• Isthmus of Panama (1501)

In 1501, Rodrigo de Bastidas, a Spanish conquistador and explorer was the first European to explore the Isthmus of Panama sailing along the eastern coast. 

A year later, in 1502, Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer and colonizer who was sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, on his fourth voyage, sailing south and eastward from upper Central America, explored Bocas del Toro, Veragua, the Chagres River and Portobelo (Beautiful Port) which he named.

In September 1510, the first permanent European settlement, Santa María la Antigua del Darién on the Americas mainland was founded. 

Vasco Nuñez de Balboa and Martín Fernández de Enciso agreed on the site near the mouth of the Tarena River on the Atlantic

On September 25, 1513, Balboa was the first known European to see the Pacific Ocean, which he named the South Sea.

On August 15, 1519,  Pedro Arias Dávila (Pedrarias Davila), having abandoned Santa María la Antigua del Darién, moved the capital of Castilla del Oro with all its organizational institutions to the Pacific Ocean's coast and founded Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá (present day Panama City), the first European settlement on the shores of the Pacific.

On November 10, 1821, in a special event called Grito de La Villa de Los Santos, the residents of the Azuero declared their separation from the Spanish Empire.

On November 28, 1821, the national assembly was convened and Independence Act of Panama was officially declared (through Fábrega, who was invested with the title of Head of State of Panama) that the isthmus of Panama had severed its ties with the Spanish Empire and its decision to join New Granada and Venezuela in Bolívar's recently founded Republic of Colombia.

In September 1830 under the guidance of General José Domingo Espinar Panama separated from the Republic of Colombia and was renamed the Republic of New Granada.

On November 3, 1903, Seperation Day.  Now Panama, led by Manuel Amador.

Population:  4,314,767 people (2019)

Capital:  Panama City (population: 1,860,000)

Panama is made of 10 provinces:   Bocas del Toro(Bocas del Toro), Chiriquí(David), Coclé(Penonomé), Colón(Colón), Darién(La Palma), Herrera(Chitré), Los Santos(Las Tablas), Panamá(Panamá), Panama Oeste(La Chorrera) and Varaguas(Santiago de Veraguas)

3 comarcas:  Embera(Union Chocó), Kuna Yala(El Porvenir) and Ngobe-Bugle(Chichica).

Language:  Spanish

Currency:  US dollar (US$)

International phone code:  507

Ambulance:  911

Police:  104

Fire:  103

Tourist Police:  511-9260

Education:  Since 1941, a social system has been introduced, which includes a free and mandatory education system for children aged between six and fifteen.

Literacy rate is around 93%.

Primary education includes:

• Pre-school:  Kids 4 to 5 years old.  Two levels of one year: pre-kindergarten  and kindergarten. 

• Primary or Elementary School:  Students 6 to 12.

• Secondary School:  Students 12 to 15 years old. Ends with a school-leaving certificate.

• High school:   Students 15 to 18.  Ends with a diploma (Diploma de Bachiller) with a specialty (sciences, literature, business, technology, or agriculture and livestock).

Secondary education:  

• Consists of university.

• Higher education is composed of two levels:  Undergraduate  and Graduate. 

Students can choose between a public or private university, and the Ministry of Education oversees all. 

Some universities are affiliated with other international universities or accreditation bodies.

The academic year of public Panamanian schools begins during the last days of February and finishes at the end of December. 

Most private schools also follow this calendar, however, it is possible to find international schools that follow the Northern calendar (September-June school year).

Health Care:  Panama has 3 health care systems;  2 are government run and 1 is private.  

-Public hospitals and clinics administrated by the Ministry of Health (MINSA).

-Social Security Hospitals operated by the Caja de Seguro Social(CSS).  

-Private system of offices and clinics. 

Private hospitals are located in larger cities like David and Panama City.

Panamanian law requires that doctors in the private sector also have office hours in the public or social security hospital.

Some universities are affiliated with other international universities or accreditation bodies.

Religion:  Catholic (64%)

Sports:  Baseball is the national sport

Mail:  Letters posted with the Correo Nacional (COTEL), cost US$ 0.45 to both the US and Europe, and should reach their destination within a couple of weeks.

• Amador Causeway (Built in 1913)

Sometimes called Panama’s Playground, the Amador Causeway, or La Calzada De Amador in Spanish, is a long road stretch that leads to Frank Gehry’s Biodiversity Museum, or the Biomuseo.  

It connects to the Causeway Islands, (Naos - Culebra - Perico and Flamenco) to the main land. 

