The Central American country of Panama is like a stretched-out letter S, lying on its side to soak up the sun — with the Pacific and the Caribbean snuggling up to its curves.
The capital, Panama City, in the bottom arch of the S, invites you to stroll down red-brick streets lined with lush palm trees and white colonial buildings that look like layer cakes. You can stroll along the seafront and gaze out across the Pacific — and daydream about the 17th-century pirates that sailed nearby.
When you’re ready for adventure, you might hike to the top of Panama’s highest mountain — Volcán Barú — to watch the sun rise over both the Atlantic and Pacific, volunteer in Cerra Hoya National Park to study jaguars, spend the night a traditional village in the jungle with the Emberá people, or kick back at an artistic island resort.
Maybe it’s more your speed to spend endless days in your bathing suit, eating fresh fish just pulled from the sea, or sipping some of the world’s best coffee. Panama has all of that and more.
In this episode, we get curious about the Panama Canal, discuss the relative sobriety of dwarf sloths, and get real about what it’s like to spend time in the jungle. Then we recommend five great books that took us to Panama on the page, including a fascinating history of the Panama Canal, a novel that answers the question ‘what would it be like to run away to the jungle?’, a rousing real-life pirate adventure, a story in verse that honors the people who built the Canal, and a family mystery set in Panama City.
Read the full transcript of Panama: Jump Back, What’s That Sound?
The Sack of Panamá: Captain Morgan and the Battle for the Caribbean by Peter Earle
The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
Come Together, Fall Apart by Cristina Henríquez
Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai — recommended in our episode Vietnam: Divided by War, Bonded by Family
The Salt Road by Jane Johnson — recommended in our episode Morocco: Couscous, Camels, and the Kasbah
The Last Watchman of Old Cairo by Michael David Lukas — recommended in our episode Egypt: Ancient Antiquities, Fiery Djinn, and the Lure of the Nile
Perhaps you’d like to listen to some music while you dig into these links.
And some photos to set the scene…
Pirates of the original Panama Canal. (Here’s our Jamaica episode for more pirate info!)
The Miraflores Visitors Center on the Panama Canal. Take the 90-minute tour!
All you need to know about Harpy Eagles! 10 Fun Facts About the Harpy Eagle and 7 amazing facts about Harpy Eagles.
ARTLODGE Panama on Island Gobernadora. ‘Situated on Gobernadora island in Panama’s Veraguas province, set on 40 acres that stretch from the ocean to the hills, traversed by jungle trails and clear water streams. Guests may choose to stay in individual bungalows with water and solar energy or in the camping area under the stars, for a truly creative and inspiring vacation experience.’
Volunteer to protect and study Panama’s wildlife. And here’s a video playlist from camera traps in the jungle.
Stay in an indigenous village: Meet the Emberá and Emberá Village Tours.
Statement 1: A con-man visiting Panama was brought to justice with a google search — of just three short words. Wikipedia on the John Darwin disappearance case.
Statement 2: The lowest fare ever paid to use the canal was 36 cents. More on Richard Halliburton and the story of his swim in the Panama Canal.
Statement 3: According to scientists, there’s a species of sloths in Panama — an entire species — that are drunk 100% of the time. In search of the rare and ridiculously cute pygmy sloth.
Seducing the Spirits by Louise Young
The story of Kuna Yala islands — great photos. Wikipedia on the Kuna people and Kuna Yala.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels. ‘Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.’
In the book, our heroine Jenny runs afoul of a fer-de-lance snake. Yikes!
Vet holding Harpy Eagle’s claw for examination pic.twitter.com/dzeEpb7hcA
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) July 31, 2024
Iridescence of Blue Morpho butterflies
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) August 14, 2024
📸 Kelvin Hudson pic.twitter.com/6iI96TaUuk
Panama Fever by Matthew Parker
Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle
Born to Be Hanged by Keith Thomson
The World in Half by Cristina Henríquez
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