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    Tourist Attractions in Panama

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Panama. Photos and a brief description.

    About Panama

    The Republic of Panama is an extraordinarily beautiful and hospitable country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The best time to visit this country is from January to May, when the dry season lasts in Panama.

    The main attraction of Panama is its unique nature. The picturesque beaches of Bocas del Toro, San Carlos, Nueva Gorgona, Bastimento with their white sand are perfect for a leisurely family swim, as well as for surfing or underwater fishing.

    Lovers of hiking should definitely visit Boquete, Cerro Punta, Soberania National Park and climb to the Baru volcano. Another popular tourist destination in Panama is visiting local Indian tribes who have managed to preserve their authentic culture and habitual way of life.
    In memory of visiting this amazing country, tourists bring home molas – handmade woven products of bright colors, which are produced by women of the Kuna tribe, local coffee of excellent quality and hats.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Panama

    The Panama Canal

    One of the most popular places in Panama is its canal. The amazing creation of human hands was officially opened in 1920, although the first ideas of such construction arose in the XVI century. There are many tourist excursions on the Panama Canal, the best place to observe ships is at the walls of the locks Miraflores.

    The Panama Canal
    Baru Volcano

    Baru Volcano

    The highest point of Panama is the dormant volcano Baru located in the west of the country. Its height is 3474 meters above sea level. In good weather, you can see the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean from the top of Baru. The Baru volcano is a popular tourist attraction, you can get to its top by following the route Quetzales.

    Panama City

    The capital of the state, founded in 1519, is the famous Panama City. The ancient ruins of Panama Viejo and modern neighborhoods are organically combined here. Swimming is prohibited in the coastal waters of Panama City, but less than an hour's drive from the capital, tourists can expect the sandy beaches of Coronado, Gorgona, San Carlos and Rio Mar.

    Panama City
    Bocas del Toro City

    Bocas del Toro City

    On the territory of the capital of the province of the same name, the city of Bocas del Toro, there are many hotels, restaurants and entertainment centers. But it is popular due to the fact that it is easy to get to the famous Panamanian archipelago from here. On the islands of the archipelago, tourists go diving and surfing, as well as deep-sea diving.

    Panama Viejo

    The ancient city, built in 1517, is now part of Panama City. Panama Viejo constantly had to defend itself from Indians and pirates, until in 1671 one of these attacks ended with the almost complete destruction of the city. Today, the ancient quarters of Panama Viejo are open to everyone.

    Panama Viejo
    Koiba National Park

    Koiba National Park

    One of the largest islands of Panama gave its name to a unique national park of this country. About 760 species of fish live in the water area of the park, and from April to September a lot of turtles swim to Koiba to lay eggs. For its excellent diving conditions, Koiba is called the "new Galapagos".

    Bridge of the Two Americas

    Built in 1962, the Automobile Bridge of the Two Americas became the first permanent bridge between the southern and northern American lands. After a significant expansion in 2004, the capacity of this facility reached 35 thousand cars per day. The bridge looks especially impressive in the night illumination.

    Bridge of the Two Americas
    Islands of the archipelago of San Blas

    Islands of the archipelago of San Blas

    The extraordinarily beautiful archipelago of San Blas is only half an hour away by boat from Panama City. The Kuna Indians live here, who managed to preserve the economy and culture independent of Panama. People come to San Blas to go diving, fishing, see the daily life of Indians or just relax on the cleanest local beaches.

    Boquete City

    The small town of Boquete is located in the valley of the Caldera River. Tourists from all over the world come here for a wide variety of holidays. In Boket, you can go fishing, ride through the jungle on horseback, visit coffee plantations, as well as rafting down the river on kayaks or inflatable rafts.

    Boquete City
    Komarka Kuna Yala Beach

    Komarka Kuna Yala Beach

    One of the most popular beaches in Panama is the Comarca of Kuna Yala, located on an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. Kuna Indians live here, who rent houses and cook food for tourists who want to plunge into a real "wild" vacation. The purest sand and clear water of the coast make the Komarka Kuna Yala ideal for a family holiday.

    Sendero de los Quetzales Trail

    One of the most beautiful hiking trails in Panama runs along the Sendero de los Quetzales trail. The trail owes its name to the extraordinarily beautiful and rare quetzal bird, which can be found in local forests. Sendero de los Quetzales begins near Baja Bokete and through Cerro The punta leads to an observation point rising above sea level at an altitude of 2500 meters.

