A Panama Guide

Panamas Pacific Coastline is rich with activities for resort-goers, water sport enthusiasts, explorers, scuba divers, sailors, boaters, fishermen and anyone who idolizes the heat of the sun, the roaring waves, white-sandy beaches and the cool ocean breeze. The Pacific Ocean is the worlds largest ocean and could easily cover the continents we live on today. The Oceans glory leaves Panama with islands to explore, coves to dive in and beautiful beaches where the hot Panamanian sand sifts through our toes as we race towards the sea. Living, traveling or vacationing in Panama anywhere on the Pacific Coastline is sure to be a treasured part of anyones life.

Investors in Panama and nations from all over the world are getting excited over AARPs recommendations for retiring in Panama and the positive reports on Panamas developments printed in the New York Times. The Baby-boomers who will be retiring soon (if not already) are an active and healthy generation. Real estate developers are becoming obsessed with the luxurious provisions and enticing water adventures that Pacific Coastal living in Panama can provide for these retirees.

The shores of Puerto Armuelles run only miles from Costa Rico. The ocean waters in this area are famed for its world-class fishing and they are a dream for professional anglers, scuba divers, and sailors. Scattered Vistas line the shores, but Puerto Armuelles has yet to be developed to its fullest potential and it is ripe for residential housing and tourist development. Significant business opportunities lie in not only real estate, but also in creating marinas, chartering fishing tours or creating a charted sailing tour along the Pacific Coast of Panama.

Miles from Puerto Armuelles running down the Pacific Coast lays the modern city of David, the capital of the province Chiriqui and one of the largest cities in Central Americas Panama. Despite its modernity and the presence of an international airport, David is a leisure city and life tends to run much slower pace than Panama City. Agricultural land, reasonably priced homes, and small-business ventures are at home in David and investments and real-estate property is ready and waiting. The city of David doesnt rest directly on the Pacific Coast, but it paves the way to the adventures in the Gulf of Chiriqui.

The Gulf of Chiriqui is home to the islands of National Geographic films. The famed Galapagos seals, Leatherback turtles, large iguanas, parrots and other exotic birds robust with color as well as the whales and dolphins out in the sea are found in and around the Archipelago of the Paridas. These Pacific Coast Islands are encompassed in the Gulf of Chiriqui National Marine Park for scientific exploration, education and for protecting endangered species.

In the Gulf of Chiriqui Valley of the Moon also sits the Island of Ladrones, nicknamed the Island of Thieves after a brutal looting of Magellans ship. The ocean waters around the Island of Ladrones are a scuba divers dream, brimming with unexplored underwater mountains and massive amounts of sea life. Whale watching from the Island brings charters of sea-faring tourists. Dedicated fishermen are almost guaranteed a hearty Pacific catch out in the Gulf of Chiriqus Cobia Island (Isla de Cobia). The Islas Secas are a privately owned group of islands that lavishes the vacations that island fantasies are made of. Resort style accommodations, unexplored tropical wilderness, water adventures in kayaking, scuba diving, surfing, beachcombing and artifact digging, as well as spas, massages, casual fine-dining and colorful tropical drinks, highlight this exclusive vacation area. Private islands still exist for investor development and the Gulf of Chiriqui is ripe for business opportunity.

Nearby, La Barqueta Beach is a popular Pacific Coast Beach for beachcombers and early morning surfers in Panama within the Gulf of Chiriqui that is around a half-hour drive from David. Although much of the character of La Barqueta Beach remains in the modest tropical houses of local fishermen and food fare, development in the area is evident with the ongoing construction of condominiums, small hotels and beachfront property. Los Olas is a newer resort at a convenient location and the nearby beaches are soothingly often deserted which allows for a reasonably priced peaceful vacation or getaway. Here you can jet ski, visit a coffee plantation, a deserted island or go horseback riding on the beach.

Following Panamas Pacific Coast southward, the peninsula of Azureros just out of Panamas isthmus provides centuries of history and culture within its hills, world-class surfing and sport fishing in its earnest Pacific waters. The Azureros is eagerly being developed and the potential is vast. Hollywood stars are grabbing for acres, tropical forests and sandy beaches are being dotted with exquisite vistas made by the finest of designers. Five-star resorts off the sands of Azureros are gaining international recognition that has often been held for the resorts on the wildly popular beaches of Panamas Playa Coronado.

