Bradt Travel Guide: Panama

About this book

Panama, famed for its legendary canal and biodiversity, is the exotic bridge between Central and South America. This Bradt guide offers a strong focus on the Bocas del Toro region, a sparkling archipelago with much to offer travelers looking for wildlife and cultural heritage. With an idyllic landscape of volcanoes, rain forest, and Caribbean coasts, and a skyline ever-colorful with butterfly migrations and over 350 species of birdlife, it isn't surprising Panama has always been a popular escape for Americans, with many U.S. citizens owning real estate. The perfect getaway can be planned with this guide, which features a multitude of opportunities for watersports and hiking. This guide features: >In-depth coverage of the ecotourism hotspot of Bocas del Toro >Natural history, national parks, and marine conservation >Culture, crafts, and festivals >The canal, its history, and its modern role

Contents

Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Location, Topography, Geography, Climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Language, Religion, Education, Natural history and conservation, Fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters, UNESCO in Panama Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit (and why), Highlights, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Embassies and consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Focus on specific groups, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and Entertainment, Sport, Media and communications, Doing business in Panama, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Giving something back PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Panama City History, Getting there, Getting around, Orientation, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do Chapter 4 Panama Province Panama Canal, Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, Parque Nacional Soberania, Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Isla Barro Colorado, Parque Nacional Chagres, Isla Taboga, Las Perlas Archipielago, Eastern Panama Province, Western Panama Province, Pacific Coast Chapter 5 Cocle Province Penonome, La Pintada, Parque Nocional Omar Torrijos (El Cope), Nata, Aguadulce, Anton, Rio Hato and Farallon, El Valle, Santa Clara Chapter 6 Herrera province Chitre, La Arena, Playa el Agallito, Parque Nacional Sarigua, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegon del Mangle, Parita, Pese, Ocu Chapter 7 Los Santos Province Los Santos town, Los Santos-Guarare-Las Tablas, Pedasi Chapter 8 Veraguas Province Santiago, Santa Fe, Las Palmas, Sona, Montijo district and wetlands, Puerto Mutis, Parque Nacional Coiba, Parque Nacional Cerro Hoya Chapter 9 Chiriqui Province The lowlands, The highlands Chapter 10 Bocas del Toro Province The archipelago, Isla Colon, Isla Carenero (Careening Cay), Isla Bastimentos, Other islands, Mainland Bocas del Toro Chapter 11 Colon Province Colon City, Gatun Locks and Dam, Fort Davis and Fort Gulick, San Lorenzo Fort, Around Colon, Portobelo, Isla Grande, Nombre de Dios Chapter 12 Kuna Yala The origins of Kuna Yala, The Kuna people, Arts, crafts and traditions, Language, Festivals and events, Flora and fauna, Getting there, Visting Kuna Yala, The islands, Other practicalities Chapter 13 Darien Province Driving the Darien, What to take, Specialist wildlife and adventure tours, Parque Nacional Darien, Coastal Darien, The Darien interior Appendix 1 Further Information Appendix 2 Finding a home in Panama Index

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Biography

Sarah Woods is an award-winning travel writer. She first discovered Panama in the wake of the canal handover and has since explored the length and breadth of the isthmus. Sarah sponsors a children's home in the city of David.