Musings from Panamá

For being a relatively small country Panamá offers its visitors rich diversity: chilled out Caribbean vibes, amazing Pacific beaches, mountain highlands populated by indigenous Indians, the cowboy and farming region of Chriquí, the southern unexplored jungles of Darién and of course the vibrant capital of Panama city. Of all central American capital cities, I found Panama city by far the most interesting, urban, picturesque and fun: from the Causeway ocean side walk, to the modern skyline, the old colonial downtown and the lively nightlife Panama city offers most things one would expect from a metropolitan city.

But then one could ask the question if Panamá is even part of Central America. Geographically it certainly appears so, but politically Panamá should be considered part of South America. Panamá was part of Colombia throughout history until the United States instigated a revolt in 1903 leading to Panama’s independence and conveniently assuming U.S. control of the Panama Canal under ridiculously generous terms for the USA (including the right for U.S. military invention in Panamá at will).

But regardless of whether classified as Central or South America, Panamá is a beautiful country to visit and explore.