Playa Coronado has long been a tourist attraction due to its close vicinity to Panama City. Real-estate development projects are continuously expanding and projects such as the 700 acre Vista Mar development, offer condominiums, first-class golfing, ocean-view homes and a world of amenities.

Across the waters from Playa Coronado are the legendary Islands of Pearl where pirates hid their treasures and oysters hide their pearls. The legendary pearls of Panamas Pearl Islands have made their way to European Royalty and Hollywood Stars. The La Peregrina pearl, an internationally recognized 31-carat 400 year old pearl was found on this Pacific Island and yet these 90 islands are largely left uninhibited. The calm surrounding Pacific waters are favored by snorkeling, sailors and of course fishermen.

Panamas Pacific Coast provides a wave of adventure for residents and vacationers. The international popularity of Panamas Pacific Coast is spreading fast. Real-estate developers and both small and large business investors and entrepreneurs are beginning to stake their claim in the future of Panamas beautiful Pacific Coast. Small coastal villas, rich stately Vistas, and towering Condominiums are multiplying on Panamas beaches and developers are successfully balancing the attraction of Panamas tropical nature with the attraction of business on the coast. Panama is surely the wave of the future for real-estate investments, tourism and vacation island dreams. Surfs up on Panamas Pacific Coast.

Panama is a popular Latin American tourist destination. This country offers

Unrivalled tourist attractions. A spectacularly rich biodiversity makes Panama a

Magnet for eco-travelers too. The country’s name means “abundance of fish and

butterflies” -but howler monkeys, sloths, manatees, crocodiles and rare quetzals

share the jungles and lakes, too.

This is what makes people come back time and again to Panama.

Facts & Figures

Panama is a 75,990 square km land area. The official language is Spanish.

However, many Panamanians speak both Spanish and English.

Panamanian weather is pleasantly tropical, and uniform throughout the year.

Nights are usually cool. The average temperature is 27 degrees C.

Panama has two weather seasons: rainy and dry.

The former stretches from March to December.

The time in Panama all year long is the same as the EST (GMT -5).

Panama does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Panama’s Tourist Attractions

Islands and Beaches

Panama offers an exquisite view and experience of nature at its best. Panama has

Coasts on two oceans: the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. These coasts, although

Different, are suited for all sorts of activities with the different beaches and

islands found in them. World famous beautiful beaches and islands will make your

visit unforgettable!

Caribbean Sea: On the Caribbean coast, the beaches on the provinces of Colon,

San Blas and Bocas del Toro and their neighbouring islands, are small to

mid-sized and all of them have coral reefs nearby,

They are often near other waterways and most have been formed by coral buildup.

These are the best beaches to do some scuba diving in.

Pacific Ocean: On this coast you’ll find a series of beaches which are easily

Accessible from the Pan-American Road. Many water sports including windsurfing,

surfing and swimming are practiced here. The most popular of these are: Gorgona,

Coronado, San Carlos, El Palmar, Rio Mar, Corona, Sea Cliff, Santa Clara, Playa

Blanca and Farallon.

Panama Canal

Considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, the Panama Canal is one of

the most fascinating places in the world, where human genius and skill join to

link two oceans and bring the world closer together.

The Panama Canal has a length of approximately 80 kilometers between the

Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Between 13,000 and 14,000 ships use the Canal

yearly, thanks to the work of approximately 9,000 workers, working 24 hours

a day, 365 days a year, offering transit service to ships of all nations.

The Canal uses a locks system that act as water elevators raising the ships

from sea-level (Atlantic or Pacific) to 26 meters above sea-level (Gatun Lake).

Each set of locks carries the name of the town where it was built: Gatun

(on the Atlantic side), Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific).

The narrowest part of the Canal is Gaillard Cut and it stretches from the Pedro

Miguel Locks to the southern tip of Gatun Lake in Gamboa. This stretch is

approximately 13.7 kilometers long. Take a mini cruise through the Canal and

then check out the Visitor Center in Mira Flores, the ideal place to see the

Canal operating. This installation, recently open to the public, has large

balconies from which visitors can see the locks open and close as the ships

begin or end their transit. Four exhibition rooms, organized by themes, are the

main feature of the Visitor Center. Exhibitions are dedicated to Canal history,

the importance of water as a source of life, the Canal operation and it’s place

in worldwide trading.

Tropical Rainforest

Panama is an ideal country for direct contact with the tropical rainforest.

The only capital in Latin America with a rainforest less than 10 minutes away

from downtown and with easy access to three national parks.

