A San Blas Sunset.

The Comarca Kuna Yala — or the San Blas Islands as Panamanians call the islands — might not be as well known as other Caribbean destinations, but these 365 islands offer some of Latin America’s most pristine and unspoilt beaches. The water here is crystal clear and multi-colored, and palm trees and white sand beaches only add to the allure. Plus, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the Kuna, Panama’s most traditional indigenous group, who bravely cling to their customs in an ever-globalizing world. The Kuna Yala Islands may technically be part of Panama, but the Kuna have an autonomous local government and make their own rules with little interference from the national government in Panama City.

Located off Panama’s Atlantic Coast and bordering Colombia, accommodations on the San Blas Islands tend to be rustic, though pickier travelers can head to the Coral Lodge (www.corallodge.com), a high-end eco-resort located just outside the Kuna Yala Comarca. Almost all accommodations include three meals a day, excursions to nearby beaches and islands and snorkeling gear. Travelers can expect to pay between $20 to $150 per person per night, depending on the type of accommodation. However, keep in mind that $20 a night won’t get you much more than a tiny beach-side cabana with a sand floor and shared bathroom. And several dozen guitar-playing, pot-smoking, beer-drinking backpackers.

Camping is an option on most islands and islets, as long as you ask the owner’s permission and pay a $1 tax. Most islands have at least one or two families that serve as care-takers, but aside from talking to other campers and day visitors, travelers should know that they will be confined to an island the size of a football field with no nightlife, restaurants or shop — although your Kuna hosts will probably sell cold beer and rum. And there is also the option of having your meals delivered by boat. However, if lying in hammock watching the sunset is your idea of a good time (and who’s isn’t it?), then this a perfectly acceptable option.

Kuna woman. Photo courtesy of Sandra Leidholdt

Personally, my favorite hotel on the Comarca is the Kuna-Niskua Lodge (www.kuna-niskua.com). There’s no A/C and you shouldn’t expect 400 count sheets — or even a great mattress for that matter — but rooms and bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. Orlando, the friendly manager, is informative and talkative, and does his best to make sure his guests are comfortable. Plus, his pal Alberto will be more than happy to take you fishing all day long for the price of fuel, as long as he’s not busy with other guests.  Orlando and Alberto take guests out to daily excursions like Isla Perro, with it’s impressive coral reefs, colorful schools fish and offshore sunken ship. Diving isn’t allowed anywhere on the Comarca, so visitors will have to make do with snorkeling.

But my favorite thing about the Kuna-Niskua Hotel is that it’s situated on Wishub-Wala, an authentic Kuna Island Village. Many of the Islands’ lodging options are located on sparsely populated islands that allow little interaction with Kuna families, but Isla Wishub-Wala is home to some 50 families living in traditional thatched-roof huts, women who wear colorful, traditional, hand-embroidered clothing andchildren who still speak their native Kuna language, making it one of the most unique lodging experiences you’re likely to experience.

There are two options to get to the Kuna Islands. The first option is to take a 20-minute flight from Panama City, which should cost you $120-$150 round trip. Air Panama (www.flyairpanama.com) and Aeroperlas (www.aeroperlas.com) both offer flights several times a week. If you are somewhat more adventurous traveler, you can hire a driver to take you down for $50 roundtrip in a 4-wheel drive. Your driver will probably drop you off at the Porvenir, where a cayuco (wooden canoe) will most likely be waiting to take you to your hotel. Be forewarned that choosing to drive down means you’ll have to cross a sometimes flooded river and you may have to make half the journey down to the islands in a motorized cayuco. I’ve made the journey both way and prefer going by land — there’s nothing like an impromptu jungle river cruise.

For more information on scenic locations in Panama, check out my articles on El Valle and Boquete.

Kuna-Niskua Hotel Manager Orlando taking tourists to Isla Perro. Photo Courtesy of Stephen Tighe.

Situated in southern Panama on the border with Colombia, the Darien is still off of most     travelers’ radar. However, in the last few years, an increasing number of tour companies have been offering guided excursions to the region.  Although only a trickle of foreign and national tourists make their way to the Darien every year, a recent focus on the region’s ecological and cultural importance has raised the province’s profile, making it an appealing adventure destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

For years the Darien has had a reputation as a dangerous guerilla hotspot. However, the little known and long-underrated province is actually quite safe, although heat, humidity, rigorous hikes, rustic lodgings, lack of electricity and proximity to dangerous wildlife means that pickier travelers may want to stick to cities or more developed destinations. That said, visitors should be perfectly safe as long as they don’t wander too far off the beaten path.

