Unlocking the Spirit of Panama

Panama may be a small country, but it has much to offer its visitors. From stunning beaches to hidden jungles and many distinct cultures, this relatively undiscovered destination has something for everyone.

Playa Venao is a picturesque town located on the Pacific Coast with black-sand beaches, world-class surfing and a distinct lack of crowds.

Baru Volcano National Park is in the province of Chiriqui, an internationally recognized producer of geisha coffee due to its volcanic soil. The coffee is unique because it is grown at extremely high altitudes and is one of the most expensive coffee varieties in the world.

The largest island in Panama is Isla Bastimentos, which offers a laidback alternative to the bustling streets and bars in the city center of Bocas Town. It is just a 10-minute water taxi ride from Isla Colon and home to wonderful beaches such as Wizard Beach.

Panama is home to 3.5 million inhabitants include 12% who identify as members of one of the country's native ethnic groups: Guna, Ngäbe-Buglé, Teribe, Bokota, Emberá-Wounaan and Bri-Bri. The Emberá people in the Canal Watershed welcome visitors and have retained their language, songs and dances as well as their reverence for the natural world.

Soberania National Park is one of Panama's most accessible national parks and is just a 45-minute drive from the Panama City. The park spans more than 55,000 acre and contains a dry rainforest, a variety of animal species and the Chagres River, which runs through the middle of it.

Fans of scuba diving will want to head to Coiba Marine Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is a formal penal colony and because visitation was restricted, the natural beauty survived untouched. The marine park boasts some of the greatest biological diversity in the world.

Ziplining is still pretty new in Panama, but it's offerings are exciting for visitors of all ages, offering the chance to glide over century-old forests, gaze at pristine rivers and waterfalls, and glimpse the native flora and fauna below.

Visitors looking for a resort-style vacation can head to Panama's Riviera Pacifica, a corridor of beaches that line the Pacific Coast that are easily accessible by car. There are a variety of hotel options that range from basic to all-inclusive to high-end luxury hotels.