Panama is known as a transit country because of the Panama Canal. While the country is known for its famous canal, its natural attractions include birdwatching tours, white-water rafting, and snorkeling. Panama's biodiversity is said to be three times greater than that of the United States, Canada and Europe combined. The enormous 166-square-mile Gatún 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 shores 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 the 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 stroll through Panama City's evocative Old Town (also known as Old Town), protected by UNESCO. 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 shops and boutiques of craftsmanship. 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 dedicate themselves to urban life elsewhere in Panama, a sizeable 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 centers 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 you're sure to find many other international brands of clothing, jewelry, household goods and more. The building, with a wild and colorful design, is dedicated to the natural history and biodiversity of Panama, and admiring its asymmetric geometric panels and vibrant tones is one of the best things to do in Panama. Panama's modern political and cultural history is more associated with South America than with Central America, but in part because Panama has no land route connecting it to Colombia, the country has also largely forged a cultural and political identity separate from South America. One of the best ways to enjoy Panama's tourist attractions is on an unforgettable cruise that crosses the Panama Canal.
Panama is also closely aligned with the rich traditions of its indigenous cultures, with seven distinct indigenous groups actively maintaining their customs. The seeds were taken to Costa Rica and later to Boquete in Panama, where they became famous and won awards for the best coffee. The Panama Canal, one of the world's largest transit shortcuts and the most important artificial waterways (together with the Suez Canal), continues to play an important role in the maritime world. The sluice channel serves to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in a 50-mile long stretch that extends between the city of Colón, on the Atlantic side, and the Gulf of Panama, near Panama City, on the Pacific side.
People began to see these beautiful quality hats in Panama and called them “Panama hats”, ignoring that they came from Ecuador and originated a few centuries before. You can also explore the dynamic and cosmopolitan Panama City, with its mix of modern and shiny skyscrapers and colonial architecture of the 17th century. The rise of the Isthmus of Panama, which ended about three million years ago, had impacts that were felt around the world. You'll discover the geological history of Panama and learn about the very formation of the isthmus.
Other exhibits highlight the human history of the area, while the aquarium exhibits showcase the surrounding marine life of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama. His studies of the flora and fauna of Panama were the first steps towards creating a first-rate platform for research in the tropics. Enter the open-air, child-friendly museum, one of the best things to do in Panama, due to its interactive exhibits aimed at exploring Panama's unique and fragile coastal and marine habitats.
