Fallon Steve - Lonely planet: Panama

With a spate of deserted islands, chill Carib bean vibes on one side and monster Pacific swells on the other, Panama sits poised to deliver the best of all beach worlds. And a whole other world begins at the waters edge. Seize it by scuba diving with whale sharks in the Pacific, snorkeling the rainbow reefs of Bocas del Toro or setting sail in the indigenous territory of Kuna Yala, where virgin isles wear nary a footprint. Meanwhile surfers will be psyched to have world-class breaks all to themselves. Hello, paradise.

The dazzling blue coastline and shimmering skyscrapers say Miami, though many joke that you hear more English spoken in Panama. Panama City is nothing if not culturally diverse and driven, rough-edged yet sophisticated. Always a work in progress, construction is underway to add a subway and complete the massive canal expansion. But its the particulars that make it special. Pedal the coastal green space, explore the historic Casco or attend an avant-garde performance and you will realize this tropical capital isnt just about salsa, thats just the backbeat.

In Panama, nature is all about discovery. Explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast or boat deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe. Wildlife is incidental: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail, the unruly troupe of screeching howler monkeys outside your cabin or the breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an adrenaline-filled event. Adventure tourism means zipping through rainforest canopies, swimming alongside sea turtles or trekking to sublime cloud forest vistas. One small tropical country with two long coasts makes for a pretty big playground.

You dont have to make it all the way to the Darin to get off the beaten path though if you do, youll hit one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet. Go where the wild things are. Soak in the spray of towering waterfalls near highland Santa F. Visit one of Panamas seven indigenous groups through community tourism. Live out your castaway fantasies in the Kuna Yala or idle on a wilderness beach in Pennsula de Azuero. Howl back at the creatures sharing the canopy. Panama is as wild as you want it to be.

San Bls Islands ()
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Why I Love Panama

By Carolyn McCarthy, Author

In a world where the wilderness and native cultures are disappearing, Panama against all odds continues with its essence intact. Trekking through exuberant rainforests, seeing indigenous culture and sailing between pristine tropical islands opened up my sense of wonder. The wildlife viewing is astounding from expected places, like the waters of Isla de Coiba to patches of preserved forest just outside the capital. For me Panama is a confluence an explosion of nature, cultures and beliefs in that messy, musical arrangement thats everyday life in Latin America. All that energy feeds you, and you see the world in new ways.

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Panamas Top 15

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Panama City () is high-octane Latin America: think ceviche