A 6 km, four-lane road, which was constructed from rocks extracted during the construction of the Panama Canal, when digging the Culebra Cut. 

Alongside the road is a bicycle and jogging route.

The purpose of this filling was to stop the currents from the Bay of Panama and avoid sedimentation at the entrance of the Canal.

• Ancon Hill

Get some exercise and treat yourself to an astounding bird-eye's view by climbing the 199 metres (653 ft.) high hill that overlooks the historic Casco Viejo, modern Panama City and the Panama Canal. 

To top it off, the path winds through the rainforest so you are sure to see some nature as well. 

Home of 15 species of mammals and 39 species of birds.  Sloths and monkeys also have found refuge. 

• Arco Chato (1678)

The Flat Arch, formerly the convent of the Church of Santo Domingo, was declared a national historic monument and played a deciding factor in Panama's history and the construction of the Panama Canal.  

This arch made it possible to demonstrate during the canal negotiations the seismic stability of Panama.

Spanning some 50 ft., Arco Chato was an architectural marvel for the fact that it resisted earthquakes and storms with no support other than its terminal arches.

Logic reasoned that if this brick arch could withstand nearly 200 years with no visible means of support, then there was no real threat to constructing a lock-style canal. 

• Bocas del Toro

Exotic Bocas del Toro, on Panama's Caribbean coast is one of Central America's top island destinations. 

Where you can you relax on white sand beaches with aqua blue waters, then hike in the rainforests so dense they are called “A biologist's fantasy".

With six major islands, Bocas is ideal for nature experiences, romantic getaways and family adventure.

• Boquete

Panama's premier mountain destination, Boquete is surrounded by panoramic views of the Baru Volcano, towering 11,400 feet above sea level. 

Price winning coffee (Geishas coffee) and lush flora fauna grow everywhere in the volcanic soil.

• Bridge of the Americas (1962)

1654 meters, (5,425 ft.) long, under which ships crossing the canal on the Pacific side must pass.

The Bridge of the Americas was originally called the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, named after the ferry that used to operate on the canal before the span was built. 

Panama aptly renamed the bridge, since it not only connects the capital with the rest of Panama, but also unites Central and South America.

• Casco Viejo (San Filipe)

Latin America's most beautiful Spanish Colonial City, Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a non-stop ambience. 

Enjoy history, culture, non-stop nightlife, fine restaurants and ocean views.

• Church of San Jose (1675)

Is a small almost nondescript catholic church on a narrow street in the San Felipe district.

Inside is the famous Golden Altar, which is made of carved wood and is covered in gold flake. Commonly known in Spanish as the "Altar de Oro" 

When English pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city, the Jesuits covered the altar with black mud to hide the gold. The pirates left it alone, thinking it was worthless. 

• Church of San Filipe (Black Christ Church)  (1814)

Is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Portobelo, it houses a statue of Cristo Negro (Black Christ; Nazareno) which was found on the shores of the harbour.

Celebrated on October 21, a festival day formally known and observed as the "Feast Day of the Cristo de Portobelo". On this occasion, the number of pilgrims to the church can reach 60,000. 

People who are sick attend the festival praying for a cure of their illness.

• El Nispero Zoo

Set in a colorful garden, this zoo has the tropical animals and birds native to the region that you won't see in American or European zoos. 

The center is one of the two captive amphibian-breeding facilities in Panama. They are dedicated to amphibians in danger of extinction and home of Panama’s unique and endangered “Golden Frog” species.

• El Valle de Antón

A picturesque mountain town nestled in a volcano crater or caldera, which is bounded by Cerro Pajita, Cerro Gaital, Cerro Caracoral, Cerro Cara Iguana and Cerro Guacamaya.

With a height of 1,000 meters.

El Valle is a one-of-a-kind destination.  With a near perfect year round spring climate.  

Activities such as canopy zip line, ecotourism, hiking and biking.

• Embera Village

One of the seven indigenous tribes in Panama.

The Emberá, also known in historical literature as the Chocó or Katío Indians, are an indigenous community of Panama and Colombia. 

In the Emberá language, the word ẽberá is used to designate a person. 

There are approximately 33,000 people living in Panama.

• Fort San Lorenzo (1601)

To protect the Atlantic terminus of Las Cruces Trail (Camino Real de Cruces), Spain built Fort San Lorenzo at the Chagres River's mouth.

The castle of San Lorenzo was built on top of a high reef, in a position that dominated the entrance of the Chagres River.

