Panama Off The Beaten Path

  Ocelot
by iwys
 
  • Ocelot
      Ocelot
    by iwys
  • The Estación Nacional de Ferrocarriles
      The Estación Nacional de Ferrocarriles
    by mikey_e
  • Another view, along with a monument in front
      Another view, along with a monument in...
    by mikey_e
  • The Central Fish Market
      The Central Fish Market
    by mikey_e
  • Fish sellers in the marketplace
      Fish sellers in the marketplace
    by mikey_e
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Panama: San Blas Islands

by globetrott

The San Blas Islands in Panama were one of my favorite destinations, when I was working onboard the cruiseships M/S Sagafjord and M/S Vistafjord for 4 years. The San Blas Islands are a group of very small islands, some of them are only 20 metres wide with a lonely palmtree on it - these looked exactly like the islands drawn for an "island-joke".The island that most of the cruiseships are going to is a bit bigger, with a small village on it and even a lighted Coca-Cola-sign, that you can see in my photos here. Most of the Cuna-Indians come to their native islands only to sell souvenirs to cruise-passengers and return to their homes afterwards.-----------------------------------------------Molas are these works of their art called,that they sell to the tourists and the native ladies fix such molas to the front and to the back of their costumes, but they sell tem like pictures / paintings...

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Paradise Gardens, Boquete

by iwys

Paradise Gardens is a wildlife sanctuary set up Paul and Jenny Saban from England. It is a lovely place to spend half a day in. You can see a variety of Panamanian wildlife in a beautiful setting. There are ocelots, margays, kinkajous, macaws, several monkeys, toucans and a large number of species of smaller birds. Each of them has been rescued from a sorry situation, for example, being used as street performers or kept as maltreated pets. Several of the macaws belonged to a drug baron who's now in prison. I think they were brave to take them!If you are lucky, Paul and Jenny will let you get really close to some of the animals and even hold a few.Admission: $5

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Hike in the Rain Forest at Finca La Suiza

by Over60

I spent three pleasant days hiking the huge network of rain forest trails developed by the owners of this isolated mountain lodge. The trails, steep, muddy, and slippery, are not for amateurs, but the views--beautiful waterfalls, scenic vistas, and rainbows and the rain forest ecology--more than make up for the effort expended. Eating lunch at the base of a waterfall that must have been 50 meters high was one of the high points of all my years of hiking. I was disappointed by the lack of impressive wildlife, but perhaps I simply experienced a run of bad luck.The lodge offers spartan but pleasant accomodations. The owners are of Swiss descent, which shows in the cleanliness and orderliness of the place. A good breakfast and supper are available at reasonable prices, and the owners will prepare sandwiches for day hikes. There is not much to do here but hike, so you'd be well advised to...

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Snorkling under the Restaurants

by boricuajc

If you take one of the many tours that different touring companies or hotels on the island provide whether its dolphin bay, Frog Island, or snorkeling tour. I've discovered that the best place to snorkel is under the restaurants that the guide will end up taking you to for lunch. These areas under the restaurants are completely filled with all kind of different species of fish. The fishes hang around these restaurants looking for, of cause an easy hand out.

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Square Trees

by iwys

On the outskirts of El Valle de Anton is a forest trail which will lead you past the Arboles Quadrados, or square trees. These trees have a trunk which is square at its base, but gradually becomes rounder as it ascends, taking on the look of a normal tree. There aren’t many of them. I only saw five.The trail begins in the grounds of the Hotel Campestre. It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the square trees. When I was there, a storm had left the trail littered with fallen trees, which I had to crawl under or clamber over. Wear good footwear as it can get muddy.Probably when you get there, you'll be scratching your head deciding wther or not you are actually looking at a square tree. I really didn't know what to expect. I thought they might have massive box-like trunks, but they are actually very slender, rather unspectacular trees. Hopefully, my photos will help you recognise them.

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Cayos Zapatillas

by iwys

Cayos Zapatillas are a pair of unihabited tropical islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, off the Caribbean coast of Panama. You can reach them by hiring a water taxi for the day from Bocas del Toro town on Isla Colón, at a cost of around $20 per person including snorkeling gear. They are in a protected marine park 30 km south-east of Isla Colón and you must pay an extra $10 to enter the park, but once there, you will find paradise: deserted white sand beaches, coral reef, palm trees and virgin forest. Four species of turtle lay there eggs here. It is just about perfect, but there is literally a fly in the ointment: there are plenty of sand flies here, so you will need to use insect repellant.

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Picturesque views.

by m1nkey

From the top of Ancon Hill you can see the whole of Panama CIty and a great section of jungle. This is a safe way to see the forest primeval. It is in the province of Balboa and easy to find. It is the hill with a huge Panamanian flag on it.

A walkway along the sea

by kyoub

If you are out driving on the interamericana it is an interesting drive to Chiriqui Grande.The scenery along the way is rich in vegetation, mountains, and an maybe a water fall. The small port city of Chiriqui Grande is not very attractive but it is worth a visit. Plus there is a gas station there.

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Flower garden

by kyoub

Mi Jardin Su Jardin is a beautiful garden surrounding a private estate. The gardens are open to the public. If you love flowers this is a don't miss place to visit. You can also go inside some of the buildings to look around. Don't miss the glass top dining room table with the pool beneath the floor. There is also a small gift shop.

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Surfing

by kyoub

Playa Las Lajas is a long palm lined beach near David. You will probably find that you have it all to yourself during the week, like we did. If you go on the week-end it will probably be very crowded. The waves are perfect for surfing. You might even see some shore birds.

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Unique Places in Panama

Top 3 Hotels in Panama

Hotel Plaza Paitilla  Panamá City

 5 Reviews and 72 Opinions  If you're used to staying in hostels or other South American hotels...you'll have no problem with... 

 Hotels in Panamá City

Garden of Eden Resort  Bocas del Toro

 158 Opinions

 Hotels in Bocas del Toro

Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa  Boquete

 68 Opinions

 Hotels in Boquete

151 Hotels in Panama
 
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Reviews and photos of Panama attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Panama sightseeing.

Experience Panama
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Panama
  1. Panamá City Off The Beaten Path
  2. Bocas del Toro Off The Beaten Path
  3. Las Tablas Off The Beaten Path
  4. Boquete Off The Beaten Path
  5. Isla Contadora Off The Beaten Path
  6. David Off The Beaten Path
  7. El Valle Off The Beaten Path
  8. Isla Bastimentos Off The Beaten Path
  9. Cambutal Off The Beaten Path
  10. Cerro Azul Off The Beaten Path
  11. La Chorrera Off The Beaten Path
  12. Guadalupe Off The Beaten Path
  13. Changuinola Off The Beaten Path
  14. Boca del Toro Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in Panama

 

Popular Regions in Panama

Provincia de Panamá Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Bocas del Toro Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Los Santos Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Chiriquí Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Coclé Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Colón Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Herrera Off The Beaten Path  Provincia del Darién Off The Beaten Path  Provincia de Veraguas Off The Beaten Path  Comarca de San Blas Off The Beaten Path 

More Regions in Panama

Questions and Answers

Dabs profile photo

Q:  For reasons that will take too long to explain, I'm in dire need of help as to where to stay for a short trip to Panama. It's for... 

milliturtle profile photo

A: There are a couple of all inclusive resorts on Playa Bonita. I think the nicer ones are the Intercontinental and the Westin (opened a couple of months ago). However, if... 

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