The
word "Panama" is of pre-Columbian origin and means
"abundance of fishes, butterflies". The rich biodiversity
of Panama is due to its particular geographic position being
one of the most important places of the world for investigating
thousands of species of flora and fauna in tropical areas.
The country has world class natural attractions such as: beaches,
lakes, two coasts, and jungles, humid and tropical forests
full of all types of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. More
than 29% of the mass of the earth is protected by 15 national
parks, a dozen of forest reservations and 10 wildlife refuges.
Panama is the ideal country to perform etnoutourism.
You can find and interact with seven native indigenous ethnic
groups, from the highlands in the West to the dense jungle
of Darien in the East. Each one of these groups preserves
their cultural characteristics, traditions that make them
unique and interesting. Following are the seven ethnic groups
of the country:
Emberá
and Wounaan Groups: The Emberá and Wounaan
ethnia live in the jungles of Darien. They can also
be found one hour and a half from the City of Panama
in the Chagres National Park, living as their ancestors
of Darien: Parará Pur and Emberá Drúa.
The national and international tourists visiting the
communities of Emberá and Wounaan are welcomed
with indigenous native show of flutes, drums and timbrels.
They also prepare delicious indigenous foods such as
fish, plantain and yucca. During the visit you can purchase
typical crafts of the area, paint your face and body
with their original designs, as well as knows the lifestyle,
housing and other details of this ethnia of great cultural
value.
Kuna
Group: They are considered the most known ethnia
of Panama, at a national and international level. This
is due to their famous design, during many years, of
their own and prideful art of "molas". The
business of molas is one of the principal economic incomes
of the Kuna territory. This indigenous ethnia lives
in the Region of Kuna Yala (Archipelago of San Blas)
where they have had a political independence and self-regulating
regime for many decades. Their houses, normally built
on sand in the islands, are made of walls of sugar cane
and roofs of dry straw, located along clean and sandy
straight roads. In the different islands (approximately
365) you can observe paradisiacal places for tourism.
There are lodging infrastructures type eco-lodges and
rustic cabins, all with the enchantment of the Pre-Columbian
Caribbean. Molas are part of the dresses of the Kuna
woman, but its beauty has become strong and you can
find it in Panama in pictures, ties, shirts and haute
couture dresses.
Ngöbe
and Buglé Group: These are the two most
populous indigenous groups of the country. They live
in the west highlands of Panama. They mainly engage
in agriculture with products such as rice, corn, plantain,
yucca and beans; they raise chickens, pigs, turkeys,
horses and cattle; they practice hunting and fishing.
This ethnia is well known for the elaboration of "chácaras"
(woven bags with painted natural fibers) and "chaquiras"
(geometrical necklaces made of shells and bones).
Teribé
(Nazo) Group: They live around the Teribe river,
in the western part of the country (Mountains of Bocas
del Toro). They preserve their dances such as "gallote",
tiger dance and "corbeco" shrimp, to mention
some. They make baskets of different sizes, hammocks
hand-woven with the renown vegetable fiber "majagua"
and articles engraved in laurel, cedar and pixbae palm
trees. They are also known as excellent engravers of
canoes which they engrave in just one large piece of
tree trunks. To visit them, you must navigate via the
Changuinola river in small boats with overboard motors
until reaching their community.
Bokota
Group: They live in small communities around
the Caribbean slope in the middle of the country. Their
most important crafts is the elaboration of hats with
tinted vegetable fiber, with typical designs. They also
elaborate baskets, bundles and bag-packs of fiber or
bark.
Bri-Bri Group:
This is a small indigenous group located in the banks
of the Yorkin and Sixaola rivers, in the Panamanian
frontier with Costa Rica. Their food consists mostly
of plantains, cacao, yams and banana, as well as meat
from fish and hunted animals. Their customs and traditions
are similar to the Ngöbes and Bokotás, although
they communicate in their native language, bri-bri.
You can contact the following Tourism Operators for this
exciting adventure:
There
are various places in Panama that offer canopy, for example,
in Boquete (Province of Chiriquí) and El Valle de Anton
(Province of Coclé), these types of entertaining and
adrenaline full activities may be performed. This exciting
and unforgettable experience is based in crossing or sliding
by means of a rope or a cable and a harness, above tree cups
observing a spectacular landscape and feeling the nature around
you. It has been proved that Canopy is very safe, and that
it counts with highly trained and experienced personal, the
cost is around $25.00 to $60 per person. Also, canopy is been
offered in the Area of Rio Piedra (Province of Colon), through
the company “The Adrenaline Factor” (Telephone:
236-3466) and in the cityof
Panama, specifically in Isla Perico in Amador (the causeway),
by the company “Play Canopy Ride” (Tel: 314-3370/6726-1284)
a different option where you may experience a beautiful view
of the Pacific Ocean, the Bridge of the Americas and Panama
City.
