With sky-blue water and spectacular scenery, Miramar is a town along the upper coast of Colón with an extremely important commercial port for this part of Panama.

It was created in 1976, and contains one of the most important, natural and beautiful ports in the Caribbean, the bay of Portobelo, christened by Christopher Columbus in 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the New World. The fortifications that continue to stand guard around the cove were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Found in the northern part of the isthmus on the Caribbean slope, these 70 kms. of coastal areas with palm trees and rich coral formations offer an extremely attractive and scenic landscape. During the colonial period it hosted the famous galleons fair, with their own military fortifications from the era of the conquest, which gives the area historical and cultural value and is a highlight of the national park.

The city of San Felipe de Portobelo, for which the protected area is named, was founded by Francisco Valverde y Mercado on May 20, 1597. In the mid-17th century it reached its apogee by coming to be the point of conflux for all the riches from Peru and other South American countries that arrived overland from Panama City along the Path of the Crosses.

Big Island is a picturesque tropical paradise, surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches with palm trees. The main beach on the island is called La Punta. There tourists can enjoy various entertainment options in the sun, such as swimming, sunbathing, relaxing, visiting the mangroves near the coast or taking a boat tour around the island.

You can also walk around the island to go see the northern islands or hike to the lighthouse and enjoy the incredible view from above. But the biggest attraction is the underwater world, with its large population of fish that delight divers.

Even before the Spanish conquest, the Las Mendozas Swimming Hole was already an important place for residents who lived in what is now the area around Penonomé. Its strategic location on the Zaratí River and its position between the mountains and the coast made this place an important trade spot.

Over the years, as new means of communication were developed, the importance of the Las Mendozas River as a place for local trade began to diminish; however, at the same time it started to gain importance as a bathing spot and tourist site that regains its popularity during national holidays like the carnivals.

The Chucunaque is a river that runs across the far eastern portion of Panama, specifically in the province of Darién, in the indigenous territories of Wargandí and Embera-Wounaan. It is the country's largest river, and the main tributary of the Tuira River, the second largest in the country.

It was created in 1980, and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. Majestic mountain ranges cover this area, the most important being the Serranía de Darién in the north, the Pirre and Setule in the center and the Sapo and Jurado ranges to the south. The maximum altitude is 1,875 meters. The sources of long and large navigable rivers, the most important in the country, are found here, such as Tuira the largest river in the country, Chucunaque the longest river in the country, Balsas, Jaqué and Sambú.

This park, the largest in Central America, is the most important natural reserve in Panama, and the second most biologically rich region, after the Amazon. It contains diverse ecosystems, ranging from beaches and mangroves to the rainforest. The park has vast tropical rain forests.

 

For those who enjoy nature and adventure at sea, Pineapple Bay in the Darién Province is the ideal place. This bay, famous for being a paradise for Black Marlin sport fishing, has staged numerous competitions, where over 250 world records have been broken. It is visited by people from all over the world.

Fish conservation campaigns are being carried out in Pineapple Bay, through the use of circle hooks and a catch and release policy. Sustainable fishing of these species in Panamanian waters must be ensured, so that future generations may also enjoy sport fishing tourism.

It is a Pacific beach near the town of Farallón. It is an ideal place to take a rest, a refreshing swim in the sea and a dose of sunlight. It is a long and wide beach between a rocky reef and the Farallón River.

There is a beachfront 18-hole golf course nearby, designed by Tom Fazio. In addition to playing golf, you can go hiking and horseback riding around the beach, with a sunset that visitors enjoy admiring.

The area where Playa Blanca is found is commonly known as Panama's Dry Arc, meaning that this area enjoys good weather year round!

Farallón is a very popular beach to spend a vacation, for both locals and foreigners. It recently has become home to several resorts and residential communities, including Coronado, which has many amenities such as golf courses, equestrian club, beach, shopping and restaurants.

The district of La Pintada was founded on October 19, 1848. They say that the Coclé River flowed past from the south and that many peasants and villagers from nearby areas who went to town did their shopping in a small store that stood out for being the only house that was painted.