Panama is boasting there many and wonderful beaches and one reason is that its history and its economy are both connected and related to its sea. This gives the country a privilege because they are bestowed with a very good geographic condition that produces significant sea and coastal regions full of water and land ecosystems like swamps, beaches and coral reefs that form unbelievable scenery of submarine flora and fauna on both coasts.

For those who want more adventure, they can try diving in one of the beaches in Panama. A lot of visitors enjoy their stay in the beaches of Panama but many are taking in and recognizing the brilliance that diving presents them. There are only very few countries in the world where you can dive in two different oceans, not to mention a list of eco-rich bayous. Scuba diving in Panama can be a wonderful compliment to a Panama vacation. There are also many resorts in Panama which offers scuba diving tour and expedition which might also be able to convince you to stay on one of these resorts.

In Bocas, here are some dive spots that diving operators patronize.  The Tiger Rock, which is the farthest diving spot from Bocas with a boat ride that would last for about an hour. One can expect to see moray eels, hackle tree worms, anemones, sponges, and small schools of groupers, etc. There is not much in the way of large pelagic sea life here, so concentrate on the wall. Once circling the rock and reaching the far side, you’ll return back around the rock at a shallower depth, perhaps 50 – 60 ft. en route to the anchor. Depending on your air consumption, extra time can be spend near the anchor, looking through the cracks and coral formations that litter the floor and make up the rock wall. The dive lasts approximately 45 minutes for most.

http://www.panamadive.net/divesites/index2.htm

The Coral Cay or otherwise called as Crawl Cay, is a small island surrounded by mangroves. It is located at the southeast area of Isla Bastimentos.It is a popular spot on all the tours from Isla Colon. It has a shallow water dive with about 20-35ft. over a full-size garden of soft and hard corals separated by sandy or covered dust floor. This

is perfect for those who are into large scale photographs because there are lots of bristle tree worms, crabs, anemones, and Christmas tree worms.

http://www.bocas-del-toro.org/hotels/bastimemtos/coral-cay-cabines.jpg

The Hospital point is located at Isla Solarte, which is only 5 minutes by boat from the town of Bocas. It was the site of a medical center run by the United Fruit Company of Boston from 1899 until it was demolished in 1920, to put up a new hospital in Almirante. Because of its shallow reefs, many divers and snorkelers often visit the place. It has a rocky point that moves down along a delicate slope of approximately up to 40ft, where it then reaches the sea channel. Here you can find lobsters, moray eels, squids and other species.

http://www.worldheadquarters.com/panama/destinations/bocas/hospital_point/index.html

Whether you prefer snorkeling or scuba diving, a diving fanatic will really be astounded and overwhelmed by the attractiveness and charm these diving spots in Panama offer you. The country presents its divers a great number of sparkling and vibrant simplicity of Caribbean style Atlantic.

The Carnival in Panama is the most expected and grandest occasion of the year. The feast is celebrated and would last for four straight days preceding Ash Wednesday. In these days, nobody sleeps and everyone is drinking and dancing and watching the parades and some competitions.

History of the Carnival

The word Carnival originates from the “feast of the flesh” and it is one big event celebrated before the abstinence ordered by the Christian church for the duration of the 40 days earlier than Lent. In Panama it simply means celebrating in the streets.

The country’s carnival started during the end of the 19th century when the county was still under the rule and power of Columbia. Panama achieved its freedom in 1903. It was in 1910, that under a Carnival Board, the first queen, Manuelita Vallarino, was crowned. The queen was selected by the Panamanian aristocracy and upper classes of the Union Club, which had just been founded in 1909 which also have their headquarters in the Casco Viejo.

The carnival was declared an official event by the year 1913. It wasn’t until after the mid ’50s that the Carnival Board started selecting the queen from other levels and ranks of society which causes the Union Club to hold their own internal carnivals. Another event which was tied to the four Carnival days was the “Carnavalitos” in the city of Colon. On the weekend after Panama City’s carnival, people travel by train or bus to enjoy Colon’s parades, comparsas and “toldos”.

Each of the country’s provinces performs and executes its own type and brand of carnival and tries and aims to present the public a new and fresh attraction each year.  In 2007, the parades and main events moved to a new route and direction, the wide Transisthmanian highway, where the huge and excited crowd can witness and enjoy the celebration of the Panama Carnival which started over a century ago.

Celebrating the Carnival

The schedule of the celebration usually starts on a Friday before Ash Wednesday.  This is when the selection and appointment of the Queen and her attendants takes place.

On Saturday, in the main street of Panama City, the Via Espana, the people gather with the aim and intention to party. Street vendors can also be seen along the streets of the city. There is also a small parade on this day which usually plays salsa music. In the evening the celebration is mostly indoors at the cities many discos, bars and hotels of all classes and divisions and goes on until dawn.

On Sunday, during its midday, there is a big and stunning “pollera” parade. Polleras refers to the Panama’s national costume. A lot of women and girls beautify themselves out in this charming national dress to march and join the parade in groups.

Monday, there are still small parades seen on the streets and are usually filled with revelers.
Tuesday is the largest and the main celebration for this event. A huge parade with nicely decorated floats and costumes would fill the cities. The parade usually attracts people of all categories because this event outshines and exceeds those previous days celebration. The party most the time finishes in the wee hours of the next morning.

The Carnival in Panama is the most celebrated in the country. This should be experienced by everyone as it takes a lifetime of memories.

Casino and gambling as what I have mentioned in my previous blog, is one of things you can do and must do in Panama if you enjoy gaming and making bets. Panama welcomes anyone who is willing to stake or risk money with whatever their adherence and loyalty.

Panama City, being Panama’s capital city, as expected offers more opportunities for gambling but other cities also have something or plenty to offer. The country has many casinos and gambling establishments that are often visited by its locals and tourists. A few years ago when casinos were first opened, it was usually run, operated and supervised by the government in Panama City and other key and primary cities.

In Panama City, comprising the biggest and largest, have the most number of slot machines and casinos. The city alone is having 23 licensed casino facilities and 46 slot machine casinos. It also has large Bingo parlors around the city. Horse racing at a Hipodromo is also available. Lotteries are also present in the country which is run by the government and lottery tickets are sold by street vendors along all major streets in Panama.

The major and leading casinos in Panama include the Majestic Casino at Multicentro Mall. Hotel Veneto is a block away from Via Españ and has a very large casino with 512 slot machines, 12 progressive slots, 42 gaming tables, a large poker room, a Baccarat salon and a betting agency. Another is the Panama Casino Gambling which is also very popular.

Casinos in Panama are just everywhere and mostly every expensive and known hotels have a casino. Most of these casinos offer a full selection and display of games and amusements with having good restaurants. These games include blackjack, roulette, slots, pokers and many others. In the entire country, the most common and very popular among these games is the Blackjack. Most casinos are busy and jam-packed with so many players that are why if you are a small bet blackjack player, you should come early. Craps are not so popular in the country that some of the casinos do not have their own craps table. Poker, at the same time is not so well played leaving most tables empty. Slot machines on the other hand have plenty and ample players. This might be because this game is so easy to play.

Panama also has a national lottery which is played twice a week, usually during Wednesdays and Sundays. The tickets for these games are typically sold on stands all over the town. There are three classifications of the lottery namely the El Gordito del Zodiaco which is played every last Friday of every month. The Extraordinario is played three times a year that is in April, August and December. The tickets are being sold for $2 each.

These casinos are being run by the government and private business. Proceeds and earnings are used to support and sustain a number of the government’s actions and activities and good causes like hospitals and charities.