The Rio Chagres – A Hidden Treasure in Panama

Most people are at least somewhat familiar with the significant role the Panama Canal plays in the global economy. The canal facilitates the organized transport and trade of mass amounts of consumer goods each year, and plays a pivotal role in the advancement of the world economy. The operation of the Panama Canal relies not only on precise and comprehensive engineering endeavors, but also on nature to supply the rainfall required to keep the canal operating smoothly. The Rio Chagres plays a vital role in delivering the water and energy needed to maintain the operation of the canal.

Besides having the unique characteristic of flowing into both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the Rio Chagres also supplies a majority of the water used to control water levels in the Panama Canal and to generate the electricity that keeps it in operation. Due to the global importance of the Panama Canal, the Rio Chagres is arguably one of the most noteworthy rivers in the world. The Rio Chagres and its tributaries receive around 200 inches of annual rainfall, which rapidly flows from the surrounding steep, domed mountains into Lake Alajuela, a manmade lake which feeds controlled amounts of water into the locks of the canal by way of The Madden Dam.

Throughout the Panama Canal’s historical existence, increased deforestation has bestowed ecological challenges upon the area and has incited concern over the preservation of the canal. With decreased density of the vegetation in the surrounding areas, the Rio Chagres was faced with even more rapid currents, in turn causing erosion of the land and a collection of sediment within the canal that threatened water levels for the canal. In order to preserve this biologically and economically critical area, Chagres National Park was established to protect the rainforest, the river, plants and animals in the watershed of the Rio Chagres.

Adventure seeking visitors to Panama can plan excursions that allow them to experience the marvel of the Rio Chagres first hand. A simple boat trip along the Rio Chagres gives spectators the opportunity to explore the colorful natural beauty of an ecosystem teeming with life while experiencing firsthand one of the major drivers of the global economy. Lucky explorers may even have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the native Emberá Indians, a few of which migrated to the Rio Chagres area several decades ago and established cultural continuity living their lives along the banks of this amazing river.

About the Author: Laurie Cooper, of Cpanama Real Estate Corp., is an expert on Panama real estate. For more information, please visit http://www.cpanama.com

Traveling To and Around Panama

For Americans, taveling to and around Panama is simpler and more affordable than it may seem. English is widely spoken in Panama, and is usually spoken particularly well by those who rely heavily on tourism. With the Panama Canal having been American owned and operated throughout most of its history, tens of thousands of Americans have lived in Panama and have become a mainstay in the Panamanian culture.

First, of course, you have to make the trip to Panama. Flights to Panama are available from several U.S. cities, and take approximately three to five hours for direct flights. Once you arrive in Panama, you will have several options for getting around. Besides the U.S. dollar being the currency in Panama, more good news is that transportation, like many other amenities in Panama, is extremely affordable. From the Tocumen International Airport, it takes around thirty to forty five minutes to travel into Panama City, and typically costs about thirty dollars for a taxi ride. If you are staying in a hotel, check whether the hotel provides shuttle service from the airport before arranging other means of transportation, as this may be the most economical option.

Renting a vehicle is one option for your stay in Panama. Many of the same car rental agencies which operate in the United States also have locations in Panama. But if you do opt to rent a car, be aware that driving from place to place in Panama City can be an adventure for those who are unfamiliar with the roads and the ways of Panamanian drivers. Local drivers, including those of buses and taxis, can be aggressive, and you cannot always rely on the existence of traffic signs to guide you. Additionally, traffic lights tend to be commonly ignored, making it imperative that you be overly cautious when driving in Panama. It may be helpful to first travel by taxi or bus and observe the traffic conditions around you to determine whether you want to rent a car and get behind the wheel yourself.

Fortunately, other means of transportation are accessible and affordable in Panama, making it unnecessary to rent a car to get around during your stay. Buses are probably the best option when you are traveling between different parts of the country. For traveling within the city, taxi cabs are readily available and typically run between one and four dollars for most destinations. Taxis in Panama do not utilize the meters you have probably seen in the states, so be sure to find out the fare for your destination up front. Hailing a cab from the street rather than patronizing those waiting outside hotels or restaurants is a good way to avoid being overcharged.

About the Author: Laurie Cooper, of Cpanama Real Estate Corp., is an expert on Panama real estate. For more information, please visit http://www.cpanama.com/