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Panama …. the time to go is now……
Real travelers love Central Americas – south or central. With turquoise seas & lush forests, magnificent Mayan ruins, bustling markets & flourishing farms, Central America is packed with opportunities to chill out – or thrill out. . The word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go, Panama is an absolute experience. From clear turquoise seas to the coffee farms & cloud forests of Chiriquí, Panama can be as chilled out or as thrilling as you wish. You just come prepared to be charmed & we will help you discover……
Tiny on a map, Central America packs in more diversity than any similar-sized area on the planet. It may be the size of Texas, but its rich mix of people & cultures has created a diverse & dynamic society. With more than 20 Maya languages spoken, Guatemala is the region's indigenous heartland. The Spanish left their mark throughout the region, with majestic colonial plazas, fervent beauty contests & silent hours of siesta. African culture permeates the Caribbean coast, from Congo rebel traditions to Garifuna drumbeats. And the last century brought the rest of the world - Asians, Europeans, North Americans - along with a coat of modernity that dressed up Panama City into a contemporary capital.
With chilled-out Caribbean vibes on one side & monster Pacific swells on the other, Central America sits poised to deliver the best of all beach worlds. From deserted playas to full-moon parties, this tiny region can deliver just about any sun-soaked experience that your inner beach bum desires. Plus, there is that magnificent, mysterious world that begins at the water's edge. Seize it by scuba diving with whale sharks in Honduras, snorkeling the world's second-largest coral reef in Belize, getting stoked on Costa Rica's world-class surf breaks, or setting sail among Panama's virgin isles. Hello, paradise….here we come.
Eight countries with 300-plus volcanoes & two long tropical coasts make for a pretty big playground. Paddle deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe, or explore the remains of Spanish forts on the coast. Zip through rainforest canopies, swim alongside sea turtles or trek to sublime cloud-forest vistas. Everywhere you go, you will be accompanied by a wild cast of characters: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail; an unruly troupe of howler monkeys screeching through the canopy; or a breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an adrenaline-rush event. Your adventures are limited only by your will.
The Mayan territory sprawled from Mexico to Honduras, with ruins in five present-day Central American countries. Visit them to step into a mysterious, spine-tingling universe. Explore the lost temples of Tikal, soaring above the Guatemalan jungle canopy. Investigate otherworldly Palenque & Tulum, perched above the crashing surf. See jaguars carved to life at Copan, and find out why Chichen Itza is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Discover a culture that harks back 4000 years - the greatest pre-Columbian civilization - and still persists today.
No matter when you visit, or how long you are there, daily adventures come in all styles - fun, easy, bumpy, challenging, surprising, fulfilling - the sort you will be talking about for decades.
Caribbean white-sand beaches & offshore reefs border lazy backpacker towns while, not far away, coffee-scented mountains reach, Dr Seuss - like, through smoke-ring clouds. Spanish haciendas line the cobblestone streets of 16th century colonial towns under the ominous gaze of lava-gurgling volcanoes. Wander through dense jungle to find Mayan pyramids that date back a millennium as bulldog-sized rodents scurry past and howler monkeys commute in the treetops above you.
Best are the people you will meet. Skip from country to country on open-boats over chocolaty waters, witness colorful modern Mayan life, not much changed over the centuries, or kick back in a Garífuna village, the home to African-Carib culture. Excellent Spanish schools abound so try a border-crossing study hop or stay with a local family to discover more about daily life.
In this mix lies the Republic of Panama.
Panama is one of the world’s most historical & beautiful travel destinations ever. A country on the isthmus linking Central & South America, it is also fortunate to border both the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans. This geography provides them with non-stop sun & sand with over 1000 miles of beaches & more than 1500 islands. One small tropical country with two long coasts makes for a pretty big playground. In a world where wilderness & native cultures are disappearing, Panama - against all odds - continues with its essence intact.
In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos & nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district & the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park. The dazzling blue coastline & shimmering skyscrapers offers a sweeping Miami-like skyline, though many joke that you hear more English spoken in Panama than in Miami. Panama City is nothing if not culturally diverse and driven, rough-edged yet sophisticated. Split into three parts, Panama Viejo (Old Panama), Casco Viejo (Old Crown), & Modern Panama, Panama City offers three very different experiences. For example, the renovated historic Casco Viejo offers incredible architecture, views, cobblestone streets, and a feel of old world. On the contrary, Modern Panama offers a sweeping Miami-like skyline including great restaurants, nightlife, and wonderful shopping. Central America's first subway is ready & a massive canal expansion nears completion. Take in the city's funky particulars. Pedal the coastal green space, explore the Casco or attend an avant-garde performance and you will realize this tropical capital isn't just about salsa: that's just the backbeat.
One of the most infamous attractions in Panama is the Panama Canal. The man-made Panama Canal cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic & Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. Watch and learn how the Pacific and Atlantic are joined together by incredible ingenuity.
In Panama, nature is all about discovery. Soak in the spray of towering waterfalls near highland Santa Fe. Hike along the 10,000-foot extinct volcano and see the elusive Quetzal and discover seven different indigenous Indian tribes that thrive in Panama preserving their own ancestral customs and crafts through community tourism.
Explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast or boat deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe. Wildlife is incidental: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail, an unruly troupe of screeching howler monkeys outside your cabin or a breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an adrenaline-filled event.
Travel inland a bit and discover rainforests that are among the richest & most complex ecosystems on the planet. Trekking through sublime cloud-forest vistas of the rainforests, watching Congo drumming & sailing between pristine tropical islands offer wonder & delight. The wildlife viewing is astounding both in expected places, like the waters of Isla de Coiba, & in patches of preserved forest just outside the capital.
With a spate of deserted islands, chill Caribbean vibes on one side and monster Pacific swells on the other, Panama sits poised to deliver the best of all beach worlds. And a whole other world begins at the water's edge. Scuba dive with whale sharks in the Pacific, snorkel the rainbow reefs of Bocas del Toro, swim alongside sea turtles or set sail in the indigenous territory of Guna Yala, where virgin isles wear nary a footprint.
Panama is a confluence - an explosion of nature, cultures & beliefs in that messy, musical arrangement that's everyday life in Latin America. All that energy feeds you, and you see the world in new ways. Panama is as wild as you want it to be……..
History & a unique experience amidst an idyllic scenery are just the beginning. Savvy travelers have already flocked here - come before everyone else catches on! Yep, Panama is waiting……& The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.
Come……be inspired & discover the World with us
We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Panama. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences………
