When Vasco Nunez de Balboa arrived in Panama in 1519 and saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, he could not have imagined what he was covering: A jungle of humid tropical virgin forests and lush hillsides with lush vegetation, a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna that is a natural refuge for birds, reptiles and wild animals, rushing rivers that flow into two oceans, countless picturesque lakes and 2,000 lush islands with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. In addition, Panama City, the capital of Panama, is now considered the most cosmopolitan metropolis in Central America, with an ever-growing business activity, huge shopping malls - ideal for cheap shopping - impressive modern buildings of remarkable architecture and the old city where the nostalgia of the colonial era prevails amidst the sounds of Latin American salsa. The Panama Canal is just one more ingredient in a special tropical cocktail that invites us to enjoy it. Ancient civilizations and cities that remain unchanged in time and enchant our senses.
the visitor. The old city of Cartagena, known through Marquez's descriptions, awaits you for endless walks. The "Lost City" (Ciudad Perdida) brings you closer to your inner walker. Travel to the desert of La Guajira, feel the awe of the imposing statues of San Agustín, observe whales in the Pacific Ocean and of course seek out a tasting of the famous Colombian coffee. Don't even miss - if you are an art lover - to visit the Botero Museum with works - donated by the artist himself but also masterpieces by Picasso, Monet, Chagall, Renoir and Miró. If you are a nature lover, Tayrona National Natural Park is a 'hymn' to ecology and biodiversity.