We visited Panama couple of years ago in January. It was the furthest south we have ever gone and our first flavour of what Latin America has to offer. We experienced the country both with a native guide on our own schedule and by staying in an all inclusive resort.
Panama connects Central (and by extension North America) with South America and borders Costa Rica to the northwest, and Colombia to the southeast. Enjoying the best of both worlds, Panamanians have the benefit of the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
The resort we stayed at, the Playa Blanca, is located about 75 minutes from Panama City and not only is it beautiful, it has the best cappuccinos and most amazing grilled calamari. There was also a friendly Toucan that made daily visits to the eating area for some fruit and literally ate off guests’ plates. It wasn’t shy by any means and quite amusing. Having never seen one in real life, I was stunned. Toucans are very colourful and vibrant, almost resembling a stuffed toy. I think this was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life and I was overjoyed when it made its way on our table the day we were leaving. To this day, this is one of my favourite memories of encounters with nature’s creatures.
The hotel itself is on the Pacific coast of Panama and boasts a dark sand beach. Being used to the almost white beaches of the Caribbean my feelings about this were very mixed. I expected to step on the beach made up of black sand and more resembling a field of dirt rather than an ocean coast. It turns out, not all the sand is black and tends to be that way closer to the water. The only important difference I discovered is that it heats quicker and retains the heat longer, which works on the same principle as clothing. At times, walking on the beach felt what I imagine walking on hot coals must feel like. Nonetheless, the effect of wet black sand is quite spectacular.
The best way I can describe the essence of Panama is that it has the Miami-like vibe with the feel of a Caribbean island. The shopping at the malls in Panama City is amazing and very cheap – at least when you compare the prices to anything in Canada. People are friendly and being a tourist doesn’t make you stand out like a sore thumb which is always a plus in my book.
A stop at Panama Canal is definitely a must. Its long and quite deadly history is captured quite poignantly in a little museum at the Miraflores Locks and it provides quite an intimate look at this decades-long engineering feat.
Aside from the bustling vibe of its capital, Panama has breath-taking mountain peaks and tropical rainforest that is home to an incredible array of animals and plants. A rich mix of cultures and its long history make this a fascinating place to visit.
There are other beautiful resorts in Panama, according to a guide book in our room, on the Caribbean coast, closer to the Costa Rican border. Unfortunately, they are not offered as destinations by any carriers from Canada. That is my only complaint about Panama. I hope one day to explore more of this amazing country especially when it becomes more accessible and so should you!