Bird
Watching in Panama is well known, since there are more than
900 different types of birds scientifically registered. Since
1970 Panama has maintained the record number of birds watched
in 24 hours. More bird species live in Panama that in North
America and Canada together. Recently it was possible to observe
in Panama a bird specie not very common in our country “Jariburu
(yabiru)” a type of stork, that is the largest flying
bird in America (it measures between 135 and 150cm), originating
in South America. The birds may be watched in all the country,
but principally in the National Park of Darien, National Park
of Chagres, Metropolitan Natural Park, Achiote Path (place
internationally recognized as a place where up to 200 different
types of
bird species have been observed) and the Sovereign National
Park (a favorite place for the observation of birds, specially
in the north part of the famous Oleoduct Path). In the highlands,
in the Province of Chiriqui, you may observe the beautiful
Quetzales (phraromachrus mocino) and in the jungle of Darien
you may watch the Harpy Eagle (national bird of Panama).
For more information on places to stay and visit during birdwatching
in Panama.
The
name Panama by itself means “abundance of fish”.
In Panama you may find a variety of different fishes both
in fresh and salt water. Panama has excellent places and installations
to enjoy of both professional and recreational fishing, in
the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Gatun
Lake (Panama Canal).
The best places to fish in the Pacific Ocean are: The archipelago
of Las Perlas, Piñas, Coiba, Isla Iguana, Otoque, Pedasi,
Taboga, Punta Coco, and Punta Chame. In the Atlantic Ocean
are: Bocas del Toro, San Blas and Colon.
We must mention that Panama is considered as one of the best
places in the world for fishing registering 146 world fishing
records (more that in any other country in the world), including
species such as Sail Fish, Wahoo and marlins. Specifically
in the area of the Province of Darien (Piña Bay), the
record of the largest sail fish in the world is registered.
Located in Piña’s Bay is the Hotel Tropic Star
Lodge, that enjoys a unique beauty surrounded by a jungle
rich in wild life, tropical flowers and private beaches.
Information of places where you may purchase accessories
for sport fishing in Panama:
Fishing Accesories
Centro ABERNATHY
Via Transístmica, Calzada
de Amador y Club de Yates y Pesca
507-260-1222
Centro Marino Panamá
Avenida Nacional, Club de Yates y Pesca
507-225-6331/66542020
Chamo´s Nautilus
Estación Shell de Albrook (Ave. Omar Torrijos)
507-315-0008/652-61376
For more information on places where you can enjoy the best
fishing in Panama:
Places for Fishing
Hotel Tropic Star Lodge
Bahía Piñas,
Provincia de Darién
800-682-3424 / 507-404-423-9931
Panama Yacht Tours
Ciudad Panamá
507-263-5044
Club de Yates y Pesca de Panamá
Ciudad de Panamá
507-227-3157/2166
Panama Yacht Adventures
Ciudad Panamá
507-263-2673
Club de Yates de Balboa
Balboa, Panamá
507-228-5794
Coiba Adventures
Coiba, Veraguas
800-800-0907 / 507-999-8108
Isla Contadora
Archipiélago de las Perlas, Isla
Contadora
507-250-4033
Islas Secas
Provincia de Chiriquí
805-729-2737
Gone Fishing Panamá
Boca Chica, Chiriquí
507-6573-0151
Pedasi Fishing
Pedasí, Los Santos
877-462-2824 / 507-708-425-9400
BUBBA Shrimp Co.
Farallón, Coclé
507-993-2740
Pesca Panamá
Glendale, Arizona
507-614-5850 / 1-800-946-3474
Panamá Fish Charter
Panamá
1-305-299-3918
Panamá Water Sport Adventure
Royal Decameron Beach Resort
507-264-5328
For information about fishing in the Gatun Lake (Panama Canal):
• Gamboa Rainforest Resort. They offer fishing
tours for three persons for US$260.00 (Includes: boat, captain,
fishing equipment, refreshments), additional person, $52.50.
Telephone: (507) 314-9000* (001) 877 800 1690, email: tourdesk@gamboaresort.com
• Gamboa Lake. You arrive at the public ramp
of the Gatun Lake (located in Gamboa), past the Summit Zoo.
Contact: Mr. Osvaldo A. Robles (Tel: 6666-7580). Renting cost
of the boat: $60.00 (for three persons, including guide and
gasoline). The fishing cane at a cost of $5.00 and live bait
for $1.00 for 12 units.
• The Arenosa Lake (District
of La Chorrera). You arrive by the Via Interamericana,
turning 10 minutes after the toll booth of the La Chorrera
highway, then you turn right in a sign toward the community
of El Espino, continue for approximately 30 minutes until
you arrive to a town, where there is a sign indicating La
Arenosa to the left, you continue 15 minutes more until you
arrive to the lake. Contact: Mr. Feliciano “Chanito”
(Tel: 244-9040). The cost of renting a boat: $40.00 (includes
canes, threads, sardines, a captain, life vests, cooler, gasoline).
