TOURISM IN PANAMA
Panama has the most accessible exotic nature in the world. For example, the Panama Canal Rainforest is one hour from the international airport. As a narrow land bridge connecting two continents, it has national parks covering 5 million acres. There's saying: "In other countries you have 20 tourists looking at one bird, while in Panama you have one tourist looking at 20 birds." A key indicator of its bio-diversity: 944 recorded bird species, more than the U.S. and Canada combined.
1. Kuna Yala
Imagine a turquoise tropical archipelago with one island for every day of the year. With white sand and waving palms, these Caribbean islands cheat no one’s version of paradise. The Comarca is home to the Kuna, the first group in Latin America to gain indigenous autonomy. Though they have had contact with Europeans since Columbus sailed these waters in 1502, clan identity is paramount, and many make tenacious efforts to preserve a traditional way of life.
In 2009 the road to Cartà was completed, making the region far more accessible than it has ever been. Still off the beaten track, this narrow, 226km-long strip on the Caribbean coast stretches from the Golfo de San Blás to the Colombian border.
Community islands are acre-sized cays packed with bamboo huts, livestock and people. Visitors often prefer the more remote outer islands with few inhabitants. Most areas require landing fees.
2. Bocas Del Toro
It is difficult to express in a few words what you can feel when you visit the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Only some places around the world keep this particular atmosphere, seductive, primitive and unforgettable. Bocas del Toro captivates its visitors because of its amazing vegetation, its biodiversity, its ancients customs: it is a real biological fantasy...
3. La Yeguada
La Yeguada is located in Calobre, Veraguas and is the first forest reserve of the country. It was created in 1960 to protect the basin of San Juan River in order to supply clean and abundant water to the Yeguada hydroelectric plant. This area is now one of the best camping sites in the country because of its beautiful lakes, rivers, waterfall and mountainous scenery.
In addition, this Forest Reserve is the location of one of the oldest experiences of reforestation with Pinus caribaea in Central America, which began in 1967 (mainly by women) and now has over 2,000 hectares planted in harvesting state.
This place is perfect to enjoy and relax with the family you can BBQ, go swimming in the gorgeous lakes and admire the magnificent mountains.
There are not many services in this area, so you need to come prepared. You will only find one rural toilet and you can get water from the park ranger’s office.
This forest reserve is a protected area under the responsibility of ANAM (National Authority for the Environment) so there is an admission fee to access and a camping permit fee.
Admission Fee:
USD 2 per person + USD 2 per car
Camping permit: USD 5 per tent per day.
4. El Canal de Panama
The Panama Canal is a man-made canal completed in August 1914 that runs through the middle of Panama, connecting North America and South America, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Visitors to the canal are able to explore its visitor center just outside Panama City or take a ride through its locks aboard a ship.
Entrance: 15 USD
5. The Mercado de Mariscos
The Mercado de Mariscos is the city fish market, open for business to local restaurants and the public every day except the 3rd Monday of each month when it is closed completely for thorough cleaning. It's the best place to buy fresh fish in Panama City - everything from tuna to snapper to lobster to octopus - or ceviche to go from one of the many vendors. It's bustling with energy like a true open market and there is a very good casual restaurant upstairs.