Month guide · Panama City · Panama
Panama City in August
What August is really like in Panama City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kiam-shim, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Humid, with afternoon storms; the city celebrates its founding anniversary in mid-August.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in August
August is the 8th-warmest month in Panama City: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 31 days. Compared with July (31°C (88°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:10
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:35
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Early rainy season (May–July). Hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms and green forest; mornings are usually fine for sightseeing.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in August
- Founding of Panama City anniversary (15 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Canal Zone
Panama Canal partial transit
Tour boats run partial transits through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks and along part of the Culebra Cut on selected days, so you rise or fall in the chambers alongside cargo ships.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Views
Landmark · Casco Viejo
Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
Walk the bougainvillea-covered promenade at sunset for views across the bay to the towers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Iglesia de San José
This simple church hides Panama's best-known altarpiece, the Altar de Oro, a baroque altar of carved mahogany covered in gold leaf.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Art
Religious site · Casco Viejo
Catedral Metropolitana
Sit on the plaza after visiting the cathedral and the canal museum, which is on the same square.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Panama City.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 24°C and 17 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Panama City?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, January–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Panama City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Panama City?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Humid, with afternoon storms; the city celebrates its founding anniversary in mid-August.
+How warm is Panama City in August?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Panama City in August?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.