Cost of bait: 100 sardines for $5.00. Boat trips without including
sport fishing: $1.00 to $5.00 per person approximately (depending
on the distance and amount of persons).
• Club Campestre La Arenosa (Arraiján,
Panamá). Offers a package that includes cabins for
$25.00 the night that includes: air condition, 2 double beds,
hot water, terrace over the lake, social area, pool for children,
kayak rental. Contact: Mr. Alfredo Macias. Telephones: (507)
230-8623 – 507 225-8486 and Celular: 647-3247.
The
word "Panama" is of pre-Columbian origin and means
"abundance of fishes, butterflies". The rich biodiversity
of Panama is due to its particular geographic position being
one of the most important places of the world for investigating
thousands of species of flora and fauna in tropical areas.
The country has world class natural attractions such as: beaches,
lakes, two coasts, and jungles, humid and tropical forests
full of all types of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. More
than 29% of the mass of the earth is protected by 15 national
parks, a dozen of forest reservations and 10 wildlife refuges.
Emberá
and Wounaan Groups: The Emberá and Wounaan
ethnia live in the jungles of Darien. They can also
be found one hour and a half from the City of Panama
in the Chagres National Park, living as their ancestors
of Darien: Parará Pur and Emberá Drúa.
The national and international tourists visiting the
communities of Emberá and Wounaan are welcomed
with indigenous native show of flutes, drums and timbrels.
They also prepare delicious indigenous foods such as
fish, plantain and yucca. During the visit you can purchase
typical crafts of the area, paint your face and body
with their original designs, as well as knows the lifestyle,
housing and other details of this ethnia of great cultural
value.
Kuna
Group: They are considered the most known ethnia
of Panama, at a national and international level. This
is due to their famous design, during many years, of
their own and prideful art of "molas". The
business of molas is one of the principal economic incomes
of the Kuna territory. This indigenous ethnia lives
in the Region of Kuna Yala (Archipelago of San Blas)
where they have had a political independence and self-regulating
regime for many decades. Their houses, normally built
on sand in the islands, are made of walls of sugar cane
and roofs of dry straw, located along clean and sandy
straight roads. In the different islands (approximately
365) you can observe paradisiacal places for tourism.
There are lodging infrastructures type eco-lodges and
rustic cabins, all with the enchantment of the Pre-Columbian
Caribbean. Molas are part of the dresses of the Kuna
woman, but its beauty has become strong and you can
find it in Panama in pictures, ties, shirts and haute
couture dresses.
There
are various places in Panama that offer canopy, for example,
in Boquete (Province of Chiriquí) and El Valle de Anton
(Province of Coclé), these types of entertaining and
adrenaline full activities may be performed. This exciting
and unforgettable experience is based in crossing or sliding
by means of a rope or a cable and a harness, above tree cups
observing a spectacular landscape and feeling the nature around
you. It has been proved that Canopy is very safe, and that
it counts with highly trained and experienced personal, the
cost is around $25.00 to $60 per person. Also, canopy is been
offered in the Area of Rio Piedra (Province of Colon), through
the company “The Adrenaline Factor” (Telephone:
236-3466) and in the city
of
Panama, specifically in Isla Perico in Amador (the causeway),
by the company “Play Canopy Ride” (Tel: 314-3370/6726-1284)
a different option where you may experience a beautiful view
of the Pacific Ocean, the Bridge of the Americas and Panama
City.
Bird
Watching in Panama is well known, since there are more than
900 different types of birds scientifically registered. Since
1970 Panama has maintained the record number of birds watched
in 24 hours. More bird species live in Panama that in North
America and Canada together. Recently it was possible to observe
in Panama a bird specie not very common in our country “Jariburu
(yabiru)” a type of stork, that is the largest flying
bird in America (it measures between 135 and 150cm), originating
in South America. The birds may be watched in all the country,
but principally in the National Park of Darien, National Park
of Chagres, Metropolitan Natural Park, Achiote Path (place
internationally recognized as a place where up to 200 different
types 
of
bird species have been observed) and the Sovereign National
Park (a favorite place for the observation of birds, specially
in the north part of the famous Oleoduct Path). In the highlands,
in the Province of Chiriqui, you may observe the beautiful
Quetzales (phraromachrus mocino) and in the jungle of Darien
you may watch the Harpy Eagle (national bird of Panama).
The
name Panama by itself means “abundance of fish”.
In Panama you may find a variety of different fishes both
in fresh and salt water. Panama has excellent places and installations
to enjoy of both professional and recreational fishing, in
the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Gatun
Lake (Panama Canal).
