Fall Travel Begins With Choice of America's Best Cities

“There is nothing anywhere that looks like,smells like a New England autumn,”says marketing executive Janie Hoffman.In the Best Cities for Fall category a part of the magazine’s annual America’s Favorite Cities survey.Only two of the top 10 cities are located in foliage-rich New England,or even above the Mason-Dixon line.Kansas city also made the fall top 20,perhaps because of its world-class barbecue competition and its claim to be the “haunted house capital of the world,” with amusement park style Halloween attractions such as The Best.In Honolulu,the lull between summer vacationers and snowbirds means more elbow room on the beach,and some of the year’s best rates.

Other travelers seek out a different kind of thrill — cheap ones — when they plan fall getaways. In Honolulu, the lull between summer vacationers and snowbirds means more elbow room on the beach, and some of the year’s best rates. It’s also humpback whale season, when the mammals migrate from Alaska to the islands to mate and give birth. In San Diego, prices dip in September and October, usually just as the weather becomes most summer-like.

Read the full article here:
America’s best cities for fall travel

Panama City Views

The Caribbean coastline is marked by several good natural harbors. However, Cristóbal, at the Caribbean terminus of the canal, had the only important port facilities in the late 1980s. The numerous islands of the Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro, near the Beaches of Costa Rica, provide an extensive natural roadstead and shield the banana port of Almirante. The over 350 San Blas Islands, near Colombia, are strung out for more than 160 km along the sheltered Caribbean coastline.

Currently, the terminal ports located at each end of the Panama Canal, namely the Port of Cristobal and the Port of Balboa, are ranked second and third respectively in Latin America in terms of numbers of containers units (TEU) handled.[25] The Port of Balboa covers 182 hectares and contains four berths for containers and two multi-purpose berths. In total, the berths are over 2.4 thousand meters long with alongside depth of 15 meters. The Port of Balboa has 18 super post-Panamax and Panamax quay cranes and 44 gantry cranes. The Port of Balboa also contains 2.1 thousand square meters of warehouse space.[26]

The Ports of Cristobal (encompassing the container terminals of Panama Ports Cristobal, Manzanillo International Terminal and Colon Container Terminal) handled 2,210,720 TEU in 2009, second only to the Port of Santos, Brazil, in Latin America.

Panama Culture

The culture of Panama derived from European music, art and traditions that were brought over by the Spanish to Panama. Hegemonic forces have created hybrid forms of this by blending African and Native American culture with European culture. For example, the tamborito is a Spanish dance that was blended with Native American rhythms, themes and dance moves.[36] Dance is a symbol of the diverse cultures that have coupled in Panama. The local folklore can be experienced through a multitude of festivals, dances and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. Local cities host live Reggae en Español, Cuban, Reggaeton, Kompa, Colombian, jazz, blues, salsa, reggae, passa passa, jerk and rock performances.

Outside of Panama City, regional festivals take place throughout the year featuring local musicians and dancers. Another example of Panama’s blended culture is reflected in the traditional products, such as woodcarvings, ceremonial masks and pottery, as well as in its architecture, cuisine and festivals. In earlier times, baskets were woven for utilitarian uses, but now many villages rely almost exclusively on the baskets they produce for tourists.

An example of undisturbed, unique culture in Panama stems from the Kuna Indians who are known for molas. Mola is the Kuna Indian word for blouse, but the term mola has come to mean the elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman’s blouse. Molas are works of art created by the women of the Central American Cuna (or Kuna) tribe. They are several layers of cloth varying in color that are loosely stitched together made using an appliqué process referred to as “reverse appliqué”.

The Christmas parade, known as El desfile de Navidad, is celebrated in the capital Panama City. This holiday is celebrated on December 25. The floats of the people in the parade are decorated with the Panamanians colors and the women dress in dresses called the Pollera the men dress in the traditional Montuno. In addition, the marching band in the parade which consists of drummers keeps the crowds entertained. In the city, a big Christmas tree is lit with Christmas lights, and everybody surrounds the tree and sings Christmas carols.[37]

The traditional Panamanian dish for Christmas usually includes chicken tamales, arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), puerca asada, pernil, pavo (turkey) and relleno (stuffing). Bowls of fruits and fruitcake are set out on the tables along with the dishes. Along with these foods and dessert, a traditional drink is serve which is called Ron Ponche (eggnog). Which consists of: two cans of condensed milk, three cans of evaporated milk, six eggs and half a bottle of rum and nutmeg for some extra flavor.

A Panamanian women’s traditional clothing is called the Pollera. The Pollera originated in Spain in the 16th century. Later on the Pollera was used as a typical dress in Panama in the early eighteen hundreds. The Pollera was worn by women servants or maids: “it was especially the dress of the wet nurses who nursed the children of the family” (De Zarate 5). As years went on, the upper class women adopted the dress.

