About Panama

 The Skyline of Panama City, more impressive than Miami´s and incomparably unique in Central America, tells the world that while the rest of the nation is "the path less traveled," the capital itself is a hub of international commercial activity, a marvel to visitors.  With skyscrapers soon reaching one hundred floors, Panama (the capital) routinely tops itself.  Yet, as recently as 1970 there was no skyline at all.  Amazing as it seems today, the city had only one building, a hotel, that was only forty feet high.

Panama has coasts on two oceans: the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. These coasts, although different, are suited for all sorts of activities with the different beaches and islands found in them. World famous beautiful beaches and islands will make your visit unforgettable!

Caribbean Sea: On the Caribbean coast, the beaches on the provinces of Colon, San Blas and Bocas del Toro and their neighbouring islands, are small to mid-sized and all of them have coral reefs nearby, they are often near other waterways and most have been formed by coral buildup. These are the best beaches to do some scuba diving in.

Pacific Ocean: On this coast you'll find a series of beaches which are easily accesible from the Panamerican Road. Many water sports including windsurfing, surfing and swimming are practiced here. The most popular of these are: Gorgona, Coronado, San Carlos, El Palmar, Río Mar, Corona, Sea Cliff, Santa Clara, Playa Blanca and Farallón.

Nothing changed the face or history of Panama so much as the Canal.  In some ways it seemed inevitable, since it had been a dream of many for centuries, but its inaguration in August of 1914 culminated an incredible and unprecedentedly expensive engineering feat that astounded the world.  Turned over by the United States to Panama on the eve of 2000, it can be transited by visitors or viewed in operation from a high, comfortable restaurant vantage at the Miraflores Locks not far from Panama City.  So much of Panama´s commerce and tourism centers on its operation that it can only be appreciated by actually seeing it.

An absolute must for any visitor to Panama City, the old quarter`s eclectic mix of colonial, republican, neo-classica and art deco buildings are unique among Latin American old quarters and a permanent testament to the boom-and-bustcycles that have shaped the country.  With lively street life, some of the city´s best restaurants and many of it´s important cultural institutions, there is always something to do in Casco Viejo.