Destination of the Month: Panama

For the lovely month of February, our Destination of the Month is the amazingly diverse country of Panama.
Why Panama?

Apart from being absolutely gorgeous during the dry months of February and March, Panama also offers culture, an abundance of wildlife, and convenience for the adventurous traveller.

Culture

Though Spanish is the country’s official language, you might hear Japanese, Cantonese, Arabic, Panamanian Creole, Kuna, or even Eastern Yiddish along your travels through Panama. The country has an unusual mix of cultures as a result of its turbulent past. Despite Panama’s history, indigenous traditions have thrived throughout the centuries and have in some cases influenced the imported customs from around the world to create the eclectic experience you’ll still remember years later.

Creatures

The name ‘Panama’ means “abundance of fish, trees and butterflies” in indigenous cultures. It’s not difficult to understand how they came to that definition.

As a country with both rainforests and mangroves, bordering two seas and sandwiched between North and South America, Panama is practically the definition of diverse wildlife. The country is home to jaguars, pumas, crocodiles, nearly a thousand species of birds, various swamp creatures, unique neotropical rodents and many more varieties of animals you probably haven’t even heard of!

Convenience

For travellers that hate the idea of losing money through fluctuating exchange rates and fees, Panama is the place to be! The country technically has its own coins, but Panamanians use the American greenback for all paper currency and will accept US coins as well.

Panama has made it so convenient for its friends up North, that many Americans also flock to the country for their medical needs and made it the number one medical tourism destination in 2008 (eTN). With all the experience Panamanians have had treating visiting American visitors, you don’t have to worry about your experience in the event that you need medical attention (knock on wood).

Upcoming BikeHike Adventures in Panama

Rumble in the Jungle – Panama (10 days)
April 15 - 24, 2010 Guided by BikeHike Owner & Founder Trish Sare

This is the ultimate adventure for the adrenaline junkie. In 10 days, you’ll traverse the country from Pacific to Atlantic on your own sweat and steam. You’ll bike along twisted trails in deep fertile valleys, hike and zip-line through lush rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife, bounce down thumping rapids on a frothy world class river, snorkel in translucent seas filled with tropical marine life, and sea kayak amongst twisted mangroves and coral reefs.

Note: Because this trip is guided by Trish, places will fill up faster than normal. To reserve your spot, call 1.888.805.0061 or e-mail info@bikehike.com asap.



Other Interesting Factoids About Panama

• The closest living relative to the dinosaur (aka the crocodile) can be found in Panama.
• In 1999, Panamanians elected their first female President, Mireya Moscoso.
• Panama is one of the world’s top producers of collectors stamps.
• The Panama Canal is man-made and was created by Americans in the early 20th century.