Month guide · Panama City · Panama
Panama City in January
What January is really like in Panama City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LWY from Pasadena, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Panama City. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 11.7 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and breezy, the start of the best season; the jazz festival usually takes place this month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 3rd-warmest month in Panama City: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with December (31°C (88°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:37
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:17
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F)
Transition (December). Rains taper off, trade winds return and the city fills up for Christmas and New Year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Panama Jazz Festival (usually January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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
Historic site · Panamá Viejo
Panamá Viejo
The ruins of the first city, founded in 1519 as the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas, lie about 8 km east of Casco Viejo.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Amador
Amador Causeway
Rent a bike or surrey near the start of the causeway in the late afternoon, when it is cooler and the skyline catches the sunset.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa
Cinta Costera
The coastal park built on reclaimed land along Avenida Balboa has kilometres of walking and cycling paths, sports courts and playgrounds facing the bay.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Views
- Active
The sea averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Panama City.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 23°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Panama City?
One of the best months to visit Panama City, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–April. Compare every month.
Panama City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Panama City?
It is one of the best months to visit Panama City. Dry, sunny and breezy, the start of the best season; the jazz festival usually takes place this month.
+How warm is Panama City in January?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Panama City in January?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.