Lonely Planet Panama , livre ebook

Panama

Contents

Plan Your Trip

Welcome to Panama
Panama’s Top Experiences
Need to Know
First Time Panama
What’s New
Month by Month
Itineraries
Panama Outdoors
Regions at a Glance

On The Road

Panama City
Sights
Activities & Courses
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking & Nightlife
Entertainment
Shopping
Panamá Province
Around Panama City
Panama Canal
Canal Zone
Pacific Islands
Isla Taboga
Archipiélago de las Perlas
Pacific Coast
La Chorrera
Parque Nacional Altos de Campana
Punta Chame
Pacific Coast Beaches
Coclé Province
El Valle
Santa Clara
Farallón & Playa Blanca
Antón
Penonomé
La Pintada
Reserva Privada Távida
Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos
Natá
Aguadulce
Península de Azuero
Chitré
Around Chitré
Interior Azuero
La Villa de Los Santos
Road to Las Tablas
Guararé
La Enea
Las Tablas
Pedasí
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana
Azuero Coastline
Veraguas Province
Santiago
San Francisco
Santa Fé
Santa Catalina
Parque Nacional Coiba
Isla Cébaco
The Sunset Coast
Chiriquí Province
Lowlands
David
Playa Barqueta
Golfo de Chiriquí
Playa Las Lajas
David to Boquete
Highlands
Boquete
Parque Nacional Volcán Barú
Volcán
Santa Clara
Bambito
Cerro Punta
Guadalupe
Parque Internacional La Amistad (Las Nubes)
The Fortuna Road
Bocas del Toro Province
Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro
Isla Colón
Isla Carenero
Isla Solarte
Isla San Cristóbal & Around
Isla Bastimentos
Mainland
Almirante
Changuinola
Humedal de San San Pond Sak
Parque Internacional La Amistad (Wekso)
Las Delicias
Bosque Protector de Palo Seco
Colón Province
Colón
Around Colón
Área Protegida San Lorenzo
Portobelo
Puerto Lindo
Isla Grande
Comarca de Guna Yala
Best Off-the- Beaten-Track Spots
Gardi (Cartí) Islands & Around
Cayos Limones & Chicheme
Río Sidra (Mamartupu & Urgandi) & Western Islands
Cayos Los Grullos, Holandeses & Ordupuquip
Aggwanusadub (Corazón de Jesús), Yandup (Narganá) & Central Islands
Uggubseni (Playón Chico) & Eastern Islands
Assudub (Achutupu) & Uaguinega
The Road to Gardi (Cartí)
Darién Province
The Road to Yaviza
Lago Bayano
Ipetí & Around
Puerto Lara
Metetí
Yaviza
Parque Nacional Darién
El Real
Pijibasal
Rancho Frío
Interior Darién
La Palma
Reserva Natural Punta Patiño
Mogué
Río Sambú
Sambú
Pacific Coast
Jaqué & Around
Playa Muerto

UNDERSTAND

History
The Panamanian Way of Life
Rhythms of a Nation
Art & Craft
Land & Wildlife

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Directory A–Z
Accessible Travel
Accommodations
Activities
Children
Climate
Electricity
Embassies & Consulates
Food
Health
Insurance
Internet Access
Legal Matters
LGBTIQ+ Travelers
Maps
Money
Opening Hours
Photography
Post
Public Holidays
Safe Travel
Telephone
Time
Toilets
Tourist Information
Visas
Volunteering
Women Travelers
Work
Transportation
Getting There & Away
Entering the Country
Air
Land
Sea
Getting Around
Air
Bicycle
Boat
Bus
Car & Motorcycle
Hitchhiking
Local Transportation
Tours
Train
Language
Behind the Scenes
Our Writers

Covid-19
We have re-checked every business in this book before publication to ensure that it is still open after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 will continue to be felt long after the outbreak has been contained, and many businesses, services and events referenced in this guide may experience ongoing restrictions. Some businesses may be temporarily closed, have changed their opening hours and services, or require bookings; some unfortunately could have closed permanently. We suggest you check with venues before visiting for the latest information.
Welcome to Panama

Is it the wildlife-filled rainforests or the golden beaches, volcano hikes or sunset cocktails by the sea? There are so many ways to fall for Panama. The relatively small size of the Central American nation only adds to its appeal. On a weeklong getaway, you can look for monkeys on highland trails, snorkel through magnificent vibrant coral reefs, visit remote villages on community-run eco-tours and bask on palm-fringed islands off either coastline — capping the trip with dining and nightlife in the historic old quarter of the Panamanian capital. This is a country of limitless possibility.

