Panama
Perhaps a destination that does not get the recognition it deserves for its rich cultural tapestry and natural wonders, Panama really varies from Pacific beaches to tropical rainforests. Panama City, a modern metropolis, showcases the historic Casco Viejo and the iconic Panama Canal. Explore the biodiversity of Bocas del Toro’s archipelago. Boquete’s highlands offer coffee plantations and cloud forests.
The Azuero Peninsula is where you will find Panama’s folkloric culture – a combination of Spanish origins with native Panamanian influences. This is a particularly artistic part of the country where you will find beautiful typical Panamanian skirts called ‘polleras’ and many handicrafts based on pre-Columbian designs.
Bocas del Toro consists of an archipelago of three main islands: Isla Bastimientos, Isla Colon, Isla Carenero, and you can easily hop between islands with quick scheduled boat services. It has a fabulous Caribbean flavour, is backed by lush tropical rainforest and is also home to some of Panama’s indigenous communities.
The Chiriquí highlands offer a welcome breath of fresh air from the heat and humidity you’ll find in the rest of the country. The fertile volcanic soils produce numeros crops – notably cacao, tropical fruits and coffee.
Panama City is a city of contrasts – from the Miami style skyscrapers along the coast, to the beautiful colonial Casco Viejo (old town), and on to the Panama Viejo site, where the original city was built in the 1500s. It’s also backed by thick rainforest, which makes wildlife spotting activities very accessible.
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