This summer, I had the opportunity to explore the best of Panama from coast to coast. The Tourism Board of Panama and Copa Airlines invited 5 bloggers (including myself) from around the world to travel to Panama and discover our own #PanamaStyle around the incredibly diverse country.

There is literally something for everyone in Panama, whether you come for world-famous shopping, the pristine islands of San Blas or for a stroll through the historic Casco Viejo district.

With the help of an incredible group of videographers and the Copa Airlines team, we shot some of the highlights of my trip to showcase my #PanamaStyle! Check it out!

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Panama has always been a destination close to my heart. I spent a month living in the island archipelago of Bocas del Toro getting my PADI scuba certification, surfing and volunteering back in 2013. But, I had yet to see the rest of what Panama had to offer!

On this trip, I spent a jam-packed week exploring, eating, swimming, dancing and even wakeboarding my way through the country.

**Here are some of my favorite experiences solo en (only in) Panama!**

San Blas

One of the most “jaw-dropping” destinations in Panama is San Blas- an idyllic archipelago made up of 365 islands. We spent the day island hopping, but my favorite stop was at this shallow, seastar-studded section of San Blas. It was unbelievable!

Gamboa Rainforest

The Gamboa Rainforest Resort is something straight out of the Jungle Book. We spent the morning paddleboarding Chagres River, followed by an aerial tram ride to the rainforest canopy. I encountered a sloth AND a jaguar and ended my afternoon learning about the indigenous Embera Indians.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is likely the most iconic historical site in the country. I was really lucky to be able to see the canal in action as a cargo ship made it’s way through the different gates as it crossed through the canal.

Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is definitely my favorite area of Panama City. It’s the historic district of the city, so the buildings are incredibly beautiful and many very colorful. You’ll find the best restaurants and bars here and there’s also great shopping.

Nitro Resort

The Nitro Resort was by far the most unexpected place I visited in Panama! The Nitro Resort is an extreme-sports resort featuring wakeboarding, motocross, kitboarding and everything in between!

Bio Museo

For museum lover like me, the Bio Museo is an absolute must when visiting Panama City. Not only is the stunning design, by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, worth visiting, you’ll find oodles of information on Panama’s biodiversity inside!

Which activity best fits your #PanamaStyle?

Special thanks to the Tourism Board of Panama and Copa Airlines for hosting me on this trip. And a major shoutout and to the Nobox team for putting together such an incredible video campaign in Panama!

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

Cancel reply

Mia

Hey hey.
I’m planning a trip to Panama but I heard the weather sucks in June.
Would you agree? You said you went there in “summer”.
So I’m really not sure anymore if I should go or not 🙁

March 22, 2016 at 12:54 am · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Hi Mia! I was there in July and found the weather to be fine- definitely humid with random showers though. The dry season is most popular, but also peak times for tourists. I would just pack for rain and humidity, and know what to expect 🙂

March 27, 2016 at 4:40 pm · Reply

Abigail

I am so excited I am traveling to Panama in January. Looks like Casa Verde is lovely! But I am so disappointed – looks like it is permanently closed! Last review was in April this year but the website is down and I can no longer find any prices anywhere! Any other recommendation?!

August 24, 2016 at 11:04 am · Reply

Kiersten Rich

You’re going to have an awesome time! Check out my Panama City Travel Guide for other recommendations 🙂

https://theblondeabroad.com/2015/11/25/the-ultimate-guide-to-panama-city/

August 25, 2016 at 11:54 am · Reply

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Here are some of my favorite experiences solo en (only in) Panama!