Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to Panama
From clear turquoise seas to the coffee farms and cloud
forests of ChiriquÃ, Panama can be as chilled out or as
thrilling as you wish.
Endless Summer
With a spate of deserted islands, chill Carib bean vibes on one side and monster Pacific
swells on the other, Panama sits poised to deliver the best of all beach worlds. And a
whole other world begins at the water's edge. Seize it by scuba diving with whale sharks
in the Pacific, snorkeling the rainbow reefs of Bocas del Toro or setting sail in the indigen-
ous territory of Kuna Yala, where virgin isles wear nary a footprint. Meanwhile surfers
will be psyched to have world-class breaks all to themselves. Hello, paradise.
Cosmopolitan Panama
The dazzling blue coastline and shimmering skyscrapers say Miami, though many joke
that you hear more English spoken in Panama. Panama City is nothing if not culturally di-
verse and driven, rough-edged yet sophisticated. Always a work in progress, construction
is underway to add a subway and complete the massive canal expansion. But it's the par-
ticulars that make it special. Pedal the coastal green space, explore the historic Casco or
attend an avant-garde performance and you will realize this tropical capital isn't just about
salsa, that's just the backbeat.
The Great Outdoors
In Panama, nature is all about discovery. Explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Carib-
bean coast or boat deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe. Wildlife is incident-
al: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail, the unruly troupe of screeching howler
monkeys outside your cabin or the breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an
adrenaline-filled event. Adventure tourism means zipping through rainforest canopies,
swimming alongside sea turtles or trekking to sublime cloud forest vistas. One small trop-
ical country with two long coasts makes for a pretty big playground.
