With the world's tourism leaning away from themed vacations, a new trend sees families traveling to jungles instead of Disney; taking cruises to Alaska instead of the Bahamas. This sect of tourism, aptly referred to as eco-tourism, flourishes in response to the times; as conservation consumes every aspect of our lives.
But this should come as no surprise. We have become so desensitized to the novelty of amusement parks--the flashing lights and loud noises--that we have reverted back to the basics. No longer do television audiences demand compelling dramas and convincing dialogue, but instead vicariously invest their lives into the lives of others. The number of active reality television programming now exceeds sitcoms. The lives we were once content with, we have outgrown and now we crave the intangibles; the streamlined cityscape of an overwhelming Japan; whale-watching among a sea of glaciers in Antarctica. The experiences that we once relied on television to provide for us, are now within reach and in demand.
Panama, like most countries with an eclectic array of remaining natural resources, are well aware of this recent surge. Hence commercials not for specific attractions, but for the locations themselves. Cancun will likely show clips of white beaches and romantic sunsets; Venice--gondolas streaming along Canal Grande. Panama, on the other hand, subscribes to the loose-adage "if you've got it, flaunt it." What the country happens to be in excess of is forest land.
Planning a vacation around a particular park in Panama is a very intimidating assignment, so it's best to, instead, construct it around a hotel or specific area of the country and from there, select a park relevant to where you are staying. This guide will help you take that final step toward completing your vacation planning.
La Amistad National Park - Covers 511,000 acres of mountainous terrain in the Cordillera de Talamanca Mountain range. The park is known for its cloud forests and display of 7 of Panama's 12 naturally occurring life zones.
Over 100 species of mammals, including primates like the howler monkey, black handed spider monkey, white throated capuchin and night monkey are found here. The park is also home to 5 species of cat including the puma and jaguar, 91 species of amphibians, and 61 species of reptiles.
The 3 towns nearest the park are Cerro Punta, Volcan in Chiriqui Province, and Changuinola in Bocas Del Toro; all providing transportation to La Amistad Park.
Bastimentos Island National Park - Encompasses 13,000 hectares of Bastimentos Island of the Zapatilla Cayes in Bocas Del Toro; composed of both land and ocean. A popular beach area of the park among tourists is Red Frog Beach, named for the red poison dart frogs that are native to the area. The park also opens its waters to snorkeling and diving, allowing visitors to experience unspoiled coral reef and over 200 species of fish.
Cerro Hoya National Park - Covers 80,500 acres in Los Santos and Veraguas and is about 215 miles from Panama City. The Park's terrain stretches from coastline to volcanic mountain. Although Cerro Hoya is one of the least explored parks in Panama, it is home to coral reefs, 95 species of bird and many large cats.
Chagres National Park - Located within Panama and Colon Province, covering 320,000 acres. The primary purpose of this forest is to protect water sources important to the Panama Canal and Panama City; however, does not close the park off to human interaction.
The park is comprised of steep mountain, lakes, rivers and tropical forests. While the park is home to a complicated ecosystem of plants and animals, it is also home to a tribe of Embera Indians.
Coiba National Park - Located within the western portion of Veraguas and consumes 667,000 acres of terrain. Because of its size, number of islands, and virginal beaches, Coiba is considered one of Panama's premier parks.
Thirty-six species of mammals have been recorded to live within the park, including 147 bird species, 69 fish species, and 39 amphibian species. Coiba Park is also the habitat to humpbacked whales, orca whales, pan tropical spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.
Altos de Campana National Park - Comprised of approximately 39 species of mammals, 267 species of birds, 62 species of reptiles, and 82 species of amphibians. Altos de Campana is considered Panama's first national park and was established in 1966.
The park is mostly rugged terrain, leading to lava fields and El Valle Del Anton Volcano. As it is located in the western portion of the Panama province, about 1-1.5 hours West of Panama City, it is one of the closest national forests to many of Panama's resorts; including Melia Panama Canal and
To assume that Panama is one massive forest is understandable; much of the Panamanian land is coated in lush vegetation. However, the country is more than trees and wildlife and streamlets. Other branches of Eco-tourism reach the country in the forms of Smithsonian Institute research centers, the Camino Cruces Trail, the small fishing communities of Las Perlas, and the San Blas Islands. Whether a trend or something more, it is worth recognizing Panama, with all of its forestry and inhabiting animalia, as a country that truly feeds the world's ecological obsession.
