Today, or technically yesterday, we visit the Central American nation Panama. That brings me on to a tiny confession. I didn’t actually manage to write a blog yesterday! This is the first time I’ve missed a day so far, and it was sadly my uncle Rob’s funeral yesterday, so I think that’s a fair excuse. So today is a catch-up day where we’ll visit Panama and then later Papua New Guinea.

Either way, normal service must resume. Panama bridges North and South America and is roughly similar in size to the Czech Republic. Panama is most widely known for its hats (which technically originate from Ecuador) and the Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

I visited Panama back in 2016 on my Sabbatical and enjoyed a few days in Panama City in between Costa Rica and Chile. Panama City is good for international connections after all.

Here are three things I enjoyed doing in Panama City.

Exploring Panama City’s oldest neighbourhood, Casco Viejo

Founded in 1673 Casco Viejo, or San Felipe is a wonderful maze of old colonial-style buildings. We enjoyed spending a whole morning wandering around its streets and taking in the sites. It’s also the perfect place to buy some Panamanian souvenirs, specifically the vividly colourful traditional Mola textiles that tend to be sold at small market stalls.

Climbing Ancon Hill

Ancon Hill is a park offering amazing views of Casco Viejo and the rest of Panama City. It’s also home to the largest Panamanian flag in existence. Walking to the other side of the hill you’ll see planes taking off below you at Albrook Gelabert Airport and the Panama Canal in the distance. It’s pretty hot work climbing to the top in Panama’s warm humid climate, so take lots of water. On the plus side, it’s very shaded, and you’ll hear and see exotic birds and other tropical wildlife.

Visiting the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks

The canal viewing centre at the Miraflores Locks is breathtaking. A large viewing platform lets you get up close to the enormous Panamax ships passing through the lock. It’s really an awe-inspiring sight, seeing these huge vessels rise and lower in what appears to be a tiny amount of water within the locks. There’s also a very interesting visitor centre explaining the history of the canal and how it functions today.

Watching ships pass through the Miraflores Locks

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Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America sandwiched between Costa Rica and Honduras. Nicaragua is a similar size to Greece.

Nicaragua is a known for its mix of rainforest, spectacular beaches and historic sites such as the colonial city of Granada. However apparently, unlike its neighbours, Nicaragua is comes up short on ancient ruins. It’s also, like Costa Rica a relatively safe, and violence free place to visit.

One thing Nicaragua can boast about is it is home to Central America’s youngest volcano, Cerro Negro. Cerro Negro’s first recorded eruption was in 1850.

Nicaragua’s biggest export is coffee, and it has developed a reputation for producing high quality coffee beans. Despite its beauty and wonderful coffee, Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. As a result many Nicaraguans look to move abroad for work and a Nicaragua is now reliant on emigrants sending money back to family members still living in Nicaragua.

I'm writing about every country in the world. One a day for 195 days. Learn more