Exploring the culture of the Kunas

The Kuna is the name of the indigenous people of Panama In fact Kuna means "people".

When you walk the streets of the capital city you will almost certainly see some of the Kuna women in their colorful Molas, as they head for the local markets. They speak their own language "tule". Their children you might see on a nearby basketball court because, although small in stature, they are avid competitors.

The Kunas were living in what is now Colombia at the time of the Spanish invasion, and later moved to what is now the Kuna Yala, largely because of ill treatment at the hands of the invaders.

It’s in Kuna Yala, that you will find The greatest number of Kuna, in 363 small islands of the Caribbean, and on one of them you will find Sapibenega, Kuna Lodge.

It’s not the Caribbean most visitors expect. Sapibenega in Kuna means "life". Once used as a location for the CBS Survivors series, the island has been named the finest retreat by the Lonely Planet tourist guide.

The accommodation in thatched roofed huts resembles that used by the Kunas, but with modern facilities, and there are excursions to nearby Kuna communities, to study their history and culture. You will see them at work making jewellery and molas and discover the wide range of plants they use for medicinal purposes from Coa-Coa for fighting heart disease and high blood pressure, to Morgauk inaguage to alleviate flu and colds.

It’s a journey you won’t forget.

From city to tropics in 30 minutes

By Rubén Flores Ulloa

One of the things that make Panama a fascinating place is the opportunity one has to change a Manhattan-like environment for a green landscape similar to the Amazon in less than half an hour.

This is possible due to the green forests of the Panama Canal watershed, which harbor Summit Gardens, the largest park of the Panama City metro area.

The park was established by the administration of the former Panama Canal Zone in 1923 as an experimental greenhouse fro tropical plant species brought from Africa, Asia, and South America.

A small zoo was added later as well as picnic areas, which made Summit an attractive weekend outing spot, not only for U.S. Residents of the Old Canal Zone, but also for Panamanians, who welcomed the park's transfer from the U.S. To Panamanian hands in 1979 (as a result of the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties.)

Covering 55 hectares, the park is home to hundreds of species of flora and over 300 animals. In the 1990's, a number of national and international organizations sponsored the establishment of a research and exhibit center for the Harpy Eagle, Panama's national bird.

However, the rest of the park's residents continued to live in small, outdated cages, until recent years –a fact that prompted the city's mayoralty to launch a plan to modernize the facility according to 21st century standards.

Summit is an excellent place for jogging early in the morning, birdwatching and exploring. It opens daily at 7:30 a.m. There is a small entrance fee.