So much more than just a canal (Panama)

Member Name: bigronny

Product:	Panama
Date:	20/05/01 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: natural beauty, friendly people, loads to do and see

Disadvantages: I found none

When I close my eyes, I'm in a hammock in Panama. It's tropically hot, but that's fine, there's a breeze and I've got a gin and tonic next to me.

When you think Latin America, Panama probably doesn't spring to mind. It’s overshadowed by its neighbour Costa Rica, dwarfed by Mexico, and Belize has the advantage of being English-speaking. But don’t dismiss it. It's as beautiful, and can match anywhere for sandy beaches, dripping rainforest, traditional villages, and latin spirit. If you’re quick you’ll beat the rush to develop for tourism.

Flying there is easy, either via the States with one of their airlines, or via Spain with Iberia. The currency is the US dollar but officially called the Balboa (1 Balboa = 1 dollar) and they mint their own coins. You'll find that a lot of people speak English, but the experience is so much better if you try and speak Spanish, and people appreciate your effort.

You’ll have heard of the canal. Running north/south across the country (Panama runs East/West, despite being part of the link between North and South America) it provides a passage for huge vessels between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In fact, most are built to fit the canal, and the locks are open to visitors so you’ll get the chance to see how they squeeze through. Around half the canal was original the course of a river, so it winds through rainforest rather than being a concrete channel. Control of the canal was gradually ceded to Panama by the States, ahead of the official handover in December 1999.

The canal is above sea level, so that freshwater flows out at each end. That means they needed a constant source of water, which has left Panama with another major asset, a strip of rainforest that runs almost the width of the country. Preserved to protect the watershed, and minimise silting of the canal, it now provides an ecotourism attraction. Tours are run into t
he forest for birders and anyone interested in wildlife. It has to be the easiest place on the planet to get into tropical rainforest. The wildlife's been well protected, and you should see toucans, agoutis, and howler monkeys, and if you’re lucky perhaps sloths, anteaters, and peccaries.

Panama City lies at the mouth of the canal on the Pacific Coast. You can visit the two previous incarnations of the city to the east and west, destroyed when Panama was a point on the Spanish gold route. While plundering South America the Spaniards were robbed by British naval heroes (or pirates, depending on which version of history you’ve heard). But be careful and don’t go close to dark, as both are near to poorer areas of the city. Panama also has its share of big business, and the skyscrapers right on the Pacific coast are impressive.

Travel westwards is simple, along the Panamerican highway, running all the way through Central America. The Pacific coast has plenty of wide sandy beaches for a break in your journey. There are lots of interesting villages, particularly on the Azuerro peninsular. Closer to Costa Rica the terrain rises, and the two share an enormous cloud forest reserve, Parque La Amistad. If you’re lucky you’ll see Quetzals (a little emerald of a bird, with stunning long tail). Boquete is a good place to stay, very picturesque in the mountains and with plenty of small hotels.

For diving, try Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast to the west. Very laid back, very Caribbean.

Another option is the ‘beautiful port’, Portobelo, further to the east. Dive companies are everywhere, but take time out to visit the old Spanish forts, with their cannons still in place guarding against long-dead pirates.

The jewel is to the east though, again on the Caribbean coast. The Comarca de San Blas is a semi-independent region, governed by the Kuna Indians. It's made up of an area on t
he mainland, and then a string of dazzling islands. Patches of white sand and coconut palms in a sparkling blue sea. You can fly there from Panama City for around $50 return, and half the fun is the journey: an 8-seater plane landing on an airstrip the width of the island. There are small family-run hotels on most of the larger islands. I can recommend Hotel San Blas, but you've got plenty of options. They’re basic, but they’ll feed you well, and take you out in a boat each day to a different island to snorkel or just relax on the beach. It has to be seen to be believed. Definitely one of my favourite places on this globe.

The country forms a gateway, between the two continents and the two oceans. Get there before the traffic gets too busy.

Treat yourself to some memories.

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