    Sendero de los Quetzales Trail
    Taboga Island

    Taboga Island

    In the Gulf of Panama, not far from Cape Bruja, there is the famous Taboga Island. Here you can relax on the beach, visit a miniature church of the XVII century, as well as admire the impressive array of rain forest or watch a colony of brown pelicans. For lovers of outdoor activities, Taboga offers underwater or oceanic fishing, overnight stays in tents on neighboring islands or kayaking.

    Bastimentos National Marine Park

    On the island Bastimentos, which is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is located in the national park of the same name. More than 85% of the park's territory consists of the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Bastimentos National Marine Park is home to crocodiles, several species of turtles, monkeys, sloths and more than 60 species of birds.

    Bastimentos National Marine Park
    Santa Catalina

    Santa Catalina

    Until the 70s of the XX century, Santa Catalina was an ordinary fishing village, whose life changed dramatically after surfers discovered this attractive place. Today, the infrastructure of the village offers surfers comfortable hotels, cafes and equipment rental points. In addition to surfing, you can go scuba fishing or diving here.

    Amador Causeway

    The road from the mainland of Panama City, connecting the archipelago with four islands, is called Amador Causeway. This road was built in 1913 and was initially used for the deployment of a US military base. Today Amador Causeway is a popular place for recreation and walking among tourists and locals.

    Amador Causeway
    Pearl Islands

    Pearl Islands

    A group of islands in the northeast of the Gulf of Panama is called Pearl. Back in the XVI century, they were famous for their extraction of this organic mineral, but the "red tide" of 1938 destroyed the "pearl" mollusks of the local water area. Today, the main tourist attraction of the Pearl Islands is Contador Island. Its sandy beaches and clear water are ideal for a leisurely holiday.

    La Amistad International Park

    In September 1988, La Amistad International Park was established on the border of Panama and Costa Rica, which mostly consists of rain forest. Tourists visit this amazing place for rafting and hiking, as well as to get to know the culture of local Indian tribes.

    La Amistad International Park
    Las Lajas Beach (Playa Las Lajas)

    Las Lajas Beach (Playa Las Lajas)

    The extraordinarily beautiful 14-kilometer Las Lajas beach is located near the Pan-American Highway. Clean sand, small waves and a gentle descent to warm water, as well as many equipped bungalows and hotels, make Las Lajas a popular holiday destination for guests of Panama.

    Portobello and San Lorenzo Fortifications

    Magnificent examples of colonial military buildings of the XVII-XVIII centuries — Panamanian forts Portobello and San Lorenzo. Located at a distance of about 50 kilometers from each other, these structures have been rebuilt more than once in their history after the destruction. The main visitors Portobello and San Lorenzo are lovers of military architecture.

    Portobello and San Lorenzo Fortifications
    Darien National Park

    Darien National Park

    The largest National Park in Panama is Darien Park. Located on the border with Colombia, Darien National Park has been part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 1983. Two Indian tribes permanently reside here, who managed to preserve their traditional way of life. Two sections of the Darien Park are available for tourists to visit.

    Bridge of the Century

    In order to reduce the load on the Bridge of the Two Americas, the Centennial Bridge was opened in Panama in 2004. At the moment, this structure is the main bridge over the Panama Canal. The original engineering design of the bridge makes it a popular tourist attraction, and the structure looks especially attractive in the night lights.

    Bridge of the Century
    Biomuseum in Panama

    Biomuseum in Panama

    The famous architect of modernity Frank Gehry posted his Biomuseum at the very beginning of the Panama Canal. This original structure, with a total area of about 4000 m2, was built in order to draw the attention of tourists to the unique nature and culture of the Panamanian state.

    The city of El Vaye de Anton

    Not far from Panama City, a tiny but very popular town of El Vaye de Anton is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. Mostly outdoor enthusiasts come here. But these types of entertainment are not limited to. Here you can also swim in hot springs, ride horses through the mountains or visit the local Sunday fair.

    The city of El Vaye de Anton
    Chagres National Park

    Chagres National Park

    The park was formed to protect the unique ecosystem of the Chagres River, which provides drinking water to the capital of the country. There are all conditions for tourists to relax: water skiing and scooters, fishing, overnight in the rainforest and unique goods produced by a local Indian tribe.