Wherever I travel, I love learning about local and indigenous cultures. Here in Panamá, the people of the Guna Yala Comarca stand out dressed in their eyecatching, brightly colored clothing selling their molas and beadwork on the streets of Casco Viejo. It’s one thing to grab a lovely souvenir to take home; it’s another thing to understand its meaning. If you’re planning a trip to Panama City, the Mola Museum…
Panama
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ADVENTURE TIME ON ISLA OTOQUE, PANAMA
I don’t have too many vices, but my latest bad habit is too much TikTok. As embarrassing as it sounds at my age, sometimes my scrolling turns up some really interesting things like my latest excursion a couple of hours outside the city. I had never heard of this place, but there it was in my feed. I was hooked watching the colorful panga motoring toward another Panamanian Pacific paradise…
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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: MONKEY ISLAND
Just minutes beyond the world famous canal lies one of Panama’s most beloved tourist attractions, “Monkey Island.” Located in the heart of Gatun Lake, these remarkable islands that dot the waters running parallel to the canal are home to three different monkey species offering visitors an unforgettable, interactive glimpse into Panama’s rich biodiversity. What makes this place truly special isn’t just the playful howler monkeys or the curious capuchins you’ll…
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SMITHSONIAN BAT NIGHTS: OUT OF THIS WORLD
Have you ever wondered what happens in the jungle after sundown? At the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Bat Lab, in Gamboa, you’ll not only get up close and personal with bats, scorpions, and frogs, you´ll get to explore their world under the cover of night. With over 120 bat species calling Panama home, this little country offers numerous opportunties to catch a glimpse of these often misunderstood nocturnal creatures. Just…
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THE BEST MICROBREWERIES IN PANAMA CITY
Nothing drives one to drink like a dramatic, unexpected breakup. Being the the practical girl that I am, I figured I’d turn lemons into lemonade by setting out on a tour of some of Panama City’s best microbreweries while I am in “drowning my sorrows” mode. Seriously though, I really love good beer, a chill atmosphere and supporting local businesses, so win, win, AND win. Here in Panama City, the…
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GET MIXING AT PEDRO MANDINGA
Locals and visitors alike love Pedro Mandinga and La Rana Dorada for their artisanal brews and handcrafted rum cocktails. They are a staple here in town offering fabulous happy hour specials, salsa nights, sponsored community events and super-cool tours of their distillery and brewery in Tumba Muerto. Recently, they introduced their “Ron de Coco Silver Pedro Mandinga” or Artisanal Coconut Rum of Panama. This sweet rum is an instant classic…