SnapHappyRoss

At the dividing point between continental North and South America, Panama is a nation itself artificially divided by one of the world’s greatest civil engineering works, in the form of the Panama Canal. With such a critical piece of infrastructure to global trade, Panama’s 20th century history saw plenty of turmoil, including dictatorships and invasions, but it emerged into the 20th century as a leading power in the region, with a glittering city to match. Originally colonised by Spain in the 1500s, Panama joined a union with Colombia in 1821 before achieving independence in 1903, conveniently the year before the USA took over construction of the canal.

My four nights in Panama in late 2016 were well spent, having bolted the trip on to my Costa Rica visit, I stayed for two nights in the national capital Panama City, taking in a tour of the eponymous canal as well. Two nights in the Caribbean resort of Bocas del Toro followed, before I headed briefly back to Costa Rica then home to Scotland. I was impressed with Panama’s development, and glad to see the sun which had been missing in Costa Rica, but Panama City definitely felt like it had an edge to it, after the safety of San Jose.