Panama is known for its joyful religious festivals rich in music and for its bustling festivities, such as the carnival before Lent, marked by dancing, drinking and the abandonment of care. The enormous 166-square-mile Gatun Lake is an artificial lake that is also part of the Panama Canal system. It was formed by the dam of the Chagres River and was once the largest artificial lake in the world. Lake water levels are an integral part of the overall structure of the Panama Canal, as they serve as part of the canal's transit route and provide a sufficient water reserve to allow the canal's lock system to function properly.
Soberanía National Park is a natural paradise full of biodiversity and one of the most accessible national parks in Panama City. The 55,000-acre tropical oasis is located near the banks of the Panama Canal (in fact, it's protected in part to provide a watershed for the canal), and can be reached in a 40-minute drive from Panama City. The national park is also home to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, an interpretation center with several exhibits on the local environment and ecotourism. In addition, it offers a 105-foot tall observation tower (accessible via a spiral staircase), with a view of the rainforest canopy. Feel as if you've been transported to another era as you wander through Panama City's atmospheric, UNESCO-protected Old Town (also known as Old Town).
Stroll through pedestrian-friendly brick-paved streets and admire the district's historic 17th century Spanish colonial architecture, centuries-old churches, trendy wine bars, cozy cafés, eclectic museums, vibrant squares and a variety of artisan shops and boutiques. Panamanian culture is intrinsically linked to its indigenous communities. The Emberá people, who constitute a population of more than 30,000 inhabitants in Panama, traditionally lived in the rainforest and lived in settlements along the Chagres River. While many members of the community have moved in recent decades to embrace urban life elsewhere in Panama, a sizable population of Emberá maintains their homes in the rainforest.
Photo of Craig Stanfill's BioMuseum on Flickr, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0 Punta Culebra Nature Center Photo by Brian, gratwicke on Flickr, licensed CC BY 2.0 Delve into this open-air museum suitable for children, one of the best things to do in Panama, due to its interactive exhibitions aimed at exploring Panama's fragile and unique coastal and marine habitats. Attractions include a tropical frog exhibition dedicated to showcasing Panama's nearly 200 frog species, a touch pool for marine invertebrates, and aquariums dedicated to sea turtles, fish, corals and anemones that come from the surrounding seas and waterways. Some of the highest quality products can be found in the city's modern Multiplaza Pacific shopping center, considered one of the best shopping malls in all of Central America. More than 300 stores, ranging from Adidas to Zara (and many more in between), are spread over three levels, and there you will surely find many other international brands of clothing, jewelry, household goods and more.
There are many places in Panama where you can see evidence of their deep Spanish roots. The Azuero Peninsula, known as the “cradle of folklore”, is perhaps the most popular. For major national celebrations and festivals, there is no better place. During the carnival season, locals and tourists flock in droves.
The traditional dances are set with typical music, characterized by Tyrolean songs, accordions and small guitars called marjorans. If you have the opportunity to witness it in the province of Colón, it's something truly special and that not many tourists have the opportunity to witness. He built the Panama Canal, stayed to manage the waterway and the surrounding “Canal Zone” and, later, built military bases and staffed them. You should also explore the dynamic and cosmopolitan Panama City, with its mix of modern, shimmering skyscrapers and 17th century colonial architecture.
On August 15, 1516, Pedro Arias Dávila founded the city of Our Lady of the Assumption in Panama, the first European city built on the Pacific Ocean coast of the American continent. It's no wonder that Panama is rapidly becoming one of the most coveted destinations in Latin America for vacationers. Although Spain and France played an important role in the history of Panama, the existing republic was created in 1903. Celebrity Cruises offers all-inclusive trips in Panama that are sure to give you memories that will last a lifetime life. Panama is one of the only countries in the Central and South American region with a large indigenous population.
The seeds were taken to Costa Rica and later to Boquete in Panama, where they became famous and won awards for the best coffee. El Darién is undoubtedly one of the richest places in the world in terms of biodiversity, but it is far from the only place famous for it in Panama. Every year more than 700 festivals are held in Panama, so no matter when you visit, you should be able to find one. Now, I mentioned Bocas del Toro, which is another province where you'll find that Afro-Panamanian culture is very strong.
And what the Panamanian government did for its large groups of indigenous peoples was to reserve land for them. Today, international residents, visitors, businesses and culture continue to influence Panamanian life. You can fly from Panama City to Guna Yala on a 20-minute flight if you're not afraid of small planes.
