If you love great restaurants, beautiful jungles, amazing beaches, great surf or indigenous culture, Panama is the place for you.
WHERE: Panama
WHO: Dixon Hamby, a freelance photographer based in Seattle, Washington.
WHEN: My first trip to Panama was in 2006 because a dear friend of mine had moved there for the winter and loved it. At first I was a bit hesitant as wondered if it would to too hot and humid, but decided to go and see what she found interesting about it.
I WAS SURPRISED: by how modern yet not modern in some ways Panama city was. A city of great contrast with some of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at and prices unheard of in the states and a climate that suited me just fine. One of my favorite places was Isla Taboga a short ferry ride from Panama City.
I also didn’t realize how many indigenous tribes live in Panama. I visited an Embera group several times. They are striving to maintain their lifestyle by bringing in tourists groups to augment the fishing and agriculture that provides basic food. A beautiful and kind people living in what may seem to us a paradise.
A GREAT PLACE TO STAY: is Cerrito Tropical Panama, which is run by an expat. It is a beautiful island with a great history. Another good place is Boquete, where we stayed at a place called Pension Topaz. Beautiful rooms, quite, near town and a great breakfast. The host can tell you of the many trails and tours into the neighbor areas.
I REALIZED I WOULD LOVE IT WHEN: I saw the wonderful variety of environments in Panama. You can travel from the Pacific to the Atlantic in a little over an hour. Be in the Pacific ocean and in a Caribbean culture all in the same day.
Then there are the beautiful jungles and rain forest with their sweet smells and songs of birds and howler monkeys. It’s no wonder there is a large number of expats in Panama from all over the world. Many of them settle in Boquete because of its milder climate. It’s a good idea to connect with the expat community to learn the ins and outs of getting along in Panama.
ONE THING I WOULDN’T MISS FOR ANYTHING: is carnival. It must be seen in Las Tablas. A party that won’t be soon forgotten and nearby Santo Domingo and its amazing displays of Polleras – traditional Panamanian dress.
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Thanks for sharing your discovery experience. Nice interview and wonderful images. Makes me want to go. If there is one, when’s the best time?
on Jan 29th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Jan-Mar
on Feb 1st, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Great post. On March 31st I’m leaving to travel through Latin America and Panama doesn’t get covered often in travel media, and when it does it’s rarely good. It’s nice to see a positive post.
on Feb 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Ayngelina, The lack of news about Latin America in the travel media and media in general media was one of the reasons I started this blog. Have a great trip. I hope you share the details about it when you return.