HOW TO SELL PANAMA
PANAMA How To Sell
BY JUDITH BAKER With the Pacific Ocean on one side
and the Caribbean on the other, Panama is a unique destination which is rapidly gaining in popularity with UK travellers keen to experience its combination of carnivals, culture and tropical climate. With both cruise and land trips
available, but unspoilt by mass tourism, the country is ripe for exploration. In fact The New York Times recently
listed Panama as top of the pile in its 45 Places to Go in 2012 list. Although most readily linked with the
canal, Panama is a destination of rich diversity with two coasts, more than a 1000 islands, beach holidays, rainforest tours, highlands and lively city life. A great year-round destination, it is the
only country in Central America that is free of hurricanes and the earthquakes that can plague its neighbours.
Panama City Panama City is a modern dynamic financial centre with a skyline of high-rise towers and developments. It is home to some top hotels as well as casinos, bars, shopping malls and good restaurants. The 17th century old quarter, Casco Viejo, vies with Cuba’s Old Havana and Puerto Rico’s San Juan when it comes to Spanish colonial charm. A walk on the ocean-side promenade
takes visitors to the French Panama Canal monument and some delightful souvenir shops and boutique hotels. A visit to the historic Panama Canal,
said to be one of the Wonders of the World, is obviously a must. See 5,000,000-ton vessels rise and drop
General Information
CAPITAL: Panama City LANGUAGE: Spanish, but English is widely spoken TIME ZONE: GMT -5 hours CURRENCY: US Dollar. Domestic currency is the balboa, used in association with the dollar VISA: Not required for UK passport holders CLIMATE: Warm and tropical, with constant temperature average of 29°C
Images: Panama's indigenous Embera Indians; Panama City's Old Quarter
more than 50 feet in the locks as they make their way over the isthmus from one ocean to the other. The Miraflores Visitors’ Centre is only 15 minutes from downtown Panama City with interactive exhibits explaining the workings of the canal and its history. A boat trip from the canal across Gatun Lake provides a glimpse of local flora and fauna including monkeys and crocodiles, and the chance to visit the indigenous Embera Indians who welcome visitors with traditional dances and music
Elsewhere in Panama Other highlights include the Archipelago de Bocas del Toro, which consists of six densely forested islands, scores of uninhabited islets and Panama’s oldest marine park. Although Bocas is the country’s main tourist draw it remains authentic and unspoilt. Bocas' laid-back Caribbean vibe is enhanced by the archipelago’s spectacular natural setting. The islands are covered in dense jungles of vine tangles and forest palms that open up to pristine beaches. The 365 San Blas islands are set in aqua waters but as well as great beaches there is the opportunity to visit island villages of the native Kuna Indians to learn about their culture and buy local crafts. Chiriqui Gulf is near the border with
Costa Rica and is home to picturesque islands and beaches with great fishing and diving. In the Highlands, near the Baru volcano, the verdant valley town Boquete is emerging as one of central America’s best eco-tourism destinations, with adventure options such as hiking, climbing, bird watching and white-water rafting. Thanks to its 3000-foot elevation, the area is significantly cooler here, making it ideal for adventure pursuits.
Where To Book It TUCAN TRAVEL – 0800 804 8435
www.tucantravel.com A seven-day tour of Costa Rica and Panama starts from £550pp. It takes in the highlights of the Caribbean coast and Chiriqui highlands culminating in Panama City. The islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and the mountain village of Boquete on the eastern slopes of the Volcan Barú are also included.
THOMAS COOK – 0800 916 6070
www.cruisethomascook.com A 17-night Panama Stay Cruise is from £2099pp. Stay one night in Miami followed by a 15-night Westbound Panama Canal Cruise with Celebrity Cruises on-board Celebrity Millennium from Miami, Cartagena (Colombia), Colon (Panama), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), and San Diego. The price is based on an inside cabin with flights, departing Heathrow May 11 2012.
INTREPID TRAVEL – 0800 781 1660
www.intrepidtravel.com A 13-day Costa Rica & Panama Discovery tour is from £635pp, excluding flights. Bocas del Toro, the coffee plantations of Boquete and Panama City are included.
How To Get There There are no direct flights to Panama from the UK. Although British Airways and Virgin, in conjunction with American, Delta and United fly daily via various US gateways. KLM Dutch Airlines flies daily to Panama City from Heathrow and all UK regional airports via Amsterdam. Prices from £685 (
www.klm.com). Iberia flies from Heathrow
to Panama City via Madrid five times a week. Prices from £650 (
www.iberia.com).
PANAMA Top Selling Tips...
• Twin it...
A two-centre holiday combines Panama with neighbouring Costa Rica, a more developed tourist destination
• Dive in world-class waters... Pinas Bay holds 250 world fishing records and Panama is home to seven diving areas like the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro and the Panama Canal itself
• A rainforest in a city... Panama City’s Metropolitan Park is the only tropical rainforest in the world located in the city, 45 minutes from the centre by car
• February is carnival time... Head for Panama in February for street parties, carnival
queens and parades
through the streets of Panama City and Capira
• Cruise the canal...
The Panama Canal can be viewed from a mini-cruise or boat trip from Panama City
• In loving memory...
Portobelo, in Colon, has the remains of forts which preserve the memory of attacks from famous seafarers like Henry Morgan and Francis Drake
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2012 43
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