Travel to Panama

I went on vacation to the Republic of Panama recently.  Learning about the Panama Canal and transiting through the locks were fascinating.  Panama City, on the Pacific side, has many big city attractions.  Colon, on the Atlantic/Caribbean side, has the second largest free trade zone in the world (after Hong Kong); buyers from around the globe shop there and take home merchandize by the container load.  The countryside is remarkably diverse with mountains, beaches, rivers, lakes, rain forests, jungles, wildlife preserves, coffee plantations . . . all in a small radius.  Due to nature’s blessings, Panama does not get hit by hurricanes and does not experience earthquakes.  I visited Boquete, in the west, which is an economical retirement location for both domestic and foreign residents.  This is an easy trip to take -- it’s close, people speak English and they use U.S. dollars.  I recommend Panama for anyone looking for an enjoyable, and educational, destination abroad.