Panama: The Forgotten Neighbor is written Rikke Bank Egeberg
Join us on an adventure to Panama
Panama is for you who like culture, exotic beaches and hiking. At the same time, it is obvious to visit the country if you do visit Costa Rica or Colombia. Because I can just as well reveal that what you can experience in Costa Rica you can also experience here. When you travel to Panama it just feels more untouched.
Panama City
Panama is Central America's answer to Switzerland. A great landing is guaranteed, whether you arrive in Panama City day or night, because the city is most reminiscent of all of Miami with its many skyscrapers. They look great from a distance, but it's boring to live there.
If you have several nights in Panama City, you should stay in Casco Viejo, the old town.
World Heritage in Panama: Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo is the old town and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Since you may be jet-lagged after arriving in Panama, it's all about taking advantage of the early mornings, for example watching the sunrise over the rest of the city from one of the many rooftop terraces. Casco Viejo is located on a half-island, so yes, here the beautiful skyscrapers return to their rightful place: At a distance and with silencehavet between.
The large fish market Market of Marisco is close by. Here you can go down after your morning coffee and see what the night's catch has brought in. At the same time, it is fun to experience how things are done crosswise in the best Latin American way.
Many of the city's chefs and restaurateurs come here to buy the fish and shellfish of the day - sort of la Boqueria on the Rambla in Barcelona.
Ancon Hill, Panama City
In this part of town you will also find Ancon Hill, which is a superb half-day experience. Ancon Hill can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the city, and was used as the headquarters for the operation of the Panama Canal when the United States was in control in the 70s.
Today, people still go because the house where the current CEO of the canal lives, and that view we are probably more who dream of.
From Casco Viejo it is a three-hour hike, where you finally stand on the lookout and have a fantastic panoramic view of the canal and the city.
Panama's wildlife – sloths and toucans
Then there is the wildlife. Panama City is said to be the big city in the world where the jungle is closest, and therefore it is not unusual to see a handful of sloths and a few toucans on the road.
Do yourself the favor of taking a guided tour of the city jungle so you will get the most out of the trip. Because in addition to the tropical animals, you also get a much better insight into Panama's wild history, which includes pirates, dirty weapons deals and drug smuggling.
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The Panama Canal
When you travel to Panama, you must without a doubt stop by the famous locks at Miraflores. The place where Quiethavet and the Caribbean Sea become one with each other.
What is interesting about this place is that it is the same lock methods they have used since the canal was founded in 1914 by the Americans. They took over construction from the French, who began it all in 1880. The French had to give up due to too many deaths, in which malaria, dengue and yellow fever killed large parts of the workforce.
Isla Flamenco
For those who love cycling, it is obvious to spend half a day renting bikes and driving out to see Isla Flamenco near Panama City. On the way there is a multi-coloured architect-designed bio museum with exhibitions about the country's diversity. On the cycle route along the water, you can also see all the ships waiting to get permission to sail through the canal.
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is both a province and the name of the surrounding island sea as well as the capital of the main island of Isla Colón. Here is full of backpackers, small fine shops and cozy, Caribbean-inspired restaurants.
If you are looking for beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, this is an obvious choice on your trip to Panama.
Here on the island, it is popular to rent bicycles and drive out to Playa Bluff. Along this cycle route, you are guaranteed to have a small discussion with yourself about whether you should just move here and throw away your mobile phone.
Playa red frog
Playa Red Frog is known for its red frogs, but don't worry they are on the swampy side of the island. On the other hand is a beach where you almost feel like you are alone and that is despite a few hotels.
If you are looking for lunch, it is recommended Palmar Beach Lodge. A small lodge in the best glamping manner where you live in nice tents, in the best jungle style. This can be recommended a night or two to get a little away from the Bocas del Toro itself. Remember to see the starry sky in the evening.
Boquete
Boquete is a four-hour drive from Bocas del Toro, and is therefore ideal to visit either on the way to Bocas or afterwards.
Boquete is a small town known for its nature, and it is precisely here that you should go hiking and experience the beautiful area with beautiful waterfalls and nerve-wracking suspension bridges. Here you get really close to the beautiful nature when you travel to Panama. The area is also known for its coffee plantations. An exciting counterpart to the popular Monteverde in Costa Rica.
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San Blas Islands
Everyone is talking about San Blas Islands, and for good reason. These protected islands must be experienced on a day trip, 3 day trip or for example a 365 day trip! Here is an island for every day, ie 365 small islands, as if they were all part of a classic bounty commercial. Here you will find no all-inclusive resorts or large cars. At San Blas there are only small cabins and the local fishermen.
The indigenous people, the Kuna Yala Indians, have the rights to this paradise. There are also those who have the right to fish here, but don't worry; a kilo of freshly caught lobsters costs 35 Danish kroner, so it's pretty manageable prices.
If you are on your way to or from Colombia, you can choose to sail through this island sea instead of flying.
This will probably be only the first of many trips to Panama – really good trip!
Here are 5 sights you must experience in Panama
- The Panama Canal
- Bocas del Toro Islands
- Casco Viejo (Panama's Old Town)
- Boquete
- San Blas Islands
Did you know: Here are the 7 best food cities in the world according to Tripadvisor's millions of users
7: Barcelona in Spain
6: New Delhi in India
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