Bits of Information about Your Panama

Pleasant folks, busy metropolis, the rainforest with teeming birds and other animals, fresh evening putting out flowers' scent, tranquil warm beaches as well as cool mountains, these are generally one of several remembrances you can take along in one of your Panama tours.

The country of Panama offers significantly diverse attractions intended for visitors of all ages, experiences and expectations to the country. See for yourself probably the most modern-day metropolis inside the American Caribbean and experience how their locals value their native culture and history.

Did you know?

Panama was first discovered by the European conquistador Christopher Columbus in the year 1494.

Panama is found at America, made up of different societies and conventions that have made a special and nature's domain. Indigenous, American, Asian and European societies consolidate to make an intriguing and great nation in the Caribbean.

The city of Panama is the sole cosmopolitan city on the planet where you can discover rainforests within the city. The city offers Panama excursions including, rainforest tours, museum tours, shopping, and delightful parks. You will be delighted to know that you can visit the Panama canal, the Taboga Island, amazing shores, and the Pacific Coastline within an hour!

Panama acts as a natural land bridge that links North and Central America with South America and the islands surrounding it. The flora and fauna of its rainforest is the main attraction to the city.

Whether visiting Panama for the city life leisure or a fun rainforest adventure, the city can cater to both interests! See and explore for yourself the beauty and enjoyment Panama can offer!

Interesting Facts:

1. There are five areas in Panama that have been declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO.
2. Seven of the 12 zones in Panama is important to sustain the land´s principal ecosystems.
3. Panama has a world record-holding fishing grounds.
4. Gatún Lake was named the world's largest man-made lake until 40 years ago. It measures around 262 square kilometers.
5. The Panama Canal took 10 years to build with 75,000 people as workforce with an average cost of $400 million.

How Do You Travel to Panama Canal

Panama canal is one of the Caribbean’s fast growing tourist attraction that attracts cruise lovers, nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Panama canal tours grow in following each year and this makes Panama an eye for travelers all over the world.

Would love to see Panama? Panama excursions need not exclude a tour to Panama’s famous engineering wonder. The Panama canal is built to provide a a water way that will let you cross the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The whole stretch can take up to 8 hours of ship travel. Have a cruise while crossing these two oceans; riding aboard a canal cruise.

The Miraflores Visitor center provides a good view of the vessels traveling the canal. It also has a theater inside, observation terraces and also snack bars and restaurants that gives a good view of the canal. For memorabilia’s there are gift shops and four exhibition halls inside too.

Booking a cruise to the Panama canal is not that hard as you may think of it. Here are some tips you can consider of you want to experience a Panama canal cruise.

1. Book a cruise to the formidable cruise lines. Of course you want to take your cruise to a memorable experience and you may want to have it to the best cruise institution around. Having it booked to the known cruise lines will assure you of a one of a kind touring experience. The known cruise lines that gives Panama canal cruise includes Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Celebrity and Disney. They give cruise through the canal that also has cruise to and from California to Florida.

2. Read travel resources. Reading blogs, articles and other travel resources that will give you an introduction to the cruise, its important points you must take into consideration to like prices, details of the cruise, and reviews will get you an overview of what to experience on the said tour. It will give you a thing to consider like pre-cruise tips and know how’s. There are things to need to bring to a cruise, which you will see when you check out some travel resources. 

Having a Panama cruise is beyond a doubt the most sought after and dreamt vacation of people who wants to visit the Caribbean. 

Seven Living Indian Tribes in Panama

Despite the evolving generation, there are still ancient tribes living around secluded and under urbanized places of Panama. They are the natives of Panama whom contributed to Panama’s history and the evolution of their economic growth even before all these advancements. 

Include in your Panama tours a visit to one of the ancient village and get to see these ancient tribes; interact with them, and see how they adapt to the modern traditions but still incorporating the old habits they have been used to during the old times.

Learn more about the seven known tribes of Panama. Panama excursions include giving you information about these tribes. 

Panama’s Seven Living Indian Culture

Embera and Wounaan

They live in the Darien forest, Embera Indians migrated from South America when the Spaniards set foot on Isthmus. Men and young boys wear loin clothes while the women and young girls wear colored skirt with a necklace made of coins and a flower on their head. 

Kuna Indians

Kuna Indians inhabit the islands of San Blas. They had their own government separated from Panama’s major governing body. Kuna are a vacation destination in their own particular right, and their generally dressed ladies are a significant component of Panama's urban scene, offering their workmanship at the city's principle vacationer venues.

The Ngöbe Buglé

They are the most populous of all Indian tribes in Panama. Residents are found in the provinces of Chiriqui, Veraguas and Bocas del Toro. 

Bokota

Bokoto people is an ancient ethnic group living in Bocas del Toro Panama. They share residents with the Teribe tribe.

