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WELCOME TO PANAMA

Panama's unique location provides the experience of a lifetime. It is gifted with having a wide range of rainforests, a desert, and breathtaking beaches on both coastlines, the Caribbean and the Pacific, all within driving distance of a cosmopolitan city.

COSMOPOLITAN PANAMA

Panama City is culturally diverse and driven, rough-edged yet sophisticated. And there's much that's new or improved. Central America's first subway is operating, the historic Casco district has been beautifully restored, and a massive canal expansion completed. Take in the city's funky particulars. Pedal the coastal green space, explore the Casco or attend an avant-garde performance and you will realize this tropical capital isn't only about salsa: that's just the backbeat.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

In Panama, nature is all about discovery. Explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast or boat deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe. Wildlife is incidental: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail, an unruly troupe of screeching howler monkeys outside your cabin or a breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an adrenaline-filled event.

Adventure tourism means zipping through rainforest canopies, swimming alongside sea turtles, or trekking to sublime cloud-forest vistas. One small tropical country with two long coasts makes for a big playground.

PANAMA FAST FACTS

Population: 3,705,246

Capital City: Panama City

Climate: Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Time Zone: GMT-5 / Coastline: 2,490 km

Language: Spanish (official), English 14%; (many Panamanians are bilingual)