After a long ride from Costa Rica we had a short visit in Santa Catalina, on the Pacific side in the north west of Panama. A little touristy village with good surf conditions in summer. Next stop was the Azuero Peninsula where we stayed between Venao and Cambutal for about a month. The tourist industry discovered this more quiet part of the country and the sale of the land started with some hotels getting build. Most of the locals are farmers or fishermen.
More then half of the population of Panama lives in Panama City due to urbanization. It’s a modern City as its pretty westernized through the influence of the USA. Famous of course is the Panama Channel which connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific. The quarter ‘Casco Viejo’ is like the old town with colonial buildings, churches and the president palace. Near the city are plenty of beaches and some surf too 😉
After the City Jungle we went to San Blas Hills, a real jungle where we met a Sluff. The territory of the Kuna Yala starts here, an independent tribe of the state of Panama. They make you pay a fee for every step you take to visit the beautiful San Blas Islands. East of Colon, the Harbor City where the Panama Channel starts, you feel the caribbean vibe on Isla Grande only 2 hours from Panama City.
In the northwest of Panama the islands of Bocas del Torro are a paradise for surfers during European winter month and a nice stop for sailors after crossing the Atlantic from Europe. Get your own impression of a surf session there and look at the video below.
