Four Facts That Make Panama A Great Tour Destination

Panama is known for its canal, and with good reason: It’s an economic titan and the result of heroic industrial efforts. There’s more to Panama than the Panama Canal, however. The country is filled with intriguing attractions that make it a fantastic place for tourists. Few American tour planners have explored Panama as extensively as Condor Tours and Travel’s Lori Snow. Ms. Snow’s experience goes beyond leadind and organizing yours through her company. She speaks Spanish, has actually lived in Panama and has a native level of familiarity with the region and its culture.

“Panama’s an attractive tour destination because it’s convienient and exotic – two things that don’t normally go together,” says Ms. Snow. “There’s pretty much no other country in the world where you can see the Atlantic and Pacific before lunch, or can go from exploring the rainforest canopy to having dinner in a thoroughly modern metropolis like Panama City. It really is extraordinary.”

When asked, Lori Snow noted four facts that make Panama such an excellent vacation destination.

The Dollarized Economy: The Panamanian currency, the balboa, is pegged to the US dollar. In practice this means that both Panamanians and tourists use US dollars for everyday exchanges. There’s no need to go to special stores that accept US currency, visitors can track costs easily, and modern banking facilities make it possible to withdraw money directly from your account via ATM.

Lake Gatun: One of the largest artificial lakes in the world, Lake Gatun boasts fantastic fishing and sightseeing that you can’t get anywhere else. Visitors can look up from their fishing poles to see cruise ships and gigantic merchant vessels plying the lake, moving from one ocean to the next. Gatun us just one example of the way the Panama Canal has shaped the country.

Panama’s Rich History: Panama’s history starts with the traditions of indigenous peoples such as the Embera and Kuna. Lori Snow organizes regular tours to visit these groups, where people can purchase arts and crafts and learn about native cultures that have only become more vibrant after the colonial era. Panamanian history is an epic featuring numerous major powers, from the Spanish who conquered the region and the French who tried in vain to build the Panama Canal, to the Americans who completed the task. Every group left Panama a legacy for visitors to explore, including pirate fortresses and the oldest churches in the New World.

From the Rainforest to the Ocean: Facilities at the Gamboa Rainforest gives tourists a unique vantage point from which to view Panama’s wildlife. Gondolas let tourists travel the canopy. This is just one way to get a close look at Panama’s wildlife, and it’s worth it; the country is famous for its natural diversity. Over 40% of the country is forested, and it serves as a natural meeting point for species that originate in both North and South America. When you want to see the ocean, indulge in one of Panama’s unique opportunities: the ability to visit both the Atlantic and Pacific on the same day.

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