Panama High Season 2026–27: When Shuttles Fill Up and How Far Ahead to Book
From mid-December to Easter, Panama is at its busiest. The dry season brings sunshine to the Pacific coast and the mountains, Panamanians travel for the holidays, and visitors from North America and Europe arrive at the same time. Shared shuttles between Panama City, Santa Catalina, Boquete and Bocas del Toro carry a limited number of seats, so the popular days go first.
This guide shows the weeks that fill up fastest in the 2026–27 season and how far ahead we recommend booking, so we can plan pickups, drivers and vans before you arrive.
The weeks that fill up first
- Christmas and New Year (about 20 December to 2 January). Families head to the beach and the mountains, and hotels in Santa Catalina and Boquete fill up. It is one of the busiest times of the year on the roads.
- Mid-January festival weeks. The Panama Jazz Festival has been announced for 14 to 16 January 2027 in Panama City, and Boquete's Flower and Coffee Fair usually runs for about ten days in mid-January. Routes to and from Boquete get busy.
- Carnival (Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February 2027). Panama travels in all directions over the long weekend, and Tuesday 9 February is a public holiday. Plan to arrive before Friday and leave after Wednesday if you can.
- Holy Week (21 to 28 March 2027). Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, and Holy Thursday and Good Friday are among the busiest travel days of the dry season.
How far ahead to book
As a simple rule: the busier the week, the earlier you book.
- Christmas, New Year, Carnival and Holy Week: book as soon as your dates are fixed, ideally three to four weeks ahead.
- Rest of December to April: one to two weeks ahead.
- Green season (May to November): a few days ahead is usually enough, except on holiday weekends.
- Groups of five or more: write to us as early as possible, so we can assign the right vehicle or plan a private transfer.
Booking early is not only about getting a seat. It lets us confirm your pickup point, plan connections with boats and tours, and give you a clear departure time the day before.
Plan around your Coiba day
If you are going to Coiba National Park, the boat leaves Santa Catalina early in the morning, and the meeting point is at 8:00 AM. Travel to Santa Catalina the day before your tour, so a late arrival never costs you the boat. In high season, book the Coiba tour and the shuttle together.
How to secure your seat
- Send us your route, date and number of travelers on WhatsApp or by email.
- We confirm availability and the departure time.
- A small deposit per person secures your seat, and you pay the rest to your driver.
- The day before, we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp.
Our full timetable and prices are on the shuttle schedule page. For the terms, see the booking policy.
Frequently asked questions
When is high season in Panama?
Roughly mid-December to Easter, during the dry season. The busiest weeks are Christmas and New Year, Carnival (6 to 9 February 2027) and Holy Week (21 to 28 March 2027).
How far ahead should I book a shuttle in Panama?
For Christmas, New Year, Carnival and Holy Week, book three to four weeks ahead. For the rest of the dry season, one to two weeks. In the green season, a few days is usually enough.
When is Carnival in Panama in 2027?
Carnival runs from Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February 2027. Tuesday is a public holiday, and roads and shuttles are very busy over the long weekend.
Should I travel to Santa Catalina the day before my Coiba tour?
Yes. Coiba tours meet at 8:00 AM in Santa Catalina, so arriving the evening before is the safest plan.