Trump Hotel

 A Modern Marvel

Currently the tallest building in Latin America, the Trump Panama hotel soars astonishingly high up to 70 stories. Situated on the Bay of Panama it offers high-end luxury, with exclusive services and other innovative Trump hotel signature accommodations. This hotel is also an architectural icon, an elegant design depicting an open sail in the wind. Located in the Punta Pacifica area and offering sophisticated shopping, nightlife and just a short distance from the financial district, giving the perfect place to stay for business or pleasure.

Luxury at its finest

Trump Panama hotel is modern and luxurious, offering guests the most beautiful rooms and other amenities. With 70 floors there are 369 rooms and suites, all of which are beautifully furnished. Located on the 13th floor, you can find a deck that offers five amazingly designed pools. While on this deck you are faced with amazing views of the Bay of Panama. Also located at the Trump hotel you will find a world-class spa that offers in-room massages.

Boquete-Chiriquí:

Baru volcano

Boquete is a small and beautiful town located in the Chiriqui Province, Panama. This site has abundant natural resources like mountains covered by primary and secondary forests, an extraordinary fauna diversity, singing creeks of crystal clear waters, a majestic volcano, impetuous rivers, national parks and forest reserves.

The tour options are numerous, the more important ones: trek in the forests, visiting the local attractions, canopy, kayaking, river rafting, ascent to the top of the Baru Volcano, visits to La Amistad International Park, walking along Boquete's main street, or simply birds and fauna watching. Boquete is a place that it will surprise you. It has a fresh (sometimes cold) temperature, no big storms, and excellent air and land connections.

The Barqueta Beaches-Chiriqui:

“Playa La Barqueta”:  This beautiful beach situated on 18 miles of beautiful Pacific Oceanfront is located just 25 minutes from the city of David. La Barqueta rental villas, vacation homes, and condo rentals are starting to become available along the beach. "Playa La Barqueta" is known for “Las Olas” a 5 Star Beach Resort, built in 2001. This beach is surrounded by high biodiversity. Surfing, beach walking, fishing, bicycling, kayaking, birding and shelling, are all available here. 

Las Mendozas-Coclé:

Even before Spanish conquest, The "Las Mendozas Swimming Hole" has been an important site for residents who lived in what is now the area around Penonomé. Its strategic location on the Zaratí River and its position between the coast and the mountains and made this place an important trade spot.  But, over the years, as new means of communication were developed, the importance of the Las Mendozas River as a place for local trade began to decrease; however, at the same time it started to get importance as a bathing spot, ecological and tourist site that regains its attractiveness during national holidays like the carnivals. The way to reach the streams also has its charm. The visitor can enjoy leisure and recreation, walks along the river banks and sense the nature, discovering a variety of rock formations, birds, wild animals, small waterfalls and rapids.

Location:

It is not far from Juan D. Arosemena Avenue, the main street in Penonomé.

How to arrive?  By Car: This place is one km from the city of Penonomé.

National Parks:

Photos:   Darien National Park

More than one third of Panama is protected. There are about 60 natural protected sites, biosphere reserves and mankind heritage that represent two million and a half hectares. Panama has one of the richest fauna and flora of the world. Its forests shelter more than 10000 plant species and 1000 species of birds. The most famous parks are Darien National Park(576,000 hectares)UNESCO World Heritage site; La amistad International Park (407,000 hectares)World heritage site; Coiba Island National Park(270,125 hectares of wich 216,125 hectares of which 216,542 are marine) where the whale watching is particulary good; Baru Volcano National Park(14,300 hectares) and its extint volcan, the highest point in Panama(3475m).

Museums:

MUSEO ANTROPOLÓGICO REINA TORREX DE ARAUZ:

Displays a wide collection of archaeological, anthropological and ethnological remains of Panama. More than 15.000 objects are presented there, dating to the pre Columbian to colonial times.

Location: Llanos de Curundu, Vía la Amistad

AFRO-ANTILLEAN MUSEUM:

Photo, testimonies, scenes, and objects from the Afro-Antillean people that have been working on the Panama canal construction hosted in a church.

Location: 24 west and Ave. Justo Arosemena.

INTER OCEANIC CANAL MUSEUM:

The mos beautiful museum of the capital for its architecture and content; The isthmus history is presented from pre Columbian times to our days. The building hosting the museum dates back to 1875.

The museum has ten permanent exhibit halls that show the history of the inter oceanic route across the isthmus and the construction of the Panama Canal. Also, the museum stands out for the several temporary exhibitions it puts on display each year, on diverse topics in the fields of architecture, culture, history and environmental conservation.

Location: "Plaza de la Catedral".

Veraguas Fair´s in Soná:

The Industrial, Tourism, Agricultural, and Craft Fair of Veraguas held in “Soná”, is one of the most popular events of this region, which offers its visitors all of the necessary facilities and entertainment to make the event a success.

The fair includes from traditional dances with the best national artists to the hottest night clubs in the country, which combined with the exhibitions of all kinds of things and handicrafts, fair rides, the beauty of the landscape, good attractions, represent a significant reason to visit the town.

The Centennial Bridge:

Imagen del instituto panamericano de turismo

The Centennial Bridge in Panama is a great bridge which is characterized by crossing the Panama Canal.  It was initially built to improve traffic uncomfortable Bridge of the Americas. And it was not until 2004 when it opened. Today is the second largest bridge used to cross the channel.

As such, it has a cable-stayed design with a length of 1.052 meters, 320 meters at the bow and a height of 80 meters above the Panama Canal, supported by two towers of 184 meters. The structure was designed to withstand the frequent earthquakes recorded in the area. Ultimately, the bridge receives 6 lanes of traffic

The tribe of the painted bodies:

Almost 7,000 indians from the Wounaan settlement share the jungle territory of Darien with their brothers Emberá.  The two cultures are very similar in idiosyncrasy, but speak different languages.  The Wounaan work the same handcrafts as Embera’s with the same extraordinary quality.  Women dress a skirt named paruma and usually topless, their bodies painted with intricated designs red and black.  They live near swamps; they fish and collect shrimps and oysters.  They use traps, arc and arrows, lance and blowpipes charged with poison arrows.

Hotel Occupancy in Panama City grows:

This year the occupancy rate of hotels in Panama City has been climbed in the months of January and February.

According to statistics, the overall occupancy rate was 63%, were 294.039 occupied rooms of the total of 466.355 rooms available.

The arrival of new hotels is an idea for to increase the tourism in Panamá.

Widening of the Panama Canal:

More than 5 million cubic yards of concrete were utilized in the construction of the third set of locks in the widening of the Panama Canal, 40 towers could be built similar to the Trump Ocean —the same that overlooks the bay.  

The huge dimensions of these works are one of the challenges to be addressed by the 40 engineers who are working under the leadership of Juan Wong, Project Manager of the Panama Canal Authority.  Each year, more than 13,000 ships cross through the Canal, its operation is approaching maximum capacity

Wong, 56, was born in Panama; his four grandparents arrived from China in the early Twentieth Century. He has worked all his life in preparing to address this challenge. “During the 10 years that I worked in the maintenance of the Gatun Lock, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores helped me gain experience”.

The widening progress has sent a message to the international community that the Panama Canal will remain a safe crossing and a key element in the development of the civilization of the future.

San Blas Islands:

The islands of the San Blas Archipelago of Panama are strung out along the Caribbean coast from the Golfo de San Blas to the Colombian border.  San Blas is a series of 378 islands of which only 49 are inhabited by the fiercely independent Kuna Indians.  A 20-minute plane ride away from Panama City.  The Kuna Indians, who have minimal interference from the national government, have maintained their own economic system, language, customs and culture, with distinctive dress, legends, music and dance. The area is surrounded by reefs, some of the oldest in the world, and offer wonderful snorkeling opportunities.

The Kuna Indians are known for their decorative art, known as molas. The Molas are usually very bright and vibrant are often used as costumes. Kuna women make rainbow colored fabrics, emblazoned with fish, jungle animals, birds, geometric designs.

You can stay at the Yandup Lodge or the Sapibenega Lodge which are both accessible via Playon Chico airstrip.   Furthermore to visit the villages of the Kuna Indians, or to take a guided snorkeling tour. Both hotels will provide you with guides for activities like this.  Snorkling is absolutely fantastic with many corals and lots of fish. It is recommended to bring your own gear. Diving is not allowed in San Blas.

The men fish from canoes as they did before Columbus came.  

Jazz Festival 2012

Among the exponents we will be able to enjoy the music of John Scofield and the American Way, the Cuban Omara Portuondo and Chucho Valdes duo, Charlie Sepulveda Puerto Rican, Costa Rican Luis Bonilla & NEC, this year we have a sponsor who presents the brand ACER Tito Puente Jr, with the Panama Jazz Festival Ensemble directed by Rican, and our honored Carlos Garnett with his group of New York and vocalist Teri and John Menegon Roig.

From 16 to 21 January will be held the ninth annual Panama Jazz Festival 2012, everyone artists are very virtuous. It is currently considered the biggest event of Panama, would meet together more than 25,000 people during the six-day event. 

 National and international artists, music´s students and teachers  of the  most prestigious universities such as: Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and the Golandsky Piano Institute, among others.

For this edition the festival will be dedicated to Panamanian saxophonist Carlos Garnett, with his accompanying group from New York. The Jazz festival includes education and culture in an interdisciplinary environment, cultural diversity and tourism.

It extends a cordial invitation to everyone to participate in musical workshops will be held this 2012 in the City of Knowledge, the new headquarters of the musical Clinics.

Among the exponents we will be able to enjoy the music of John Scofield and the American Way, the Cuban Omara Portuondo and Chucho Valdes duo, Charlie Sepulveda Puerto Rican, Costa Rican Luis Bonilla & NEC, the Panama Jazz Festival Ensemble under the musical direction of the Rican, and our honored Carlos Garnett with his group of New York and vocalist Teri Roiger and John Menegon.

"Bocas del Toro" Town

Diversity of cultures, colors, languages, customs, distinguish the Province of Bocas del Toro, located in the Republic of Panama. With an area of 4643.9 km ² and a population of 121,952 inhabitants, this region is characterized by its great tourist attractions.

Its origins go back among indigenous people and the influence of immigrants from the West Indies, Spanish, Chinese, German, French, British and Americans.  Hence, its main folk dances are Afro-Caribbean and Indian origin such as Calidonia, polkas and West Indian gangs.

Great writers are from the Panamanian province as the storyteller Jose Maria Sanchez, the novelist, poet and storyteller Tristan Solarte, and poets Harbar Eyra Thomas and Consuelo. Other artists are musicians: the pianist, composer and bandleader Luis Russell and composer, singer and ukelele player of the Lord Cobra.

Their culture and geography has greatly influenced the relations of production: in Changuinola, Almirante and Chiriqui Grande Guabito are agricultural.  Their population is mostly indigenous and bananas are the main crop, which brings huge profits to the country in export to the U.S. and Europe mainly.  Tourism´s services in the archipielago in "Bastimentos" and "Bocas Isla", also called Isla Colón, is known for tourism and fishing, its population is mostly Afro-Caribbean.

The rediscovery of this beautiful Panamanian province goes back to the fourth and last trip to America of Christopher Columbus made the October 6, 1502, from that time was part of the Government of Veraguas until 1821, when Panama became independent from Spain and joins the Great Colombia became the Department of Panama, then in 1903 happened the separation of Panama from Colombia. Part of its territory was given to the Shire Ngäbe Bugle in 1997.

International Tourism Expo:

In the second version of International Tourism Expo, the organizers hope to exceed sector expectations and receive 150 buyers from different countries, as well as some 4,500 local visitors. The event will contribute to the growth of the industry.

Countries such as Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and several others will participate in the fair, which will include 150 exhibition stands located in Los Cayucos and the ATLAPA Islands.

Business meetings at the International Tourism Expo will be performed from 9: 00 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m., Friday, September 23. They will also be performed the next day, from 9: 00 a.m. to 12: 00 noon.  Admittance for the general public begins, running from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Juan Luis Guerra concert:

date: August 27, 2011

Location: Figali Convention Center

Description: On Saturday August 27, 2011, will be held concert Juan Luis Guerra and 440 in Panama City. This event will take place at the Figali Convention Center tickets sales and all Blockbuster tuboleto.com Ticket Price: Platinum with table 350.00, 250.00, 150.00 Vip 100.00, 75.00, 60.00 feet Preferential 25.00 45.00 General Standing There a 15% discount for Visa customers

"Las perlas" archipelago:

“Las Perlas” is an amazing oasis:

Regarded as one of the most attractive island groupings in Panama with its abundance of unspoiled beauty, “Las Perlas” archipelago has a mysterious attraction that captivates visitors.   It is said that the name comes from the vast amounts of beautiful pearls that are found in the area.

Its beautiful white sand beaches attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. Its waters are calm, warm and shallow encouraging the reproduction of thousands of marine species.

 In fact, the famous Peregrina Pearl, owned by Philip II and later to the actress Elizabeth Taylor was found in this region.

No words can describe how much pure beauty can be found in the Pearl Islands.

 Possible stops include:  Contadora, Saboga, and El Rey Islands; All inhabited islands and the most popular destinations where you can view one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets.

 Uninhabited islands include:  Pacheca, Pacequilla and Bartolomé where you feel a dreamy sense and relaxation.

 However, the beauty of this region is not limited to the islands mentioned above.   This region extends to an area of over 1,165 square kilometers.  The activities can be practiced are several, diving and snorkeling in crystal waters and surfing, or hiking through the woods

Malena: An example in the protect of turtles

An unusual community, located in the middle of the country in the province of Veraguas decided to cut with ancestral tradition and stop the hunting of turtles and their eggs and create a team to protect them.

The Araucaria foundation trained the community so that, aside from looking after the turtles, they learned how to attract ecotourism guests.   MarViva gave the project their support and sponsored a nursery to help protect the egg nests. 

After much arduous digging in the sand, Malena´s turtles deposit more than sixty eggs in their nests.  They then cover the eggs and wait, in the hope that their progeny will survive.  The spawning mothers arrive little by little between July and August.  During the months of September and October spawning turtles are seen, practically on a daily basis.  The newborns start leaving at the end of August.

In 2002, the community of Malena, located in Panama´s Veraguas province, made a fundamental decision to protect the local turtle hunting , the gathering of turtle  eggs, and the massacre of the surviving baby turtles by pet dogs and other disturbances to the sand where the turtles nest.  Even though these species of turtles are considered endangered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), human  actions hostile to turtles are still found in many coastal communities because of a lack of community education and failure to consider other food alternatives like chicken eggs.

Becoming a safe home for turtles was not an easy process for the Malena community.  In the beginning, it seemed almost hopeless, as a few lone visionaries fought against sand removal and made agreements with nearby communities to respect the nests.   Nine families took charge and since that time, they have taken turns walking over the egg-laying mothers and doing everything possible to care for the nests.

In 2006 , the MarViva Foundation stepped in to a support this model community by constructing a second nursery and a beach shelter for the patrolling guardians.  Marviva also trained children and adults to handle the nests, identify the turtles, and care for the nurseries.

Members of the nine families in charge of the project have subsequently traveled to various places inside and outside of Panama to train other Volunteers, visit similar model communities, and bring knowledge back to Malena.   Malenas´s community efforts have not been in vain; thanks to this community´s organizational skills and its desire to protect turtles at risk, eight to nine thousand newborn turtles have been released to the sea per year.  In

In 2008 the Malena turtles had a particularly good year:  14000 baby turtles had a made it to water.  It is hoped that many of these baby turtles will return to this beach years later as adults to complete the cycle.

Ecotourists  visiting Malena are treated to walks by lovely waterfalls and sightings of dozens of green iguanas that scamper freely, certain they are in no danger of being hunted.  The Malena community has also created a volunteer program that allows adventurous traveles and nature lovers the opportunity to help patrol the beaches, care for the nurseries, and release the turtles.  These activities are available during the nesting season,  which runs from June to November. 

The turtles have chosen Malena as the place where they will deposit their progeny-a vital part of their life cycle- and Malena as chosen in turn to proctect the turtles.  Working to pretect the turtles is satisfying for the guardians, and also makes this community an oasis in which is it possible to discover people living in harmony with their environment.   The example set by Malena gives visitors a new perspective, the community demonstrates ways to enjoy natural resources without destroying them.  Here, people have evolved from hunters turtle eggs and meat, to guardians of the beach.  By acting as ecotourism guides, these community members give outsiders the chance to witness the meaning of “life”, when they see dozens of little turtles emerge from the sand and struggle toward the sea. 

A new Coral species is discovered in Coiba:

Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Costa Rica have identified a new coral species in 2011: Pacifigorgia  marviva, discovered at Coiba National Park in Panama.  This find increases the recorded number of this life form to a total of 35.  The twenty species in Panama represent more than half the species of this genus identified to date. The description of this new species was published in the “Journal of the marine Biological Association”, of the United Kigdom.   The Coral was named in honor to Erika Knie, whose love and passion for the ocean led her to create and preside over the Marviva Foundation, an international  NGO dedicated to the protection of marine life.  Her singular philanthropic vision and her continued support for the implementation of laws to protect marine resources inspired a change in their management at a regional level.

Guna Yala, Lemon Key:

Go to the islands of Kuna Yala is very easy, you need a car and take the Pan-American Highway, and to the entrance of Cartier, in Chepo, Turn left off the road.

  It is about an hour away to arrive to Kantule Niga´s dock, but be careful, because even though the road is paved, there are sharp curves and steep hills, can be dangerous. Cliffs, mountains, accompanied by the singing of the cicadas, streams and rivers (the bridge is already done) and a cool breeze is what you find along the way, which hopefully can even see endangered birds such as the toucan.

A few miles before you arrive, there is checkpoint Nusagandi, where you pay $ 5.00 per vehicle and $ 3.00 per person, there explains that he is entering territory district and then to give some recommendations of the road (curves and hills more pronounced, especially called Loma de la Iguana), they say that if you return the same day must do so before 4: 30 pm.

Upon arrival at the dock Niga Kantule is impressive to see how many cars and tourists, which are received by the Indians, who provide transport services boats to the various islands. There must pay another $ 5.00 per vehicle and $ 2.00 per person.

  The passage to the islands ranges from $ 15 (round trip) to the nearest such as Needle and Hook, which takes about 15 minutes. At the farthest as Elephant Dog and costs about $ 35, if you want go to the exclusives, invest up to $ 100.

The Lemon Key is formed by more than 20 Islands, there are beautiful beaches.   It is a good place for diving, snorkeling, playing volleyball, camping and fishing, for photography and adventure lovers.

 Its most famous Islands include: Dog Island, Devil Island, Herb Island and Pelican Island, among many others.

Among the most visited locations is the Sunken Ship, located on Dog Island. This is an ideal place of novice swimmers, since it is very near to the beach. You will find multi-colored reefs filled with fish, and the impressive Dog Island Beach, famous for its turquoise waters.  Another favorite destination on Lemon Key is Devil Island surrounded by reefs, an ideal place to camp due to its size. There is also a natural swimming pool.  You can discover Sea Stars and Sucker Sharks.  There is the Lemon Key Coral Barrier, which is a 5 km barrier that surrounds the Keys. The barrier is noted for its reefs, colorful fish, Lionfish, and sharks.  For more advanced swimmers due to its depth.  Some places to visit: Wichudub, Coco Solo, Big Dog Island and the mangroves.