Imagine a land where the rivers are roads and green is the dominant color, where the people is happy, proud and always willing to welcome the visitors, where nature expresses itself in the most exhuberant ways.

Darien is the largest and least developed area of Panama. Its isolation, the abundance of plants and animals and the important indigenous groups that are found there, makes Darien the ideal place for the adventurer.

Darien is mainly integrated by four ethnic groups; the Chocoe indians, the Kuna indians, afro-colonials and hispanic-indigenous groups. All of them have played an important part in the region's identity.

The traveling and tourism infraestructure counts mainly with the luxurious Hotel Posada de Pesca in Piñas Bay located on the pacific coast to the south.

Ecologically speaking, Darien has one of the riches regions on Earth. Here is where the South American Jungle meets the North and Central American Jungles therefore both plant species and animal species meet in this area. The ecological bridge is protected by the Darien National Park, the largest in Panama..

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The distance from Panama City to this Valley is 480 kms and is separated from the city of David is 40 kms, that translates into a half hour drive. Air transportations allows to get there in 50 minutes.

Boquete is form by highlands of volcanic origin; a few peaks are the "Palo Alto el Pianista", "La India Vieja" and "La Estrella".

The cultivation of flowers, coffee, citric fruits, strawberries and a variety of vegetables, are a few of the main sources of work for the people of Boquete.

On its steep mountains inhabit indigenous groups named Gnobe Bugle more widely known as Guaymies, who work in the coffee plantations and farms and distinguish themselves with the making of colorful, beautiful and attractive drawings in the chaquira.

Different tours to first class touristic attractions can be organized from Boquete. If vulcanology of the visitor's interest, climbing up to Volcan Baru is an exciting adventure. On the way up one can have a first hand look at the fascinating Pluvial Montano forest, the Tropical Nuboso forest and a panoramic view of the sea, at the highest point in the Republic of Panama.

The observation of birds is one of the main attractions of Boquete. The quetzales, considered birds of extreme beauty, can be observed in this paradise where they nest and where more than 43 species have been sighted.

Its vegetation is abundant and priviledged, qualities that have given this land the name that distinguishes it.

Inside this exhuberant vegetation there is also trails for the naturalists and eco-tourists such as the little Parque El Explorador, The Nevera in lower Boquete and one that takes you to the Caldera river, the Fogones, the Mirador and many more.

For the adventurous tourist there are trips to the rapids in the Chiriqui and Chiriqui Viejo Rivers.

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When going around the blocks of the beautiful Casco Antiguo we go back to a time full of memories of the heritage left by our ancestors.

Admire the impresive arquitecture of exquisite splendor, the colorful and full guayacanes trees that are found on each side of the street, and the delicate details present in every corner, which makes the visit to this area of our Capital one great touristic experience, full of history, art and culture.

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The city of Old Panama was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila. It was the first spanish city in what was known as the South Sea, today the Pacific Ocean.

There, civilian buildings joined together with religious orders and representatives of the Spanish Crown; so we have the Mercedarios, the Franciscanos, the nuns of the Concenpcion, among others.

The main streets run from East to West. The main roads were La Carrera which was by the sea and La Empedrada parallel to it.

The main square, the Plaza Mayor was 94 steps long and 88 steps wide and had two more small squares called plazuelas.

In its Royal Houses were the main authorities: The Governors, Listeners, the President of the Royal Audience and the Adelantados.

In the city of Olf Panama the Alcabala tax was charged (5% of imported products). The Dime (10% for church goers) and the pass of roads which was the tax for going thru the Camino Real and the Camino de Cruces.

This city harbored the conquest of the Inca empire, and also saw the passing of all the treasures and riches that came from the commercial activities in Chile, Peru, and Baja California, in route to the motherland, Spain.

Henry Morgan destroys the city on January 28, 1671 and its governor, Juan Pérez de Guzmán orders the incineration of the powder house, leaving the city in flames..

On January 21, 1673, the president of the Royal Audience of Panama, Don Antonio Fernández de Córdoba y Mendoza, moves the city 10 kms, to the site of Ancon, today known as the Casco Antiguo.

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The adventure in San Blas can be staying in an unhabited island, a fishing tour, dances and traditional rites, diving, underwater fishing, the enjoyment of crystal clear waters or simply the tranquility of a hammock rock by the wind with the sun in your face.

¡What else can you ask for!....

The archipelago is composed of aproximately 100 cays without names, 113 with names and close to 30 islands with reefs.

In every island tourism is favored, but the best services are found in the beautiful island of Wichubwala.

The kuna indians live here, of small stature, short necks and big heads, wide backs, big chests, short legss and small feet. They dressed very casual. The females wear the Molas with lively colors. They wear gold earrings on their ears and rings on their noses. They keep their traditions and their legends, their beliefs, myths and gods. Their language is rich and extense. They practice monogamy and adultery is a crime. Their leader is the Sáhila who has authority in the community where he lives. The Nele is the leader of a group of communities. They practice agriculture and cultivate the Coconut which is their main food and the one that they sell. They are esentially fishermen.

The national government has built them schools.

The islands can be reached by air or land, if you want to go by land you have to take the interamerican highway heading towards Bayano; when you reach El Llano de Chepo, the road leads you to Carti on the San Blas coast.

From there you can rent a boat (cayuco) to connect with the islands. There are services of: Immigration and Naturalization, Radiocommunications, Expeditions, Police Sub-Stations, Postal, Docks, Airports and Beautiful Beaches.

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Among the great peaceful endeavors of mankind that have contributed significantly to progress in the world, the construction of the Canal stands as an awe-inspiring achievement.

The unparalleled engineering triumph was made possible by an international work force under the leadership of American visionaries, that made the centuries-old dream of uniting the two great oceans a reality.

In 1534, Charles I of Spain ordered the first survey of a proposed canal route through the Isthmus of Panama. More than three centuries passed before the first construction was started. The French labored 20 years, beginning in 1880, but disease and financial problems defeated them.

In 1903, Panama and the United States signed a treaty by which the United States undertook to construct an interoceanic ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The following year, the United States purchased from the French Canal Company its rights and properties for $40 million and began construction. The monumental project was completed in ten years at a cost of about $387 million. Since 1903 the United States has invested about $3 billion in the Canal enterprise, approximately two-thirds of which has been recovered.

The building of the Panama Canal involved three main problems_engineering, sanitation, and organization. Its succesful completion was due principally to the engineering and administrative skills of such men as John F. Stevens and Col. George W. Goethals,and to the solution of extensive health problems by Col. William C. Gorgas.

The engineering problems involved digging through the Continental Divide, constructing the largest earth dam ever built up to that time; designing and building the most massive canal locks ever envisioned; constructing the largest gates ever swung; and solving environmental problems of enormous proportions.

The Panama Canal with its unique location at the narrowest point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, has had a far reaching effect on world economic and commercial developments throughout most of this century. By providing a short, relatively inexpensive passageway between these two great bodies of water, the Canal has influenced world trade patterns, spurred growth in developed countries, and has been a primary impetus for economic expansion in many remote areas of the world.

As with any operation of the magnitude and complexity of the Panama Canal, round the clock maintenance is critical to its effectiveness and efficiency.

Both Spanish and English are spoken in the Isthmus. Visitors who speak either language will have little difficulty, as most hotels and businesses employ personnel who speak both languages.

The Canal Orientation Service, operated by the Panama Canal Comission, welcomes visitors at Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side of the Isthmus, 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where a pavilion provides a vantage point for viewing transiting ships. A topographical model of the Canal is located in the theater annex.

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