Panama is an exciting destination! Of course, the canal dominates travel conversations and is what attracts tourists from all over the world. But there is so much more to see and do in this country, about the size of South Carolina with a population of about 4 million. Panama, itself, is bordered by Costa Rica on its north and Colombia on the south. The canal is dominated by two main cities, Panama City on the Pacific Ocean side and Colon on the Caribbean Ocean side. Let me start with Panama City, a booming vibrant metropolis. The city is divided into three different areas. First, there is Panama Viejo, a UNESCO Heritage site started in 1517. It was the center of the route from Peru, moving Inca treasures up to the Atlantic and then off to the Old World. Ultimately, in 1671, it was burned down during a battle with the pirate Henry Morgan, and a higher better stronghold was created which is now called Casco Viejo. This area is filled with charming old buildings from the Spanish and French periods, most of which are being renovated for housing, stores, restaurants and hotels. There is lots of construction going on but in between there are many old churches, little parks and squares and lots of new boutique hotels.
This is where I suggest staying as you can get out and walk everywhere. It is reminiscent of the old section of San Juan, and also Havana, but unlike Cuba, there is plenty of money being spent here. It is situated right on the water with gorgeous views across to the modern area of Panama City, studded with skyscraper buildings. This part is teeming with traffic, business, banks, restaurants and finance. Panama is the crossroads to North and South America and the economy is booming. By the way, they use the U.S. dollar and although Spanish is spoken, English is also prevalent. When you go from the modern business section of Panama City out to Panama Viejo, you will pass a very modern building which is called the Biodiversity Museum. This is well worth a stop to learn about how the Panama land contributed to such a diverse culture and people.
Now, on to the canal. I want to break the tourism myth that the best way to see the canal is to take a cruise through it. Such a transit, regardless of direction, takes six to eight hours. My personal opinion is that you can see and learn so much more if you are on the side watching everything in detail. If you go to the Miraflores lock area, about 15 minutes outside of Panama City, there is an outstanding Visitors’ Center, where you can position yourself on many different levels to watch the action as a ship passes in front of you, as well as have video presentations of the entire history of this “seventh wonder of the modern world”. Besides the fascination of the locks, one should also tour the large living areas which the Americans built and used for many years, including sections for people from Trinidad and Barbados who were working on the canal. If you only cruise through the canal, you will certainly miss these great experiences.
The canal is fascinating and here are a few fun facts: It turned 100 years old in 2014; it runs north and south not east and west; over 14,000 boats pass annually; there are small cars on tracks outside the locks (“mules”) which use heavy cables to help guide the ships so they don’t ram their sides into the locks; the canal is just 48 miles long and there is a lake in the middle (Chatun Lake); every time a ship passes through, there are 52 million gallons of water displaced which must be which must be replaced by rainwater (over 200 inches annually); every ship must pay a toll with average toll about $100,000, depending on size of boat crossing.
Watch for next article on San Blas Islands and the Boquete mountain/coffee growing area of Panama.
Linda Stack is owner of Travelinda, LLC, lives in SaddleBrooke and can be reached via email at llstack9597@gmail.com.
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