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When to go · Panama

Panama in January

Great month. Dry and windy on the Pacific; peak season; Boquete flower fair (check).

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
Panama
Prices
High
Panama

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Panama

Dry and windy on the Pacific; peak season; Boquete flower fair (check).

Is another month better than January?

No other month rates higher than January for Panama in this guide.

Weather in January

  • Pacific side · Panama City, Canal, Pearl Islands, Azuerobest weather

    Dry, breezy mid-December to April; the rest of the year brings heavy afternoon storms.

  • Chiriquí highlands · Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Puntabest weather

    Cool (15–25 °C (59–77 °F)); the bajareque drizzle blows through Dec–Feb.

  • Caribbean · Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala, Portobelofine

    Rain possible any month; September–October and February–March are the driest spells; outside the hurricane belt.

  • Caribbean West: Bocas del Toro and the islands · Caribbean coast and archipelagobest weather

    Rain is possible all year; the driest stretch is roughly February to April and again in September–October. The heaviest rain and the highest humidity fall from May to August, and the Caribbean side can be wet when the Pacific side is dry.

  • Central Panama: Panama City and the Pacific side · city, Canal, Coronadobest weather

    Dry season roughly mid-December to April; May–November is wet, with heavy afternoon showers and the highest humidity in September–October.

  • Central Panama: El Valle and the interior · mountain crater, 600 mbest weather

    Cooler than the city by several degrees; mornings clear, cloud builds after midday.

  • Central Panama: Portobelo and the Caribbean side · Colón coastrainy

    Rainier than the Pacific side and can rain in any month; the calmest, driest window is February–April.

  • Eastern Panama: Guna Yala coast and islands · Caribbean side, San Blas archipelagocheck

    Seasonal conditions: check. Rain is possible any month, and boat rides can be choppy when the trade winds are strong.

  • Eastern Panama: Darién interior · Inland rainforest east of Yavizacheck

    Hot and humid year-round; trail and river conditions: check.

  • Pacific West: Chiriquí lowlands and coast · David, Boca Chica, Pedregalbest weather

    Dry December–April; rainy May–November with sunny mornings and afternoon showers. No hurricanes.

  • Pacific West: Chiriquí highlands · Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Puntabest weather

    Noticeably cooler than the coast, especially at night; bring a layer. Rain is common in the green season.

  • Pacific West: Azuero (Herrera, Los Santos) · Pedasí, Chitrébest weather

    Hot and dry December–April; festival season peaks around Carnival.

  • Panama City32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Aguadulce30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Balboa30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bastimentos30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Boca Brava33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Boca Chica30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bocas del Toro31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Boquete24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days
  • Cambutal30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Cerro Punta22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Changuinola30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Colón30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Coronado31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • David30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • El Valle de Antón29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 6 rain days
  • Gamboa30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Gualaca30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Isla Carenero30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Isla Palenque32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 2 rain days
  • Islas Ladrones31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Islas Paridas32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Islas Secas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 4 rain days
  • Las Lajas32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Mulatupo o Sasardi30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Pedasi30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Portobelo30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • Puerto Obaldia30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days
  • San Blas Islands31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • San Francisco32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Santa Catalina30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • Santa Fe30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Santiago de Veraguas31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Taboga31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Volcán30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year

    1 Jan

    Public holiday.

  • Martyrs' Day

    9 Jan

    Remembers the 1964 Canal Zone riots.

  • Panama Jazz Festival check

    January · Panama City

    Concerts; book early.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Panama
High
Prices · Panama
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Panama, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 3

    Feb: 1

January: Dry and windy on the Pacific; peak season; Boquete flower fair (check).

February: Dry; Carnival may fall here (check) — Panama City and Las Tablas full.

Panama: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Pacific side

    Best weather of the year (Panama City, Canal, Pearl Islands, Azuero)

  • Chiriquí highlands

    Best weather of the year (Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Punta)

  • Panama City

    Dry season; hot, breezy.

  • Balboa

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Boca Brava

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Boca Chica

    Best months: Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct

  • Boquete

    Best months: Jan–Apr (dry season)

  • Cambutal

    Best months: Dry season Dec–Apr for calm beach, rainy season May–Nov for big surf, whales July–Oct

  • Cerro Punta

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Colón

    Best months: Jan–Apr, Sep–Oct

  • Coronado

    Best months: Jan–Apr

  • David

    Best months: Dec–Apr