When people think of Panama, they usually think of the beaches and the canal. When in reality, Panama has so much more than that to offer. Panama is home to some of the most interesting history, friendly people, delicious food, and beautiful views in the world. Here are just a few highlights that will help you understand why Panama should be your vacation destination in 2019.
The Food
Get away from the mundane Tex-Mex and step into a world of delicious traditional foods from Panama. Though some of the most traditional dishes in Panama may look strange, they are an experience you don’t want to miss out on. From breakfast to cocktail hour, Panama has food that will leave you asking for more.
While in Panama, locals strongly encourage that you try Sancocho de gallina Panameño, the national dish of Panama. Sancocho is a delicious, light chicken soup with potatoes, cilantro herb, yuca, and plantains. Other ingredients often used include corn on the cob, ñampi (a tropical root vegetable), hot sauce, chopped onions, garlic, and oregano.
The People
Sancocho is often used as a metaphor for Panama's racial diversity, showing that each different ingredient has an important and equal role to play in the preparation of the food. Even before Panama was invaded by Spain, they were home to a diverse range of Amerindian peoples. Then with continued exposure to other countries, their diversity flourished. Their diverse makeup is thought to be part of the reason they are one of the friendliest countries you can visit.
The History
When people think of Panama, they tend to think of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is an extremely important factor in the history of Panama. The canal took 11 years to build and was officially established in 1914. The canal also serves as a major financial entity in Panama today. However, there is far more to Panama than their famous canal.
Another fascinating part of Panama is the history of their political involvement. Because Panama is so narrow, it’s home to the easiest crossing point in all of the western hemispheres, making the country very coveted. Unfortunately, the bad thing that comes with being coveted is that people tend to invade those locations. Though all of these invasions lead to the diversity of the country, they also lead to several wars – all of which have their own unique history.
The Beauty
When people think about the beautiful places in Panama, they often think of all of the gorgeous beaches surrounding this coastal country. But, did you know that Panama is home to one of the world’s most biologically diverse rainforests in the world? Chagres National Park has 1,185 documented species of plants, 650 documented species of birds, and 93 documented species of amphibians. If you were to visit this gorgeous rainforest, you’re bound to see things you never even knew existed.
Panama is also home to three volcanoes: Barú volcano (also called Volcán de Chiriqui), El Valle volcano (hasn’t erupted for several years and is thought to be dormant), and La Yeguada volcano (also known as Chitra-Calobre). Volcan Barú is the most active of these volcanoes and thankfully 30 minutes away from everything. There are tours of the volcano on a regular basis. For those of us who aren’t interested in the thrill of being near an active volcano, there are also several hot springs in Panama, which are caused by the thermal waters below the volcano.
Then, of course, you have Panamas capital and largest city, Panama City. Because Panama is a major Mecca of trade, the city is full of products from all over the world, which are sure to impress even the most sophisticated tourists. While a visit to the city’s most famous attraction, the Panama Canal, ranks at the top of most sightseeing itineraries, exploring the cobblestone streets and colonial buildings of the historic quarter, Casco Viejo, are also a must-do.
