Posts tagged International Travelers
Panama West
Oct 22nd
Panama has become one of the most popular destinations for international travelers. And while most people may associate it with the Panama Canal and its beautiful islands and beaches, there is more to the country. Plan a visit to Panama West to discover a side to the country that is often hidden from tourists.
The Western part of Panama is roughly divided into two by the Cordillera Central Mountains that carry on till Costa Rica. Much of the northern area in this region is undeveloped and holds a beauty that only land untouched by human development can hold. It is sparsely occupied in areas by indigenous tribes. To the South of the mountains lies the ‘el interior’, the agricultural heartland. This part of Panama West is mostly under agriculture and heavily populated.
Places of Interest
In the Western most part of the Panama, bordering Costa Rica are the Chiriqui Highlands. If you truly want to discover the beauty in the diverse landforms in Panama then do visit this region. You can take a flight into David, the capital of the province.
Many travelers have come here on holiday and settled down in a land they love and care for. The Volcano Baru lies here and is also the highest peak in the country. It is not surprisingly a frequent haunt for the people of Panama, when they want to get away from the heat to the cool environs here.
The land here is rich in minerals and anything that grows in it seems to flourish. Here you will find the mountainside full of orange trees and coffee plantations that produce some of the finest coffee in the world. The towns of Cerro Punta and Boquete are good tourist destinations. You can make them your base when you want to explore the Chiriqui Highlands. If you are planning a visit, time it so you can be here for the coffee harvesting season, which is in January. The towns also have their annual flower festivals at the same time.
Activities
Besides discovering the rugged and rustic beauty of the region you can also plan to take a tour of the coffee plantations. A hike into the cloud forests is quite literally a dream come true for nature lovers and avid bird watchers. This region is home to some unique birds such as the Black Faced Solitaire. This bird makes a sound like that of chimes. The forests are also home to wildlife such as Puma and the Tapir. Your trek up the mountains will take you through orchid covered trees and those laden with one of the world’s most nutritious fruit, the avocado.
Another great way to see Western part of Panama, that you would otherwise miss, is on a raft. The Chiriqui Highlands offer terrific white water rafting, for both beginners as well as experts. The rivers here have Class III and class IV rapids and promise you an experience of a lifetime. There are plenty of professional rafting companies here and you can plan on a day long trip or opt for a multiple day rafting expedition.
Another area in Panama West that you shouldn’t miss is Bocas del Toro archipelago. It is home to some indigenous groups and offers a natural beauty unlike any other. The islands here are teeming in marine life as well as have large species of flora and fauna for you to discover. Many of the islands are protected under the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos and a visit is recommended.
Tocumen Panama Airport
Oct 13th
Panama is one of the top destinations on the international travelers’ list of places to visit. It has also been listed over the last eight years as one of the five places that people would like to live in after they retire. It is a virtual land bridge between the North America and South America. And is one of the only places in the world where you can enjoy the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Ocean in a single visit.
The country is rich in natural resources, which is the main reason why tourism is such a hit here. It has glorious islands, tropical rainforests, a canal that is a tourist as well economic attraction and umpteen other physical features that interest people from all over the world. When a country offers so much of diversity in it physical features it is also endowed with the ability to support many activities that would interest tourists. This includes a host of water sports such as diving and snorkeling, exploring a volcano, rainforests, enjoying the flora and fauna so unique to the country. Panama also has a culture that is diverse as it is rich.
Airports
If you are flying into the country, your first impression of the country will be of its airport. The Tocumen International Airport at Panama City is the main international airport here. It is 17 km to the east of the city. Most international airlines fly to Panama and land at Panama City.
The Tocumen International Airport offers its visitors comfortable and efficient service. There are restaurants for you to explore and also duty free shopping. It is designed to provide easy access to disabled passengers. The airport is well connected to the rest of Panama City by buses as well as taxis. Some hotels also offer a shuttle service for guests. Having a good idea of where your hotel lies in relation to the Panama airport will be useful when you reach the country.
The country also has two domestic airlines the Aeropelas and Air Panama. They fly to cities and areas within the country. You can plan your Panama holiday by ensuring that you choose flights that match your holiday or visit plans. Do remember that December is the beginning of the tourist season here. It continues till May and thus, makes it important that you plan and book your flights ahead of time. This will also help you secure cheaper tickets.
Your experience of a Panama airport in remote areas such as the Darien and Kuna Yala, will be rather novel and interesting. In some of these parts there is only an air strip and no airport as such. So it is important that you select and book your flight carefully. You don’t want to end up on the wrong airstrip, miles away from your destination. Flights make it possible for visitors and locals to explore the most remote and undeveloped part of the country. In fact Panama East is considered as one of the biggest treasures of Central America, still mostly untouched by human development.
Panama finds a fine balance between holding onto its past and stepping into its future. It also walks a fine line in deciding which areas and resources it wants to develop in a sustainable manner and which it wants to leave untouched. Herein lays the beauty of this tropical nation.