The original Pollera consists of a female wearing a ruffled blouse that is off her shoulders. The skirt is on the waistline with gold buttons. The skirt also has ruffle so when she lifts it up, it looks like a peacock’s tail or a mantilla fan. The designs on the skirt and blouse are usually flowers, or birds. A two large matching mota(pom-pom) is on the front and back, four ribbons are hanging from the back and the front on the waist line, caberstrillos (five chains of gold) are hanging from the neck to the waist, a gold cross or medallion that’s on a black ribbon is worn as a choker and a silk purse is worn the female waistline. Zaricillos (earrings) are usually gold or coral and to complete the outfit the female wears slippers which matche the color of her Pollera. Her hair is usually worn in a bun held with three large gold combs which have some pearls and is worn like a crown. The best pollera can usually cost up to ten thousand dollars and may take a year to complete. The men also wear traditional clothing. Their outfits consist of white cotton shirts, trousers and woven straw hat. This traditional clothing can be worn in parades, where the females and males do a traditional dance. The females do a gentle sway and twirl their skirts while the men hold their hats in their hands and dance behind the females.

Clicpanama is a full service travel site for cheap hotels in Panama, motels in Panama City, tours, food, and all inclusive properties like Decameron.  See Culture in Panama, Panama Canal and enjoy culture, night life and more in Panama.  Retirees learn more about your options and consider retirement in Panama as a choice.  Give us an opportunity to show you Panama from the point of a local English and living in Panama.   We are available 24-hours day to serve you seven days a week.

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Panama's Beauty

Panama had a population of 3,405,813 in May 2010.[28] As of 2000, the majority of the population, 50.1%, was Mestizo. African and Mulattos were together the largest minority, accounting for 22%. For the remaining groups the percentages were: Ameridian 6.7%, European 8.6%, Asian 5.5%, and other 7.1%.[1] The Amerindian population includes seven indigenous peoples: the Emberá, Wounaan, Guaymí, Ngöbe Buglé, Kuna, Naso and Bribri. More than half the population lives in the Panama City–Colón metropolitan corridor.[29]

The culture, customs, and language of the Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean and Spanish. Spanish is the official and dominant language. About 93% speak Spanish as their first language, though there are many citizens who speak both English and Spanish or native languages, such as Ngäbere.[30] Some new statistics show that as second language, English is spoken by an 8%, French by a 4% and Arabic by 1%[citation needed]. The private educational system also offers German, Portuguese and Italian.

Panama, because of its historical reliance on commerce, is above all an ethnic salad bowl. This is shown, for instance, by its considerable population of Afro-Antillean and Chinese origin. The first Chinese immigrated to Panama from southern China to help build the Panama Railroad in the 19th century. They were followed by several waves of immigrants whose descendants number around 50,000. Starting in the 1970s, a further 80,000 have immigrated from other parts of China as well.[31][32]

Afro-Panamanians have played a significant role in the creation of the republic. Some historians have estimated that up to 50% of the population of Panama has some African ancestry. The descendants of the Africans who arrived during the colonial era are intermixed in the general population or are found in small Afro-Panamanian communities along the Atlantic Coast and in villages within the Darién jungle. Most of the people in Darien are fishermen or small scale farmers growing crops such as bananas, rice and coffee as well as raising livestock. Other Afro-Panamanians are the descendants of later migrants from the Caribbean who came to work on railroad construction projects, commercial agricultural enterprises, and especially the canal. Important Afro-Caribbean community areas include towns and cities such as Colon, Cristobal and Balboa, in the former Canal Zone, as well as the Rio Abajo area of Panama City. Another region with a large Afro-Caribbean population is the province of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast just south of Costa Rica.[33]

Most of the Panamanian population of West Indian descent owe their presence in the country to the monumental efforts to build the Panama Canal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Three-quarters of the 50,000 workers who built the canal were Afro Caribbean migrants from the British West Indies. Thousands of Afro-Caribbean workers were recruited from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad.[33]

Panama Hotel

Tourism in the Republic of Panama kept its growth during the past 5 years due to the government offering tax and price discounts to foreign guests and retirees. These economic incentives caused Panama to be regarded as a relatively good place to retire in the world. Real estate developers in Panama have increased the amount of tourism destinations in the past five years because of the interest for these visitor incentives.[46] The amount of tourists arriving between January and September 2008 totalled 1,110,000. This was a significant increase of 13.1% (128,452) over the previous high of 982,640 during the same period in 2007.

The arrival of tourists from Europe to Panama grew by 23.1% during the first nine months of 2008. According to the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), between January and September, 71,154 tourists from the Old Continent entered the country that is 13,373 more than figures for same period last year. Most of the Europeans who have visited Panama were Spaniards (14,820), followed by Italians (13,216), French (10,174) and British (8,833). From Germany, the most populous country in the European Union, 6997 tourists arrived. Europe has become one of the key markets to promote Panama as a tourist destination.

In 2007, 1.445.5 million entered into the Panamanian economy as a result of tourism. This accounted for 9.5% of gross domestic product in the country, surpassing other productive sectors.