If you would like to go into the tropical rainforest, Panama offers national

parks declared Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage. Rainforests with the

widest variety of flora and fauna in the world (Darien) where we can find over

10,000 plant species and over 1,000 bird species.

Colon Free Zone

In a separated area of 400 hectares the Colon Free Zone is located at the

entrance of the Panama Canal in the Caribbean sector, in the province of Colo

and is considered the second largest of its kind in the world and the first in

the Western Hemisphere. Due to its unique geographic location and easy access

to four major ports, considered the most advanced in Latin America, this is

truly an International Shipping Center.

Also, located next to it, Visitors can find transportation services such as

France Field Airport, a Railroad Terminal, access to the Panama-Colon highway,

cruise terminals and a ground transportation terminal.

The Colon Free Zone is a Global Logistical Center. Its commercial transactions

generate US$ 11,000 million in imports and re-exports. With over 400 hectares

its more than 2,000 companies and more that 250,000 annual visitors reflect the

success of the Colon Free Zone.

Traders and investors can find: The existence for the International Banking

Center, the efficient maritime infrastructure, the largest center for collection

and redistribution in the Americas, the use of the US Dollar as currency,

security both within and around the area, great exhibition rooms,

warehouse and commercial outfits. A great workforce, both specialized and

low cost, a great number of tax incentives and a sophisticated communications

network are just some of the factors that contribute to ease the operations from

the Colon Free Zone and make this the ideal place for International Commerce.

Staying In Panama Made Easy

Getting to Panama is easy with all the transportation modes in this country.

There are land, water and air transportations operating in Panama. Staying in

Panama is also a burden off the shoulders of tourists. There is a wide array of

hotels and accommodations in Panama. These hotels suit any type of budget and

needs. They range from economy to luxury.

Indeed, there are countless reasons why tourists simply love Panama. With all

the attractions and complete comfort, there is no better “home away from home”

destination than Panama.

One of the most prized treasures of the Central American Continent is undoubtedly the magnificent nation of Panama. It is certain that even one trip might not be enough to take in and enjoy the wonderful experiences this paradise city has to offer! Tropical Landscapes, dense forests and overwhelming sandy beaches, make Panama an unparalleled holiday destination for couples and family holiday-makers.

The legendary Panama Canal and arrays of other natural attractions of Panama create an alluring invitation for travel lovers. Snorkelling, hiking, off-roading on the sandy beaches, or just peaceful bird watching, Panama has got the best of all!

The wonderful and stunning coastline of Panama opens up to the divine land of Panama country with palm fringed beaches to reveal an environment full of rich wildlife and tropical birds. The history of Panama goes a long way back to the late 1800′s, and tourists to Panama always seek to visit the regions of the Kuna’s; the vibrant natives of Panama, who have co-existed along with Panama’s rich history and heritage.

The best time to travel to Panama solely depends on what you are looking for in your holiday. If you are intending to spend more time along the Panama coastlines facing the housing the Pacific Ocean, then the best time to visit Panama are during the months of December and January. This time of the year the temperate climate creates a rather pleasurable weather with little rainfall. Hiking trips in Panama are also more feasible during these months. However, you must note that airfares and hotel rates can get rather high in these dry-seasons, so it is best to plan and book your trip to Panama well in advance.

When in Panama, be sure to visit a number of must-see places the country has to offer:

Panama City- This vivacious city has lots to offer for travellers in terms of partying, music, dancing, recreation, and exotic food. Noteworthy festivals and events in the city include the re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

Colon: This metropolitan jungle town house modern engineering feats, unspoiled beaches, colonial grandeurs and low-lying rainforests. It is here the Panama Canal can be found. The canal extends from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and it is sometimes cited to be as the 8th wonder of the world.

Panama has a number of colorful festivals to offer for tourists traveling in and around magnificent Panama. These festivals manage to portray what Panama is all about, and draw huge crowds every year. Panama is considered to be one of the party capitals of the world, and if you are looking to have some unadulterated fun, then Panama is the right choice for you.

Visiting Panama City or Las Tablas during the Carnival season can really do well to travellers who intend to party and have a good time while in Panama. Everything and anything goes here. However, if you do plan to visit Panama in this time of the year, be sure to book in advance, as hotels are jam packed with holiday makers.

Panama’s blend of rich heritage, urban convenience and unspoiled nature make it a sought after destination for travelers looking for a luxurious getaway and rugged adventure seekers alike. A far from comprehensive list, here we examine just a few of the intriguing destinations you can experience first hand during your stay in Panama.

