Teen Tours in PANAMA
RUSTIC PATHWAYS IN PANAMA
Rustic Pathways has been operating enriching programs in Central America for nine years. Four years ago we began working with the Kuna Indians on the San Blas Archipelago in Panama. We are proud to continue our work with this welcoming community and introduce our students to another beautiful and interesting indigenous community, the Emberas, where we guarantee more adventures and rewarding service work.
AIRLINE INFORMATION and PROGRAM CONNECTIVITY
Weekly escorted flights for Rustic Pathways students depart from Houston and fly directly to Panama City. The flight leader escorts students both to Panama City and on their return to the U.S. Please see rusticpathways.com/flights for details. Our Panama program connects directly with our programs in Costa Rica, Peru and the Dominican Republic. All departure dates show physical departures from the United States.
| FACT FILE | |
| Population | 3 million |
| Capital City | Panama City |
| Currency | U.S. Dollar |
| Language | Spanish, Kuna, Nôbe-Buglé, and Embera |
| Well-Known Attractions | The Panama Canal – a marvel of modern architecture San Blas Archipelago – 369 islands strung along Panama's stunning Caribbean Coast The Darién Wilderness – The territory of the Embera people and one of the last great untouched wilderness areas in the Americas |
LOCAL LINGO
| Te qui te | Hello (Kuna) |
| Nuegambi | Thanks (Kuna) |
| Qué bate | Used to describe something amazing (Spanish) |
| Chuleta | Used when something is very surprising (Spanish) |
| Meera | Hello (Embera) |
| Mura capipiabua | I am happy (Embera) |
DID YOU KNOW?
The ribbon of land that connects Central America to South America, Panama has long been a key piece of real estate. At its narrowest point, only about 51 miles separate the Atlantic from the Pacific, and the earliest Spanish settlers considered the idea of building a canal to connect the two oceans. A feat of modern engineering, the Panama Canal was completed in 1914. The earth removed during its construction was enough to bury Manhattan in twelve feet of dirt. Ships traveling between New York and San Francisco save about 8,000 miles by using the canal instead of going around Cape Horn.
A unique biological corridor that connects distinct regions, Panama is a hot spot for biodiversity. The country boasts 972 different kinds of birds and thousands of plant species, many of which can not be found anywhere else on earth. Although Panama is one of the smallest nations in the Americas, it has five World Heritage sites, including the Darien Gap, the only interruption in the 29,800-mile-long Pan-American Highway. The Dairen Gap's inaccessible location and lack of infrastructure provide a refuge for many of Panama's rarest and most exotic plants and animals.
