Ecological Route Between Two Oceans

Ecological Route Between Two Oceans

María del R. Martínez / The Panama Post


Seeks to increase the flow of visitors to the country This project will provide ethnic, archaeological and natural attractions

More than four years ago a group of six Panamanian tourism entrepreneurs began promoting what they called The Ecological Route between two Oceans, to promote Panama as an international destination and increase the flow of visitors to the country.

Ana Cecilia Young, one of the promoters of this project, explained that the nature trail is a tour through the natural attractions of the country whose ecological biodiversity arouses as much interest as its beaches and tropical landscapes.

Young, Director of EcoCircuitos Panama, one of the six companies involved in the plan, said that the biological corridor between the North and South coasts of Panama, encompasses one of the richest and most exotic diversity of wildlife in the planet. It consists of a sequence of connected natural areas that allow a constant flow of wildlife of all types, easily observed by the traveler.

This initiative has been approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Agency for International Development (USAID) and the government's program for investment: "Compite Panama".

All of the companies are tour operators and have their market niche. These include: ECO Circuitos Panama, Experience Panama, Margo Tours, Turista International S.A. Vacaciones & Arian `s Tours.

The idea is to have a more attractive offer for the market. In this project there are ethnic, archaeological and natural attractions provided. It is currently promoted in European, North America and Latin American markets with great success, since the operators have achieved more than a 10% increase in sales.

Another progress of the project is that promoter entrepreneurs have developed software for reservations, prices and transactions, which did not exist before.

Each company developed its own mechanisms for promotion and turned the Ecologic Route between two Oceans into a "brand" internationally recognized.

Places to visit

Depending on what people like, tourists will usually look for a new experience and often combine it with other destinations. For example, if he comes from visiting a Mayan culture in Guatemala, here in Panama he will search for something similar.

Therefore, the Ecologic Route has been divided in thematic trails : colonial Canal, ecological, ethnic and the one which is undoubtedly one of the main attractions for most tourists: the Panama Canal, its history, its landscapes and its accessibility.

It is also the backbone of this route between the two oceans. Ships of all nationalities go through what was once part of the original channel of the Chagres River.

The cost of the tours also depends on what the tourists like. The experience might take seven days and visit all the area including the Ecological Route. The tour begins in the City of Panama, in the Pacific, ending at some point of interest in the province of Colón in the Atlantic.

You also have the opportunity to make a trip to Barro Colorado, where the Smithsonian Institute is developing some of its most important investigations. Another alternative is to see the Panama Canal or take a tour on the Crosses Road that was built by Captain Gaspar de Espinosa, by opening and paving with stones a trail in the forest with the help of 4,000 Indian slaves.

In addition, you can observe birds in the Soberanía National Park, trails, plants, and the pipelines, which have the world record for number of species observed in a single day.

If you prefer, you have the option to visit the Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel and Gatún, where you can observe the entry and departure of ships or take the transcontinental train to Colón and visit San Lorenzo, which was built during the colony to face the attacks and plunder of pirates. It was a zone that functioned as transit of merchandise and gold for Spain.