Fall Excursion to Panama (Discussion)

Hello travelers!

I am considering a possible 3-day excursion to the Central American country of Panama in October 2022. I am interested in exploring the areas of Panama City, the coastal town of Colon, and the Panama Canal. This meetup is a discussion for anyone who is interested in traveling to this destination.

Here are some of the more important sights that are present in Panama:

Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks – the famous 50-mile man-made waterway that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. The canal contains two canal locks: the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side near Panama City; and the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side near Colon. Both locks contain a visitor's center that details the history of the locks and contains observation areas where visitors can see the ships pass through the canal locks.

Casco Viejo - an old Spanish colonial section and Panama historic district founded in the 16th century. This area also features vibrant plazas and brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings and is the center of the city’s gastronomic scene and nightlife.

Biomuseo - Biomuseo is a museum focused on the natural history of Panama, and highlights Panama's natural and cultural history. Its galleries tell the story of how the rise of the isthmus of Panama changed the world.

Panama Viejo - the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas founded in 1519 by conquistador Pedro Arias Dàvila.

Colon Day Tour – This 7-hour day tour will take us from Panama City to the town of Colon, which is one hour north of Panama City on the Atlantic coast. In this town we will see the Gatun Locks and Lake, which is the canal lock at the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. We will also travel through the rainforest in a van and visit Fort San Lorenzo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a fort built in the 17th Century for the purpose of protecting the discovered colony and trade routes from pirates. If open, we may also visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center, which gives more information about the history of the northern canal locks of the Panama Canal. (The cost of this tour is $67. The tour van will pick us up from a hotel. Go to [www.Viator.com](http://www.viator.com/) for more information on this tour.)

Travel Dates and Meeting Time

The possible date for travel is from Thursday, October 13th, to Monday, October 17th. I will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, July 13th at 7:00PM, for those who may be interested in going to Panama. At this meeting, I will discuss details such as points of interests, flight and hotel information, travel itinerary and schedule, and other important information. I will also answer any questions and concerns from those who attend.

*Alternative dates considered -Thursday, October 6 - Monday, October 10 (Columbus Day weekend).

Attendees can also share their thoughts and concerns about traveling during this time, in order that we can make an informed and collective decision about whether to continue with the trip or to postpone it for a more ideal time in the future. If there are enough members who are interested in traveling to Panama, a second Zoom meeting will be scheduled to discuss a concrete traveling plan to Panama.

Other Points of Interests in Panama City and Colon

Panama Canal Museum – located in the old quarter of the city, the museum is devoted to the history of the construction of the Panama Canal in its various stages.

Cinta Costera - a long waterfront park against a cityscape of skyscrapers, where people also play sports and watch the ocean views.

Soberania National Park (Possible) - consist of 55,000 acres of steamy rainforest ribboned with rivers. The park contains over 400 species of birds and two walking paths: The Pipeline Road for those wishing to watch from very close a variety of different birds; and the Plantation Road, offering visitors a view of many animals, including monkeys, white-faced capuchins and agouti.

Punta Calebra – The Punta Culebra Nature Center contains short forest trails, a small beach, touch tanks and a small zoo with sea turtles. The site also contains displays that profile Panama’s biodiversity, as well as the different environments and ecosystems in the country.

The Cathedral – A historic Catholic church located in the Old Town, and built between 1688 and 1794.

Iglesia del Carmen – This Gothic architectural style cathedral is located in the center of Panama City and is the most visited church in Panama by international tourists.

Metropolitan Natural Park - a tropical rainforest park that consists of trails and numerous wildlife – including capuchin monkeys, sloths, toucans and trogons.

Museum of Contemporary Art - the only museum of contemporary art in Panama, the museum’s collections consist of more than 700 works created by Panamanian and Latin American artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Hope to see you there!