Panama, a thin strip of land spanning two oceans and home to rainforest and mountainous terrain, is at the crossroads of two continents and cultures. It’s a country with a lot to offer: the Panama Canal, a booming coffee industry, and tropical beaches are just a few of the things you’ll find here. It also holds an intriguing balance between fast-paced cosmopolitan life and traditional earth-centered cultures, science and nature, and exhilaration and serenity.
It’s the perfect place for a Latin America adventure if you’re looking to combine modernity with nature and history. The Panama Canal is a hive of activity and an amazing engineering feat, while the country’s islands and rainforest are full of biodiversity. You can get a taste of the local culture with indigenous tribes and immigrant communities, or see how the locals live by visiting one of Panama’s famous artisan markets.
The capital city of Panama travel is less exotic than other Central American cities, and can be more similar to Miami in style. Skyscrapers fill the skyline in the business district and many of the city’s neighborhoods have a suburban feel. However, there is still plenty to do in the city, from visiting a sloth sanctuary on Monkey Island inside Soberania National Park to zip-lining and swinging off the top of a building with Poin Panama (on Mondays you can get a 2×1 special).
A trip to Panama isn’t complete without exploring some of the country’s gorgeous beaches. From Bocas del Toro and the San Blas Islands to Playa Venao and Portobelo, there are countless stretches of coastline for you to explore.
If you’re a water sport enthusiast, then you’ll love the opportunities to snorkel or dive in both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. Alternatively, you can go kayaking or sailing around the 2000 islands that make up this country. Hiking and waterfalls go hand in hand, and Panama has a number of spectacular ones for you to discover. You can hike through jungle trails that take you back in time or climb to the top of a volcano for a sunrise view of both oceans.
If you’re more interested in culture and cuisine, then you’ll want to head to Panama’s highlands in El Valle de Anton. Here you can experience the beauty of the mountains, forests, and jungles in a more relaxed way than in Panama City. Here you can do some hiking, learn about the indigenous culture, and even visit a coffee farm.