Travel Consultants Agree: This Nation is the ‘Most Underrated Travel Vacation spot’

The Caribbean. Paris. The Mediterranean. Tokyo. All fantastic travel destinations that are just a little too popular. Hotels fill up quick, all the hot spots are crowded, and you spend way too high of a percentage of time just waiting in line. Savvy travelers should be on the hunt for destinations off the beaten path that provide just as many memories and experiences as the heavy hitters, and travel experts all agree on one country too commonly overlooked when it comes to vacations: Panama.

Panama‘s most well-known feature is the Panama Canal, with runs through the middle of the country and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. While traveling through the canal is “something you don’t really get anywhere else”, that’s just the start to what makes the Central American country such a hidden gem for travelers.

Panama’s Variety Brings A Little Bit of Everything For A Perfect Vacation

What makes Panama stand out is the variety and contrast you get in an area smaller than South Carolina. Panama City has a modern skyline and historic neighborhoods, and within a day you can be on an uncrowded beach, or even a rainforest.

That diversity makes it a dream for travel experts who can build itineraries custom-made for any traveler’s wants and needs. Looking for luxury? Book a hotel in Panama City and enjoy some fine seafood. Craving a cultural experience? Stay in the historic area of Casco Viejo and try some fried plantains. You can catch a tan on a tropical island or see sloths and toucans on a nature retreat; you can visit indigenous communities and hike through cloud forests; or you could check all these experiences off your to-do list in a few days. To make travel even more convenient, English is largely understood and the US Dollar is widely accepted across the country. The country is relatively safe, although caution is advised around the Mosquito Gulf. It only takes one trip to realize that Panama is much more than a canal.

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Sep 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was initially printed September 19, 2026 at 1:06 PM.