Panama Off The Beaten Path Tips by quime Top 5 Page for this destination

Marine Exhibitions Center

On an island called Isla Naos, connected to Panama City by a causeway. Operated by the Smithsonian Institute, this center has a museum with marine exhibits, two aquariums, and a nature trail through a small forest harboring sloths and iguanas. Open Tuesday to Friday 1 pm to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is US$2.00, 0.50 kids

Phone: 212-8054

Website: http://www.stri.org

El Caño Arqueological site & Museum

A sacred burial ground is part of the remnants of the Natá nation, named after their cacique (chief) Natá. There are burials on display, which have been excavated from the large funerary mounds, and it is estimated that there are hundreds more in the surrounding area. Near the burials stand the ruins of what is thought to have been a solar calendar
Inaugurated on December 29, 1979 this small museum has stone and ceramic artwork dated between AD800-1500. See the mural and captions inside for a glimpse of Natá life and their first contact with Europeans.
Open Tu-Sa 9am-4pm, Su 9am-1pm. Adults US$1, including a guide in spanish. students and children US$0.25.

Phone: 987-9352

Darien National park

The Darién National Park and the Comarca Emberá-Drua (a semi-autonomous indigenous area) are two areas that have been set aside in Panamá to prevent further environmental destruction and to protect the remaining homelands of the Three Indian tribes that live in the park, the Embera, Waunana and Kunas.

UNESCO has Categorized the Darién National Park in 1981 as Worldwide Patrimony and in 1983 as a World Heritage Biosphere.

Panama’s largest national park, is an almost impenetrable wilderness between Panama and Columbia, the deepest areas are crawling with columbian smugglers and guerillas. Nevertheless, Darién’s rivers, jungles, and indigenous communities can be explored safely on tours from Panama City.

The Cana Field Station located in the Darién National Park is one of the 10 top birding locations in the world. Extractive industries are held at bay while sustainable rainforest products such as tagua provide an incentive to safeguard these biologically and culturally important areas for future generations.

for more see my travelogues about "Tagua"

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/159.htm

The Who is Who Island

Why don’t spend wonderful days in one of the relaxing islands in the world? Your dream island is called Taborcillo. A mirage of palms and white, sandy, beaches.
An enchanting island with an incredible plant and animal life, luxuriant vegetation and exotic fruit.
And there is another special feature to this island: it was the proberty of the famous actor Johne Wayne. Although is just a thirty minutes flight from Panama City, it has remained almost untouched by man. It is situated roughly 40 km (by sea) from Panama City (or 3 km off the coast).

Website: http://www.isla-taborcillo.com

Boquete

This misty coffee-producing town in Chiriquí Province, about 300 miles (473 km) west of Panama City, is known for its flower gardens and gorgeous mountain scenery. Boquete is the most popular starting point for treks to the summit of Volcán Barú, Panama’s highest peak, and the 5-mile-long (8 km) Quetzal Trail (Sendero Los Quetzales).

Website: http://www.volcanbaru.com

Metropolitan Natural Park

This park bordering Panama City is one of the most accessible rainforest areas in The World; why? This 655-acre wilderness park lies totally within the limits of Panama City
It is just 10 minutes from Downtown; and has nature trails and more than 250 species of birds and 40 types of mammals. This park is also the site of a tropical research center and a towering crane used to study the forest canopy. The visitors’ center is open 8 am to 4 pm daily. Admission is $0.50.

highest panamanian point

Baru Volcano is the highest mountain in the republic.
This mountain is the only spot in the world where (early in the day) you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans at the same time. The hike is steep but easy to follow climbing through the rain forest. Panama is home to at least 940 different species of birds, and holds various world records for many years in bird counts and observations. This area is noted for the famous, but elusive quetzal a large beautifully plumed bird with a distinct call. The hike is approx. 14km each way.

Few people climb to the top...see the web cam in the web adress below.

Website: http://www.volcanbaru.com