When you are a tourist in a new place, you normally let a tour guide help you out with places to visit. If you happen to be going to Panama, do not fret. This article will be your guide as you unravel Panama, a land abundant in fish, trees and butterflies – and a whole lot more.

Here are some of the go-sees when in this marvelous country:

1. Go you feel like getting in touch with your inner historian? A visit to the Casco Viejo ought to do the trick. Casco Viejo is a Spanish colonial sector that has been around for more than 3 centuries. It showcases the Spanish era in the country and makes one get in touch with the Spanish era that the country has undergone.
2. Once you are done visiting a historical place, it is time to explore nature and its fine offers. If this is what you have in mind, you may want to pay a visit to Ancon Hill and Metropolitan Park. Ancon Hill boasts of a terrific view of Panama’s pride, the Casco Viejo, Panama City and the Panama Channel. On the other hand, the Metropolitan Park boasts of the only rainforest in the world to be situated within a metropolis. Thus you are sure that you will be able to have a wonderful nature treat with these two locations.
3. Hungry after the hike and nature trip? Get a taste of Panama by taking a tour of Panama City’s restaurants. These places have been rated as the best when it comes to Latin American cuisine, thus you are sure to have a gastronomical feast once you pay them a visit. Want to have a bite? Try the ceviche, sancocho and sushi. Not only that, but the seafood fare is also mouthwatering.
4. Wrap up your day with a tour of the nightlife in Panama City. Casinos and clubs are where the parties at, so better bring a friend and enjoy the night away talking to amazing people or trying your luck at the casino tables. Who knows, Lady Luck may come with you and you get some dollars richer.

Are you ready? Pack your bags and be onboard the next flight – to Panama.

Places have their own stories to tell. They have histories that may lead to the way that it is today. These stories alone pave the way for a place to endear itself to a person’s heart, tourist or otherwise. In addition, it also becomes an interesting story to any newbie or visitor.

Panama, for instance, has a lot of stories to its name – all interesting. So how did Panama get its name?

It is said that when the first settlers of Panama came, a lot of butterflies were in the area. Thus, it was named Panama since it means “many butterflies” in one of many indigenous languages in the area.

Another theory is that the country was named such because of the vast number of trees known for the same name in its location.

The most common by far is that Panama got its name from Panamá, a word that means “an abundance of fish”. When Captain Antonio Tello de Guzman  explored the Pacific area in his exploration in 1515, he came upon a fishing village and thus sent word about its existence.

With the many theories to its name, one can not help but mix and match, so to speak. To date, Panamanians believe that their country got its name from a general term which means an abundance of fish, trees and butterflies. Well, if you can’t decide, you just mix them all together, don’t you? That way, you have a better meaning to a single word.  Not only that, but you have yourself a legacy, a way to hold everything together, in such a way that you preserve tradition and the beauty of where your place got its name.

Even with this very beautiful theory of how Panama was named as such, other people still believe that Panama comes from the word bannaba which means far or far away.

Even with these varying stories, Panama remains to be an oyster in the Pacific region, a place not often traveled to, but is a joy to visit. It certainly has a lot to offer, with the varying cultures and festivities, and don’t forget – though it is far bannaba (far away), it is still a land with an abundance of trees, fish, and butterflies. Who wouldn’t want that?

Panama Canal, the world’s engineering marvel, has improved the sailing time going from the East to the West of the Americas. The once 2-month journey through the rock strewn and wind-battered seas has now become 8 to 24 hours. What a great ease of passage! And, if you’re planning your next getaway and wondering what else the world famous Canal has to offer, then I tell you there’s a lot more. Besides the short cut, you’ll certainly appreciate the Panama Canal as a unique tourist destination.

Panama Canal Has An Interesting History

The idea of building the Panama Canal started as early as the 16th century with the French being the first to do the construction. They started digging in 1881, but the workers were forced to stop because of major problems like serious illnesses and mud slides. In 1904, the American engineers took over the Panama Canal project. The US engineers did a great job technologically and medically. They did the excavation work while improving the sanitation in the surrounding towns, thereby reducing the risks of deadly diseases. In 1914, the Panama Canal was completed. Its cost was $387 million and 25,000 human lives.

Great Scenery To Enjoy In Your Panama Canal Cruise

Besides its mechanical wonders, Panama Canal has a number of stunning and great natural scenery to offer. There are the untouched, tangled jungles in the waterfront that has a variety of flora and fauna. You’ll also see more than 120 species of wild life in the Barro Colorado Nature Monument. If you want to enjoy Panama’s landscape, the best time to visit is during the dry season which is from December to April, when there is not too many rains.

The ports of call depend on the Panama Canal cruise line and the length of your itinerary. Regular trips range from 10 to 14 nights, but if you want, you can spend more days, say 30 days or more, at sea on some tourist towns. Tourists normally stop at Colon, Panama because it is where the world’s 2nd biggest duty free zone is located. Native crafts, along with brand-name items, are sold here. The San Blas Island is another destination worth visiting. And the Panama City offers a mixture of colonial and cosmopolitan sites, besides the ease of access to the surrounding rainforest.

The Panama Canal cruises allow you to explore the Latin America – from the shores of Costa Rica to the coffee country of Colombia. To lure you further are the pristine beaches, snorkeling activities, the panoramic view of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, partying in Miami, or having a stroll through San Diego

The Future of Panama Canal

The Panama Canal will celebrate its 100 years of construction in the year 2014 with a $5.25 billion engineering innovation and expansion. A third lane of shipping traffic and other amenities is under construction. And it is expected to accommodate “post-Panamax” vessels. These are the commercial carriers and mega ships that exceed the original limitations of 1,000-ft. long and 100-ft. wide. The official estimate is that after the renovation, shipping and tourism in Panama Canal will double, to give both Panama and Latin America a much needed boost in their economies.You should visit Panama Canal

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