A bird-watchers haven, the Darien is home to the Harpy Eagle, among the world’s most elusive of large birds and prize sighting among birders in the know. Although rare, Harpy sightings have been reported and it’s not uncommon for bird-watchers to spot as many as 100 different species a day. This region of winding rivers and incredible biodiversity is home to Panama’s most pristine rainforests and dozens of small, isolated indigenous villages, hours from the nearest town — and decades removed from the modern world. Unlike the rainforests of Costa Rica that are often o

ver run by tourists and sometimes feel a bit like a theme park, Panama’s Darien Rainforest is refreshingly free of crowds, though this may change as the security situation between Panama and Colombia continues to improve.

Due to its isolation and difficult terrain, most tourists who visit the Darien do so as part of a 3-14 day-long all inclusive package. Package deals generally include air and land transportation, three meals a day, guided hikes, bird-watching excursions, wild-life spotting, rustic but clean accommodations and bilingual guides. The recent influx of tourists to this historically economically depressed region has helped native communities cling to their traditions and ways of life, and travelers will have the opportunity to interact with and learn about the various Embera communities in the area.  Visitors will generally participate in craft, dance and religious belief presentations and ceremonies, and eagle-eyed local guides take visitors on the best wildlife spotting and bird-watching trails in the area. This growing collaboration between foreign tourists, Panamanian tour companies and local Embera communities allows travelers to appreciate and experience one of the world’s most isolated rain forests and brings much needed resources to local communities.

The best time to visit the Darien is between during dry season in mid-December and mid-April. The Darien can be extremely rainy and hiking trails can be slippery and dangerous during the rest of the year.  Advantage Tours Panama and Ancon Expeditions are two of the most respected travel agencies offering Darien excursions.

Advantage Tours Panama (www.advantagepanama.com)

Ancon Expeditions of Panama (www.anconexpeditions.com)

Photo source: Flickr – Elbier Minks

For additional information on Panama, visit my blog or places to live in Panama.

By Lisa Leuthesser

Contributing writer to Latinworld.com

One of the most appealing elements of Panama’s geography is the wide variety of micro climates that can be experienced in a very short time. Few places in the world offer a visitor the opportunity to luxuriate in a bathing suit on a pristine beach one day and don a jacket the next day to hike the slopes of a dormant volcano in a cool cloud forest. Of the many attractions in the Republic of Panama, the province of Chiriquí probably offers the most variety for the visitor in a manageable space.

Chiriquí occupies the northwest corner of Panama and shares a border with Costa Rica. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chiriquí provides an extraordinary variety of ways to take full advantage of nature’s bounty. It is possible here to fish for record-size Blue Marlin one day and fly fish for trout in a mountain stream the following day. There are several rivers where the traveler can experience white water rafting comparable to any in the world. And the mountains also offer the exhilaration of a forest canopy zip line tour that would thrill even the most jaded adventurer.
There is an excellent variety for the ocean lover in Chiriquí, too. The Pacific shore at La Barqueta is a broad, dark sand beach where each year Panama hosts its international surf contest. At the Pedregal River estuary the tiny hamlet of Boca Chica is home to a number of upscale resorts offering fishing and diving activities. Just across the mouth of the river, on the island of Boca Brava secluded lodges and romantic hideaways beckon even seasoned travelers with tropical allure complete with the cacophony of tribes of howler monkeys in the treetops. The calm waters of the Bahia de Charco Azul are protected by the jutting Burica Peninsula shared by Costa Rica. Here at places like Punta Piedra, you will find dramatic, rocky seaside landscapes interspersed with quiet palm-lined beaches where yours are the only footprints in evidence.

For the avian enthusiast, Chiriquí offers opportunities for bird watching that rival any in the world. More than a dozen hummingbird varieties make their home here and countless variations of parrots. The harpy eagle, national bird of Panama, soars through the canyons of the Chiriquí highlands with majestic grace. The famous Los Quetzales trail goes through the Baru Volcano National Park and connects the towns of Cerro Punta and Boquete. This mountain rainforest is part of the Talamanca Mountain Range, an interesting geological formation that contains unique flora and fauna perfect to harbor highland species of Chiriquí.

