Panama is a country that is growing in popularity with each passing year – the tourist industry is still trying to keep pace with the ever-increasing numbers of people that enter the country each year and things don’t seem to be slowing down. The position of the country has made it a trading hotbed, and as such there is some fine shopping to be had with most any product a person could desire available in any number of markets and stores. Throw in the outstanding natural beauty and friendly people and Panama is on to a winner.

Panama City offers a great deal to anyone who visits, from the bustling markets to the wonderful mix of architectural styles – Spanish, American and Chinese influences are predominant throughout. Attractions such as the San Jose Church, the Museum of the Panamanian Man and the President’s Palace, sit alongside many others – not forgetting, of course, the Panama Canal itself. Visitors to the city will be welcomed with a plethora of smells to accompany the sights, with all manner of different styles of cuisine ripe for the tasting – and some decent (and cheap) alcohol for those who just want to relax.

Elsewhere in the country are attractions such as the American-feeling Balboa, the province (and archipelago) of Bocas del Toro with its diving excursions and marine park, the Darien National Park, the Spanish treasure town of Portobello and the relaxed, out of the way Azuero Peninsula – amongst many others, of course. In every town and region there are a multitude of different things to see, places to go and people to meet, and whilst Panama isn’t the most popular tourist spot right now, it’s certainly worth a visit.