-The Panama Canal: Of course! No trip to Panama is complete without experiencing the legendary engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. Connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal is widely considered to be one of the finest engineering achievements yet. An astounding accomplishment even by today’s standards, construction of the Panama Canal commanded the labor of thousands of men and took ten years to complete. The United States, which funded construction of the canal, maintained control of the canal and the surrounding area until it formally relinquished its power to Panama in 1999.

-Abundant Beaches: The only wonder here is which beach to visit first! Panama’s location and culture gives visitors diverse beach possibilities. Whether you are looking for a serene escape in a luxury resort, a cultural experience in a primitive Indian reservation or to reflect and reunite with nature on an exotic island, Panama has a beach that fits every style.

-Panama Canal Rainforest: If you are truly seeking a connection with nature, the 50,000 acre Panama Canal rainforests are only a half hour excursion from Panama City. Boasting hundreds of species of birds, plants, mammals and amphibians, many species that call the rainforests home are native to the area and not found anywhere else.

-Outdoor Adventures: Panama has no shortage of outdoor endeavors to satisfy even the most ambitious outdoor enthusiasts, such as kayaking, white water rafting, snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, bird watching, the possibilities go on.

-First Hand Ethnic Experiences: Panama is home to six vibrant Indian tribes, which have preserved their primitive cultural lifestyles throughout hundreds of years. Many reside in locations which are accessible, and are open to sharing their culture with guests.

Living History: Historic ruins still prevalent throughout Panama serve as a vivid reminder of Panama’s not so distant past. Panama La Vieja, once perhaps the most affluent city in the Americas, will give you a glimpse of the first city ever established by Europeans on the American Pacific Coast.

The union of exceptional natural beauty, ever evident cultural history, endless activities and a stable economy reaffirm why Panama real estate, travel and tourism continue to flourish today.

Panama-not just a vacation destination anymore. A new generation of Americans plan to retire here:

Folks who’ve discovered Florida’s Emerald Coast pretty much believe they’ve happened upon paradise.

And who can argue?

The beaches; the other-worldly hued water; the temperate climate..

But Chester Kroeger, Destin resident and former city councilman, and the founder of wildly popular Fudpucker’s restaurants, says he’s been hit by lightening a second time. He’s found another paradise – And who would believe it – it’s Panama.

“A friend of mine told me he was going to vacation in Panama, and I said ‘why?’” Kroeger said.

“I’d never considered going there.”

But his friend was effusive about the bountiful and unspoiled beauties to be found there, so a-month-and-a-half later, Kroeger made the trek.

“We flew into Panama, and I expected a third world scenario, but it wasn’t-Panama City’s very cosmopolitan,” he said.

One of the many attractive travel features of Panama is its easy access.

There are direct flights to Panama City from Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Newark.

Panama has two climates: the lowlands, which include Panama City, are humid and tropical. Temperatures typically range from 80 to 90 degrees during the day.

The highlands’ temperature usually ranges from about 45 to 85 degrees during the day.

In itself, Panama City is a great place to begin explorations. The city abounds in examples of fine mid-20th Century architecture. Not to be missed are the historical ruins of Old Panama and Casa Viejo, the old town, where you’ll find a wonderful collection of buildings that date from the 17th Century. Some say it’s reminiscent of old New Orleans.

Panama also is home to seven living Indian populations, with their own unique traditions and cultures.

No trip to Panama is complete without a visit to the Panama Canal zone. Located just minutes from Panama City, the area’s lush rainforest is part of the Soberania National Park – protected from development because it serves as the watershed for the Canal.

These are some of the most accessible rainforests in the world, and worth a trip to Panama in itself.

Kayaking, fishing and bird-watching are among popular activities.

Other national parks, located near Panama City, include Barro Colorado, Monkey Island, and Pipeline Road. Still others are Plantation Road, Achiote Road, Amistad, Pearl Islands, Darien, Coiba and Bocas del Toro.

Wildlife viewing is some of the best in

The Lure of Panama: U.S. Efficiency… with a Latin Soul

If you have traveled abroad, you know the routine… Get off the hot, restless plane, dump your bags in the room and then check with a local perhaps a cab driver or a hotel clerk about his favorite place to grab a bite to eat. You discover this wonderful, cool refuge tucked away in a back alley and immediately request… bottled water! The initial inquiry in any far off place is for that prized, sealed-top liquid which not only satisfies a thirst but provides a sense of security and reliability at the same time. In most places in Panama, your waiter or host will enthusiastically interject that you absolutely can drink the water that flows from the Chagres River, a key tributary of the Panama Canal watershed. A popular old saying is often repeated: “Once you drink water from the Chagres, you will return to Panama.”

