The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. In 2014 the Canal celebrated its 100th Anniversary. It took 17 years to build, making it one of the greatest engineering feats the world has ever seen, and must be on every traveller’s list. The best views of the canal are from the Miraflores Lock Visitor Center.

The Canal is just the beginning of an adventure, exploring Panama City (old and new) the country is teeming with rain forests, beaches, indigenous people and colonial history. Some of the highlights included in our suggested itineraries include:-

Boquete - A pretty mountain town in the foothills of the Baru Volcano in the Chiriqui Highlands. Here you can enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing and 500 of Panama's 972 bird species, including the highly sought after quetzal.

The region is home to some of the best coffee growers in the world, including the most expensive brew on the planet, Cafe Geisha, which can cost $9 per cup in Panama. Cafe Ruiz has excellent guided tours of its coffee plantation.

Bocas del Toro - An archipelago of nine tropical islands on the northwestern Caribbean coast which have retained a strong West Indian influence. Here you can find some of the best scuba diving and surf breaks in the country with the outer islands being deserted paradises such as Polo Beach on Bastimentos Island.

Emberra Indians – There is no better way to understand Panama's indigenous roots than via dugout canoe on the Chagres River, where you will pass thatch houses on the edge of the jungle before arriving at Emberra village, home to one of nine major indigenous groups in the country. You can watch performances of traditional dance and music, buy authentic, handcrafted souvenirs and learn about their culture.

Gatun Lake - To create the Panama Canal, the Chagres River was dammed and an area the size of Barbados flooded. The result is the artificial, but astonishingly wild, Gatun Lake.

With a small boat cruise less than an hour from Panama City, it's possible to see capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and crocodiles. Because part of the lake is used by the canal, you'll also get a mini-tour of the waterway at the same time.

Portobello - In 1596, Sir Francis Drake met his end against the Spanish cannons of Portobello. Their forts still remain. Visitors can soak up the history and visit the church of San Felipe where the statue of the black Christ draws thousands of pilgrims each year. 

San Blas Islands are owned, operated and protected by the Guna Indians. The archipelago off the northern coast of Panama has 378 islands of which only 80 are inhabited. 

The highlight of a visit here is the Guna people themselves - welcoming and proud of a culture that has changed little in centuries. There are masses of deserted beaches – a truly wonderful place to visit.

Panama City - The orange-tiled roofs and Spanish colonial architecture of old Panama City stand in slow contrast to the skyscraper skyline across the bay. It has been well restored and by day, it is perfect for drinking coffee at Plaza Bolivar, browsing the markets at Plaza de La Independencia and watching the sun set from the point above Plaza Francia, the best view in the city. At night the Old City has wonderful nightlife with great music. 

The fish market in the City is one of the best places to eat, there is a good restaurant upstairs, but far tastier, and infinitely more memorable, are the crowded stalls below for freshly caught ceviche. 

Biomuseo - a museum focused on the natural history of Panama and designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Gehry's first design for Latin America opened in October 2014. The Biomuseo highlights Panama's natural and cultural history and Its galleries tell the story of how the rise of the isthmus of Panama changed the world.