Strategically located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama is not only the home of one of the most important shipping routes of the world, but also a unique travel destination for ecotourists as well as for beach-goers and outdoor sport enthusiasts. With its stunning palm-framed beaches, blooming tropical rainforests and interesting indigenous cultures, Panama is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Central America for a reason!
Attraction number one. An excellent place for starting your adventure in Panama is the famous Panama Canal, which is not only an important shipping route, but also an impressive scenic monument with stunning landscapes and plenty of unspoiled Central American nature to be explored. Not to mention the fascinating cities such as the seaside capital Panama City on the southern end of the canal, or Colón that together with Lake Gatun provides settings for the northern part of Panama Canal.
Besides the canal, Panama is home to many small beach and nature destinations. Some of the most attractive of these are San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro. These tropical holiday paradises on the Caribbean coast of Panama offer excellent surroundings for a relaxing beach holiday, or for a more active outdoor holiday filled with activities such as diving. The San Blas islands also offer an interesting cultural treasure, the traditional lifestyle of the Kuna Indians who own these scenic small islands. The Pearl Islands off the Pacific Coast of Panama are another choice for exclusive tropical island paradise in Panama, while the many national parks in Panama, such as Volcan Baru and La Amistad offer excellent settings for hiking and birdwatching in Panama.
Tourism in Panama. Panama is a growing tourism destination that has been listed as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the American continent. Although tourism infrastructure of the country is still developing, good services for accommodation, restaurants and nightlife are found in resort areas and big cities such as Panama City. Elsewhere in Panama tourist services are quite basic, but yet very suitable for ecotourism or independent travel.
Panama, an ecotourism destination with the famous canal
The southernmost country of Central America, the small Panama boasts two coasts, both with numerous tropical islands. You can find enjoyable beach holiday destinations from both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama, as well as extensive jungles in its interior, added with colonial historical sites, indigenous villages and lively tropical cities.Attraction number one. An excellent place for starting your adventure in Panama is the famous Panama Canal, which is not only an important shipping route, but also an impressive scenic monument with stunning landscapes and plenty of unspoiled Central American nature to be explored. Not to mention the fascinating cities such as the seaside capital Panama City on the southern end of the canal, or Colón that together with Lake Gatun provides settings for the northern part of Panama Canal.
Besides the canal, Panama is home to many small beach and nature destinations. Some of the most attractive of these are San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro. These tropical holiday paradises on the Caribbean coast of Panama offer excellent surroundings for a relaxing beach holiday, or for a more active outdoor holiday filled with activities such as diving. The San Blas islands also offer an interesting cultural treasure, the traditional lifestyle of the Kuna Indians who own these scenic small islands. The Pearl Islands off the Pacific Coast of Panama are another choice for exclusive tropical island paradise in Panama, while the many national parks in Panama, such as Volcan Baru and La Amistad offer excellent settings for hiking and birdwatching in Panama.
Practical information for your stay in Panama
Weather in Panama is tropically warm with steady temperatures around the year. Although temperatures in Panama are almost the same no matter which time you travel, amounts of rain in Panama vary greatly between different seasons. The best time to visit Panama is during the dry season from January to April.Tourism in Panama. Panama is a growing tourism destination that has been listed as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the American continent. Although tourism infrastructure of the country is still developing, good services for accommodation, restaurants and nightlife are found in resort areas and big cities such as Panama City. Elsewhere in Panama tourist services are quite basic, but yet very suitable for ecotourism or independent travel.
Photo: Dsasso, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
English is spoken in the main tourist areas and the Caribbean coast of Panama, but some Spanish skills are needed for independent travel. In addition to the local currency, Balboa, US dollars are widely accepted in Panama.
Flights to Panama are widely available, in addition to which this Central American country is reachable by road from Costa Rica. Roads in Panama are generally in good condition, except for those in Darien province located near the Colombian border. This border area is a place where drug smuggling causes severe problems, and where violent attacks towards visitors can happen. Therefore, Darien region is a potentially dangerous travel destination suitable only for guided speciality tours. The city of Colón and some parts of Panama City also suffer from violent crime. Otherwise visiting Panama is not dangerous if you follow normal caution procedures such as staying away from suspicious neighborhoods after dark and keeping your valuables hidden. Car doors should be kept locked when driving, especially in the big cities of Panama.
History of Panama from Spanish explorers to the Panama Canal
Found and settled by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, Panama is familiar to Spanish influences as well as home to several indigenous cultures. After nearly 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, this Central American area joined with newly independent Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador to form the republic of Gran Colombia. Panama gained independence from Colombia in 1903 with US support. Panama's most important strategic asset, the Panama Canal which links the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, was completed soon after that in co-ordinance with the US Army. After nearly a century under US administration, The Panama Canal area was returned to Panamanian rule in late 1999. Today, Panama is an international business center and one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America.hint See also these nearby destinations: Panama Canal
