PANAMA & NICARAGUA
Panama & Nicaragua at a glance
Panama
A country of huge opposites, with new surprises every day that even the most experienced traveler will appreciate. Panama is the southernmost country of Central America, bounded with Costa Rica. Also, the seven different indigenous tribes unmistakable put their stamp on the Panamanian culture. The various indigenous communities, the African- American community on the Caribbean Coast and the unmistakable influence of the North American culture through the history of the Panama Canal, provide a diverse cultural mix. In Panama you can stand among the skyscrapers of Panama City, while a few hours travel away you can find yourself in the dense jungle where indigenous communities still live in the traditional way!
Nicaragua
Land of Lakes and Volcanoes that offers nature, culture and especially history. Nicaragua is the largest country of Central America and shares borders with Honduras (in the North) and Costa Rica (in the South). It houses two big lakes: Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua. Lake Nicaragua is the biggest lake of Central America and has the only fresh-water sharks in the world! The geography of Nicaragua consists of large coastal plains rising to central interior mountains where many volcanoes can be found. Here you can retrace the steps of conquistadors and pirates in the colonial cities and find modern day treasures in the form of golden sunsets, silver beaches, and skilled local handicrafts
What not to miss in
Panama & Nicaragua
Panama City
Panama City has much to offer. It is a city with interesting museums, great restaurants, entertainment options, history and modernism, a summer climate and friendly people. Panama City was founded by Spanish settlers in 1519 and since 1903 it is the capital of Panama.
Panama – Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is an island group located on the Caribbean coast of Panama. Here you will find crystal clear waters with beautiful coral reefs, dolphins, palm trees, mangroves and friendly inhabitants. Bocas del Toro still has an authentic atmosphere, while lots of activities can be done with the Caribbean Sea in the main role. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, catamaran trips, and dolphin watching or visit the many tropical beaches around.
Panama – Boquete
Boquete is located in a steep-walled, green, and flower-filled valley on the flank of the Barú Volcano and at the shore of the Caldera River. It is known for its beautiful mountain scenery, cool temperatures and exotic cloud forest, where the famous Resplendant Quetzal bird can be spotted.
Nicaragua – Granada
Granada, also referred to as the ´colonial jewel´, was founded in 1524 and is believed to be the second oldest city established in mainland Latin America by the Spanish conquest. Granada is characterized by bright-colored Spanish-colonial architecture, with a wonderful atmosphere, restaurants and a beautiful boulevard looking out over lake Nicaragua
Nicaragua – Ometepe
The idyllic Island of Ometepe with its two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, offer stunning views when approaching Ometepe by boat from the mainland over the fresh water Lake Nicaragua. This island has served as home to indigenous tribes and cultures for many centuries, of which the many pre-Columbian petroglyphs are silent witnesses
Nicaragua – Leon
León is a land of volcanoes, hot weather and interesting buildings. Here, visitors will find the ruins of one of the first Spanish colonial cities that were built in the continent. The elegant city of León preserves its attractive historical center and colonial buildings.
What you need
TO KNOW
As you will not only be spending time in colonial and cosmopolitan cities but also exploring natural wonders, visitors should always maintain a healthy respect for nature. Pay attention to warning signs and safety advice from your guides or locals, do not stray off of marked trails in national parks and be especially careful when swimming, taking note of any warnings and watching where locals swim.
Furthermore, since Panama and Nicaragua are a lot more warm and humid as Costa Rica, we would like to especially advise you to be careful with the sun and protect with sunblock and hat, drink plenty of purified water and prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants and apply a good repellent on top of them..
Nicaragua has a tropical climate, although it is a lot drier than Costa Rica and Panama. Therefore during the dry season there is virtually no rain and trees and plants start to dry out and it is warm and even hot. Once the rains come around June, everything starts growing again. When it rains, it usually just rains for a short period of time and these are often spectacular, tropical downpours. In the Caribbean part of Nicaragua it rains more than in the west.
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