These absolutely beautiful forests have the highest peak in Panama, the Baru Volcano 11,398 ft. The Quetzales Trail goes to at an altitude of 6000 ft, on a ridge with amazing views, and full of ancient trees, like oak, cedar, magnolia and laurel or aguacatillo (Quetzals main food). Ferns and mosses provide habitat for a great number of birds, such as Buffy Tuftedcheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Spotted Barbtail, and Spectacled Foliage-Gleaner. Heliconias and flowers attract a variety of gorgeous hummingbirds such as White-throated Mountain-Gem, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, Magnificent Hummingbird and Violet Sabrewing.

Chiriquí is also home to some of the world’s finest coffee plantations in the world. The area surrounding Boquete has earned top cupping honors in recent competitions and the highest price ever paid for any beans in the world was lavished on one of Boquete’s boutique growers. A tour of a coffee plantation is not to be missed when visiting the highlands. Many different growers offer tours and cupping sessions for visitors.

Finally, no description of Chiriquí would be complete without mentioning the Chiricanos themselves. If you meet a person from Chiriquí he or she is likely to tell you “Soy Chiricano” (I am Chiricano) rather than “Soy Panamaño” (I am a Panamanian). Among these friendly and industrious people there is great pride in their provincial heritage. They will tell you proudly that Chiriquí is the breadbasket of Panama. The farms and gardens of Cerro Punta produce the vast majority of fresh vegetables consumed in the Republic of Panama. Vast greenhouses yield everything from fresh greens and herbs to long-stemmed roses to ornament the tables where those foods are served.

The city of David is a thriving commercial hub for the province boasting modern shopping, theaters and dining for visitors and locals. A small international airport serves as a regional hub and the Pedgregal Marina is one of a only a handful outside of the capital city. Excellent roads connect most points of interest and a reliable bus service runs to all points. In short, Chiriquí Province offers a varied and exciting opportunity to explore Panama’s rich natural and cultural attractions within a convenient, accessible framework.

Lisa Leuthesser is a managing partner and marketing director for http://www.buyingrealestateinpanama.com a company specializing in real estate in Panama’s undiscovered interior provinces.

internal photo #1 provided by Young in Panama at http://www.flickr.com/photos/young-in-panama/3134424240/
internal photo #2 provided by atour_a at http://www.flickr.com/photos/artour_a/2069964406/
internal photo #3 provided by default user at http://www.flickr.com/photos/defaultuser/113098493/

Bocas del Toro:

Located on the west part of Panama near the border of Costa Rica, the Bocas del Toro Archipielago consists of nine islands, 52 keys and around 200 tiny islets. The biggest and most developed island is Colon Island.

Bocas del Toro

Panama City:

Located on the Pacific Coast, east of the Panama Canal, the city has tons of tourist attractions that include worl class hotels and restaurants. Investors from all over the world are constantly pulled to Panama’s real estate market due to the fact that the Canal has undergoing plans for expansion.

Panamá City

Boquete:

Located on the Chiriquí Province, one of the most developed provinces in the country, with an economy that is based on the production of agriculture and tourisim. Boquete is known as the flower garden of the nation and as one of the top places in the world for retirement with espectacular mountain views and cattle ranches.

Boquete

El Valle de Anton:

Located in the province of Coclé on the southern coast of Panama, inside a 20 square kilometer crater of a volcano atop a mountain. It’s a magical experience full of waterfalls, hot water springs, square trees and golden frogs.

El Valle de Anton

San Blas Islands:

Located to the northeast of the Panama Canal with 365 islands, one for each day of the year. There aren’t too many destinations in the Caribbean quite like the San Blas Islands Panama archipelago were you will find some of the oldest reefs in the world, beautiful arts and crafts and the Kunu Indians, who run the islands as an autonomous province.

San Blas Islands

Bocas del Toro pic provided by Jason’s Travel Photography at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonweaver/2478375748/sizes/l/

Panama City pic provided by seracat at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mserarolsbcn/2932517286/

Boquete pic provided by Rita Willaert at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/2319517510/

El Valle de Anton pic provided by g[wiz] at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ggunter/2331421859/

San Blas pic provided by meytevidri at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maytevidri/2474614966/

By Jisel Perilla

Contributing writer to Latinworld.com

Panama isn’t exactly Mexico when it comes to all inclusive hotels and resorts, but if you’re looking for a few carefree days on the beach and don’t want to worry about booking excursions or picking where to dine, there are quite a few excellent all-inclusive resorts ready to cater to your every need. Most of Panama’s larger resorts are located on the Pacific Coast, only a 30 minute to two hour drive from the city, but there are a number of smaller (and more expensive) options scattered throughout the country.

