TOP 10 WHAT TO VISIT IN PANAMA? - TERRENOS BOCAS DEL TORO

Panama is the isthmus between Central and South America. A republic located between Costa Rica and Colombia, a country bathed by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, a land with forests, seas and mountains. Undoubtedly, a destination to discover, full of history, culture and adventure. If you are thinking about traveling there, take note of this top of 10 sites to visit in Panama :

► Capital Panama: The three cities and the Canal

1. The “Commercial Hub of the Americas”: This is the name of the modern part of the city located in the bay. It stands out for its tall skyscrapers that coexist in turn with a tropical forest within the same city, something unique in the world. It is a place full of incessant cosmopolitan activity, with multiple leisure offers, a booming commercial district and also great business opportunities.

2. El Casco Antiguo: Every great city is made of contrasts and has a history behind it. The one in Panama dates back many years and still retains the old town that was a key point in the Spanish colonial era. Strolling through its narrow cobbled streets, we can see buildings built from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.

3. Panama Viejo, the ruins of the Original City: But the origins of the colonial city of Panama date from 1519, when the Spaniards erected it as “the main city for the conquest of Latin America”. There passed many of the treasures that the settlers took away from the Inca empire. In 1671 the British pirate Henry Morgan decided to plunder it by destroying everything in its path. You have to visit the historical museum and better if you can count on a guide.

4. Panama Canal: If Panama is known for something, it is for its already centennial channel. A spectacular and unique engineering work that connects two great oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific. It extends for 80 kilometers from the capital city of Panama, on the Pacific coast, to Colon, in the Atlantic, crossing the continental divide. There are two visitor centers that offer a variety of recreational and didactic activities.

► Going outside, a lot to discover

5. Bocas de Toro: This archipelago is one of the main attractions of the country for coral reefs, dolphins, tropical birds and its crystal clear waters. It is made up of 9 islands, 52 cays and thousands of islets. The most comfortable thing is to stay in Isla Colón and, as a must, visit the National Marine Park of Bastimento .

6. Santa Catalina: What was a modest fishing village has become one of the best surfing enclaves in Central America , equipped with facilities, hotels and hostels that try to respect the nature of the place. The best season to catch waves is in February and March.

7. Isla Coiba: From Santa Catalina we can access Isla Coiba, a virgin paradise that will delight lovers of scuba diving.

The National Park is rich in tropical flora and has a unique fauna, so it is a must.

8. Peninsula of Azuero: It is the area with the greatest Spanish influence and that is reflected in its colonial houses. There we will find ranches, hills and, of course, beaches that include Playa Venao and Sunset Coast.

9. Guna Yala / San Blas Islands: A tropical archipelago of turquoise waters located southeast of Panama and consisting of more than 360 small islands and reefs. It is the home of the Guna, an indigenous group with recognized autonomy.

10. Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé and Emberá -Wounaan. But if we want to immerse ourselves in the Panamanian indigenous culture it is best to visit one of these two regions (or both). The Ngobe Buglé are the indigenous group with the largest population in the country. In Emberá live different towns that have remained almost the same as when Columbus arrived in the s. XVI.

As you can see, in Panama there is no lack of anything, besides, its numerous festivals and celebrations stand out, from traditions of Panamanian folklore to modern jazz festivals, passing through ancestral indigenous rituals. & nbsp;