For many second-home seekers who have toured this intriguing country, a new saying has surfaced: “Once you see the variety of affordable real estate, you will run back to Panama.”

The Panamanians are a proud people, and the fact that the water is drinkable is a fitting metaphor for their country. This small, Central American nation feels comfortable to foreigners, especially North Americans, who seem more preoccupied with the quality of drinking water than visitors from other parts of the world. In fact, Panama is perhaps the only Latin America country where you can indeed drink the water and not worry about a negative outcome. The nearly 100-year presence of the United States in the “canal country” has produced many dividends, including an excellent water purification system that is the envy of neighboring countries.

As a second-home market, Panama is appealing for individuals looking for a hybrid of U.S. efficiency and a Latin soul, combined in an intriguing mix that offers both comfort and adventure. From the moment you step off the plane at the modern, bustling Tocumen International Airport, located approximately 30 minutes from Panama City, you know that you’ve arrived in a region that is unique in Latin America. A divided four-lane highway whisks you into the suburban sprawl of Panama City, complete with freeway exits, strip malls, high-rise buildings housing a variety of corporate regional headquarters and expansive manicured homes and gated communities that resemble Miami more than any other city in Central America. Panama City’s dramatic skyline appears along the coastline, with construction cranes everywhere. The familiar feel of the U.S. permeates the infrastructure, yet with a distinctive Latin American flair that is carried by the culture and its people. For example, you will pay your taxi driver in U.S. dollars and your change will be delivered in U.S. dollars by a driver eager to show you that the local coins, called balboas, resemble U.S. currency and carry the same value (but won’t work in soda machines back home).

The buzz about Panama an inexpensive, fascinating second-home market has turned to boom. North Americans are visiting in droves and buying property. The buying interest has expanded outside of Panama City, to what is called the “interior” that includes mountain highlands, colonial towns, beachfront developments, islands, gated communities, and suburban-style developments. There are now developments, properties and estates to match any taste or budget, from an affordable view condo ($100,000 in 2007) in downtown Panama City to multimillion dollar homes on the beach.

Travel to Central America has always been very expensive from the US. However, the trade routes into Panama have consistently provided an opportunity for discount travel airfare to and from Panama. The amount of discount is often a function of the type of cargo and the actual form of air transport you are willing to accept.

Traveling as Cargo

Many of you may be surprised to learn that Panama may have more airfields available for light cargo planes than any single state in America. Practically every cocoa or marijuana field has its own private landing strip providing the capability to load fairly substantial amounts of cargo. In such cases, discount travel airfare from Panama might be necessary for the cargo owner. Thus, if you are not a very qualified liar, you might expect to spend some time in jail in the arrival city in the US. In such cases the discount travel airfare from Panama may in fact be more expensive than a regularly scheduled flight!

Discount travel airfare to Panama is much less adventurous. The simplest thing to look for is a two engine small passenger plane that is making frequent trips to Central America. Contact the pilot directly and negotiate your discount travel airfare to Panama. These guys think they are beneath the radar, and the fact that you know they are going to Panama for a reason that is not very popular with the DEA, can result in a very low discount travel airfare to Panama. However, one must understand that such discount travel may not be to the desired port or city, and further negotiation of the discount travel airfare to Panama is not possible once airborne.

Traveling as cargo in such a manner is not the safest or preferred way for those of us who wish to avail discount travel airfare to Panama.

Traveling Alone

For those traveling alone, here is a note of caution. When entering into the deal for discount travel airfare to or from Panama, please do it with at least one friend. Safety is in numbers and flying as a group in the manner suggested would result in far less trouble for you and your friends. You may even end up in a legitimate location in Panama and spend some quality time together. As with all vacations, time spent in planning your trip carefully usually pays off. Research the carrier, the airfields involved and the class of service provided.

3 Months and 5 Days

I came to Panama with little knowledge of the Spanish language, very little knowledge of the country of Panama, and next to no knowledge of the culture. It has now been 3 months and 5 days that I have been living in Panama City.

Some things that I have come to learn is that the food is just simply amazing, the country couldn’t have a more diverse and beautiful landscape, and the people are one of the kindest.

