Panama
Panama is much more than just the Panama Canal which is connecting the North Atlantic Ocean via the Caribbean Sea with the North Pacific Ocean. Panama is a small county in central america which is often overlooked because of the more well-known neighbors of Costa Rica and Columbia. Panama has islands in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean sea, it has highlands covered with dense forests and jungles with flowers, and there is crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. The capital Panama city is a big metropolis with a huge skyline. It is the center of international banking and trade.
While being in Panama City I need to walk through the modern city with skyscrabes and shops. But I am recommended to spend most of time in Casco Viejo, an old historical quarter which is really charming and lively. Casco Viejo is very pretty with old buildings and you get a little of this Havanna wipe. So definite a place I have to see.
Panama City is surrounded by rain forest and The Metropolitan Natural Park is recommanded to see it feels like a true wildlife refuge despite being just a 10-minute drive from downtown. There is lots of good trails here and one of its hills gives you a great panoramic view of the city.
Panama Canal is probably what comes to your mind when thinking of Panama. There are some viewpoints in Panama City that you can visit and the best known is Miraflores Locks. You have a fantastic view of the locks from the observation deck. In the ‘visitor center’ you will find an extensive exhibition about the history of the Panama Canal.
Boquete is a small town in the mountains with cool and fresh climate and beautiful surroundings. Alot of fruit, vegetables, flowes and coffee is havested here because the area is very fertile because it often rains. Here you have the possibility for walks in the Parque National Volcan Baru for some stunning views where you can see both oceans at the same time. You can visit a coffee farm where they explain about the process of planting, harvesting, drying, roasting and packaging. Here you can taste some very good coffee.
Santa Catalina is a small fisher town on the Pacific coast of Panama. Here you can go on a diving and snorkeling trip to Isla de Coiba. The waters around Coiba are amazing, filled with rays, sharks colorful fish, and fantastic reefs. To get to Catalina you take the bus to Sona and change bus to Santa Catalina. It is a tip for about 7-8 hours.
Bocas del Toro is a beautiful Caribbean archipelago off the east coast of Panama near the border of Costa Rica. There are about 9 inhabited islands and over 200 islets in Bocas del Toro. The main Island, Isa Colon and its central hub known as Bocas Town is popular amongst backpackers and young travelers, giving it a very fun party vibe, but there are plenty of other more serene islands if that is what you prefer. The Red Frog beach is one of the most famous beaches of the Bocas del Toro. The island has its name from the red frog that you can find there. You have to pay an entrance to be allowed to enter the nature reserve, but if you are lucky you can see sloths, caimans, birds and of couse the red frog. The beach can only be reached by a water taxi from the surrounding islands.
San Blas Islands is a popular day or overnight tour from Panama City is to the Islands of San Blas, known locally as Guna Yala. If your time in Panama permits at either the beginning or end of your trip, this stop comes highly recommended. You can only go to San Blas on a organized boat tour. The Islands are some of the most picture-perfect, untouched, remote islands in Panama. So much so, that the only accommodations are mostly local huts made from natural materials found on the islands, many with sand floors. Of the 378 islands in the archipelago, only 49 are inhabited. The islands are governed by the natives, known as Kunas or Gunas and tourists are not able to visit the islands freely in order to preserve their authenticity. You may not even take a coconut from the islands, as that is their main export and would therefore be considered stealing! There is no running hot water, virtually no electricity, and an entire island could share one bathroom, however, the setting is simply paradise on earth.