Greetings from Panama! My name is Marina Ehrman and I have been a professional tour guide and promoter for Panama Tourism and Travel Company since 2005. I love what I do and am proud to share what my country has to offer. It is filled with endless leisure and commercial attractions, friendly happy people who open their doors to all visitors. Panama is a country of incomparable natural beauty with a variety of tourist attractions, beautiful beaches in the Pacific and Caribbean. The tropical climate year round with its diversified flora, fauna and indigenous groups make it one of the most important of Ecotourism in Latin America.
I invite you to know our country’s history, culture and also enjoy the cuisine, folklore and traditions that only a place in the world can provide………Panama!
Contact me and I’ll organize your visit and will be happy to welcome you in Panama. For more information on Panama, follow my Facebook page and my blog. Visit www.panamatourismtravel.com
The King's Bridge ( Puente del Rey) has legendary fame in Panama , comparable
only to the cathedral tower in Old Panama. It is not only the best preserved
bridge from the colonial period in the country but it also represents the spot
where the Royal Road commenced, along which passed the mythical riches of Peru
in route to Portobelo.
For a hundred years there was a wooden bridge over the
River Abajo- the north terminus of Old Panama but in 1619 building works
commenced on the present day stone structure , which has a single semicircular
arch with exquisite worked ashlaring. No one knows when the bridge was
completed, but apparently construction works lasted for years .
Soberania National Park is located within Colon Province and Panama Province. It is about 40 minutes from Colon, and 20 minutes from Panama City. Established as a national park in 1980, the park covers 55,000 acres (220 km2) The Charges River flows across the national park at the town of Gamboa.
There is a park headquarters with rooms for meetings and
audiovisual presentations, a store, orchid site, and natural trails. In Aguas
Claras there is a checkpoint and a forest ranger facility. There are three
natural trails: the Charco, the Camino de Plataciones and Camino de Cruces. In
the protected area there is a camping area. There 105 species of mammals, 525
species of birds, 79 reptiles, 55 amphibious and 36 species of fresh water fish,
so the park is an important wildlife refuge.
The jewels of the park are Trail el Charco in Gamboa and the
bird observation sites along Pipeline Road ( Camino del Oleoducto). The Camino de Cruces also
crosses the park. This was the road that the Spanish used to transport gold
overland from the Pacific to their ships in the Caribbean. Part of the paved
section has been restored.
The annual mean temperature is 28º C the Caribbean slopes of the
park. Rugged undulating hills and steep slops prevail, with a maximum height at
Cerro Calabaza (85 meters above sea level).
The Park is made up of humid forest with its impressive trees
like, cotton tree (ceiba), cuipo (Cavanillesia platanifolia), mahogany and
guayacan (Tabebuia guayacan). The forest contains lots of lianas, epifitas and
orchids and the royal palm tress, fruit trees nance (Brysonima crassifolia), and
wild plums.
Birds are particularly noteworthy here. On its
best known trail, the Pipeline Road, the Audubon Society has for 19 years held
consecutive world records in the annual census it organizes. 525 species of
birds were recorded on just one day in 1996. Among the outstanding ones are the
endangered crested eagle, the spectacular rofous-ventaul, ground- cuckoo, and
colorful tragons like violaceous tragon, motmots, toucans, trogons, flycatchers, antbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers, and hawks. Among the rare bird species in the park are yellow-eared toucanets, crimson-bellied woodpeckers, sirystes, and rarely seen harpy eagles
Reptiles such as the babilus, the warty snake,
amphibians such as the common toad or the salamander and fresh water
fishes like the sabalo, pipon or the barbudo are to be found
here
Portobelo National Park is located within Colon Province. It is made up of 86,000 acres, 20% of which are marine areas. It protects both coral reef communities and coastal forest. This coastline includes important stretches of coral reefs, mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons and beautiful beaches, where every year four species of marine turtle, including the threatened hawksbill, come to nest. Within the park is one of the more beautiful natural harbors of all Caribbean, the bay of Portobelo. The fortifications that are conserved surrounding the cove were named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1980. This means that the bay of Portobelo has been included on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Committee, whose goal is to preserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humankind.
The Centennial Bridge is one of only two major bridge crossings over the Panama Canal. The other major crossing being the Bridge of the Americas. Two small service bridges stretch across the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks and Gatun Locks; however these crossings can only be used when the lock gates are closed. The Centennial Bridge opened in 2004 and was constructed to alleviate the traffic on the Bridge of the Americas and replace it as the route of the Pan-American Highway.
The bridge was named for Panama's centennial, which occurred on November 3, 2003. The Centennial Bridge crosses the Panama Canal at the Gaillard Cut near the Pedro Migual locks and is about 10 miles north of the Bridge of the Americas.
Bocas del Toro Archipelago: a quick flight from Panama City is the best way to arrive at this unique, Caribbean-style archipelago. This could be Panama's most famous tourism destination. Fabulous snorkeling, laid back vibe and unique water taxi community all make Bocas a site worth seeing.
Isla Grande: an island off the coast of Portobello offers incredible snorkeling, coral reef and calm waters. There are also some surf breaks
Guna Yala Islands: the famous Guna run islands are one of Panama's most recognizable locations. Culturally rich, the thatched hut mini-hotels are unchanged by time. Tourists love this destination for the adventure of living as the Gunas live: simply, and in an island paradise
After an exciting day on the water, we encourage you to take a stroll on the many islands white sand beaches, or take our kayaks out in search of bottlenose dolphins and flying fish. The islands in this area boast on of the richest varieties of bird life in the world. Take a guided tour through the jungle on Coiba Island in search of leaf cutter ants, exotic insects, and the occasional sloth. You may even see howling monkeys or hear their call during the end of the day. Whatever activities you choose, your experience in Panama will be one you will not forget.