Some of my favorites are:

The Royal Decameron Beach Resort, Spa and Casino (www.decameron.com): Located on the Pacific side on Playa Farallon, the Decameron is one of the best value all-inclusive resorts in Panama at just $75-$95 per person – be sure to ask about discounts! Kids are about half the price. You can book excursions to Gamboa and the Valle de Anton, but if you don’t want to wonder far from the hotel, there’s a great pool, beach, casino and night club right on site. There are over 800 units here and it can get a bit noisy, so if you’re looking for a quiet, very private resort experience, the Decameron may not be for you. The Playa Blanca Resort (www.playablancaresort.com), also located on Playa Farallon, is a good alternative if you’re looking for something a little smaller.

Editor’s note: Watch out for Bartender Donny and his famous Coco Loco drinks.  You have been warned.

What’s included: Accommodations, taxes, meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non motorized water sports.

Special amenities: 18-hole golf course, 8 restaurants (2 buffet, 6 specialty), 7 bars, casino, 7 pools, spa, gym, night shows.

Tranquilo Bay (www.tranquilobay.com): You might feel like you’re in a remote island paradise, but there’s nothing rustic about Tranquilo Bay, located on the beautiful and lush Isla Bastimentos. The six stand-alone cabins are all air-conditioned with large, modern bathrooms and tactful, tropical decor. Getting here is a bit of an adventure – you’ll have to fly from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and take a 45 minute water taxi from the marina to the lodge, but all this is taken care of for you by the staff. The lodge caters to couples, so you’ll have all the privacy and quietness you can dream of here. Three night packages start at $945, 4 night packages at $1,150, and 7 night packages at $1,690 per person.

What’s included: All transportation, accommodations, all meals, use of equipment.

Special amenities: Jungle hikes, kayaks, snorkeling.

Villa Camilla (507-232-6721): This ecologically-minded lodge on the Azuero Pacific coast is perfect for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway. All 7 rooms are beautifully adorned and furnished and face the beach. I recommend you visit during the week – you’ll probably pay about 1/3 the price compared to weekends. All meals are made with ingredients from the on-site organic gardens, and you barely have to leave the grounds to enjoy a number of outdoor and water activities. Expect to pay about $200-$450 per double. Note that it’s about a 7 hour drive from Panama City to Villa Camilla, and transportation isn’t included in the price.

What’s included: Accommodations, three meals a day.

Special amenities: Tennis courts, pool, excursions, bikes for guest use, horseback riding, fishing excursions.

Flickr photo by http://flickr.com/photos/vidman/

Isla Saboga, one of the most pristine of the Pearl Islands, contains a charming traditional fishing village with just over 350 native residents. The island is beautifully covered in lush vegetation and tropical forest. Isla Saboga is still one of the most beautiful spots in Panama and for years, many developers have had their eyes on this beautiful place as a destination for retirees and investors looking to buy a second home or vacation home in this exotic part of Panama.

Unlike other popular real estate destinations in Panama, Isla Saboga remains undeveloped, however, with the growing interest here, investment dollars are rapidly pouring onto the island.

Keeping in mind the importance of preserving the characteristic wild environment and the long-standing tradition of no car-use on the island, in 2007 Grupo del Sol, a Nicaraguan development firm embarked on a project to set up the necessary infrastructure to attract property developers and investors using less than a third of the island’s 1,200 acres.

Armel Gonzalez Muhs representative of the project, said that his company is planning to invest nearly $1.5 billion USD to create a paradise that within ten years will include all amenitities on par with top destinations from around the world.

The company is not actually building anything at this point and is not planning to do so in the short term. Their goal is basically to open up the doors for investors and property developers by gathering the required permits that will allow future investors to carry out a wide variety of construction projects.

Currently Isla Contadora is a hot spot for foreign property investment, but a growing number of investors are looking to put their money in projects focused on undiscovered places where no big companies have yet to make their mark. Isla Saboga has great potential.

The project is a challenging one indeed, taking into account that the Island has no aqueduct, sewer system or paved roads. Nonetheless, the company representative stated that they have managed to sell at least twenty percent of the project, which will benefit both future investors and locals since it is expected that the project will generate hundreds of new jobs and business opportunities in the next couple of years.

To learn more, visit their website: http://www.islasaboga.org/

Listen to this interview with local real estate expert, Lin Ronald. Lin is an expat from New Zealand that has been living and selling real estate for 3 years in Bocas del Toro. In this podcast he talks about the cost of living in Bocas del Toro, owning real estate and general life in this Caribbean paradise.

Download the mp3 file by clicking the left button of your mouse and selecting “Save Link As…”