June 19, 2011. Paul Hixon
credit: familymwrJust by having the Canal, Panama is a very special place. Thousands and thousands of visitors go to this small country every year with the solely intention of seeing the Panama Canal, but when they arrive, the slogan of being “much more than the Canal” becomes quite evident.
Did you know that Panama has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in Latin America? Just the ride from the airport to the city, roughly 12 miles, is very impressive: the last portion of the highway is built in columns over the Pacific Ocean, and as the visitor is entering the city, the most modern skyline can be seen.
After arrival, the first activity then is to go to the Panama Canal. As tourists are approaching the Canal area, they start to see dense vegetation and suddenly they are surrounded by a lush jungle! The fact that this jungle is barely 15 minutes away from the skyscrapers makes this a unique place in the world.
There are several jungle trails that can be taken for a hike around the Panama Canal area. The whole area is protected in a system that includes the Soberania National Park, Camino de Cruces protected area, all inside the Panama Canal Watershed.
There are many Panama tours options that will take visitors to hike in the trails or to navigate in Canal’s waters looking for wildlife. This experience is great.
The Canal functioning depends on the fresh water reservoir, since millions of gallons are lost into the ocean after each transiting process, and the only way to ensure enough water supply in the Panama Canal Watershed is to leave the Rain Forest intact. Yes, you guessed, the “Rain Forest” makes the rain to fall!
So, if you are planning to visit Panama to see its Canal, prepare yourself for an overseas adventure travel. Panama is much more than the Canal.
Updated June 19, 2011. Published June 3, 2011. Paul Hixon
