Off the Beaten Path: Panama

Since the creation of the world famous Panama Canal in 1914, this country has been at the heart of international shipping, serving as a connection point between the Pacific and the Caribbean. Panama has become a major tourist destination in recent years as flights from the US have become increasing cheap and more Americans begin to retire here. 

Panama Canal
See for yourself how the Panama Canal works as you transit the Miraflores Locks, one of three locks used along the canal. The construction of the canal was one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken at the time, and it made an enormous impact on shipping in the region. there are amazing sightseeing cruises not to be missed.

Enjoy an approximate 60-minute scenic sightseeing cruise along the Panama Canal until reaching the famous Miraflores Locks. Depending on the number of boats present on your date of travel, you'll most likely have to wait a short while before cruising inside the locks. The wait is absolutely worth it, so relax and enjoy the scenery until it’s your turn!  When going through the Miraflores Locks, your ship is raised up to 54 feet (16 meters) in a two-step process. This activity is achieved by sending water from Pedro Miguel's lake to fill the chambers where the ship is locked. Once the process is finished, you'll continue cruising to the Pedro Miguel Locks before arriving at the Gamboa pier.

San Blas Islands
When it comes to off-the-beaten-path Caribbean travel, you can hardly do any better than Panama’s San Blas Islands. An idyllic string of 378 islands and small cays, 49 of which are inhabited, San Blas is one of those remarkable places where time has virtually stood still for centuries.

The islands are inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who moved here when Spanish Conquistadors drove them out of mainland Panama. Like the Maroons in Jamaica and the Caribs in Dominica, the Kuna in San Blas are an autonomous society, living their daily lives much as their ancestors had hundreds of years ago.

Golfo de Chiriquí
The undisputed gem of the Chiriquí lowlands is the Golfo de Chiriquí, home to the Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí, a national marine park with an area of 147 sq km protecting 25 islands, 19 coral reefs and abundant wildlife. The marine park also protects the 30-sq-km Isla Boca Brava, a lovely little island with hiking trails and beautiful outer beaches. It's home to monkeys, nesting sea turtles and 280 recorded bird species.This area is accessed via the mainland village of Boca Chica.

Visitors can surf, kayak the calm interior waters, snorkel or wildlife-watch underneath the rainforest canopy, yet the biggest draw to the area is high stakes sportfishing. A new luxury development on Isla Palenque means further development is on it's way.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com