August 15, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the first use of the Panama Canal. The best views are from the Miraflores Lock Visitor Center, where there's also a museum that provides a 3D movie.
1. Panama Canal —
August 15, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the first use of the Panama Canal. The best views are from the Miraflores Lock Visitor Center, where there's also a museum that provides a 3D movie.
AMillar
The orange-tiled roofs and Spanish colonial architecture of old town Panama City stand in slow contrast to the skyscraper skyline across the bay.
2. Casco Viejo, Panama City —
The orange-tiled roofs and Spanish colonial architecture of old town Panama City stand in slow contrast to the skyscraper skyline across the bay.
AMillar
A full-on castaway experience can be had on the outer islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, where deserted paradises, like this one at Polo Beach on Bastimentos Island, are wild, undeveloped and easy to find.
3. Bocas del Toro —
A full-on castaway experience can be had on the outer islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, where deserted paradises, like this one at Polo Beach on Bastimentos Island, are wild, undeveloped and easy to find.
aaron millar/cnn
At the foothills of the Baru Volcano in the Chiriqui Highlands, the pretty mountain town of Boquete is a natural paradise, as well as being home to some excellent coffee plantations.
4. Boquete —
At the foothills of the Baru Volcano in the Chiriqui Highlands, the pretty mountain town of Boquete is a natural paradise, as well as being home to some excellent coffee plantations.
aaron millar/cnn
There's no better way to understand Panama's indigenous roots than via dugout canoe up the Chagres River, where you'll pass thatch houses woven deep into the jungle before arriving at Emberra village, home to one of nine major indigenous groups in the country.
5. Emberra Indians —
There's no better way to understand Panama's indigenous roots than via dugout canoe up the Chagres River, where you'll pass thatch houses woven deep into the jungle before arriving at Emberra village, home to one of nine major indigenous groups in the country.
AMillar
Beautiful, wild and completely off the grid, La Loma is a working chocolate farm and probably the most delicious place to stay in the country.
6. La Loma chocolate farm —
Beautiful, wild and completely off the grid, La Loma is a working chocolate farm and probably the most delicious place to stay in the country.
AMillar
With a small boat cruise less then an hour from Panama City, it's possible to see capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and crocodiles.
7. Gatun Lake —
With a small boat cruise less then an hour from Panama City, it's possible to see capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and crocodiles.
aaron millar/cnn
The highlight of the Biodiversity Museum is a 12-screen cinema that entirely surrounds you -- including one giant screen under foot. Monkeys scramble overhead, sharks swim underneath, visitors are lifted up and flown through a storm.
8. Biodiversity Museum, Panama City —
The highlight of the Biodiversity Museum is a 12-screen cinema that entirely surrounds you -- including one giant screen under foot. Monkeys scramble overhead, sharks swim underneath, visitors are lifted up and flown through a storm.
AMillar
In 1596, the English buccaneer Sir Francis Drake met his grisly end against the Spanish cannons of Portobello. Those forts still remain, but the bay is more peaceful these days.
9. Portobello —
In 1596, the English buccaneer Sir Francis Drake met his grisly end against the Spanish cannons of Portobello. Those forts still remain, but the bay is more peaceful these days.
AMillar
One of the best places to eat in Panama City is the fish market, with views across the water, a good restaurant upstairs and stalls below for freshly caught ceviche.
10. Fish Market, Panama City —
One of the best places to eat in Panama City is the fish market, with views across the water, a good restaurant upstairs and stalls below for freshly caught ceviche.
AMillar
Owned, operated and protected by the Kuna Indians, this archipelago of atolls off the northern coast of Panama is a place to slow down, fast.
11. San Blas Islands —
Owned, operated and protected by the Kuna Indians, this archipelago of atolls off the northern coast of Panama is a place to slow down, fast.
panama tourist board