Panama holidays, tailor made highlights

Often overshadowed by its famous canal, Panama is one of the most diverse countries in Central America. With pristine rainforest, colonial cities, undeveloped beaches, incredible wildlife, indigenous tribes and one of the greatest engineering feats in the world, Panama is set to become one of the most interesting destinations in Central America. Still in its infancy the Panamanian tourism infrastructure is already well organised and can offer a huge variety of activities to tempt all tastes, from sightseeing to relaxing, hiking to white water rafting or snorkelling.

Few places have the history, vibrancy and sophistication of Panama's capital city. The ruined remnants of Panama Viejo, ransacked by the infamous pirate Henry Morgan in 1761, were rebuilt as the fascinating and vibrant Casco Viejo shortly after. The land between has now become the modern city, known as the Manhattan of the Americas for its impressive skyscraper lined horizon.

With many interesting buildings, museums, bars and restaurants, vast parks and the Pacific entrance to the canal, this city has much to offer.

The Canal Zone: Probably the greatest of all modern engineering achievements, this 80km waterway has an incredible history, only returning to Panamanian control, from the U.S at the end of 1999. A partial passage through the canal or even a visit to the vast locks, to see the huge ships pass through, is a memorable experience. Lake Gatún, once the largest artificial lake in the world also provides a rich haven for wildlife. Within its borders there is also the Canopy Tower, a famous lodge for bird and wildlife enthusiasts, housed in an old US Army radar tower atop a hill and surrounded by rainforest.

A new development at Gamboa has an aerial tram to rival Costa Rica that takes visitors through the canopy to an observation tower overlooking the canal and Lake Gatún. Nearby is Pipeline Road in the heart of the Soberania National Park where the Audubon Society counted over 500 species of bird in a single day.

If you want to really get away from it all, totally relax and feel a million miles away from civilization then you should head for the San Blas islands, a string of 365 untouched and mainly uninhabited islands off the southern Caribbean coast. An autonomous region run by the Kuna people of Amerindian descent, no non Kuna people can settle here. The only hotels are Kuna run and fairly basic but there are few places left in the world where you can still go and find a single hotel on a desert island. The waves lap up the beach, just outside your thatched hut and you will have your fish caught and cooked for supper. You can go on snorkelling trips, and visits to the Kuna islands where they will take you around and tell you about their culture.

Please note: that as a UK based company we are only able to help with flight arrangements from the UK. This trip can also be booked without flights. The dry season is from November to the end of April. May can often be a good time to go as it is the end of the season and much quieter but it is very hot and humid. The rainy season starts at the beginning of June through to October. It does not rain all day but often clouds over at lunchtime and there are downpours in the afternoon. There is a risk of hurricane during August, September and October in the Caribbean and the Caribbean coasts of Central America.