Sedona, Arizona, is an outstanding travel spot, drawing visitors with its radiant red rocks, exceptional hiking trails, and reputation as a spiritual mecca.
21.12.2023 - 16:02 / lonelyplanet.com
If you're looking for idyllic islands, rolling surf, untamed nature and showstopping wildlife, Panama is an ideal destination. It sits at the crossroads of the Americas, connecting two oceans, and beyond its cosmopolitan capital and legendary canal, Panama is a biodiversity hotspot. Did you also know it produces some of the world's finest – and most expensive – coffee?
Here is the top things to know before you go to Panama.
Panamanians love to party, and barely a week goes by without a fiesta, from La Feria de las Flores y del Café in Boquete to the countrywide Carnaval, whose largest and loudest celebrations are in Las Tablas on the Península de Azuero.
There’s also Easter, Christmas and New Year’s. November’s numerous independence-related festivals see shops and offices closed and locals flocking to the beach. Hotel prices often double around public holidays and can be booked out weeks in advance.
The country’s tropical climate means two seasons – hot and dry from December to April and hot and wet the rest of the year. Although the amount of rain depends on what coast you’re on, downpours usually come in short, sharp afternoon bursts before the sun forces you to put your Panama hat back on.
Pack high-factor sunscreen and hot-weather clothes, but carry something for the icy air-conditioning and high altitudes. Pack sturdy boots if you’re planning any hardcore hikes.
The Panamanian Balboa may be the country’s official currency, but the bills in use are US dollars. Prices are listed in $ or B/, but both currencies have the same value.
Carry small bills for tipping, markets and rural areas, and enough cash in case the ATM doesn’t work (or there are no ATMs at all like in the Archipiélago de San Blas of the Comarca de Guna Yala).
If you’re thinking of road-tripping south to Colombia, think again. The infamous Darién Gap – the land link between Central and South America – is a mash-up of impenetrable jungle, primordial swamps, poisonous snakes and dubious characters, and there’s no road crossing.
But if you plan to head north to Costa Rica and beyond, several long-distance bus lines, such as Tica Bus, cover Central America.
English is widely spoken, especially in Panama City and Boquete, but mastering a few basic Spanish phrases will endear you to the locals and help if you travel away from the tourist hotspots.
Panama may be laid back, but it’s important to be polite. Always greet people – buenas is a catch-all term for hello – and don’t forget to say please (por favor) and thank you (gracias). Listen out for one-of-a-kind Panamanian phrases, such as que sopa? (what’s up?), buco (a lot), and pinta fria (cold beer).
It's best to avoid subjects involving politics, religion, the Panama Canal and the Panama Papers
Sedona, Arizona, is an outstanding travel spot, drawing visitors with its radiant red rocks, exceptional hiking trails, and reputation as a spiritual mecca.
From horse riding in the Pampas and whale watching off Patagonia to sultry tangos in Buenos Aires and treks across the Andes, Argentina offers an incredible range of activities and adventures for those ready to explore this spirited South American nation.
London is one of my favorite cities. There's so much to explore, and it's easy to get around central London on foot or via public transit.
Some airlines have begun issuing waivers in anticipation of what is expected to be a major snowstorm in the Northeast United States this weekend.
Many civilizations have left their mark on Seville.
Fittingly shaped like a tropical fish, St Kitts packs a lot to see and do in its lush and historical expanse.
For all its tropical charms, Havana isn’t the world’s most straightforward city for travelers.
After an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner’s fuselage tore off midair on Friday and caused an emergency landing in Portland, Ore., the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary grounding of some Max 9 planes until they are thoroughly inspected.
To a first-time traveler, Cuba can seem like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, particularly if you’re breaking free of the resorts and traveling around on your own.
Known for its dual identity as a Caribbean and Latin American nation, Belize holds a world of wonders that will delight even the littlest of travelers.
Panama has it all. Whether you want to spy on starfish, raft the river rapids, get up close to a sloth, surf the Pacific rollers or whoosh along zip lines, there are exciting experiences for all ages – perfect for making family memories that will last a lifetime.
“When I was at home I was in a better place,” Mr. Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It. I wonder which home of his inspired that line, if any. It’s possible he had given thought to the home of his birth, where also lived in his youth. Amazingly, all these hundreds of years later, that home still exists and, not surprisingly, it’s a museum.