With an average temperature on a daily basis of 28°C, you might think that June just has to be the perfect time to visit Panama Canal. But there is a lot more going on here than just bright sunshine, and it is important to pay attention to the weather forecast at this time of year for one very big reason: we are now fully into the wet season, and that means a lot of rain is going to be coming down.
This rain can play havoc with the temperatures too, meaning there are big sweeping highs and lows depending on what the sky is doing. You might see the thermostat rushing up to a hot 31°C, or dropping all the way to 24°C not that this is exactly cold! This is all down to the 272mm of rain that is going to fall through the month. It may be split over 16 days, but you can still expect a heavy downpour and over the course of a two-week holiday, it is very unlikely that you will be able to avoid at least a few wet days. You should also consider getting suntan lotion which will be waterproof, as you will still experience very hot and sunny weather even when it is rainy.
The average sea temperature is very warm at 29°C and there are 6 hours of sunshine a day at this time. This means that you may need to think more carefully about how you plan your days, using forecasts as well as thinking about what you want to do and when. Going on a day trip could see you coming back to the hotel at night if you do not plan properly. This is a big contrast to February, when 9 hours of sunshine a day give you a lot more time to get things done.
The Hotel Casa Panama offers a luxury stay which will certainly distract you from the June rains. A central courtyard is designed around Roman aesthetics, and they offer two restaurants for you to attend. Beauty and spa treatments can also be booked in.
For an authentic old-world feel, try Casa Antigua. It is right in the heart of the old town area, with a rooftop terrace and café for you to enjoy. They also have a team dedicated to arranging excursions and activities for you to take part in.
The American Trade Hotel is a very chic and upmarket hotel in a restored building, also in the old town area. Here you will find beautifully appointed rooms that you might never want to leave. If you do, you are close by plenty of great local attractions that need exploring.
Since the average sea temperature this month rests at 29°C, you would be mad not to visit the beach at least once! It's amazing to feel just how warm the water can be, a fact that will no doubt surprise you greatly. One of the places where you can go to experience this is Farfan Beach. This is just across the Panama Canal from Panama City, offering you the chance to explore the other side of the water.
This is a great little beach with views out across the water that are truly stunning. From here you can take in the skyline of Panama City, as well as enjoying the views out across open water. You can also admire the Bridge of the Americas, which is easily visible from here.
Caffe Per Due is an Italian style café that you will find in the old town area. It is run by real Italians and they have brought delicious pizza along with them. You can also enjoy cocktails here, and can choose to dine in the restaurant or out on the patio.
Ego y Narciso is known just as Ego to the locals, and it is certainly well-known to them. It is a classic of the area, offering seafood served fresh with Peruvian and international styles. It offers outdoor and indoor seating on the Plaza Bolivar for great people-watching opportunities. Their signature dish is steak and gnocchi.
The Las Clementinas Cafe & Bar, meanwhile, offers a great place to spend the whole night moving from dinner on to drinks. It is also a boutique hotel, serving gnocchi, risotto, and catch of the day. Italian food is very popular in Panama, and it is done very well here.
So long as the rain is not coming down, June is a great time to explore Panama, with both indoor and outdoor ideas open to you. You could explore the Plaza de Francia, for example: a historic landmark with great views out over the rest of Panama City. This was the main square of the old town, and today serves as a monument to the building of the canal. You can learn about it on plaques around the square.
Otherwise, head indoors at the Iglesia del Carmen. This is a very beautiful old church with lots of elaborate architecture, both inside and out. It has some truly magnificent features, and also functions as a church to this day: you can catch a mass if you want to.
