La Palma (Panama)
The city of La Palma is located in the southeast of Panama and is the capital of the province of Darien and the main port of this part of the coast. The province of Darien, which occupies most of Eastern Panama, is an almost impassable area on the border between Central and South America. It is connected with the central part of the country only by the Darien highway. Here, up to the Colombian border, dense moist forests stretch, which are practically untouched by man. These forests are inhabited by other Indian tribes, the Embera and the Wounaan, who, like the Kuna Indians, have their own autonomous regions.
From La Palma, where the airport is located, or from the village of Elb-Rial on the Darien Highway, you can get to the main attraction of the province – Darien National Park. The park is spread over an area of 579 thousand hectares near the border with Colombia. This is the largest protected area in the country and throughout the Caribbean. The park has a colossal diversity of flora and fauna, and the park is also notable for the tribes that have lived here since time immemorial and still retain their identity. The park office is located in the village of El Real. It is located on the Darien Highway leading to Panama City. and therefore easily accessible. A permit is required to visit the park. Traveling in protected areas is allowed only with a guide, who can be hired at the park office. On the territory of the park there are mountain ranges up to 2500 m high, navigable rivers, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangrove forests and swamps. Most of the park is covered by tropical rainforests, which are home to many endemic plant species, and about 200 species of large mammals, including such a rare species as the jaguar, and about 500 species of birds, including the harpy eagle. Two Indian tribes “Embera” and “Wounan” live in the park, in the villages of which excursions are arranged.
Las Tablas (Panama)
Las Tablas is located on the east coast of the Azuero Peninsula and is the capital of the province of Los Santos. Around the city 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 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, which is located near Las Tablas in the southeast of the Azuero Peninsula, depart for the Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge. 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.
Off the southern coast of the Azuero Peninsula is located reserve of the island of Kanas. 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.
El Porvenir (Panama)
According to Pharmacylib.com, El Porvenir is the capital of the province of Kuna Yala, also known as San Blas, where the indigenous inhabitants of these places live – the Kuna Indians. The province is located in the northeast of Panama on the Caribbean coast. From El Porveniryou can get to the main attraction of the province – the San Blas archipelago, which stretches along the eastern part of the Caribbean coast. The archipelago consists of about 400 islands. Local Indians have their own language, their own economic and administrative system, they honor and carefully preserve their customs and traditions, trying not to contact the rest of the country’s inhabitants. The Kuna Indians live by growing coconuts, which were previously the main unit of payment in the archipelago, fishing and tourism. Many of them are skilled divers – they get and then sell lobsters, king prawns and octopuses. The women of the Kuna tribe produce “mola” cotton garments with abstract appliqué designs. They are sold throughout the country and are one of the main souvenirs taken from Panama.. On some islands of the archipelago, resort areas are equipped, where there are opportunities for diving and relaxing on the beaches. The most interesting islands are Achutupu, Kagantupu and Coco Blanco.