In 1670, the English buccaneer Henry Morgan ordered an attack that left Fort San Lorenzo in ruins. He invaded Panama City the following year, using San Lorenzo as his base of operations.

In the 1680s, the Spanish constructed a new fort 80 feet (24 m) above the water. Set on a cliff overlooking the entrance to the harbor, the fort was protected on the landward side by a dry moat with a drawbridge. During this time, the town of Chagres was established under the protection of the fort.

The 1855 completion of the Panama Railway further reduced the transcontinental travel time to about three hours.  As a result, the railway’s Atlantic terminus, Colón, became Panama's Atlantic port, and Chagres receded from importance.

• Gatún Lake (time to flood, 1907 – 1913)

A large freshwater artificial lake of an an area of 425 km2, to the south of Colón.

Was created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal, 26 m (85 ft.) above sea level by damming the Chagres River.

It forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships for 33 km (21 mi) of their transit across the Isthmus of Panama, created by the Gatún Dam across the Chagres River (Rio Chagres).

A hotspot for peacock bass fishing.

• Metropolitan Cathedral (1688-1796)

Is one of the largest Catholic Church in Central America.

Known as the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria la Antigua.

Inside is buried General Tomas Herrera, the 19th century revolutionary hero and head of state for whom Casco Viejo's Herrera Square is named.

• Monkey Island

An island that has been "taken over" by four species of monkey: capuchin (white face), howler, Geoffroy's tamarin, and grey-bellied or (Owl Monkeys) witch are nocturnal monkeys.  

Accessible by boat on the Gatun Lake.

• Museum BioMuseo (2014)

Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Is a museum focused on the natural history of Panama, whose isthmus was formed very recently in geologic time, with major impact on the ecology of the Western Hemisphere.

Highlights Panama's natural and cultural history, emphasizing the role of humans in the XXI century. 

Its galleries tell the story of how the rise of the Isthmus of Panama changed the world.

It has 8 galleries for its permanent exhibits, a public atrium, a space for temporary exhibits, a gift store, a coffee shop and exterior exhibits in a botanical garden.

• Museum Panama Interoceanic Canal (1997)

The building where the museum is located was built in 1875 to be originally used as a hotel facility equipped with a monumental structure in the French style. 

It occupies an area of 1 239 square meters and a total building area of over 4 000 square meters.

It is devoted to the preservation, study and dissemination of testimonies from the history of the Panama Canal.

• Panama City (1519)

The current population of Panama City in 2020 is 1,860,000, including its metropolitan area.  A 2.09% increase from 2019.

Founded on by a Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila.

In 1671, the original city was destroyed by a fire when Privateer Henry Morgan sacked and set fire to it. 

The city was formally re-established two years later in 1673, where is now located Casco Viejo, 8 km (5 miles) from the original settlement.

A delightful combination of the historic, modern, international and Latino.

Manhattan-like skyline often remark that they had no idea there was such a modern city in Central America.

• Panama Canal (1914)

Controversial, revolutionary, amazing. 

The Panama Canal has been called "The Eighth Wonder of the World", and with good reason.  

It took 250,000 people from all corners of the globe, more than 10 years to build and it stands as a monument to humankind’s ingenuity and power of conviction.

Is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and it takes around 8-10 hours to pass to the other side.

Three sets of locks: the Miraflores locks with 2 chambers and Pedro Miguel locks with 1 chamber, on the Pacific side, plus the Gatún locks with 3 chambers, on the Atlantic side.

France began work on the canal in 1881, but stopped because of engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. 

The United States took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal on August 15, 1914.

Max. size of ship:  32.31 m (106 ft) wide, X 289.56 m (950 ft) long and 12.04 m (39.5 ft) draft with a capacity of 5,000 containers.

• Panama Canal expansion  PANAMAX (2016)

 A third, wider lane of locks was constructed between September 2007 and May 2016 to allow transit of larger, neo-Panamax ships, capable of handling more cargo. 

Two sets of locks: the Cocoli locks with 3 chambers, on the Pacific side, plus the Agua Clara locks with 3 chambers, on the Atlantic side.

Max. size of ship:  51.25 m (168 ft.), wide, X 366 m (1,201 ft.) long and 15.2 m (50 ft.) draft, with a capacity of 13,000 containers

• The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center 

A museum that tells the story of this incredible engineering feat through exhibits. 

The center's restaurant, theater, and terraced decks also provide comfortable vantage points for watching ships pass through. 

It's also possible to visit the Gatún locks (about an hour from Panama City) to learn about the Panama Canal expansion.

