PANAMA

Location - Central America; Capital - Panama City; Population - 4 million; Currency - Balboa

My final Central American country was Panama, starting at Bocas del Toro, in December 2001.

Panama uses the US Dollar, but calls it the Balboa.
It has its own coinage, 100 Centavos equalling 1 Balboa.

Playa Larga on Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro archipelago

The town of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon, north west Panama

I went to Isla Bastimentos and stayed at Bastimentos village.
My room was broken in to and my camera stolen, so I only have this postcard of Red Frog beach.
It boasts some fine beaches, including Playa Wizard.

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Parque de Cervantes in David, Panama's 3rd largest city

David is home to the Guaymi Indians, seen at a distance dressed in yellow

Cerro Punta on the slopes of Baru volcano at about 2100 metres altitude

Taking a walk beyond Cerro Punta

Boquete village, north of David

There's good views of Baru volcano from Boquete

Las Lajas beach is huge and virtually deserted for several kilometres either side of the beach cabins

New Year's Eve with Laura, Chris and Russ, Las Lajas beach

The main square and cathedral at Chitre

Fishing boats at El Rompio beach, near Chitre

Villa de los Santos is the site of the signing of Panama's declaration of independence

Local Indian market in El Valle

El Valle is a village set in a volcanic crater

I came across a sloth painstakingly trying to cross the road on a blind bend, as I walked to one of El Valle's waterfalls

I was stopping traffic so he wasn't run over.
After half an hour he returned to his original patch, never having crossed the road, but he was very cute to watch! El Valle

One of several waterfalls dotted around El Valle

Santiago Fort at the 16th century town of Portobelo

San Jeronimo Fort at Portobelo

Captain Henry Morgan was one of several plunderers of this Caribbean town - Portobelo

The colonial area of Panama City, called Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo, Panama City

The site of Manual Noriega's Club de Clases y Tropas in Casco Viejo, Panama City

The ruins of Panama Viejo, site of the original Spanish built city, trashed by Henry Morgan in the 17th century, Panama City

The Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, 10kms north west of Panama City

The ship has now been lowered to the level of the Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal

They're not all big - being pulled between locks at the Panama Canal

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LINKS

www.panamaride.com

www.panama-tourism-guide.com

www.visitpanama.com

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