Of course, one of the big draws of a “Panama Canal Cruise” is experiencing the canal, one of the world's most amazing engineering feats (there are now two canals that can accommodate even larger passenger and cargo ships). However, what interested me were the other ports of call, from private islands to jungles to quirky villages, as well as the absolutely charming cosmopolitan cities of Cartagena and Panama City (pictured above).
While there are a series of Panama Canal routes visiting Central and South American ports, there are two Good choice for first timeWe provide these highlights and more. “Costa Rica and the Panama Canal” seven night trip Travel between Puerto Caldera in the former and Colon in the latter, traveling with Panama City to small, remote ports.
exist”Panama Canal, Cartagena and San Blas Islands” You will travel between Panama City (Balboa/Fort Amador) and Oranjestad, Aruba, focusing on rural and urban Colombia and Panama. On both itineraries, All day cruises on the Panama Canal take place during the day (this is crucial if you want to see what the Panama Canal is like) everything).
Another benefit? If you prefer Windstar's water sports platform, the Costa Rica and Panama Canal Tour offers three days of anchorage.
Here are some highlights:
Panama City (Fort Amado/Balboa)
If your trip starts or ends here, be sure to plan on spending an extra day or two, as this city reminds me of Miami in Central America, with its culture, history, glittering city skyline, and hustle and bustle and troubles. Metropolitan area. It is actually the closest port to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. Just a taxi ride from the pier is one of the area's must-see attractions, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, whose impressively colorful architecture and exhibits highlight the Atlantic Ocean and the unique biodiversity of the Pacific Ocean. Reserve time for Panama City Old Town; its colonial-era houses and landmarks are beautifully preserved.
Balboa itself is one of the busiest container ports in the world, and the ships, ships and even submarines lining up to cross the canal have its own allure. This is also a great place to buy molas, layered fabrics with intricate needlework patterns specially made by Guna indigenous women from Panama and Colombia.
Crossing the Panama Canal
On my trip through the Panama Canal, half the passengers brought a classic book about the Panama Canal. David McCullough's path between oceans: The opening of the Panama Canal from 1870 to 1914 would make the canal more active than ever.
McCullough writes: “The construction of the Panama Canal was not just a monumental, unprecedented engineering feat. It was an extremely important historical event and a human drama not unlike war. Except for war, it was The largest and most costly single event ever recorded anywhere on earth, it captured the world's attention for 40 years. It affected the lives of tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and of nearly every race and nationality. Create and destroy. For many men and women, this is the adventure of a lifetime.”
The idea of creating a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was first recorded in the 16th centuryth century; it was eventually built by the United States from 1903 to 1914
While crossing a 50-mile river during the day panama canal, Your boat rises 85 feet from sea level, sails across Lake Gatun, and then lowers to sea level. This is achieved through a series of locks named after the places where they are located – Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun.
Admire the scenery from many vantage points (we found ourselves spending most of our time outdoors admiring the scenery, admiring some of the over 500 species of birds on the river banks, and waving to the drivers of the “mules” (electric locomotives) that ” “Mules” equipped Sailing with other boats, cruise ships and cargo ships is also mesmerizing, as well as the pastoral beauty of Lake Gatun.
An expert will be on board to explain the history of this passage – conceived by the Spanish, attempted by the French, completed by the Americans and opened in 1914. This is a story of tragedy and triumph.
bocas del toro
Bocas del Toro, the capital of Bastimentos Island, visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502, has colorful Caribbean-style clapboard houses built in the early 20th century.th United Fruit Company is an American company and large banana producer. It's a laid-back, friendly place with many ecological attractions nearby: some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean, impressive coral structures and wildlife such as bottlenose dolphins, sloths and rare red frogs. It’s also home to Windstar’s signature beach barbecue.
Many natural features, including islands with unspoiled beaches, are protected by Panama's 82-square-mile Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, making it easy to explore parts of this natural paradise, whether snorkeling or hiking. worth.
san blas islands
An archipelago of 378 islands and cays san blasAlso known as Guna Yala, it is owned and managed by the Guna indigenous group. Only a few dozen islands are inhabited.
Remote white sand beaches and swaying palm trees attract Panamanians and other tourists, as do coral reefs and crystal-clear waters that have you dreaming of snorkeling or kayaking, sometimes with dolphins, sharks and giant manta rays accompany. To learn more about the Guna people, book a visit to one of the thatched cottage villages. There will be an opportunity to purchase colorful moras crafts (in US dollars).
parida island
Parida Island in the Gulf of Chiriqui is an absolute highlight of the Coron to Panama City cruise. This is a wet landing, meaning your boat is anchored (a perfect day for a watersports platform) and you'll ride to the island in a soft-inflated Zodiac. It’s also the site of the cruise ship’s “signature beach party,” where the crew prepares a festive barbecue on the beach. My favorite part of the experience was the hike up the mountain – not too strenuous for stunning views, as shown in the picture.
Cartagena
the joy of this city Cartagena Wander the narrow streets and squares of the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with restored Andalusian-style palaces, colorful colonial residences, cathedrals and churches.
Once one of the most important port cities in the Caribbean, Cartagena also had the most extensive fortifications in South America – including 17 massive fortifications.th The century-old Castillo San Felipe Barajas Fortress is considered one of Spain's most important works of military engineering in Latin America.
Whether you're interested in Colombian coffee, chocolate or native emeralds, cultural attractions abound. Head to Las Bóvedas, a former dungeon, to visit galleries and boutiques, and learn about the Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver, a 17th-century convent Peter Claver, patron saint of slavesth century.
Bird lovers will not want to miss the flamingos, macaws, Andean condors and other species at the National Aviary, where you will find numerous examples of the more than 1,900 bird species that Colombia is home to.
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