Cruising
Cruising in and out of the islands that separate the open ocean from inside waters on the west side of Panama is truly something spectacular. This is a place with white sand beaches and clear blue water, where fishermen still paddle out in hand carved canoes to their fishing grounds. This area is protected by the Coiba National Park and the Cerra Hoya National Park. Both parks are a refuge to birds, a variety of animals, reptiles, native flora and fauna, reef, and, of course, fish. Immerse yourself in the tropical experience and take a step back in time. This is the Lost Coast.
Surfing
Surfing is a must for beginners and experts. It is rare to find quality waves without anyone on them. Let our experienced guides take you to the right wave for you. With over 10 waves that we go to frequently, and an additional 14 locations that depend on swell size, wind and tides, there is sure to be one wave that is ideal for you. Our guides will be able to instruct you on the best way to surf each spot and can also teach beginners. You can combine surfing with other activities in one day. The opportunity to combine different activities is what Lost Coast Excursions is all about - the next activity is just a short boat ride away.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling in the park is something that should not be missed. You will see a rich variety of tropical fish, small reef sharks, beautiful corals and at times manta rays. Snorkeling with the whale sharks is also something that is possible given the right conditions. We have snorkeling equipment on the boats, ready for you.
Jungle Tours
In the Coiba National Park there is a spectacular jungle tour that is available to you at any time. You can do a half hour tour or does a full day hike through Coiba Island. Coiba Island has a multitude of indigenous species of plant life, animal life, reptiles, and bird life that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The Smithsonian has a research center in the park that allows them to study these unique species. Please bring closed toed shoes if you would like to do this tour.
Ocean Fishing
The waters of Coiba National Park offer some of the best fishing in the world. During your trip, we will target cubera snapper and roosterfish, and will have opportunities at blue marlin, black marlin, and yellow fin tuna.
Inshore Fishing
With the use of a jet sled we can travel up rivers and fish estuaries with ease, so that you can cast flies or lures for all types of inshore species. Snook, roosterfish, snapper, and bonito are all a blast on light tackle.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Blue whales, Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Whale Sharks, and many kinds of dolphin can be and are often spotted in the park. We encourage you to bring your camera on all outings!
Beach Tours
Any of the white sand beaches you see can be yours! The cabanas have a white sand beach out the front door. We can also visit Isla de Oro and other perfect white sand beaches if you would like. Bring an umbrella, the snorkeling gear and beverages and make it a day to remember.
Local Village Tour
We will pass by several small fishing communities that have no road access. Entering these small settlements is like stepping back in time. Witness groups of men hand carve their fishing canoes from whole logs. See people fish from the bank of a river with bamboo poles or casting line. Life in these villages revolves around the catch of the day.
Bird Viewing
These areas have a unique variety of bird life that can be viewed from the ocean or on jungle tours. Panama has over 10 birds that are endemic to Panama. Take advantage of your opportunity to see the rare Coiba Spinetail, which is not found anywhere else in the world.
The adventure tour is a unique opportunity to take advantage of all that Coiba National Park has to offer.
For those who do not know, this flower is called the Flower of the Holy Spirit and is the national flower of Panama. It blooms between july and October. You can find it near rivers and streams in a very humid environment. It is white (ivory) and seems to have a little dove in its center.
During Anton Valle Tour you can see one of these exotic flowers BOOK NOW
Mention Isla Coiba to the average Panamanian and treasured marine park and abundant ecosystem are probably not the image that pops into their mind. For modern day citizens of Panama, stories of imprisonment, torture and death are more like to come to mind.
Coiba Island was Panama’s version of Devil’s Island. From 1919 to 2004, the penal colony on Isla Coiba was home to the country’s most dangerous criminals as well as home to many who found themselves on the wrong side of the political struggle. At its peak, The Coiba Island Prison housed 3000 inmates in about 30 camps spread around the islands.
“Los Desaparecidos” was the name given to the hundreds or even thousands who disappeared in Panama under dictators Omar Torrijos and Manuel Noriega, never to be seen again. It is believed that many of these unfortunate individuals either ended up in unmarked graves near the Coiba’s penal colony or to have been dismembered and fed to the abundant shark population in its surrounding waters.
After the fall of the dictatorship, Coiba resumed its role as a criminal prison camp rather than political prison. In its final days, prisoners were the run of the mill thieves, murders and rapists serving their debt to society by farming and ranching the island to provide for their own existence.
The prison is now closed. The prisoners have been relocated to other facilities and anything of value has been removed from the site. The remaining structure is slowly being reclaimed by jungle and the marine air. Its crumbling buildings and simply marked graves serve as the only memorial to Coiba’s dark history.
The fear of the prison and its inhabitants inadvertently resulted in preservation of the largest untouched rain forests in the Americas. Because of the deterrent of the penal colony, about 80% of the islands forest remains virgin and unmolested. A true silver lining in one of man’s most horrible moments. Of course, with the prison gone and the supervising staff woefully under funded, Coiba’s next challenge is fending off poachers preying on the abundant wildlife of the park.
