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There are 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Panama. Spanish colonial era fortifications at Portobelo and Panama Viejo are included along with Casco Antiguo. World Heritage Site parks include Darien National Park, La Amistad National Park, and Coiba National Park and Marine Protection Zone.

Panama

Panama is the narrowest point in the Americas where the Panama Canal connects Atlantic and Pacific. This tropical country has untouched rain forest and pristine beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Panama also has a first world infrastructure with the best roads, airports, ports, and telecommunications in Latin America. Panama is currently enjoying an economic boom fueled by foreign investment.

Panama tourism generates a substantial portion of Panama’s income. Panama tourist attractions include the Panama Canal and the exciting Latin American city, Panama City. Panama has rain forest, central highlands with a relief from costal heat. Panama has an extensive national park system including both historic and natural wonders. UNESCO has chosen five of these as World Heritage Sites.

Panama Spanish Colonial Sites

Portobelo

Portobelo on the Caribbean coast of Panama was the site of a trade fair for a couple of hundred years. Spain plundered and then mined the gold and silver from it colonies and shipped it up the Pacific Coast to Contadora Island where it was counted. Then the booty was shipped to the Panama Coast from where it was carried by burro across the Isthmus of Panama to fortified Porto Belo.

Every year Spain sent an armada with goods to sell and exchange for gold and silver. When the armada returned Spain it carried the gold and silver of the Americas.

Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo

On the Pacific side of the Isthmus of Panama was Panama Viejo. This was the first European settlement on the Pacific, founded in 1519. In the 17th century Morgan the pirate attacked Panama Viejo, killed everyone and burned the town. The Spanish rebuilt but on a peninsula nearby. This was the start of Panama City. Today Panama Viejo’s ruins are a park and Casco Antiguo is an old and run down section of Panama City which is in the midst of a renaissance.

Panama National Parks

Coiba National Park

This park is all water or under water. Coiba is an island surrounded by seas full of marine life. Coiba National Park is the waters surrounding the island. The coastal areas around Coiba are untouched and beautiful. However, amenities are scarce. This area has world class sport fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.

La Amistad National Park

This park is a join venture with Costa Rica. La Amistad is in the Talamanca Mountain Range and is tropical rain forest.

Darien National Park

The Darien is the part of the Isthmus of Panama on the border with Colombia. This is a wild area, largely untouched. There are two indigenous groups living in the Darien. There are no major roads leading through from Panama to Colombia. It is most practical to get to Darien National Park by air from Panama City.

If you are interested in a tour of Panama’s World Heritage sites contact us and we will help you with a great trip.