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| Unless you are a frequent cruiser, you probably don’t hear much about traveling to Panama. Until now, that is. The Latin American country has quickly become the hot spot, and it has received major recognition in the tourism industry. National Geographic recommended Panama as one of the best places in the world to visit this year, while TripAdvisor users chose it as one of the top 10 destinations for food and wine in 2011. Why is Panama getting all of this attention? Panama attracts tourists who are looking for culture, history, comfort, entertainment, shopping, adventure, and more. It is a one-stop shop for every type of traveler. The scenery is gorgeous everywhere you look, from the islands to the volcano tops, exotic flora and fauna in the rainforest, and the wild animals indigenous to the area. I recently watched a documentary about the creation and work involved completing the Panama Canal, and it was truly amazing. Considered the eighth wonder of the world, the Panama Canal is an absolute treat for all who experience it. If you prefer to travel by ship, major cruise lines run one-way routes between Los Angeles and Miami. Or you have the option of flying into Panama City and exploring the country any way you want at your leisure. Panama is one of the most developed countries in Central America, and the travel systems are both great and reliable. You might want to take advantage of today’s technology trends while visiting. For example, Virtual Tourist maps are available to download on most mobile devices or directly from this link: http://m.visitpanama.com. This download features updated maps on all domestic destinations, photos, and other information that makes traveling easy and educates you before and during your trip. Another bit of news to encourage travelers to visit Panama is the fact that the hotel industry has heavily invested in building new properties. Hotel chains including Hilton, Trump, and Starwood have opened new hotels to meet the growing tourism boom not only in Panama City, but on the Pacific coast as well. Foodies will be excited to hear about Panama’s agritourism program. What a great way to enjoy a destination by feasting on local foods with local people. For those wanting to experience the country’s rural areas along with nature, ask your travel agent to set you up with one of the 105 farms that have been certified to operate in agritourism; over 35 offer accommodations and host visitors. Immerse yourself in coffee planting and harvesting, cultivating exotic fruits, or raising thoroughbred horses, all the while embracing your surroundings in a foreign place. There is a lot to do here, and it spans from intense adventure to deep relaxation. You can’t travel this far and not do something exciting, so consider hiking to the top of Volcan Baru, one of the two volcanoes in Panama. The little over four-hour trek brings you to the peak of an inactive (but not extinct) volcano, where you can spend the night in the valley formed by its crater. How about white water rafting? Hundreds of rivers flow through the country, allowing for great opportunities to raft on the fresh water. The rapids rate from easygoing Class II rapids for newbies to exhilarating Class IV rapids for experienced rafters. Or if you want to play in the water but are looking to have more control, take advantage of the great beaches by surfing the waves. With the Caribbean on one side and the Pacific on the other, it will be hard to choose if you can only visit one coastline. The good thing is that both oceans offer great water sports, including snorkeling and SCUBA, surfing, kayaking, fishing, and of course, long strolls along the beach. If you are more of the city type and want to stay close to Panama City, you may want to walk through the International Friendship Park, Parque Soberania, the Chagres, El Valle, and several others. And when you are ready for nightlife, Panamanians are notorious for staying up late into the wee hours of the night. You may want to experience the discotheques and bars, art shows, and people-watching. If you happen to get sick, the government gives tourists free health care for 30 days when they enter the country. Where else can you get that? And of course, a trip is not complete unless you go shopping! Panama is the “Miami of Latin America,” and it even has a duty-free zone. With modern malls and boutique shops, worldwide brands are at your fingertips. Then there is the Panama Canal, which I highly suggest you visit. Take a tour, visit the museum, and watch firsthand how those huge ships pass through the locks. If you are interested in a lengthier visit, take the train cross-country, which runs parallel to the Panama Canal. It offers informative guides who can answer any of your questions while they explain various facts along the way. You might have noticed that I did not give you specifics on where to stay, where to eat, and what outfitters to use like I normally do. That’s because when you go to Panama, you need to have a sense of adventure! Even if your only plans consist of lying on the beach and taking walks in the jungle, make sure to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Talk with your travel agent and tell him or her what you would like to do. Then let the agent plan your trip so it will be full of surprises, in addition to including everything you want to do. Panama is called the “hidden gem between two seas,” so go explore it and find your own treasures. Editor’s Note: Jackie has been a freelance writer for four years. She specializes in luxury, sports, and adventure travel, health and fitness, and product reviews. Her work has appeared in publications including Colorado Golf, Desert Golf, and Canadian Architecture & Design. |
Keep Your Sights on Panama! |
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