A fascinating country located between Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama has so much more to offer visitors than the canal that makes it famous.
Connecting Central and South America, Panama features diverse landscapes stretching from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean, including lush jungles, vast plateaus and ancient cities.
Starting with the most obvious attraction, here are five of the top reasons to visit this country.
The Panama Canal
It divided a country, claimed countless lives within its edifice and is a marvel of waterway engineering. The approximately 80 kilometer long canal, opened in 1914 and expanded in 2016, connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans with several locks.
A visit to the Miraflores and Agua Clara locks for a close-up view is definitely worthwhile.
Admission: from $5 (http://visitcanaldepanama.com)
The Biomuseo
Prominent architect Frank O. Gehry created his masterpiece with the Biomuseo. The exhibition explains the geological formation of the isthmus and explores the interplay between Panama’s biodiversity and culture. The interlocking exterior view is spectacular.
Regular admission: $20 (http://biomuseo.org)
The old city of Panama
Panamá Viejo is the name of the ruins of the original river estuary, destroyed by privateer Henry Morgan in 1671. Located east of Panama City, it is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can explore the colonial-style old town with its churches, alleys and flower balconies.
Portobelo
In colonial times, this city on a Caribbean bay was an important port and loading point for treasure. Therefore, it was heavily fortified and attracted pirates. Today, this fortress with its ruins of a Spanish castle and old cannons is on the World Heritage List.
According to legend, Christopher Columbus gave the beautiful harbor its name: Portobelo, which means beautiful harbor in Spanish. If you don’t go for the history, come for the food: local restaurants serve great Afro-Caribbean dishes.
Isla Iguana
Just a 20-minute boat ride from Panama’s southern coast is Isla Iguana, a sanctuary for iguanas and thousands of frigate birds. Here you can relax on the turquoise shores of El Cirial beach. (www.islaiguana.com)
