Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
expansion at the nearby
Gatun Locks
. Using
Portobelo
as your base, explore 16th-cen-
tury Spanish forts, boat out to deserted island beaches, scuba dive or attend a festival.
Return to Panama City to travel to the
Península de Azuero
by bus. From time to
time traditional festivals take over the streets of these tiny colonial towns. If your visit
coincides, join the revelers! Otherwise, check out workshops where regional artisans
craft Panama hats, lace dresses and colorful
diablo
(devil) masks. Make your base
Pe-
dasí
for leisurely trips to the beach and a friendly village atmosphere. Move on to the
more remote
Playa Venao
to enjoy a pretty half-moon bay, meet other travelers and ride
some waves without the crowds. If turtles are hatching, it's worth making the pilgrimage
to
Isla de Cañas
.
When you're ready, return to the capital and take a 4WD or flight to
Kuna Yala
, a
string of hundreds of pristine islands ruled by the Kuna. Thatched huts on dozens of is-
lands run the gamut from bare-bones to creature comfort, with meals and excursions al-
ways included. Snorkel and swim to your heart's content, or charter a sailboat for the
grand tour. Highlights include snorkeling the reefs and wrecks of
Cayos Holandeses
and
meeting the locals on the tiny community island of
Isla Tigre
.
At the end of your trip, return to Panama City via
Burbayar Lodge
, in a stunning
mountain setting on the edge of the Kuna mainland, with great hiking and wildlife-
watching. If you are heading on to South America - and bent on adventure - consider a
three- to four-day sailing or boat trip to Colombia.