Panama is a small country occupying the thin strip of land joining Central and South America and is sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Panama is home to the famous Panama Canal, which makes its way through the capital, Panama City. A good place for visitors to view the canal and the ships passing through is at Miraflores Locks. Other attractions in the capital include the old cities, Casco Vieja and Panama Vieja, where visitors can see the ruins of the old Indian and Spanish colonial cities.

Panama City is also famous for its nightlife which is concentrated in the business district and Amador Causeway areas of the city.

Elsewhere, Panama has over 1,000 miles of coastline and more than 1,500 islands. There are plenty of beach resorts where holidaymakers can enjoy fishing, diving, kayaking and rafting. Panama has a huge amount of rainforest - both tropical and highland - which is home to unique flora and fauna. Bird watching, eco-tours and trekking are popular ways to enjoy the native wildlife. The San Blas Islands - an autonomous region of Panama run by the Kuna Indians are a stunning but difficult-to-get-to destination.

Survival guide

Panama's dry season is between December and April and this is the best time to visit.

Panama offers a great choice of accommodation, from luxury hotels in the major centres to comfortable guesthouses and self-catering accommodation.

Spanish is the main language spoken in Panama, and the currency is the Balboa.

Panama's national carrier is Copa Airlines and the main international airport is Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.