Guaymí

Seen in the Western Panamanian provinces of Veraguas, Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, Guaymi tribe or the Ngabe speak in Chibchan language. 

Talamanca

Talamanca are autochthonous people of the northern Panama. They used to living by utilizing running water and a very limited amount of electricity. 

Teribe

Teribe are the most diminutive and minimum known indigenous tribes in Panama. Both have populaces of just a couple of thousand and live along the Panama-Costa Rica fringe. Starting now, they have no autonomous areas.

Image credits: vogue.it

The Top Panama Favorites

Not only does the Panama Canal defines what Panama can offer, but there are also a bunch of exceptional holdings that most people can enjoy. Located on the boundary of North and South America, lies this country which incorporates both influences of the northern and southern neighbors. Enumerated in this article are the top favorite Panama city tours, attractions in the metro, and even the rural areas that anyone should not forget to consider upon visiting Panama.

Panama Canal. No wonder that Panama Canal tops our list, for over the past century, this became the most defining asset of the country. When we say Panama, well then, Panama Canal follows. This top pick is also considered as one of the world’s most terrific alternate routes. It directly crosses through the isthmus of Panama thus joining two of the world’s greatest depths: the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Its primary purpose is to serve as a key channel in international naval transactions. And just as how striking it is to view such huge compartment ships crossing through the canal is the eye-catching scenario of wildlife in its margins.

Rainforest. In any country, it is always a delight for travellers be acquainted with its rainforest, where lives—industrial progress, wildlife, and raw materials came from. Also, exploring the Panamanian rainforest offers an exhilarating natural beauty that will keep you coming back. There are also different rainforest adventures like zip lining and hiking tours that will add up to your eco-journey experiences.

Panamanian Beaches. Another asset worth notifying is Panama’s world-class coast waters. Here you’ll find glorious tropical island beaches that will suit any trip-seeking taste. For thrill finders, you must try surfing through the waves of Panama or just taste the serene ambiance for those who want tranquility.

Panama City. As lonelyplanet.com describes it, Panama City is considered as the ‘most cosmopolitan capital in Central America’. The Panama’s largest city, though constituting of soaring buildings, exuberant nightlife and busy airports, is also surrounded by tropical rainforests. Despite the modernization that probably entered your mind at first, Panama City is also a great place to delve into the country’s cultural heritage through its colonial ruins at San Felipe, and the first European City at the Pacific named as Panama Viejo. Come to Panama City and experience yourself the warm accommodation it has to offer.

Bocas del Toro Archipelago. This is probably the top favorite, described as Panama’s top vacation spot. If anyone wants an unforgettable vacation, then he must try going to Bocas del toro. With its lush vegetation, diving and snorkeling adventures, and different indigenous groups, it’s no wonder that Bocas del toro is a real biological dream.

The Captivating Bocas del Toro in Panama

Bocas del Toro enthralls its guests on account of its astonishing vegetation. Definitely, Bocas del Toro is among the exciting Panama tours you can take and see the land’s treasured possession.

Mouth of the Bull is the literal English translation of this province with a capital city of the same name in Panama, Central America. Its territory is 4,643 square kilometers, embodying the terrain and nine principle islands. The provincial area comprises of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Bahía (Almirante Bay), Laguna de Chiriquí (Chiriquí Lagoon), and adjoining territory. The capital city is Bocas del Toro or Bocas Town on Colón Island. Other major cities are Almirante and Changuinola. Bocas del Toro province has a populace of around 125,400 as of 2010.

Its capital city, Bocas del Toro is a top of the line tourism spot on the Caribbean with its outright heaven of white sand shores, banana ranches, rich rainforests, coral reef, turquoise oceans, outlandish marine life, and mangrove bays.

What to See and Do:

Scuba Diving

Yet a well-known travel end, Bocas del Toro is still fundamentally obscure as scuba diving spot. Nonetheless, it offers an incredible, diverse acquatic life. Because of the smooth conditions of the sea and exceedingly competitive valuing, Bocas is around the most perfect spots to take part in scuba diving.

Surfing

Bocas del Toro is a flawless decision assuming that you are wanting to have a go at surfing in Panama. It offers an extensive variety of effectively assessable surf spots for diverse levels of experience. November to April are the months recognized to be top season, and also June through August. There are two incredible learner spots to begin your surf experience; in the Dark Rock, Carenero and Wizard Beach, Bastimentos Island. Plus, there also a number of spots for the experienced surfer. Bocas del Toro had hosts some major surfing competitions internationally.

