Some tropical vacations are just about sun and sand, where days are spent lounging by the water, wondering whether to order a piña colada or a mojito. I certainly won’t turn down a spell of rum-soaked beachside bliss, but Panama is better suited to travelers in a more active mood. On our recent adventure, which included both Pacific and Caribbean islands, we spent much more time watching wildlife than sunbathing. And in Panama City, the Travel Office arranged tours that illuminated the history of one of Central America’s most dynamic capitals.

Isla Palenque’s Indigenous History

One afternoon at Isla Palenque, we joined our guide at the main lodge for a “Secrets of the Island” tour. It began with an explanation of the area’s Indigenous history and a look at artifacts found near the resort before we ventured into the jungle. As we began our hike, we passed the hanging nests of crested oropendolas and spotted a giant swallowtail butterfly drifting through the trees. Meanwhile, howler monkeys swung through the branches above our heads.

Along the way, our guide described how the island’s early inhabitants lived, cultivating crops such as sweet potatoes, avocado, sugarcane and dragon fruit. They used plants for both sustenance and survival: henna to ward off mosquitoes, soft wild cashew wood for bows and arrows, and monkey ladder vine for weaving baskets.