First arriving in Panama I was in awe struck with the variety of ethnic foods that Panama offers. A traditional Panamanian dish will consist of a combination of, patacones (fried plantains), fried yuca, sancocho (like a potato and chicken soup), rice, beans, and some sort of meat dish. In a third world country, which Panama is, you would think they wouldn’t really stray far from that. Being that Panama is a melting pot of cultures; it is directly reflected in the type of food that you can find all over Panama, especially in Panama City. I have come to find that German, French, Italian, Greek, Mexican, Colombian, Lebanese, Chinese, Japanese, and American food is easy to come by here. Every dish that I have been served that isn’t Panamanian, tasted as if I was eating it straight from its country of origin. I haven’t had a foreign dish here at a foreign restaurant that had a sort of a Panamanian flare to it; they all seem to be pretty right on.

The province of Panama has all the hustle and bustle that any major city in the U.S. has, the Darien province is one of the wildest jungles on the planet, the province of Chiriqui is filled with numerous amounts of rivers, a volcano, and mountains, and the province of Bocas del Toro is an island true to its form. With the nine provinces that make Panama this beautiful isthmus that it is, traveling through each and everyone one of them is quite mind boggling considering the vast variety of eco-systems you come encounter with. Waterfalls, lakes, rivers, oceans, mountains, rainforests, beaches, wild animals, a jungle, and a huge city all make up this beautiful country of Panama.

Whether I need help spelling the word “yuka,” translating a paragraph, or making a reservation at a cabana on the beach, my coworkers always drop the tasks that are occupying them at that moment in time and help me with whatever needs to be taken care of. I have had friends who have gotten rides around town in the province of Veraguas, as well as I have had people be extremely patient with me while I am trying to ask for directions in my broken Spanish. I also found that people on the streets here enjoy a friendly hello as you are passing by them.

All in all, I love Panama. I never thought it would be what it is. Everyday I encounter something new and exciting and hope you decided to venture our here too.

From the first moment you step off the plane upon landing in Panama, you will feel as welcome as if you were at home. This is not because of the tall buildings of Panama City, the exotic beaches or the humid tropical weather, but because the people that you will encounter and get to know during your stay will be some of the nicest and most welcoming people you could ever meet.

Most foreigners who are planning a visit to Panama think that they are coming to a typical Central American, Spanish speaking country. While this is partly true, there is much more to be said about the people and culture of Panama. Panamanians love their country with a true passion, and many are willing to share that love with anybody willing to listen. The people of Panama represent all different backgrounds and nationalities, but in this small yet spread out country they have managed to develop a society of great importance to the rest of the world. Panama exemplifies how people from different backgrounds and pasts can live peacefully together in a unified community. Homeless people, wealthy people, middle class working people and everything in between coexist in Panama. One major difference noticed between Panamanians and the rest of the world is that Panamanians do what they have to do to survive without complaint, with the mentality that if they work hard, the rest will take care of itself. The people of Panama work to live rather than live to work, so that they have money to get by but know that family and happiness make up a more important part of life.

Even if none of Panama’s sites remind you of home, the people will make you feel right at home. Walking along the streets of Panama, you can find families playing in parks, elderly men reading the newspaper while talking about how to solve the world’s problems and women offering to sell you their handmade goods. Panama’s people are unique, and only want the best for their country and everyone in it. Once you visit Panama, you may not want to leave. The Panamanian people, accompanied by the beautiful scenery and a booming economy, will soon make Panama one of the top destinations to visit on the planet.

The Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte, or the Grand National Transportation Terminal at Albrook, was made before small bus terminals were dispersed across Panama City.  After the construction of the new terminal, passengers could now arrive or embark on their travels throughout the country from one centralized location.

It is a modern complex that covers some 70,000 square meters and is organized for easy arrival and departure of passengers.  The terminal has many amenities for the convenience of passengers.  These include comfortable waiting lounges with air conditioning, an area for luggage storage, extensive ticket counters to various points in the country, two large food courts, numerous shops and services, banks, a police sub-station, a computerized station controlling the flow of traffic, first aid stations, tourist information centers, direct access to Albrook Mall, and parking areas.  From the terminal, more than 1600 buses and transport vans leave to cover 52 routes – 50 domestic and 2 international.  To help compliment all these services, there are more than 200 registered taxis and special access roads that lead to and from the terminal.

Note due to unfortunate circumstances, the majority of post (along with part of the website) from June 2009 was deleted.  I will attempt to rebuild them as soon as possible.  Sorry for the inconvenience.