Three-toed sloth | PARKOL/GETTY IMAGES ©

By Regis St Louis, Writer

@regisstlouis regisstlouis
For more about Our Writers
Panama’s Top Experiences

1 DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES
Rainforests, verdant mountain peaks and palm-fringed islands offer a glimpse of tropical wilderness, and there are many ways to immerse yourself in Panama’s natural treasures. You can overnight in a cabin on the edge of the jungle or channel your inner Robinson Crusoe on a remote island. There’s even one famous peak where on clear days you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

COLIN_RIESER/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

The Panama Canal
One of the world’s greatest shortcuts (pictured) slices right through the continental divide, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific. Visitors centers, museums and viewing platforms help you make sense of the canal, though you can also book a partial transit by boat for a closer look.

MITCHELL CHRISTOPHER/500PX ©

Parque Nacional Volcán Barú
Panama’s sole volcano dominates the landscape of the misty Chiriquí highlands (pictured), and at 3474m, it is also the highest point in the country. Make the predawn climb for a rewarding view of both oceans or head off on legendary trail such as the Sendero Los Quetzales in hopes of seeing orchids, tapirs and resplendent quetzals.

MARK52/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Isla Bastimentos
Set with mangrove forests, picturesque beaches and a forested interior, the Caribbean Island of Bastimentos (pictured) is one of Panama’s best places for reconnecting with nature.

DAMSEA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Top Experiences
2 BEACHES & ISLANDS
Wedged between the Pacific and the Atlantic, Panama is blessed with not one but two gorgeous coastlines. Panama’s curving shores stretch for nearly 3000km, and encompass long expanses of white sand beaches, cliff-backed coves and rainforest-covered islands fronting teal-blue seas. Whether you’re after great surf or simply a peaceful spot to unwind under the swaying palms, Panama has some enchanting options.

Archipiélago de San Blas
Locally known as Guna Yala, this 400-plus island archipelago (pictured) in the Caribbean is an independent indigenous territory steeped in tradition. Overnight on remote palm-fringed islets and get around by speedboat, sailboat or dugout canoe.

ANDY TROY/500PX ©

Santa Catalina
Equal parts surf village and small town, Santa Catalina has world-class waves (pictured) that roll in year-round but peak in February and March. The town is also the launching pad for excursions and diving trips.

FOTOS593/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro
‘It’s all good,’ say the laid-back locals of this Caribbean island chain (pictured). Pedal to the beach on a cruiser bike, hum to improvised calypso and laze over dinner in a thatched hut on the waterfront. Surfers hit the breaks but there’s also snorkeling with varied sea life or volunteering opportunities to help nesting sea turtles.

KRISTINA VACKOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Top Experiences
3 FRAGMENTS FROM THE PAST
Once an important Spanish settlement in the New World, Panama is home to one of Central America’s most captivating colonial centers. The cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo are dotted with beautifully restored buildings, some of which date back to the 17th century, while the nearby site of Panama Viejo takes you even further back in time. The province of Colón also has some fascinating colonial sites, best reached by the vintage Panama Canal Railway.

Península de Azuero
Spanish culture has deep roots here, evident in the charm of tiled colonials, country hospitality, religious festivals and elaborate polleras (embroidered lace dresses).

Girl wearing a pollera in Chitré | MAREK POPLAWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Casco Viejo
Peel back the centuries while exploring the grand plazas and 300-year-old churches of a Unesco-listed district (pictured) reminiscent of Old Havana.

SHAHAIRA/GETTY IMAGES©

Fuerte San Jerónimo
On Panama’s Atlantic coast, you can gaze out over the canon-lined ramparts of this iconic fort (pictured), built in stages from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

MAREK POPLAWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Top Experiences
4 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Panama’s diverse geography sets the stage for a wide range of adventures. You can go speeding through rainforest canopies on ziplines, hike through misty cloud forests en route to lofty summits or paddle your way over churning rapids on whitewater rafting excursions in the highlands. The coastline offers equally enchanting ways to spend a sun-drenched day, from snorkeling over coral reefs to ocean kayaking around uninhabited islands.

ROBIN RUNCK/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Boquete
An adventure hub and mountain retreat, Boquete draws travelers of all stripes. Birdwatchers come for a glimpse of the resplendent quetzal, while adventurers come to climb a mountain, ride a zipline or raft white water.

Nivida Bat Cave
Journey to this massive Caribbean cavern rife with nectar bats. After a boat ride through mangroves and a forest-lined walk, you can go for a swim in a subterranean lake.

Sendero Los Quetzales
This magnificent hike in rainforest-covered highlands (pictured) takes you over rushing rivers and up to viewpoints overlooking the verdant expanse.

Top Experiences
5 WILDLIFE WATCHING
Scarlet macaws, toucans, sloths and squirrel monkeys are just a few of Panama’s local stars, and with over 220 mammal and 978 bird species, few other countries have such diversity packed into such a compa