Panama sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

Not many countries in the world cover the territory of fifteen hundred islands. Panama is a diverse country, where visitors can enjoy observation of historic sites and beautiful nature. The country is most known for the Panama Canal, the making of which opened a passage between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. However, there is much more to see in the beautiful country.

What you need to know about Panama prior to visit - advices

1. Tourists in Panama should be aware of the high level of crime in the country. It is better to generally avoid deserted places. Most importantly you …
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Bocas del Toro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. This is a chain of islands located in the northwest of Panama. It’s easy to reach the islands from the mainland on one of numerous boats. As Bocas del Toro is located not far away from the border with Costa Rica, many tourists from there come to visit this beautiful place for a few days. Beach rest, scuba diving and snorkeling, watersports and nightlife are the most popular entertaining activities. In Bocas del Toro one can observe rich underwater life and swim with dolphins and reef sharks, or rent a bike and explore the islands.

Boquete is a mountain part of the country, which is approximately 1,000 metres above the sea level. This region is famous for one of the best coffee in the world and is very popular with fans of eco-tourism, who come to enjoy cooler weather and Volcan Baru. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

What to see and what to visit in Panama with children

In Panama, absolutely everyone can find entertainment to fit their every taste, so the country is suitable for traveling with children. The flora and …
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Panama is home to many national parks, many of which are added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Coiba National Park is one of them. The park covers whole Coiba Island, the largest island in Central America. The Darien Gap National Park is primarily famous for a natural bridge that connects Central and South America. Impenetrable in some parts, the park is a great place to see pristine tropical nature, rare animals and birds. La Amistad International Park is also a beautiful place located on the border with Costa Rica, so it is managed by the both countries.

The Panama Canal is a grandiose man-made 77km long canal built across the Isthmus of Panama. Its opening had crucial important for maritime trade. Travellers are recommended to visit the canal and see how ships are put into locks and then lifted 26m above the sea level to enter mad-made Gatun Lake.

Shopping in Panama - best shopping places, what to buy?

Shopping lovers are advised to check out Panama’s shopping centers, but its flea markets as well. In addition, high-quality and often unique …
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The Capital of the country, Panama City, is a modern metropolis with some interesting historic sites, such as the Casco Viejo area added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area is a great place to see colonial buildings and learn more about the pirate past of the country.

History and Entertainment

The European discoverer of Panama is Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas who visited for the first time in 1501. A year after, the lands he had discovered were visited by the team of Christopher Columbus. At that time, the territory of the present country was populated by Indian tribes of Choco, Kuna and Guai. The first Spanish colonies were formed in the new lands in 1510. In 1519, Panama was established. At the end of the 17th century, Scottish colonizers fought for the right to control the territory of Panama. They established a large trade colony.

When and where to 'hang out' in Panama - festivals and celebrations

Christmas is celebrated from 24th to 25th December by Panamanians. From the beginning of the first winter month, the people of Panama start preparing …
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The Scots had populated Panama for three years and then were expelled by Spaniards. In 1821, Panama gained independence from Spain and became a part of La Gran Columbia. It became independent of it in 1903. Panama had been seeing the colonial times for over 300 years. This period is reflected not only in unique historical monuments. Many national traditions were borrowed by local residents from Spaniards, for example, the tradition to celebrate some holidays. The national cuisine has Spanish roots too. The most popular national drink here in coffee.

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Panama guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Panama

Reference information

Map of all parks

National and city parks of Panama
♥ National Park 'Camino de Cruces' . On the map Show on the map

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♥ National Park 'Cerro Hoya' . On the map Show on the map

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♥ National Park 'Chagres' . On the map Show on the map

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♥ National Park 'Coiba' . On the map Show on the map

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♥ World Heritage Site 'Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection' . On the map Show on the map

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Famous and uniques places in Panama from our review series

Albrook Mall

From the series “12 Largest Shopping Centers Worldwide”

Albrook Mall is the space’s leader in the North and South America. It was opened in 2003 and its trading area is near 380 thousand square meters. There you can find over 550 shops. The mall has a very interesting history. It was built at the place of the old useless base of Air Force of the USA. No less than thirty thousand people visit the shopping mall yearly. A quarter of them is foreigners.

The staff of the mall consists of 10 thousand people. Apart from the shops, it offers a great number of interesting entertainment areas. There you can also find restaurants, a modern cinema, beauty salons, and several play centres for children of all age. People, who once visited "Albrook Mall", say that the mall has huge halls, that resemble busy streets.

The halls have a thematic design, … Read all

Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama

From the series “Famous Unesco Sites in North America”

Panama, the capital of the eponymous state, has a picturesque historic district. Panama Viejo is a great old city that was once destroyed by pirates. The city was founded on the Pacific coast as far back as 1517. At that time, it was the utmost European city of the continent. Since its founding, Panama Viejo had a single meaning. It was an important defensive point of the trade route from Peru to the Old World. It was used for transporting precious metals and treasures of the Incas.

Two years after the founding, Panama Viejo gained the status of a city. At that time, the population was about one hundred people. For many years, the city valiantly defended against pirate attacks. Only Henry Morgan managed to conquer it. He captured the Panama Viejo in 1671. The city was completely … Read all

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

From the series “Fancy Houses and Hotels Located on Water or Under Water”

Over Water hotels have long been popular with modern tourists, among the most interesting and famous hotels of this category Punta Caracol hotel is especially worth noting. This hotel is located in Panama, on the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. It is a complex of nine individual thatched-roofed villas that have been built on stilts above the water. The villas are interconnected by a convenient system of wooden bridges. The over water hotel is popular with fans of relaxation in exotic places, as well as tourists who are in search of seclusion.

Tree served the main building material for the construction of the hotel, as well as bamboo. All the villas are characterized by an incredibly beautiful design in a national style. In some villas a huge four-poster bed has been installed, they are in … Read all

All unique sightseeing Panama

Panama sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

History and Entertainment

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Panama

Famous and uniques places in Panama from our review series

Albrook Mall

Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

Sightseeing in popular cities of Panama

Map of travel guides to Panama cities