Looking to journey to Panama Canal in April? Prepare for a hot and dry holiday, as this month marks the last hurrah of the dry season. 99mm of rain will fall during this month, taking up around 7 days to do so. This is nothing compared to later on in the year, when the levels can be as much as four times as high! If you are wondering whether to come now or in October, there's a simple question to ask yourself: do you want to get rained on, or not?
The whole country of Panama is known for steady weather that is hot all year round, but the peak of temperatures comes this month, with daily averages of 29°C. The weather can be changeable, however, ranging from 24°C up to 33°C on a daily basis. The highs and lows can be quite far apart from one another, so this is something to be cautious about. Just because it is not too hot when you leave the hotel, does not mean the apex of the sun's path across the sky will not bring much higher temperatures!
Something else to watch out for is that there are 7 hours of sun a day. This still results in average sea temperatures of 28°C, but it means a bit less time in the daylight than you would find elsewhere in the world. If you are used to longer days, be aware. The good news is that day trips should not take you by surprise, as temperatures can be the same across large areas: even in Colon, which is further down the coast and sheltered in a bay, you will see the same 29°C at the same time as here. Do check the forecast before you leave on an excursion just to be sure, however.
In April, you should certainly consider staying at the Las Clementinas Hotel. This restored apartment building has a long history, and has been featured in plenty of travel magazines after the new owners put a lot of work into bringing it back to its former glory. Each suite is actually an apartment unto itself, and the gardens contain part of the old city wall.
Los Cuatro Tulipanes is a B&B with long term rentals available. They offer Old World stylings and aim to create as authentic a feel as possible for visitors to the city. There is maid service and high speed internet available, so it is perfect for a longer stay.
The Hospedaje Casco Viejo is a welcoming colonial home which has been converted into a hostel. You can save a lot of money by staying here, and you will find bunk beds or double beds in a safe location. The facilities are basic, but you will be able to use this as a base for exploration around the city.
The beach is beckoning with average sea temperatures of 28°C, and it does not want to be ignored! Coronado is an interesting beach to visit as it was actually developed carefully within a gated community. You will have to go through the main gates before you get to the beach, passing by condos and a golf course very close to Panama City. You will also find this is a great place for shopping: there are three grocery stores here and a lot of fast food restaurants for your convenience.
You could easily spend the whole day out here, coming off the sands only to eat lunch and dinner and then returning to your hotel at night. With the temperatures this hot, you may find you don't want to do anything else!
When you visit Rene Café, prepare for a treat you can see everything being cooked right in front of you! They serve Spanish style food, and have menus which are suitable both for lunch and dinner. Families and larger groups will be accommodated, as their menu is varied with plenty of different styles to try.
The Capital Bistro Panama is a more expensive option, serving Greek food to a very high standard. This is a good option for those who want to celebrate a special occasion, or just love to eat good food served right. They pay special attention to the presentation and balanced flavours of their dishes.
Enotria is a wine bar serving Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. They often feature live music in the evenings, allowing you to enjoy a civilised meal with friends or a drink in a great atmosphere. This is best suited to couples or groups rather than families.
If you want to see the most of Panama Canal, then April is a great time to take a Panama Canal Tour thanks to the great weather and the lower risk of rain. The tours take place on luxury boats, allowing you to go ahead and enjoy the local environment and landmarks on each side of the canal. You can spend either a full day or a half day on board, enjoying the facilities whilst learning all about the area.
Before or after your tour, or if you are not a fan of boats, you can head to the Miraflores Visitor Center. This is another view on the canal where you can learn all about how it works. The centre is located on the east side of the Miraflores locks, which are central to the proper functioning of the canal. You can learn about the history of this region and why the canal was so important.
