10 Reasons Why Panama is a Great Tourist Destination
Panama is just beginning to promote itself as a tourist destination. You can come before the crowds.
1. Panama is the best place for ecotourism today.
Panama has some of the world's most beautiful and biodiverse
rainforests. As one indicator of biodiversity, Panama has more bird
species than the US and Canada combined: 934. Furthermore, all that
great nature is very accessible. Some of the best locations are just 30
minutes from Panama City. There is a saying that in Costa Rica, there
are 20 tourists to look at one bird, while in Panama there are 20 birds
for one tourist to look at. There is much truth to this. An article in
an Audubon Society Magazine rates Panama's Canopy Tower as one of the
top eight nature lodges in the world
See Ecolodges
2. Panama is economical.
Because tourism is just beginning,
prices are still modest and you can really stretch your tourist dollar.
Within Panama City, taxis and meals and hotel prices in all categories
are particularly pleasing. Yet, even though it is economical, you will
find that Panamanians know how to do things right. They want you to be
happy and come back again.
See Hotels and Resorts
3. Panama is safe.
In fact, it is one of the safest tourist destinations anywhere.
According an article on tourist safety in Newsweek , Panama was rated
by the prestigious Pinkerton Intelligence Agency in the highest
category for tourist safety. Unlike some other places , you'll find
honest taxi drivers and the crimes that plague foreigners in other
countries like purse-snatching and pick pocketing are rare. You are
safe in Panama- relax and enjoy!
4. Panama is tourist friendly.
This may be Latin America, but you don't need Spanish. Most people here
speak English as a second language. Calculating the value of the local
currency versus the American dollar? No problem! The currency of Panama
IS the American dollar! Panamanians have been working closely with
foreigners - the Americans in the Canal Zone - for nearly a hundred
years. They are accustomed to us, understand us, like us and have a
sense for what Americans appreciate.
5. Panama is a first-world country in many ways.
Panama has a sophisticated service-based economy, tap water you can
drink, high quality services, excellent roads and highways. There is a
long tradition of service to foreigners as an international crossroads
and the educated populace speaks English as a second language. Serious
political difficulties are a thing of the past and Panama now has one
of Latin America's most exemplary democracies.
6. Panama has a wide selection of beaches, island venues and activities.
With two coasts, countless islands and Caribbean style beaches ,there
is much to choose from for beach vacations: full service resorts (
Coronado, Contadora, Banana Village) exotic off-the-beaten-track
getaways (Bocas del Toro), Indian reservation islands (San Blas) etc.
See Islands and Beaches
7. Panama has some of the best and most accessible places in the world for bird watching and nature observation.
Pipeline Road, the scene of a world record (350 bird species counted in
one day) is scarcely a half an hour from Panama City. In Panama, you
can get very close to the best of tropical nature without traveling
long distances, giving up your creature comforts or putting yourself in
any kind of danger.
See Birding
8. Panama has an unusual variety of attractions.
Panama has exotic tropical rainforests, cool gorgeous mountain refuges,
Caribbean-style beaches, Indian tribes, a pretty Miami- style capital
city, historic venues (Balboa and Columbus left their mark in Panama)
adventure tours, kayaking, white water rafting, not to mention one of
the engineering marvels of the world- the Panama Canal.
9. Panama has world-class fishing, diving, snorkeling and sailing.
One place in Panama, Bahia Pina, holds 170 world fishing records. There
are five world-class diving and snorkeling areas- Bocas del Toro, Coiba
Island, the Pearl Islands, Isla Grande and for historical diving, the
Panama Canal itself.
What to Do and See
10. Panama is a great place to visit living Indian cultures.
Panama has not one, but 6 colorful Indian tribes right out of the pages
of National Geographic. Each of them has preserved its own fascinating
life lifestyle. Many live in accessible locations and happy to share
their life and culture with visitors.
Tour Operators
Those are 10 very good reasons. What are you waiting for?
Come to Panama!
