I am sure you people must have heard about wonderlands and fantasy lands? While listening about these lands, you must have wished to go there once in a life time.
So hold your breath because I am just going to reveal you such a land. PANAMA! A land for all adventure lovers.
The country has many special features making it unique from other countries of the world. One of such features is country’s rainforest; these rainforests are among the posh, richest, and most intricate forests of the planet.
Another most special feature of this amazing country is that this is the only country where jaguars and pumas hang around; you just have to take very short drive from the capital. The jungles and forests of the country are so dark and huge that more than 940 bird species and 105 endangered animals have made these forests their homeland.
This includes spectacled bears, Central American tapir, American crocodiles, scarlet macaw and different eagle classes.
Panama is a small country but it has some of the best things to offer which includes diving, bird watching, deep sea fishing and other eager and most awaiting adventures.
Panama has best deserted palm line seaside, rainforests, national parks, mystifying mangroves, steamy cloud forests, mountains, waterfalls, intense rivers, abandoned forts, and deserts to offer to visitors of the country.
The greatest way to spend dawn in panama is by diving in the Caribbean and the finest way to spend afternoons is by swimming in the pacific.
There are many other activities that you can do and enjoy. Like explore the ancient skeletons of the colonial era, dive for Sir Francis Drake’s lead coffin, go to rainforest in the aerial tram, ride a dug-out canoe to a native Indian village, see the distant and puzzling forests of the Darién region right on the border of Colombia, come head to head with a red-napped tamarind monkey or a trio of colorful toucans.
In an article written on February 2005, Conde Nast Traveler writes that: “Panama has temperate rain forests, great surf and beaches, and more birdlife than any other country in Central America. Now…it also has a newly elected administration that wants travelers to enjoy every bit of it."
Panama is a small country but it’s absolutely amazing to see the varieties the country has to offer to its visitors and tourists.
Now I am going to give you people a brief description about panama. You will find below the places and activities that you can go for in 24 hours of your visit. From the customary Panamanian brunch to trip to Miraflores Locks to sunset drinks.
Brunch in El Trapiche
This is the best thing that panama offers its visitors; yummy and delicious brunch. You must have heard this saying that: “always have breakfasts like king”.
El Trapiche is the place where you can have one just like kings and queens. And it is best to hit off the day with full stomach. El Trapiche is one of the demanding restaurants of the country. Here breakfast is served in typical Panamanian fashion.
You can have an appetizing roll made of mashed yucca and stuffed with ground beef and boiled eggs—and a side of corn tortillas, that more resemble silver dollar pancakes than taco shells. Don’t worry about the bill. All this will cost you less than $8.
Trip to the Miraflores Locks
You go to Panama and you come back to home without seeing “eighth wonder of the world; panama canal”; then you wasted you entire trip to panama. The history of this canal describes the human skill of cleverness and bravery at the same time.
Many people suffered from decades of sacrifices, devastating defeats, and final moment of conquest. The building of this canal was instigated in 1904 and finished in a decade.
Builders and people of the country faced countless difficulties like landslides, diseases, setbacks, loss of lives of many people but despite they did not give up and now this canal is labeled as one of the utmost engineering creations. The canal is dug in 240 million cubic yards of earth.
The 51 miles long canal opened the ways of shipping in Australia in 1914 and was announced proudly on July 12, 1920. US paid $25 million to Colombia in 1921 as a compensation for the loss of Panama and in return Colombia declared Panama as an independent land.
On a boat, it takes eight hours to reach from one ocean to other. On way, you get to see three sets of locks. If you want to view the canal at best then visit Miraflores Locks. It allows you to take a best look of canal for free from 9.00am to 5.00pm. 9.00am is the time when bulky ships pass through the canal. So 9.00am is the best time to reach to Miraflores Locks.
Tamales in Casco Viejo
Now is the time to hire a bus or taxi and start moving towards Casco Viejo for Tamales. Be in hurry so that you can get chance to encounter with Luis Antonio Visuette who is selling most delicious homemade tamales beautifully covered in plantain leaves for a decade.
With his Yankee cap and five gallon bucket of hot and spicy tamales calientitos, it is difficult to neglect Luis. He serves this suppertime legacy in both large and small sizes. Large costs 50 cents and small costs half of the large i.e. 25 cents.
What bonuses the treat is the icy cold drinks. Another bonus is that you can enjoy every bite of Tamales in our own office which is situated in Casco Viejo area, in the Cathedral Plaza, next to the Panama Canal Museum, in front of striking Metropolitan Cathedral. Luis will be checking in.
Discover Casco Viejo
Come and explore the oldest and ancient city of the panama. Casco Viejo is positioned in the entrance of the Panama Canal. The city existed long before the canal was constructed.
History tells us that Panama City which is now popular as Old Panama or Panama La Vieja came into existence in 1519. It is two mile from the middle of Panama City.
