Panama is a narrow isthmus connecting two continents. It is a country with a rich history, stunning nature and unique culture. From lush jungles to crystal clear beaches, from colonial cities to modern megacities – Panama is ready to surprise even the most sophisticated traveler.
When we plan to go on vacation, as a rule, we follow the advice of friends and often visit well-known places. On the one hand, it is convenient, the tourist infrastructure is developed, there is a lot of entertainment and new acquaintances. On the other hand, there are absolutely stunning places on the planet without civilization and human activity, and nature has retained its charm. In such places, you can meet rare, endangered species of animals and birds, and gain an incomparable experience. This is especially valuable if you are looking for peace and unity with nature.
Costa Rica or Panama?
It is widely known that Costa Rica is a great place to relax. Hotels, spas, excursions, diving and extensive advertising provide a constant flow of tourists and popularity. At the same time, many people are looking for peace, but the high popularity makes the ecology worse and the nature less untouched.
Costa Rica borders Panama. Panama is the complete opposite. Panama is much less popular among tourists, and can please us with a stunning coastline and untouched forests, where many amazing species of animals and birds have been preserved. Yes, there are fewer expensive hotels, but at the same time more untouched nature. The Gulf of Panama, Boca Chica, many uninhabited islands – these places are amazing, and the quality of your vacation will be much higher.
Do you want to stay in a comfortable hotel with a high level of service, and at the same time dedicate yourself to untouched beaches and jungles? No problem. Living conditions depend only on your budget and desires.
Panama Old Town
The capital of Panama, Panama City, has preserved the colonial quarter of Casco Antiguo, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering through the narrow streets, you will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of past centuries. Here you can see ancient churches, colonial mansions and museums telling the story of the country.
Gulf of Panama
The Gulf of Panama gives amazing opportunities for diving and fishing. You can rent a boat and devote yourself to exploring the coral reefs and marine life. In addition, there are several islands on which there are no human settlements. In such places, the flora and fauna have been preserved in their original form.
Now the so-called spiritual tourism is very popular. On such trips, people practice yoga and meditation in secluded places, where the influence of civilization is minimized. By the way, Costa Rica was also popular among this category of tourists until recently. However, with the increase in popularity, the ecology has significantly worsened. The large number of people arriving in Costa Rica every year for vacation, which makes finding new locations for spiritual tourism a difficult task.
Isla Parida – Panama paradise in the Pacific Ocean
There are no such problems in Panama. Not far from the coast of Costa Rica, you find yourself in completely different conditions. You can choose an uninhabited island, for example, a paradise called Isla Parida, and go for retreat, yoga, and unity with nature away from tourist routes. The island has only one small bar with fish dishes, one boat pier and a playground. There are no human settlements here.
The island is covered with dense tropical forests. Transparent, clean water with a blue tint, a tropical climate and the cleanest environment, where it is so pleasant to spend time. You can get to the island only by boat. An important detail is that the island is part of a national park, so construction is prohibited here. Therefore, there are no complex buildings with a foundation, and the creation of human settlements is impossible. Moreover, the authorities strictly monitor compliance with various environmental standards.
The beaches of Isla Parida are famous for their white sand and crystal clear water, ideal for swimming and diving. The underwater world of the island amazes with its diversity: bright coral reefs, schools of exotic fish, sea turtles – all this can be seen by diving into the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
Rich History
Legend has it that pirates once lived here, in between sea raids. Perhaps pirate treasures are hidden in the unexplored part of the island? It is difficult to find a more suitable place for ecotourism or holding seminars on spiritual practices and yoga.
Perhaps due to the fact that there are almost no people on the island and because of the wonderful ecology, the island of Isla Parida is so loved by large green turtles. Every year they return here to lay eggs and create offspring. Over the last century, these turtles have been significantly exterminated and are now listed as endangered.
In addition, Isla Parida is home to many tropical animals, birds and insects – crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys and rare birds. Part of the island is considered untouched by humans, because of the dense bush.
You can get to Isla Parida from the city of Bocas del Toro, which is located on the mainland. You can book a motor boat in Bocas del Toro, Churca & Boca Chica to get to the island. The journey takes about an hour, but you need to understand – there are no regular boats to Isla Parida.
The nearby island is Isla Landrones, also a very remarkable place. It also has amazing underwater life, coral reefs and rare species of fish. This island is also good for diving and fishing.
