Beyond the Panama Canal

hiking the Mamony reserve

Biodiversity Museum

Portobello

Seafood Panamanian Jambalaya

Kayaking tour the Gatun Lake

Panama Bay

Kuna Art

Exploring the ruins of the old Spanish fort at Portobello

Beyond the Panama Canal, you could find yourself in lush tropical rain forests of the Canal Watershed or walking through the maze like streets of Casco Antiguo between the colorful colonial buildings and art shops and gourmet restaurants. You may also find yourself on a deserted island watching tropical fish weave through your toes. This is just a touch of what you will find in Panama. The country’s rich history is just like the fine detail you will find in a Guna indigenous mola.

In a diverse country like Panama, it comes as no surprise that travel and tourism are well developed. Tiny locally owned luxury boutique hotels coexist with many of the world’s big names in the hospitality sector, such as Waldorf Astoria, Trump, Hilton or Marriott.

Escape the winter and let yourself be surprised by Panama. Encounter traditional indigenous settlements less than two hours from the city’s international banking district, watch the incredible wildlife along the Panama Canal while huge cargo ships cross from ocean to ocean in the background, spend the morning in a state-of-the-art convention center and the afternoon on a perfect beach. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it here.

Suggestions: Stay in the colonial district of Casco Antiguo and visit nearby landmarks such as the Miraflores Locks, Panama Viejo arqueological site, the Biodiversity Museum designed by Frank Gehry and climb Discovery Centre Rain Forest tower-climb up 30 meters and gaze over the forest canopy in the Soberania National Park.

Visit the picturesque San Blas Archipelago, home of the Guna people and eat amazing seafood while learning about this vibrant culture. Then make your way to the Chiriqui highlands and search for the resplendent quetzal and drink the renowned Geshia coffee. Also make your way to the Bocas del Toro Archipelago for great snorkeling and beach combing at its best. If you have time visit the Azuero Peninsula the heart of Panama´s colonial culture and great beaches for surfing and sunbathing. For the more adventurous trek the Darien gap. Panama has something for everyone.

By EcoCircuitos Panama

12 Buddhist Eco-Guidelines – Inspiration

Adapted from Living Afinity, by Hsing Yun (Lantern Books, 2004)

As we strive to cultivate a positive relationship with the environment, we need to first realize there are two facets to the journey – preserving inner sanctity and maintaining outer ecological balance.

We encourage everyone to start with beautifying one’s mind and spirit and then extend outward to beautifying their environment. Twelve guidelines were offered:

*  Speak quietly – do not disturb others.

*  Keep the ground clean – do not litter.

*  Keep the air clean – do not smoke or pollute.

*  Respect oneself and others – do not commit violent acts.

*  Be polite – do not intrude upon others.

*  Smile – do not face others with an angry expression.

*  Speak kindly – do not utter abusive words.

*  Follow the rules – do not seek exemptions or privileges.

*  Be mindful of your actions – do not act unethically.

*  Consume consciously – do not waste.

*  Be grounded – do not live aimlessly.

*  Practice kindness- do not create malice.