Panama - attractions

Panama is a very beautiful and hospitable country, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Here there is a huge number of various attractions attracting tourists from all over the globe.

What interesting things can you see in Panama?

One of the main attractions of the state is the Panama Canal , considered one of the new wonders of the world. Its construction was not only a complex, but also the largest project of mankind. The channel itself is an S-shaped connection of artificial lakes and a group of locks .

So, let's look at the main attractions of the Republic of Panama related to the channel:

  1. Gateway Gatun - a trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Quiet usually begins at the port of Colon or Cristobal , from where ships enter the largest 3-chamber lock. It was built on the site of a dam and, to get to the lake, ships pass through the chambers and rise to a height of 25 m.
  2. Lake Gatun is the widest and most picturesque part of the Panama Canal. There is a large number of islets, the largest of which is called Barro Colorado. Of the birds here live pelicans and herons, as well as kites. There are places for diving and an old pier.
  3. The Chagres River is the main river in central Panama. In one of its parts, the dam was formed 2 artificial lakes. The upper reaches of the river are a protected area where several reserves are located.
  4. The bridge of the two Americas is an automotive unassailable bridge, which became the first in the history between the northern and southern American lands. In 2004, it was significantly expanded, and now it is moved to 35,000 cars per day.
  5. The Bridge of the Century was built in 2004 to unload the Bridge of the Two Americas. Today it is the main thoroughfare through the Panama Canal. It has an original engineering design that makes it popular with tourists.
  6. The Miraflores gateway is the first two-chamber gateway of the Pacific Ocean. He raises the ships to the water level of the lake of the same name and takes them out of the bay into the canal of the Panama Canal.

Zapovednye Zones of Panama

One of the main advantages of the country is its nature. Local people are proud of their tropical forests, wildlife and biosons, so they are carefully guarded:

  1. The Darien National Park is a biosphere reserve on the Pacific coast. Here are damp forests, Mount Cerro-Pirre, the Indian village of Boca del Coupe.
  2. The Koiba National Park is located on the island of the same name . Here there are about 760 species of fish and many turtles. The reserve has excellent conditions for diving.
  3. The Zoo in Panama was founded in 1923 as an experimental center for the introduction and breeding of endangered species of animals. In the reserve you can find jaguars, alligators, eagles, parrots and other representatives of fauna.
  4. Soboraniya National Park is one of the most famous on earth. It consists of a unique protected area where there is practically no human activity. This is the best place to observe and study birds, there are places for fishing and camping.
  5. Marine National Park Bastimentos is located on the island of the same name. More than 85% of the reserve is in the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Here live about 60 species of birds, different kinds of turtles, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, etc.
  6. The El Vaie de Anton Reserve is a popular tourist destination located in the crater of an extinct volcano at an altitude of 600 m. Tourists are offered a trip through the park to the canopy - this is a special cable bridge stretched between trees.
  7. The Metropolitano National Park is a famous eco-park of the country, the area of ​​which is 29 hectares. There is an untouched rainforest through which the route passes, rest areas on the tree crown, observation platforms, and the popular Monkey Titi trail.

What are the attractions in the cities of Panama?

In the cities of Panama there is a huge number of popular places, the main of which is the capital. In Panama, there are many architectural monuments, museums, beaches, shops and restaurants.

Be sure to see in the city of Panama attractions such as the Balboa Blvd , the ruins of ancient monasteries, the church of San Jose , the fortress of Las Bovadas, etc.

Also popular places are:

  1. The island of Taboga has chic beaches and is one of the most popular resorts of Panama . Here is a magnificent garden with tropical flowers and an old church built in the XVI century.
  2. The cathedral is the largest temple in the country. The building of the temple is considered a masterpiece - the facade has a complex decoration, and inside there are 67 columns decorated with the most complicated stained-glass windows.
  3. Old Panama - here are the first buildings of the pre-Columbian era (square tower of the temple, university building and powerful walls of the fortress), which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  4. The National Theater was founded in 1908, the facade of the building is designed in classical style, and the interior decoration - in the Baroque style, with a huge number of luxurious and rich elements.
  5. Plaza Bolivar Square - here are just a few attractions: the Palace of Bolivar, the Church of St. Francis, the temple of Felipe Neri, and in the center of the square is a monument to Simon Bolivar.
  6. Fortifications San Lorenzo and Portobelo - military buildings of the XVII-XVIII centuries. They are located apart from each other at a distance of 50 km. In its entire history, they were destroyed and rebuilt several times.
  7. The Church of San Jose is the shrine of Panama, where there is a pompous golden altar. Externally, the building looks rather modest, and inside - a luxurious setting, made in the Baroque style.
  8. Area Las Bovedas - the historic center of the country, along the perimeter of which were built vaulted vaults that have a rich history. Today on their walls you can see memorable tablets telling about the main events of the country and people building the Panama Canal and the capital.
  9. The city of Bokete is located in the valley of the Caldera River, here you can combine several types of recreation: fishing, rafting on inflatable rafts or kayaks, visiting coffee plantations, jungle trekking or horse racing.
  10. Bocas del Toro - the city has a developed infrastructure, and is located on the same archipelago. It is popular with fans of deep-sea diving, surfing and diving.

Natural and historical sights of Panama

The country has not only a rich history, but also a beautiful nature that attracts tourists:

  1. The Cross Road is the shortest route by which the conquistadors could safely transport silver and gold. Its length is 10 km. It is located on the territory of the Camino de Cruces Nature Reserve and is considered the main tourist route through the jungle.
  2. The Baru volcano is the highest in the country (3500 m). It is an active volcano that reminds of itself with earthquakes, the last eruption was in 1550. Tourists are offered to climb to the top through the thickets of the jungle.
  3. The archipelago of Las Perlas consists of 97 small islets. Pearls are mined here. The archipelago has everything for recreation - clean sand, clear water, nightclubs and casinos.
  4. Komárka Kuna Yala beach is located on the San Blas archipelago, which consists of 350 reef islands covered with coconut palms. Sand on the beach is snow-white, azure water and untouched nature create a sense of paradise.
  5. Isla de Coiba - the beach on this island is a favorite place for divers. It is a nature reserve with wild nature and picturesque expanses.
  6. Guna Yala is the habitat of the Kuna, which has a culture independent of Panama and an economy. In the archipelago, you can dive, fish, relax on the beach.
  7. The Path of Sendero de los Quetzales is the most beautiful hiking trail in Panama, which is located at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. Here in the woods there is a rare but very beautiful quetzal bird.
  8. Santa Catalina is a popular place for diving, surfing, and underwater fishing. There is a developed infrastructure, rental of equipment works.

When traveling in Panama, try to visit as many different attractions as possible, because positive emotions will not only remain in your memory for a long time, but will also serve as a fascinating story for your friends and relatives.