The first ships sailed through the Panama Canal in 1914, savings of up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) off what was otherwise a very long sailing trip around South America.

The engineering marvel transformed global trade, and today, 100 years after it was first installed, the canal has once again been expanded with new locks and widened existing ones, modernizing Panama Canal transit by allowing larger ships to pass from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean side to Colon on the Atlantic Ocean side.

• Panama Viejo Ruins (1519)

The Ruins of Old Panama City is the first city founded on the West coast of the Americas. 

This city was the starting point for the expeditions that conquered the Inca Empire in Peru in 1532. 

It was a stopover point on one of the most important trade routes in the history of the American continent, leading to the famous fairs of Nombre de Dios and Portobelo, where most of the gold and silver that Spain took from the Americas passed through, making it the target of English pirate Henry Morgan who destroyed it in 1671.

• Parque Natural Metropolitano (1988)

At just 20 minutes drive from anywhere in the city a natural area of 265 hectares.

It has natural trails from where you can see its forests, landscapes and a panoramic view of the capital city.

The hike to the summit is an easy 45 minutes walk.

• Pearl Islands (1513)

Is an archipelago that covers around 250 small islands of which most are inhabited

The Spanish Conquistadors discovered the islands in 1513 and the name pays homage to the thousands of pearls found here, including the legendary Peregrina pearl owned by Elizabeth Taylor.  

The biggest island is Isla Del Ray by far but Contadora Island is the most notable for tourist, it offers great resorts, hotels and an Airport. 

Another noteworthy island is Isla Saboga, you can find traditional Island culture here.

The Pearl Islands are most famous for their spectacular white sand deserted beaches, scuba diving, marine life.  

CBS’s Survivor, filmed three series here.

• Pedassi

A former fishing hamlet, this picturesque seaside town has a countryside feel, with Spanish influences and friendly folk.

Activities include a boat trip to Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge for fantastic snorkeling, sunbathing on white sand beaches, world-class sports fishing and whale watching in season.

• Piedra Pintada

Mysterious Petroglyphs of Anton Valley, the giant Painted Rock located in a far corner of Panama's Anton Valley, or El Valle de Anton.

• Plaza de Francia (Las Bóvedas) (1922)

An obelisk 18 meters high occupies the center of this square, in honor of the ill-fated Frenchmen who, under Ferdinand De Lesseps, started the arduous task of building a sea level Canal in 1880.  

At the tip of which is the figure of the Gallic Rooster , symbol of France. 

Surrounding the obelisk we find the busts of Ferdinand de Lesseps , Armand Reclus , Lucien Bonaparte Wyse , León Boyer and Pedro J. Sosa and an arcade of 10 marble plaques, 10 feet high, ornately carved with the story of the valiant French effort where the history of the Panama Canal is engraved. 

A plate stands out with its face in relief on honor of the Cuban doctor Carlos J. Finlay in which a note of thanks is read for his discovery of the transmitting germ of Yellow Fever. 

The first three plates outline the first attempts and ideals of building a canal through Panama.

We can also find in front of the obelisk a statue of Pablo Arosemena , 5th President of the Republic of Panama

Currently it houses the offices of the Old Town Office, an art gallery of the National Institute of Culture and a restaurant with French cuisine.

In addition to the French memorials, Plaza Francia is also the current location of the French Embassy.

• Portobelo (1502)

Was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his fourth trip.

A scenic bay with five different 17th century Spanish forts and a treasure house. 

All the gold and treasure sacked from the Inca Empire passed through here, which attracted pirates from all over. 

This bay was the scene of numerous pirate attacks by the likes of Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake.

Pirate Francis Drake died of fever in Portobelo Bay in 1596, where he is believed to be buried.

Le village héberge des dizaines de voiliers au mouillage et possède un bureau d'immigration. Les voyageurs peuvent trouver des embarcations maritimes pour se rendre en Colombie.

• Presidential Palace (Palacio de las Garzas) (1673)

Is the governmental office and residence of the President of Panama.

Constructed in the old Customs Building, the structure was restored in 1922. 

Herons live inside the lobby of the entrance and contribute to its name, Palace of the Herons.

The Salón Amarillo (Yellow Room) is the most important room, where most formal events are held. 

The Salón de los Tamarindos (Tamarind's Room) is the presidential dining room and receives its name from its tree murals.

• San Blas Islands

"Right out of the pages of National Geographic" is the best way to describe this unique place.

An archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited.

A part of the comarca (district) Guna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama is home to the Kuna people.

