Tourism
Even before the construction of its famous canal, Panama's strategic location at the wasp waist of the Americas and at the meeting place of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans made it one of the great crossroads of the world. A narrow, S-shaped isthmus that stretches some 750km between Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama remains a vital thoroughfare of international commerce. It has been neglected by would-be visitors, in part, because the land bridge to South America, the Darién Gap, remains virtually impassable and, in part, because the use of the US dollar and the relatively high level of economic development can make it a more expensive country to visit than other places in the region.
American, Spanish, African, West Indian, Chinese, Indian and European – all have contributed to a compelling cultural mix, creating the most cosmopolitan, open-minded and outward-looking society in Central America. At the same time, Panama is also home to some of the most unassimilated and culturally fascinating indigenous communities in the region – within 30km of Panama City's high-rise banking district, the native Emberá continue to practice subsistence agriculture in the rainforest.
Those travelers who do go to Panama are surprised by the country's outstanding natural beauty. With 1,600km of coastline on the Pacific and 1,280km on the Caribbean, Panama boasts unspoiled beaches and coral reefs to match any in the region. Although it was Costa Rica that has achieved world fame as an ecotourism destination, Panama has little reason to envy its neighbor as far as pristine wilderness and ecological diversity are concerned.
A biological bridge between continents, Panama supports an astounding degree of biodiversity, including over nine hundred bird species – more than in Costa Rica or in the whole of North America. More than half the country is still covered by dense tropical rainforest, and large areas are protected by a well-managed system of national parks and nature reserves.
The Panamanian government has finally begun to actively promote tourism and in most parts of the country, the frequently applied moniker of "Central America's best-kept secret" no longer applies. Despite this progress, Panama's tourism industry is still relatively undeveloped, which means that in comparison to, say, Costa Rica, the prices are much lower. The fact that Panama has not yet become jaded with foreigners due to the impact of mass tourism is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding aspects of any visit.
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