates.
- When is hurricane season in Panama's Caribbean coast?
- Storm risk runs from about August to September and peaks in September.
- When is the water warmest in Panama's Caribbean coast?
- The sea is warmest in May and October (about 87°F) and coolest in January and February (about 83°F).