Escudo de Veraguas is the crown jewel of all the hidden gems waiting to be discovered here. It is several different experiences all rolled into one: dramatic caves and coves, pristine beaches, extensive coral reefs and mangroves that shelter some fascinating creatures on the brink of extinction like the pygmy three-toed sloth.
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EL CHORILLO: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
One night in the depths of another internet rabbit hole, I stumbled upon this not-so-typical tour that I’ve been wanting to check out for quite a while now. Just steps beyond the bougie cafes and rooftops of historic Casco Viejo lies El Chorrillo, the barrio that gave Panama so many of her most famous–if not notorious–native sons. Boxer Roberto Duran, salsero Ruben Blades and dictator Manuel Noriega all hail from…
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THE DREAMY WORLD OF ISLAS SAN BLAS
Google search “Panama’s best islands” and I am willing to bet the top result will be Islas San Blas. This remote tropical paradise gives the deserted island vibes that so many people crave. The archipelago is made up of 365 stunningly beautiful islands that dot the central Caribbean coast of Panama. The territory or Comarca is governed by the Guna Yala indigenous community who take great care in preserving the…
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THE MAGIC OF BOCAS DEL TORO
When I think of “magical” places, one place leaps to mind. Bocas del Toro has a vibe unlike any other place I’ve ever visited. This archipelago lies 30 minutes south of Costa Rica and ecotourism thrives here among the coral reefs, rainforests and mangroves. In fact, some of the best days of my life have been spent in this island paradise. From drinking tropical adult beverages at Starfish Beach with…
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10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT EL VALLE DE ANTON
One of the main reasons I moved from Atlanta to Panama was the potential for excellent hiking year round. On my first trip, I spent a weekend in El Valle de Anton. It’s a place I honestly never get tired of. Depending on your mode of transportation, you can get to El Valle in 3 hours or even less if you’re one of those lucky folks with a car. There…
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ONE OF PTY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
If I know my fellow expats like I think I do, I know many of them love grabbing a drink. Here in Ciudad de Panama, La Rana Dorada and Pedro Mandinga are quite often a go-to meeting spot. Personally, I really love a mojito at Pedro Mandinga. When I heard about the distillery and brewery tour, I knew I had to check it out. The nerd in me needs to know…