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STI destination photo
PTY destination photo

STIPTY

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides a stunning vantage point for the Panama City skyline and the Pearl Islands during the final approach, as well as the southern coastline of Haiti shortly after departure.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
⛰️

Cordillera Central

Spectacular views of the Caribbean's highest mountain range, including Pico Duarte, immediately after takeoff from Santiago.

🏖️

Tiburon Peninsula

The rugged southern coastline of Haiti, featuring sharp cliffs and turquoise waters as the flight crosses towards Panama.

🏝️

Pearl Islands

A breathtaking archipelago in the Gulf of Panama, visible during the descent into PTY when the flight paths circle south.

🏙️

Panama City Skyline

Unobstructed views of the dense forest of skyscrapers in Costa del Este and Paitilla during the final approach.

🌉

Amador Causeway

The thin strip of land connecting the mainland to four islands near the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal.

Choose a window seat on the left for the best photo opportunities of the Panama City skyline, which is often dubbed the 'Dubai of the Americas.' Mid-morning flights are ideal as the sun is high enough to illuminate the skyscrapers without creating excessive glare. During the descent, look for the contrast between the modern city and the surrounding tropical greenery.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🌾

Cibao Valley

The lush agricultural heartland of the Dominican Republic visible during the initial climb out of STI.

🛶

San Blas Islands

The stunning Guna Yala archipelago, consisting of hundreds of tiny coral islands along Panama's Caribbean coast.

⚓

Limon Bay

Dozens of massive cargo ships and tankers anchored in the Caribbean, waiting their turn to enter the Panama Canal.

⚙️

Gatun Locks

The massive original locks of the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel visible as the flight approaches the isthmus.

🌳

Chagres National Park

Dense, vibrant green tropical rainforest that covers the central part of the Isthmus of Panama.

The right side is excellent for viewing the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Keep an eye out for the San Blas Islands as you approach the Panamanian coast; they look like tiny white specks surrounded by turquoise halos. Afternoon flights on this side may experience some glare when looking west, so keep the window shade partially down if the sun is direct.

Top Activities in Panama City
Route Information

Distance: 1,488 km (925 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 59 min

Departure: STI (19.406099319458008, -70.60469818115234)

Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)

Route Type: International

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