Panama’s Law No. 9 is still the most modern and comprehensive law for the promotion of tourism investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. In so-called Special Tourism Zones, Law 8 offers incentives such as 100% exemption from income tax, real estate tax, import duties for construction materials and equipment, and other taxes. Panama has declared different parts of the country as Special Tourism Zones which are benefited with multiple tax exemptions and tax holidays.

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas del Toro is a province of Panama. Its extension is 4,643.9 square kilometers comprising the mainland and nine main islands.[3] The province consists of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Bahía Almirante (Almirante Bay), Laguna de Chiriquí (Chiriquí Lagoon), and adjacent mainland. The capital is the city of Bocas del Toro (Bocas Town) on Isla Colón (Colón Island). Other major cities or towns include Almirante, and Changuinola. The province has a total population of 121,959 people (2010).[4]

Christopher Columbus and his crew discovered the area in 1502.[5] Bocas del Toro borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Limón Province of Costa Rica to the west, Chiriquí Province to the south, and Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca to the east. The Río Sixaola forms part of the border with Costa Rica. An old railroad bridge spans the river between Guabito and Sixaola, Costa Rica. The bridge is a border crossing used by tourists going between destinations in Bocas and Costa Rica.

The province contains two national parks: Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and La Amistad International Park.[6] The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute operates a research station on Colón Island just northwest of Bocas Town.[7] There are many banana plantations in Bocas del Toro, often called the oro verde or green gold of Central America.[8]

Welcome message

Panama and Panama City is unmatched among countries in Latin America. Panama has diversity and cosmopolitanism in PANAMA especially in PANAMA CITY. Mix of old and very new, its is a atmosphere similar to the popular trading cities of Asia than to anywhere else in the region. Panama Panama City has always thrived on commerce; its unique position on the world’s trade routes and the economic opportunity this presents has attracted immigrants and businesses from all over the globe. Panama is now the ultimate destination for vacationers seeking exclusive islands, beaches, warm ocean waters and very modern high octaine cities such as Panama City Panama. ClicPanama is pleased to bring a information, reservation on selection of some of the best popular destinations, adventure trips, spa & relaxation, shipping, nightlife and more.

ClicPanama.com is a Panamanian company with over 11 years of experience in Panama. We are located in Panama City Panama and we are eager and willing to help you with information, reservation and just about any type of tour plus all transportation and much much more. People of Panama are extremely proud and loving people. You will be welcome with open arms and your experience will be unforgettable. Give us a chance to serve you… Make reservation with us or contact us for any questions or comments about Panama City Panama or other destinations in Panama.

Clicpanama is a full service travel site for cheap hotels in Panama, motels in Panama City, tours, food, and all inclusive properties like Decameron.  See Culture in Panama, Panama Canal and enjoy culture, night life and more in Panama.  Retirees learn more about your options and consider retirement in Panama as a choice.  Give us an opportunity to show you Panama from the point of a local English and living in Panama.   We are available 24-hours day to serve you seven days a week.

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Isla Taboga

A tropical island with only one road and no traffic, Isla Taboga is a pleasant place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Panama City. Although it is only 20km offshore, the ‘Island of Flowers’ is covered with sweet-smelling blossoms at certain times of the year. First settled by the Spanish in 1515, the quaint village of Taboga is also home to the second-oldest church in the western hemisphere. However, the main appeal of the island is its string of sandy beaches lapped by warm waters, which can quickly rejuvenate even the most hardened urbanite.

Isla Taboga is currently in the midst of an image makeover. Ferries for the island now depart from the most exclusive of berths, namely the Causeway. Also, rumors abound that the now-defunct Hotel Taboga will be knocked down to make way for a sophisticated resort. In the meantime however, Taboga still serves as a laid-back day trip from Panama City for anyone looking for a little fun in the sun.

Colón Province

The mere mention of Colón sends shivers down the spines of travelers and Panamanians, but there is more to the province than its notorious capital. Stretching along the Caribbean coast from Veraguas Province in the west to the Comarca de Kuna Yala in the east, Colón Province is mostly undeveloped and virtually inaccessible, but steeped in a rich, accessible history.

During the colonial era, gold and silver bound for Spain were stored at the Caribbean coastal towns of Nombre de Dios and Portobelo. These were once the world’s wealthiest cities, attracting scores of pirates. In 1572 the English privateer Francis Drake sailed into Nombre de Dios and plundered its riches before reducing the city to ashes. In 1739 Portobelo was sacked by Admiral Edward Vernon, forcing Spain to finally abandon the Panama crossing in favor of sailing around Cape Horn. Today, the ruined city of Portobelo and the nearby fortress of Fuerte San Lorenzo stand as testaments to the faded glory of the Spanish empire.

The provincial town of Colón has also long passed its zenith. Although the city itself is an urban jungle racked by violent crime, the surrounding area is home to everything from pristine beaches and lowland rainforests to colonial splendors and modern engineering marvels. Within the span of a few days, you can snorkel in Caribbean waters, spot tropical birds on private reserves, stumble across ruins and admire the massive locks on the lesser-known side of the canal. And of course, it’s worth mentioning that the luxury train connecting Panama City to Colón is arguably one of the greatest rail journeys in the Americas.