Rainforest Adventure

For the travelers who want to experience the wild, and the fauna and fiona of Bocas del Toro, its wondrous rainforest is a must see for you. There are abundant sight of the lush green plants and different species of animals around the major rainforests in the area; Isla Bastimentos and La Amistad International Peace Park. Stay for the different activities to try on the rainforest, plan your Panama excursions, and be ready to connect yourself with nature in this side of the Caribbean. 

Image credits: tripadvisor.com

See Baru Volcano National Park

The Baru Volcano is the highest point in Panama at 3,475 meters (11,400 foot) high. Baru Volcano is a dormant but potentially active volcano just south of the Continental Divide in western Chiriqui Province. It is surrounded by a fertile area of cool highlands drained by the Chiriqui and Caldera rivers, whose waters generate hydroelectric power for the entire country. The town of Boquete is on the eastern side, while Volcan and Cerro Punta can be found on its western side. 

Baru Volcano National Park. The Baru Volcano National Park is 500 kilometers from Panama City in the province of Chiriqui, on the Cordillera de Salamanca. It covers an area of 14,325 hectares (35,000 acres) and has a highly priceless geological and ecological scenic landscape which protects the biological diversity with some unique species of this area. The park was established in 1976 and is the national park of Panama with a volcano. The park composed of highlands species and the remains of the last blast of the Baru Volcano that happened a millions of years ago. You will also find a tropical rainforest landscapes in this park. With pleasant temperatures between 20°C at the lowest points, to 10°C on the top of the volcano. The combination of volcanic remains and the forest is in tune with the agricultural activities that are normal for this altitude.   

Ways to get there. Once you are in Panama City you can take a 1-hour flight or a 6-hours drive to David. Once you are in David, you could have the possibility to rent a car or an easy access to Boquete and the park this will take a 30-minute trip by car to Boquete at 40 kilometers or 25 miles. From Boquete you can reach the Park’s main entrance, the route to the top.

Things to do and Where to go. There are multiple ways of getting in touch with the nature that the visitors will surely enjoy. Some tracks, like La Nevera and Los Qeutzales (from Cerro Punta to Boquete) can provide the fine-looking attraction of the tropical rainforest and its habitat. The incline slope of the volcano, 3,475 meters (11,000 foot) above sea level, may possibly be made by a strong 4x4 vehicle and could take up to 45 minutes or on foot around 4 hours and will bring back memories of the origins of the American Continent. 

Throughout this climb, you will have the opportunity to see the evidence of the last eruption. Once you reach the top with good weather conditions you might see the most incredible view of Panama’s both oceans the Pacific and Caribbean. You can also take some of the routes leading to the different craters of Baru Volcano and see birds that are endemic there. Some fast flowing rivers like the Chiriqui Viejo, are used for rafting and canoeing. You can also enjoy bird watching at El Respingo near Cerro Punta or for collecting some of the many wild orchids, ferns or moss that grow in this area. 

Having a Panama City Tour

Panama offers visitors the opportunity to experience its fascinating glimpse. A trip that will allow visitors to see many attractions in the most efficient way to get to know Panama City’s interesting spots within a short distance of one another. You’ll not just enjoy the whole tour but you will also be educated about the development of the Panama Canal and its economic impact. You can get see both the historic and modern aspects of Panama City. And you will be guided by a well versed, educated and English speaking tour guides.

The Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. One of the three locks in Panama Canal. It si raised about 8 meters (26 feet) to the Miraflores Lake. Along the way, you are able to see ships passing by. You will also enjoy a documentary about the creation of the canal, its economic and strategic impact.

The Panama Canal Museum. While passing the canal you will have the opportunity to watch the wonderful work. A close overview of the French and American ways to approach the canal construction, interesting artifacts and props.

Casco Antiguo. It showcases a breath taking view of Panama City, also called San Felipe. While touring the Casco Antiguo you will see different historic buildings such as San Jose Church, home of the Baroque Golden Altar. The Cathedral, it was built in 1798. Composed of two styles, Colonial in its central front and Neoclassic styles in its two towers, located in Plaza de la Independencia or Main Square. The National Theater, The Old Slave Market and The Old Spanish Prisions.

Mi Pueblito. It is located in the Ancon Hill in Panama City. It’s a replica of a typical Panamanian Colonial town with the Pollera Museum, the typical dress worn by Panamanian women during Carnavales.

Amador Causeway. Perfect for tourist who love the beauty of the ocean. You will enjoy the view of the ocean while jogging, biking or skating and just simply as walking. It is a three island united with the mainland by using materials removed during the Panama Canal excavations.

The Old Panama Ruins. Panama La Vieja ruins are located in the east side of Panama City. Found August 15, 1519 by Governor Pedrarias Davila. It is now on the other side of the city where Casco Antiguo is located. Because the city was burned down several times and many attacked by pirates that’s why Panama La Vieja never reached its development.  

Image credits: city-sightseeing.com