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22 | Panama In this isthmus within an isthmus, more species of birds than in the U.S. and Canada combined fly between two coasts, wing- ing through volcanic valleys, hot springs, waterfalls, canyons, and forests. The geological bridge between two continents, its paper currency is American; its Congo dance, African; its coffee beans, Ethiopian; and its architecture, Spanish, Central European, and indigenous Ngobe—but the country itself is pure Panamanian. Perhaps best known for its canal, this melting pot of diversity is much more than that impressive feat. A land of ingenuity, the coun- try that inspired the first transcontinental railway brings out the intrepid spirit in all of us. Eco-travelers revel in adventure tourism and the wildlife that keep them company, while the villages of the Chiriquí Highlands give authenticity-seekers access to festivals that honor native life. And, of course, the beaches of Playa Bonita and Playa Blanca, peppered with high-end resorts and overflowing with opportunities to snorkel, scuba, and surf, are sirens that more than live up to their names. PANAMA Crossroads of the Americas 0 100 miles 0 100 km San Blas Islands Caribbean Sea Golfo de los Mosquitos Isla Coiba P A C I F I C O C E A N Panama Canal Golfo de Panama C O S TA R I C A C O L O M B I A Panama Colón Garachiné Balboa Rio Hato Chitré Las Tablas Remedios Chiriquí Grande P A N A M A Golfo de Chiriqui Gamboa Aerial Tram & Ecological Exhibits Ascend 280 feet from the shadowy forest floor, through dense undergrowth and, finally, to a sun-drenched canopy full of flowering trees. Gatun Expedition Boat Tour An exhilarating 20-minute high-speed ride through the heart of the Panama Canal takes you to the labyrinth of jungle-covered islands in Lake Gatun. As a protected area, the wildlife is plentiful, with glimpses of capuchin and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, birds, and butterflies common sights. Panama City and Canal Tour Take in the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and the architectural wonders of the capital, beginning at the Miraflores Locks at the Pacific entrance, where you may be able to watch it in action. In the banking capital of Central America, Panama City, you'll see colonial buildings, the Causeway's shopping and, entertainment and Casco Antiguo, the oldest part of the city, founded in 1673. Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this restored cobblestoned neighborhood is home to the Presidential Palace; National Theatre;17 th century Church of the Golden Altar; Las Bóvedas; Church of San Francisco; National Cathedral; and Independence Square. A local handicraft market is the final stop. Included in the tour are transportation, services of a guide, and entrance fee to Miraflores Locks. Panama Canal Partial Transit Experience the Panama Canal firsthand, entering from the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows, and travel by vessel through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before reaching the Pacific. Sail on to the beautiful Flamenco Marina, passing under the Bridge of the Americas, and take in the view of the Bay of Panama and its city before disembarking. Consult your travel agent for more details on these and other tours. VACATION ENHANCING TOURS Dig a little deeper into Panama, and uncover a treasure buried between two worlds and oceans. A pre-arranged tour is just the way to do it.