It is this city from where journeys were began to conquest the Inca Empires of South America and all the wealthy loots from Peru, Chile, and California ran to Spain through Old Panama. This valuables appealed many bandits like Henry Morgan.
In Morgan’s attack, original Panama City was completely blazed. In 1673 two years after the attack, the capital was shifted two miles to the west and then current Panama City was originated. This area is now known as Casco Viejo.
In the process of rebuilding the city, Spanish settlers took a decision of building a huge wall and strong castle around the city to protect it and to prevent the vulnerability of wealth in form of gold and silver from the pirates.
The brand new city is made up of 38 blocks having cross sectioned design. Three avenues are administered from east to west and seven from north to south. Regrettably, this development was restricted by different blazes that distraught the streets.
Two third of the city was ruined by the ‘big fire’ in 1737. Then in 1756 ‘small fire’ ruined 90 plus houses of the city. These disastrous fires prove the existence of less Spanish colonial architecture.
In these tough conditions, castle managed to survive and make historical buildings are present but what makes highlights Casco Viejo among these historic buildings is its architecture.
French balconies and architecture is over imposed in the ancient Spanish colonial style. Currently, Casco Viejo’s architecture is an example of encouragement and fashion of buildings having age of 300 years.
Much More
In the starting years of twenty first century, Casco Viejo was considered as one of the most flourishing and prospering cultural meeting point.
But as we all know later in this century, technology began to develop more, urban cities are becoming more and more modern by passing of each year.
But as we all know later in this century, technology began to develop more, urban cities are becoming more and more modern by passing of each year.
Just like this, Panama City too developed enormously making mode of transportation easier and comfortable. All this growth somehow declined the status of Casco Viejo. As transportation modes improved, streets and boulevards of Casco Viejo got narrower.
Buildings of Casco Viejo are also very old in designing and structure and are incomparable to today sky buildings touching. In the middle 1900s, Casco Viejo completely lost its status and soon became area for poor tenement style lodging.
Now the area is again transforming into different shape. Many investors are investing in this land and opening restaurants and bars. Tourism is boosting. Many people are too looking for lands to make it their permanent residence.
Casco Viejo was labeled as patrimony of humanity in 1997 by UNESCO. Presently too the place is honored and valued as remarkable part of Panama City. Two and three story houses with the ornamented galleries neglect the contracted streets.
The bonus point of Casco Viejo is French Park. In the park, French embassy and headstone of tough French builders is made. Las Bovedas, a Spanish building, is placed on one side. This building is now an art gallery along with French restaurant. Panama’s Supreme Court was also once located here.
A very nice pathway is built on surroundings of headstones. This pathway offers stunning view of Amador Causeway, Bridge of the Americans and Panama City’s skyscraper skyline.
In addition to the buildings and other places discussed above, Casco Viejo also has some admirable museums. Museo de Canal is one if these museums. Here you can get closer look to history of Panama, how Panama acts as a connector between Atlantic and the Pacific?
How this role of connector has transformed from pre-Hispanic to modern times. Then the National History Museum and National Cathedral is located. Near to it is a very small museum devoted to religious talent. This small museum was built in old Santo Domingo Monastery.
This is the place where popular Flat Arch is placed. It was said that this arch convinced engineers about the fact that Panama is an earthquake proof and geographically stable area to build the canal. If you take few steps from this place, you will find old San Jose church.
The church is adorned with glossy spires inlaid with mother of pearl. Appealing gold altar is imprinted of woods and is covered with gold. This is the place that you should not miss at any cost when visiting Casco Viejo.
Another appealing fact about Casco Viejo is that it is a residence to presidential house. Plan a visit of it on Sunday as it is close for public on weekdays. Panama is also a home to many sons and daughter of Panama, actors and actresses. Panama’s tourism minister Ruben Blades and boxer Roberto Duran also live here.
If you think you are a good bargainer, then Salsipuedes is the bazaar for you. The word Salsipuedes means “GET OUT IF YOU CAN”. This bazaar is weird in its own way. It is located just before the entrance of Casco Viejo and streets of this bazaar are so constricted and full of merchants that there is dark in day time. By walking few steps from this bazaar, you get to visit Santa Ana’s Plaza. Here you can know your destiny by paying $5 only.
Banquet at the Bristol
You must be tired and exhausted by now. So why not finish your day in classy The Bristol Hotel. It’s a short drive in cab from Casco Viejo. The dinner at the Barandas Restaurant of The Bristol Hotel is definitely relaxing and enjoyable.
The yummy food, relaxing vibes and atmosphere, dazzling presentation, classy set up and excellent service; all these combination of offerings make this dinner memorable.
A Trip To Panama Caught Your Fancy?
This brief report has revealed some the great places to visit in Panama and some great facts about the county. But in the end let me assure you that Panama has much more to explore and discover.
Pacific Coast beaches near the city; Coiba Island National Marine Park; and the Darién Province are including in these much more place to explore. Take some time out, plan your visit nicely and then go for Panama. You will for sure enjoy this visit.
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