See the Bridge of the Americas and the Centennial Bridge. To fully understand how it works. Luxury amenities and incredible food on board. Get ready to relax with tips for a Panama Canal cruise. Read about how to immerse yourself in Central American culture, book your cruise and the best ways to get to know each port.
Panama is teeming with vibrant and diverse marine life, making it a great destination for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and whale watching. The waters along Panama's Pacific coast that comprise the Gulf of Chiriqui are especially ideal for activities below the surface. This region contains one of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific, including more than 760 species of tropical fish and 33 species of sharks. In addition, between July and October, more than 2,000 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to hatch and raise their young in the gulf.
Due to the incredible number of whales, Cala Mia whale watching tours have a 95 percent success rate during this time. Panama is considered the bridge of the Americas and is only a 2.5-hour flight from Miami. Since it is a connection point for routes that continue to Central and South America, almost all major airlines fly to Tocumen International Airport. Once in Panama, you can easily take a 45-minute internal flight to the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro or the Boquete Mountains, near David.
Panama is a tropical paradise that is home to some of the most diverse and exotic animal and plant species on the planet. Because of its geographical position, the country serves as a biological corridor connecting North and South America. Covered almost entirely by tropical jungle, with mountain forests and mangrove wetlands, it is home to more than 10,444 types of plants, 255 species of mammals and 972 species of native birds, according to the National Society for the Protection of Nature of Panama. What makes Panama a unique destination for all those travelers who love to walk off the beaten path is the incredible number of unexplored islands you'll find in the country.
Panama's most popular dish, perhaps, is its delicious seafood ceviche marinated in lemon juice and served cold, which many say rivals that of Peru. Panama's dense forests are home to more than 970 bird species, including 120 migratory species and 12 endemic species. However, you can also get to Panama by bus or boat, although this will normally involve longer travel times. Unlike many repositioning cruises, a Panama Canal transit includes many scenic cruises and many ports of call, making it the ideal way to go from one season to the next.
Experience Panama's diverse culinary culture on your Panama Canal cruise with Princess. Whether you're looking for an adventurous, relaxing, or romantic getaway, Panama has numerous experiences and attractions to suit any travel style. The Panama Canal is a world-renowned engineering marvel, a 48-mile artificial waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, paves the way between two continents and transforms the maritime transport landscape forever. Whether above or below the surface, there's no shortage of adrenaline-boosting activities in Panama.
With a mix of African, native Panamanian and Spanish influences, a visit to Panama promises a cultural experience like no other. Currently, six indigenous tribes remain in Panama and represent approximately five to eight percent of the country's total population. Another benefit of the country's climate is that visitors never have to worry about hurricanes or earthquakes because of the country's location outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.