In the southwestern part of Panama, on the Pacific coast, the Azuero Peninsula is interesting.. Here are deserts unusual for the American tropics, as well as many small towns and villages in which buildings of colonial times have been preserved, and whose inhabitants still preserve the traditions of the colonial period. The main centers of the peninsula are the cities of Pedasi, Las Tablas and Chitre. The traditional annual February carnival of the city of Las Tablas is in no way inferior to the Panama City festival. From the city of Chitre you can get to the Sarigua National Park. The area of the park is 8 thousand hectares. It is known for its archaeological sites – the ruins of the oldest Indian villages of pre-Columbian times, dating back to 9500-7000 BC. Fragments of ceramic objects and stone products were found here. From the coastal town of Pedasi, depart for the Iguana Island Sanctuary. It covers an area of 53 hectares. Several species of turtles lay their eggs on the local beaches between April and September. The park also protects one of the largest reefs in the Gulf of Panama with an area of 16 hectares. Every year, humpback whales can be seen near the reefs, which migrate from the polar regions to the tropical regions through these places. Kanas Island Sanctuary is located off the southern coast of the Azuero Peninsula. According to Top-mba-universities, it was created in 1994 to protect a 13 km long stretch of coast where many turtles come to lay their eggs every year. The most common species of turtle found here is the olive ridley turtle. In the reserve, tourists are offered nightly observations of turtles. Also on the Azuero Peninsula in its southwestern part is Cerro Joya National Park, which guards one of the last massifs of untouched Azuero forest.
Off the west coast of the Azuero Peninsula in Chiriqui Bay is Coiba Island National Marine Park. Coiba Island is the second largest island in the Eastern Pacific (after Vancouver Island).). Its area is 49 thousand hectares. In addition to the island of Coiba, the national park includes several other small islands. The total area of the park is 270.1 thousand hectares. In 1910, a prison was built on the island of Coiba, which is still there today. Because of this, the forests covering the island have remained virtually untouched by human activity. In order to visit the Coiba National Park, you must obtain permission from the directorate of the colony. Its underwater world is considered one of the richest in the world, in addition, on some islands of the park, from April to September, you can see turtles that have come here to lay eggs, and this is the only place in the country where flocks of red macaws live. Damas Bay of Coiba Island is surrounded by 135 hectares of coral reef,
On the border with Costa Rica in the southwestern part of Panama lies the province of Chiriqui. The provincial capital is the city of David . It is the third largest city in the country. It is located on the coastal plain. David was founded in 1602. From the north it is surrounded by the most breathtaking landscapes of the country, and from the south by the Pacific Ocean. 40 km north of the city of David on the eastern slopes of the Baru volcano is the village of Buke . This is a real paradise for those who are tired of the heat and want to breathe in the pure mountain air. Bouquet It is called the “city of coffee and flowers”, because coffee plantations and flower gardens stretch around it. Ngobe-Bagle Native American tribes live in these places remote from large cities. The Indians were evicted here by the colonists, whom the Indians resisted for a long time. Now the Indians work on coffee plantations. In January, the country-famous coffee and flower fair takes place in Buka, which lasts 10 days. At this time, tourists can visit flower gardens, which rank third in the world in terms of beauty and variety of species, as well as taste excellent local coffee. In addition, tourists are invited to get acquainted with the process of coffee production at the nearby plantation and factory Café Ruiz.
From the village of Buke begins the world-famous tourist route Quetzal Trail, which leads to the village of Cerro Punta. During the journey, you will see some of the largest trees in the world, as well as a wide variety of birds. The village of Cerro Punta is the highest mountain village in the country, it is located at an altitude of about 2000 m. Around it, the ruins of an ancient city have been preserved, which was destroyed in 600 AD. the eruption of the Baru volcano. From Cerro Punta you can go to the highest point in the country – Baru volcano (3475 m). It is the only active volcano in Panama. The width of the volcano caldera is 6 km. It last erupted in 1550 and is expected to erupt again in 2035. On the western slopes of the volcano is located Volkan Baru National Park. It occupies an area of 14.3 thousand hectares, on which tropical rainforests and volcanic landscapes extend. You can get to the top of the volcano by jeep or on foot, but hiking is only suitable for trained tourists. In clear weather, both coasts of Panama can be seen from the top of the Baru volcano. The park also offers routes to several craters of the volcano, during the journey through which you can see a huge variety of orchids, ferns, mosses and birds, such as quetzals and toucans.
North of the Baru volcano is part of the La Amistad International Park. This is the world’s first biosphere reserve, which was created on the territory of two states. The other part of the park is located on the territory of Costa Rica. The Panamanian part of the reserve covers the mountain ranges stretching from Costa Rica, and covers an area of 207 thousand hectares. It is located on the territory of two provinces – Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro. On the mountain slopes of the national park, there are forests inhabited by rare mountain cougars, jaguars and many birds, among which is the most beautiful bird of Central America – the quetzal. Tourists come here to go hiking, rafting, bird watching and getting to know the cultures of local Indian tribes.
Province of Bocas del Toro , in addition to the national park, is known for the archipelago of the same name, stretching along the coast of the Caribbean Sea. The Bocas del Toro archipelago can be reached by boat from the cities of Changuinola and Almirante. The archipelago was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502. It consists of 9 relatively large islands, 52 small islands and over 200 tiny islands. Bocas del Toro is one of the most famous resorts in Panama, and one of the best places in Panama for diving, snorkeling and surfing. The largest island of the archipelago – Colon, the capital of the entire archipelago is also located here. Locals call it simply Bokas. The city is so small that it can be walked around in just a few hours. The best places to stay are on the Colon Islands in the Bocas del Drago beach area, on Bastimentos Island in the Red Frog beach area and on Carenero Island. On the island of San Cristobal there is Dolphin Bay, where dolphins appear very often and tourists are encouraged to swim with them. Bastimientos Island National Marine Park is located on the island of Bastimientos and on several nearby islands.. It is one of the few conservation areas in Latin America that simultaneously protects wildlife, the indigenous tribes of the Ngobe Bagl Islands and coral reefs. Many of the park’s beaches are nesting grounds for rare, endangered turtle species. Not far from here is Bird Island, which is famous for its colony of sea gulls.