The second governor of Panama, Balboa, married the daughter of a Kuna chief, who helped him cross the Isthmus of Panama in 1513.

Kuna society is matriarchal and monogamous. The women continue to perpetuate the traditions, especially with the molas, colorful blouses decorated with themed designs, rich in colors, using the technique of reverse appliqué.

The archipelago has become a major tourist destination, famous for its white sandy beaches, transparent waters and the impressive quality of Kuna culture. 

There are airports and hotels.

• Soberania National Park (1980)

Is a national park witch covers 55,000 acres (220 km2), near the banks of the Panama Canal.  25 kilometres (16 mi) from Panama City. 

The Chagres River runs through the park. 

The long Las Cruces Trail (Camino de Cruces) crosses the park from east to west, uniting the Atlantic and Pacific, and was used by the Spaniards to transport merchandise and treasure from South America. 

The original cobblestone that was laid 600 years ago can still be seen here.

Open daily from 8am to 4pm.

The area also has eco-lodges, and although camping is allowed, there are no established sites.

The Rainforest Discovery Center has an observation tower for visitors to look out from in the Park.

• Toboga Island (1924)

Originally named Isla de San Pedro, its current name comes from the Indian aboga, which means "abundance of fish.

The area of the island is 5.9 km2. It measures approximately 4 km long by 2 km wide.

To get there, you take a 50 minutes ferry, which is an excursion by itself.  

Enjoy ocean breezes, views of Panama City's skyline and ship activity at the entrance to the Panama Canal. 

• Volcán Barú

An active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Panama, at 3,475 metres (11,401 ft.) high. 

It lies about 35 km off the border of Costa Rica.

Due to its height and the narrowness of the Isthmus of Panama, it is possible to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.

The following lists a few highlights on Panama’s festivals calendar.

• January

 1 – New-Year

 9 - Martyrs Day in Panama (1964).

 13-18 - Jazz Festival in Panama City.

 Feria de las Flores y del Café in Boquete.

 Feria de Santa Fé, Veraguas

 Fiesta del Mar, Taboga

• February

 22-25 - The Panama Carnival is held every year for three days before Mardi Gras and four days before Ash Wednesday.  During the carnival period, the whole country is celebrating, from the biggest cities to the smallest municipalities, but it is in the capital Panama that the party is in full swing. celebrated all over the country, with an aquatic version in Penonomé.

 25 - Comarca de Guna Yala, celebrates the Guna Revolution of 1925, their independence day; 

 26 - Ash Wednesday

 Festival de los Diablos y Congos, biennially in Portobelo.

• March

 Semana Santa, celebrated everywhere, but most colourfully in La Villa de Los Santos, Pesé and Guararé, on the Azuero Peninsula.

 Mid March - A festival dedicated to fashion, art and creation, with workshops, conferences, performances, concerts, for 5 days, in the Casco Viejo.

 26-1 – Film Festival in Panama City.

 La feria internacional San José de David.

 Every 2 years (2021), Festival de Diablos in Portobelo.

• April

 10-11-12 - Easter

 Feria de las Orquideas in Boquete 

 Feria International del Azuero in La Villa de Los Santos 

• May

 1 – Dia del Trabajo

• June

 Corpus Christi, in La Villa de Los Santos.

• July

 16 - Nuestra Señora del Carmen, on Isla Taboga and Veraguas

 18 - Patronales de La Santa Librada Las Tablas. 

 20-22 - Festival of the Pollera, in Las Tablas.

• August

 15 - Panama City Foundation

 Humpback whales come to breed in the Archipiélago de Las Perlas.

 Festival del Manito Ocueño, in Ocú.

• September

 Feria International de Mar, Bocas del Toro

• October

 10-12 - Festival of Nogagope, on Isla Tigre, Comarca de Guna Yala

 Mid-Oct - Feria de la Mejorana, Guararé, in the Península of Azuero (five days) 

 21 - Fiesta de Cristo Negro, in Portobelo.

• November

 3 – Seperation Day from Columbia, (1903), National Independence Day in Panama

 4 – Flag Day

 5 – Dia de Colon

 10 - The “First Cry of Independence” from Spain, (1821), in Los Santos, celebrated as part of “El Mes de la Patria”. Cities and towns across the nation put on parades featuring school drumming troupes and majorettes, which the whole population comes out to watch.

 28 – (1821), Independence Act of Panama officially declared from Spain.

• December

 8 – Dia de la Madre.

 24-25 – Navidad

 31 – Fiesta de Fin de Año