But this should come as no surprise. We have become so desensitized to the novelty of amusement parks--the flashing lights and loud noises--that we have reverted back to the basics. No longer do television audiences demand compelling dramas and convincing dialogue, but instead vicariously invest their lives into the lives of others. The number of active reality television programming now exceeds sitcoms. The lives we were once content with, we have outgrown and now we crave the intangibles; the streamlined cityscape of an overwhelming Japan; whale-watching among a sea of glaciers in Antarctica. The experiences that we once relied on television to provide for us, are now within reach and in demand.
Panama, like most countries with an eclectic array of remaining natural resources, are well aware of this recent surge. Hence commercials not for specific attractions, but for the locations themselves. Cancun will likely show clips of white beaches and romantic sunsets; Venice--gondolas streaming along Canal Grande. Panama, on the other hand, subscribes to the loose-adage "if you've got it, flaunt it." What the country happens to be in excess of is forest land.
Planning a vacation around a particular park in Panama is a very intimidating assignment, so it's best to, instead, construct it around a hotel or specific area of the country and from there, select a park relevant to where you are staying. This guide will help you take that final step toward completing your vacation planning.
La Amistad National Park - Covers 511,000 acres of mountainous terrain in the Cordillera de Talamanca Mountain range. The park is known for its cloud forests and display of 7 of Panama's 12 naturally occurring life zones.
Over 100 species of mammals, including primates like the howler monkey, black handed spider monkey, white throated capuchin and night monkey are found here. The park is also home to 5 species of cat including the puma and jaguar, 91 species of amphibians, and 61 species of reptiles.
The 3 towns nearest the park are Cerro Punta, Volcan in Chiriqui Province, and Changuinola in Bocas Del Toro; all providing transportation to La Amistad Park.
Bastimentos Island National Park - Encompasses 13,000 hectares of Bastimentos Island of the Zapatilla Cayes in Bocas Del Toro; composed of both land and ocean. A popular beach area of the park among tourists is Red Frog Beach, named for the red poison dart frogs that are native to the area. The park also opens its waters to snorkeling and diving, allowing visitors to experience unspoiled coral reef and over 200 species of fish.
Cerro Hoya National Park - Covers 80,500 acres in Los Santos and Veraguas and is about 215 miles from Panama City. The Park's terrain stretches from coastline to volcanic mountain. Although Cerro Hoya is one of the least explored parks in Panama, it is home to coral reefs, 95 species of bird and many large cats.
Chagres National Park - Located within Panama and Colon Province, covering 320,000 acres. The primary purpose of this forest is to protect water sources important to the Panama Canal and Panama City; however, does not close the park off to human interaction.
The park is comprised of steep mountain, lakes, rivers and tropical forests. While the park is home to a complicated ecosystem of plants and animals, it is also home to a tribe of Embera Indians.
Coiba National Park - Located within the western portion of Veraguas and consumes 667,000 acres of terrain. Because of its size, number of islands, and virginal beaches, Coiba is considered one of Panama's premier parks.
Thirty-six species of mammals have been recorded to live within the park, including 147 bird species, 69 fish species, and 39 amphibian species. Coiba Park is also the habitat to humpbacked whales, orca whales, pan tropical spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.
Altos de Campana National Park - Comprised of approximately 39 species of mammals, 267 species of birds, 62 species of reptiles, and 82 species of amphibians. Altos de Campana is considered Panama's first national park and was established in 1966.
The park is mostly rugged terrain, leading to lava fields and El Valle Del Anton Volcano. As it is located in the western portion of the Panama province, about 1-1.5 hours West of Panama City, it is one of the closest national forests to many of Panama's resorts; including Melia Panama Canal and
To assume that Panama is one massive forest is understandable; much of the Panamanian land is coated in lush vegetation. However, the country is more than trees and wildlife and streamlets. Other branches of Eco-tourism reach the country in the forms of Smithsonian Institute research centers, the Camino Cruces Trail, the small fishing communities of Las Perlas, and the San Blas Islands. Whether a trend or something more, it is worth recognizing Panama, with all of its forestry and inhabiting animalia, as a country that truly feeds the world's ecological obsession.
Source...