Coiba Island
The history of Coiba is shrouded in secrets and mysteries. In the past, the island served as a place of exile for political prisoners, and its jungle holds many stories of escapes and adventures. Today, Coiba is a national park, carefully protected from external influences.
The flora and fauna of the island amaze with their diversity. Here you can meet rare species of birds, reptiles and mammals, many of which are endemic, that is, they are found only on Coiba. Dense tropical forests, crystal clear waters and coral reefs create a unique ecosystem.
The best time to visit Coiba and Isla Parida is the dry season, which lasts from December to April. At this time there is less rainfall, and the water in the ocean is calmer.
Isla Landrones, Coiba, Secas and Isla Parida – these islands are some of the best locations in Central America for scuba diving and oxen sort fishing.
Archipelagos of Islands
The islands make up archipelagos, some of which are quite large. For example, the San Blas archipelago consists of 365 islands, and only 65 of them are inhabited. Some of the islands are very tiny – only 100 meters long and 50 wide, but due to their close proximity to each other, they form a single outline. Many tourists come here for several months, and having arrived once, they continue to return every year, because of the amazing nature and good ecology. And since the coast of Panama is not as popular as, for example, the Hawaiian Islands, Costa Rica or the Maldives, prices here are lower, and the local culture, flora and fauna are much better preserved.
Bocas del Toro
The Bocas del Toro archipelago is a true paradise for nature lovers. Here you will find white beaches, crystal clear water, lush jungle and diverse wildlife. You can go diving, snorkeling, kayaking or just relax on the beach. There is a small town on the coast with the same name. From the port you can go to various islands in the vicinity – Isla Lldrones, Isla Parida and others.
The island world of Panama is extremely rich. Cayo Zapatilla, the volcanic island of Taboga, Islas Secas – each of these islands has its own charm. It is simply impossible to describe each of the dozens of islands on the coast of Panama in one article.
National Parks of Panama
In 1994, the Panamanian authorities made a fateful decision – they created the huge Chriqui National Park. This allows to preserve a huge territory of tropical forests untouched, without serious harm from human activity. Therefore, the coastline in these places has preserved its natural charm and purity, and the forests are not cut down for the construction of expensive hotels. In addition to this national park, there are others, for example, Soberania National Park, Darien National Park and others. The efforts of the authorities to preserve biological diversity and rare endangered species in Panama create ideal conditions for tourists.
Panama is home for many rare wild species. Good ecology allows various volunteer organizations and eco-activists to help the environment. For example, there is a program for the special resettlement of turtle nests on the coast of Panama – this allows to preserve and increase the offspring. Great efforts are also made for the conservation of endangered species of monkeys, birds, and snakes. For example, a special natural park has been created in Serra Ancon to preserve sloths.
Guna Yala – Land of the Kuna Indians
When talking about Panama, one cannot help but mention Guna Yala. This is an autonomous region inhabited by the Kuna Indians. This is a unique place where the traditional way of life and culture of the indigenous population have been preserved. You can visit the villages of local residents, see their colorful costumes and try the local cuisine.
Portobello
If you want to touch the pirate past of these places, in addition to Isla Parida and some nearby islands, you should visit Portobello – a medieval treasure city known throughout the world. Here you can walk through the forts of San Felipe and San Lorenzo. The fortress of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest in America, but is perfectly preserved. Back in 1980, San Filipe and San Lorenzo were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A History of Piracy and Treasure
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Portobelo was one of the most important ports of the Spanish colonial empire. Huge caravans carrying gold and precious stones mined in South America passed through it. This wealth attracted pirates from all over the world, turning Portobelo into a real treasure city. Have you seen the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean”? It is very close. Traces of those times have survived to this day: ancient forts, ruins of churches and narrow streets with a unique atmosphere.
Modern Portobelo
Today, Portobelo is a quiet fishing town where time seems to have stopped. Here you can enjoy the peace and solitude, walk along the beach, go diving or just sit in a local cafe, watching the slow city life.
The main fort of the city is San Felipe, built by the Spaniards in the 17th century to protect against pirates. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions. The city museum presents the rich culture of the Kuna Indians, who live on the neighboring islands.
In conclusion
Panama is a country of contrasts, where modernity coexists with tradition, and the bustle of the city gives way to the tranquility of nature. Every corner of this country is fraught with many surprises and discoveries.
