Thursday, November 14, 2013

Visiting Panama For An Adventure Holiday

By Bonnie Contreras


Visiting Panama is ideal for adrenaline junkies, nature enthusiasts and sportsmen alike. An astounding array of activities is available, ensuring that the individual needs of every person is met. There are activities for young and old to indulge in and the level of difficulty varies from easy to very expert.

This country is situated at the southern most part of Central America. It borders Columbia, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Its location makes it accessible from North America and there are various ways to travel there. Favoured are the waterways and flights, making the journey both comfortable and enjoyable.

"Volcan Baru" is a sight that many adventurers have set their hearts on climbing. This volcano has a view of both the Pacific and Carribean oceans at the summit. The going it tough and it is a hard climb to the top, definitely not for the faint hearted. When weather is bad it is recommended not to attempt the climb. Cloud cover makes visibility poor and the view hazy if at all visible. The park can be entered either on the east or the west side of the volcano.

Home stays are a wonderful way to learn Spanish and immerse oneself in this fascinating culture. These programs are run through companies specializing in cultural exchanges. The process is quiet simple and inexpensive. These companies have a database of families who are willing to welcome a foreigner into their homes. They are giving a subsidy by the company to provide adequate care for the individual. This guest then effectively becomes part of the household for a specified time. They eat and cook with the family, do chores and odd jobs and most importantly, learn the language. With very little or no English being tolerated in the households this is an ideal way to learn.

Kayaking in the mangroves is an activity recommended by all the locals. A guide and equipment can be obtained from various companies in the area. For those who are less inclined to paddle, scenic tours are also available with the guide doing all the work. Kayaking trails can vary from easy to advanced, some lasting several hours.

The culture scene features various festivals which deserve mention. The most famous is most probably the carnival that takes place for four days leading up to Ash Wednesday in February. It features loads of traditional parades, music, dancing and of course a lot of drinking. It is a cultural event not to be missed.

White water rafting is a sport that the adrenaline junkies can indulge in. There are various companies who operate in different locations in the area. There are day trips for those trying it for the first time and there are longer trips for extreme enthusiasts. The longer trips usually last between 3 and 7 days. They offer an extended route with accommodation and meals being supplied along the way.

Visiting Panama to learn Spanish is highly recommended and is a project that is well supported by the local government. Mastering the language will be so much easier when immersed in the culture. Explore these options for a better future and better international communication today and always.




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