Hi, my name is Monica and the purpose of this blog is to share with my friends, family, and the world my travel and life experiences.  Thank you for visiting this blog, I hope you enjoy your stay.

After driving along the Interamerican highway and across the town of Hornacitos it was only a short boat ride until I reached Boca Chica.

Boca Chica offered me the typical postcard of a tropical island: a deep blue sky, pristine waters, white sanded beaches and palm trees.

I had so many optiosn for amusing myself here that I wasn’t sure with which to start. The crystal clear waters and the rich and varied sea life helped me to make up my mind and opt for hiring a fishing charter and try some sport fishing in the deap sea.

It’s one of the best fishing areas and it’s quite easy to catch some big fish like black marlins and yellow-fin tunas.

Accomodation is not a problem in Boca Chica. I stayed at Cala Mina Boutique Hotel, a solar powered-eco boutique hotel that has a spa and a yoga center. You can also opt for ocean front lodges, fishing bungalows and wooden cabins or exclusive hotels!

As a nature lover, I knew that I couldn’t leave Panama without visiting Darien National Park. The landscape is _to say the least_ breathtaking: blue waters, white sands, black rocks and green vegetation. Darien National Park is a dense tropical rainforest, rich tall trees, bushes and tall grass, untrodden jungle trails, swamps and so on.

One of the guides at the park told me that _as the park extended in North and South America, birds and animals of both continents usually used the park as a refuege or transit country.

As lots of rivers run across Darien National Park and its dense jungle, aquatic life is very rich. And, of course, adventure lovers and birders have plenty of things to do and discover in Darien National Park.

During my visit to Darien National Park I went on a guided tour and I discovered lots of tropical birds, and saw tapirs and a jaguar.

I also took a boating trip from where I could appreciate the dense vegetation in the area.

Fishing expeditions are highly recommended here. Many fishing records have been reached in the area. Whether you fish for sport or in competitions, be ready to have one of your best fishing experiences.

Panama City bursts with a cosmopolitan and modern atmosphre. Skyscrapers set the pace of this busy Central American city. But, if as I do, you are looking for the historical past of Panama City, then you should lead your steps to Casco Viejo… or Casco Antiguo, or San Felipe, as the locals call it.

Casco Viejo takes you back 300 years in history and life slows its pace. You can dine out and enjoy a “bollo”, smell the sweet fresh “mollas” and walk along  the red-bricked streets.

The French and Spanish influence on the area is evident everywhere in the achitectural styles of its buildings and public squares. You can appreciate elegant balconies, wide courtyards as well as important buildings that depict the rich historic past of Panama’s capital.

Amongst the buildings I liked the most are the Municipal Palace, which will soon be turned into a museum related to the Panama Canal, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Another very nice buildings are the National Theatre, Plaza Victoria and Arco Chato.

This tiny Latin American country, Panama, had always been amongst the top destinations in my “Countries to Visit” list. Now, after having spent more than a month there, I deeply regret not having been there before. It’s sooo fantastic!!!

I spent the first week in San Blas Islands…or shall I better say paradise on Earth?

After landing in Panama City airport I took an Aroperlas plane from Albrook airport and in only 30 minutes I was transported thousands of years back in history.

San Blas archipielago is made up of more than 350 tiny islands. Most of them are still uninhabitted so you can feel like a XXI century Robinson Crusoe. This unspoiled paradise offers wide white-sanded beaches, coconut palms, verdant rainforest where you canfind shade from the sun, transparten waters and amazing coral reefs.

Feeling stressed? Worried? Then you can definitely forget about your problems here in San Blas. Lying on the beach, going for long walks and swimming are just nice options for you to unwind. If you feel a little more active, those wonderful coral reefs are worth a snorkeling and sea diving excursion. You can als orent a kayak or take a cruising trip.

Personally, I adored the snorkeling trip in which I discovered the astonishing sea life hidden amongst the reefs.

One afternoon I was feeling a bit more adventurous and I decided to explore the rainforests nearby. Hundreds of different bird species and insects can be easily spotted.. even for me … not an expert in animals!

However, one of the things I liked most about spending some time in San Blas Islands was sharing moments and getting to know more the Kuna Indians. This tribal indians rule San Blas and impose on it their lifestyle. Kuna Indians have a rich culture and language and you can buy their crafts at the local markets.