Tropical Panama is known for its incredible beaches and since the Spanish word for sand is "arena", it is only natural that any discussion of Panama attractions and activities starts and ends in the arena! Although Panama is a small country, about the size of South Carolina in terms of both area and population, there is a rich history of excellence in Panama sports. Here are just a few of the famous athletes from Panama:

• -Rod Carew - Batting champion and Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player
• Roberto Duran - Former World Champion boxer
• Mariano Rivera - All-Star pitcher for the New York Yankees
• Carlos Lee - Professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers
• Chris Mills - Former NBA basketball player
• Michael Jordan - The "greatest player in the history of the NBA"

Ok, you caught me; Michael Jordan isn't from Panama! But each of the other athletes is Panamanian and proudly upholds the tradition of Panama sports. Like other Latin American countries, Panama is passionate about its sports and you need only to pass a stadium to get a feel for their passion of these Panamanian activities and attractions. Some of the sports and pastimes in Panama that are most popular are: Baseball, Soccer, Basketball and Boxing.

Baseball

Spelled "beisbol" in Spanish, this sport is an amazing cultural phenomenon. Tropical Panama has the perfect year-round weather for baseball and the result is unbelievable. Like other Latin American countries, baseball in Panama enjoys a passionate following. From junior leagues to national teams, Panamanians are rabid in the support of their teams. Baseball fans in tropical Panama are passionate at the games as well; a baseball game in Panama is an incredible social event. The crowd is rarely quiet; there are bands, flags, chants and cheers. A baseball stadium in the US sounds like a library compared to the attraction of a Panamanian stadium!

Soccer

Many of the comments about Baseball apply to Soccer as well. Called "futbol" in Spanish, Soccer is more advanced than American Soccer. Soccer is not only a passion in Panama, but like Baseball, it is a passion throughout all of Latin America. Soccer resembles American Basketball in one sense; where Basketball goals are found everywhere in America, every unused piece of land in Panama is an ideal home for a Soccer field. Soccer games are regular occurrences and it's even modified at times so kids can play it on a Basketball court.

Basketball

Basketball pales in comparison to Baseball and Soccer, but it is still a passionate sport in tropical Panama. Finding a game isn't hard to do as it is played in many locations. There are local and regional teams and Panamanians also have a strong interest in the NBA. Jerseys, hats and T-shirts abound representing different teams and players. The NBA is also a regular on cable television in Panama which adds to its popularity in tropical Panama.

Boxing

Boxing has been popular in the tropical country of Panama for a long time. Panamanians enjoyed their greatest moments of nationalistic pride due to the boxing prowess of Roberto Duran. Holder of several world championships in the past, he almost single-handedly put Panama on the world sports map.

Attractions in Panama are more than just sun, fun and sand. Panama sports possess a proud history and promising future. Panamanians are as avid and passionate about their sports as they are about life. This passion is evident everywhere from "la arena" to the sporting activities in Panama!

Panama is alive with activity, a city full of lures with exotic nature, striking biodiversity, effervescent cultural life and heaps of recreational endeavors packed into a sturdy infrastructure full of up-to-date amenities can be your dream destination. Panama tourism is chock-full of happenings and offers you a most exciting package of Panamanian attractions.