Panama is a beautiful country that lies on a narrow strip of land and acts as a connecting bridge between the two American continents. With the Atlantic on one side, and the Pacific on the other, Panama holds a plethora of experiences ranging from white sand beaches, numerous islands, dense lush rainforests, booming flora and fauna, rich marine life, mangroves, indigenous villages, and historical towns. If offers intimate connections with nature and a whole new world you could not have imagined. Also, make sure you pick up a famous Panama hat!
Panama Canal
Of course, the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear ‘Panama’ is the legendary Panama Canal, one of the most important sea passages of all time and a wonder of the modern world. This is an artificial water passage that was created to connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
The Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel locks and Gatun locks are the three sets of double locks. Around fifteen thousand ships pass through the canal each year. The Miraflores Visitors Centre is a great place from where you can observe the proceedings of the canal, along with some scenic views of the blue waters.The Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel locks and Gatun locks are the three sets of double locks. Around 15,000 ships pass the canal each year. The Miraflores Visitors Centre is a great place from where you can observe the proceedings of the canal along with some scenic views of the blue waters.
Panama City
The capital of the country, Panama City, is where a trip usually begins. It is a typical cosmopolitan city with skyscrapers, fast-paced life, and the rush of vehicles. The Casco Viejo, the colonial part, Metropolitan Park, Amador Causeway, and the Panama Canal are popular places. You can access almost any part of Panama from here, and as such, it is a great base from where to kick start your Panamanian adventure.
El Valle de Anton
El Valle is a beautiful scenic town that is nestled amidst mountains, peaks, vegetation, and rivers. It is a central town located in the Cocle province and is just a few hours away from Panama City. This sleepy highland village is a popular attraction for nationals and tourists as well. There are amazing trails for trekking and hiking given the number of waterfalls and mountainous regions here; the best trails lead to places like the Cerro Gaital, India Dormida, and Chorro Macho. The El Nispero Zoo and Garden, Butterfly Haven and the El Valle market are other popular spots.
San Blas Islands
The San Blas archipelago consists of around four hundred islands, of which only fifty are inhabited. It provides a great opportunity to go island-hopping with its pristine settings and rich biodiversity. The capital El Porvenir, Carti and Suguptu are the most popular islands. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing are the most famous water activities here. A significant part of the archipelago is home to the indigenous community known as the Gunas.
Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo means ‘Old Quarter’ in Spanish and it is the historical part of Panama City. It is a World Heritage site that exhibits great colonial architecture and fading facades in pastel shades. It is very small and expands over just four avenues. There are numerous cathedrals, museums, theatres, and plazas. It is also a great place for shopping. Also, make sure to check out the local cuisine and savor the delicious dishes of the tropics.
Isla Taboga
Also known as ‘island of flowers’, Isla Taboga is just 20 km away from the hubbub of Panama City. Apart from the beautiful beaches, there are adventurous trails as well to Cerro Vigia and Cerro de la Cruz. Snorkeling, fishing, whale watching, paddle boarding, and nature tours are popular activities. There is a wildlife reserve, Uraba, and Iglesia de San Pedro, an extremely ancient church.
Gulf of Chiriqui
The gulf will offer you the best tropical coastal experience and impress you more than anything you could have imagined. Complete with sandy white beaches, tropical rainforests, exotic flora and fauna, refreshing trails and the majestic Pacific waters, Golfo de Chiriqui will present you with the best beach vacation of all times. There are dozens of islands here and most of them are uninhabited. Boca Brava, Isla Secas, Isla Palenque, Coiba National Park and the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park are the best places to visit here.
Pedasi
Pedasi is a beautiful town located on the Azuero Peninsula and is a favorite stop for surfers. The town has beautiful colonial structures which makes it all the more charming. Playa Venao and Isla Iguana are great options for day trips from here. The food here is amazing; the seafood and cakes are some of the best in the country.
Bocas del Toro
Bocas Town is situated on the southern end of Isla Colon, which is one of the main islands in the archipelago, and regarded as one of the most naturally diverse places on earth. Bocas Town serves as the best jumping-off point for exploring the Bocas archipelago. The Finca Los Monos Botanical Garden and La Gruta, a bat cave, are popular attractions. There are also several diving and surfing schools that organize day tours as well. Also, do not miss the nightlife here as it is one of the best in the Caribbean!
Santa Catalina
It is one of the best surf spots in the country. It is located close to Coiba Island and you can also take a trip there to visit the park for amazing scuba diving and snorkeling. Estero, La Punta, and Punta Brava are the best surfing spots and suit both beginners and advanced surfers. Playa Santa Catalina is a beautiful black sand beach where you can simply relax or get pumped up with a game of volleyball.
Pearl Islands
The archipelago of Pearl islands consists of around two hundred islands with stunning beaches and rich natural vegetation that lies off the Pacific coast. The islands got their name due to the unbelievable amount of pearls that were found by the Spanish during the colonial period. Contadora Island is the most popular one and has amazing resorts and water activities. Isla Saboga and Isla del Ray are other favorites.
Soberania National Park
The Soberania National Park is located 25 km from Panama City and is credited as one of the best birdwatching areas in the world. It covers 55,000 acres of secondary rainforests with the Chagres River snaking through the park. Over five hundred species of exotic birds nest in these forests and it is also the only spot where you can find the crested eagle. There are also over a hundred species of mammals, eighty reptiles and fifty amphibians that reside here. The pipeline road trail is the best option to spot the highest number of birds. Some of the most exquisite birds here are the Harpy Eagle, red-bellied woodpecker, ground cuckoo and yellow-eared toucanets.
Boquete
Boquete is a hill town located in the province of Chiriqui and is a popular retirement abode. Its cool temperature, scenic landscapes of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and coffee attract visitors throughout the year. The river Caldera runs through the town and the hike to Volcan Baru is very famous. You can enjoy climbing, rafting, touring canopies and relaxing in hot springs. El Explorador and Parque Jose Domingo Medica are beautiful gardens that house hundreds of floral species. There is a large immigrant community as well with more than three thousand ex-pats from thirty countries.
Coiba Island National Park
The park was formed in 1992 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the range of ecosystems and biodiversity it holds. The park includes Coiba Island, which is the largest island in Central America, more than thirty smaller islands and surrounding waters. There are more than twenty different species of marine life; thirty species of shark, including hammerhead, guitar sharks and whale sharks; two hundred species of birds; and seven hundred species of fish. More than a thousand varieties of flora are found in the island’s rainforests, which is also home to exotic wildlife. Multiple species of bats, monkeys, reptiles, and insects that are slowly disappearing from other parts of the world are found here in plenty.
Darien National Park
Darien National Park is one of the biggest treasures of Panama and the planet as well. The park is massive and seemingly endless; it is the largest protected area in Panama. It serves as a natural bridge between the two continents, North and South America and extends all the way to the Amazon. Here you can find a microcosm of nature with its endless rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, rocky beaches, rivers, waterfalls and mountainous regions. You will find that the park is still wild, raw, and unchanged artificially by humans; and continues to thrive just like it has done for centuries.
The Harpy Eagle, Central American Tapir, brown-headed monkey, white-lipped peccary, jaguar, Giant Curassow and Great Green Macaw are some of the rarest species that are found here among hundreds of others.
Articles About Places In Panama:
