San Lorenzo Fort
Published in ColónThe San Lorenzo Fort is one of the oldest Spanish forts in America. It was built in 1597 as one of the fortifications to protect the coast from pirate attacks. It is a magnificent example of ancient military architecture. In 1980 it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The famous pirate Henry Morgan captured the fortress in 1671 and used it as a base to attack Old Panama. The fort was defended by 314 Spanish soldiers, but only 30 of them survived. The San Lorenzo castle is located at the top of a tall reef, in a position that completely dominates the mouth of the Chagres River. A magnificent view of the Chagres River and Caribbean Sea can be seen from atop of the walls.
Palenque is best known for its extravagant landscapes, crystal clear water and a Caribbean atmosphere that makes the Palenque area very attractive.
Only 3 hours from Panama City, Palenque offers the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Here, property owners can enjoy snorkeling, diving, surfing, world class fishing and the famous San Blas islands.
The residents depend on fishing and are very friendly to visitors, even if just for the chance to work. Some travelers use Palenque as a bridge to go to Guna Yala, which is only around 1 hour and 20 minutes away by boat.
Duty Free Zone
Published in ColónThe Colón Duty Free Zone was created as an autonomous state institution on June 17, 1948, by Law No 18. It is 400 hectares wide and is located at the entrance of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side, in Colón Province. It is considered the second largest Duty Free Zone in the world and the biggest in the Western Hemisphere. It serves as a Global Logistics Center for the world, with over 2,000 established companies, 250,000 annual visitors and annual business transactions that generate $11,000 billion in imports, exports and re-exports.
For its incomparable geographical position and its access to the most important ports on both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of the isthmus (Manzanillo International Terminal, Colón Ports Terminal, Colón Container Terminal and the Panama Ports Company), it has become an international hub port. This duty free zone also has the following transportation services: France Field Airport, Panama Railroad Station, access to the Panama-Colón highway, Cruise ship Terminal and Ground Transportation Terminal.
Ngöbe-Buglé
Published in ComarcasNgöbe-Buglé is an indigenous territory in the Republic of Panama. It was created in 1997 from land in Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí and Veraguas. Its capital is Llano Tugrí (Buabidí). The region is inhabited by the Ngöbe and Buglé ethnic group. Its area is 6,968 km2.
It is an indigenous territory of the Guna ethnic group in Panama. It was created in 1996 from territories east of the province of Panama, in the district of Chepo. It is currently not separated into districts, nor does it have a designated capital. Its area is 2,318.8 km2 and is located near the Bayano River.
The colorful environment in Madugandí is wrapped in mystery. It is a visual delight to view hundreds of homes made from wood and palm leaves, with colorfully dressed Guna children nearby. Unlike the Guna Yala region, little is known about them, since they have not been an indigenous territory for very long. That fact makes the town even more calm, with little influence from the modern world.
In this area you can purchase an authentic mola, handmade by the Guna women. This traditional art has received worldwide recognition for their beauty and quality of handicraft.
Emberá-Wounaan
Published in ComarcasEmberá-Wounaan is an indigenous territory in Panama. It was created in 1983. Its area covers 4,383.5 km².
Sarigua National Park
Published in HerreraThe Sarigua National Park covers an area of 8,000 hectares of marine ecosystem and semi-desert “albina” areas. There was an important pre-Columbian settlement here, dated 11,000 years old. The ceramic objects and stone artifacts found here attract scientists who travel from all over the world.
Sarigua is not a desert, but an area that has undergone a process of salinization (salt in the soil) and is therefore called "Albina". The “albina” covers 80% of the territory and is influenced by tides that keep the salt in the soil.
In 1979 the Sarigua area was designated as an "area of natural resource protection." Sarigua National Park was later created by Executive Decree No. 72 on October 2, 1984.
Sarigua National Park still preserves pre-Columbian artifacts up to 11,000 years old and a farming village over 5,000 years old.




