EcoCircuitos Panama Tour Operator

We move our blog!!!

2010-09-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Visit our new look and read new and exciting articles at:

http://ecocircuitospanama.wordpress.com/

Azuero Peninsula Getaway

2010-08-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

A trip to the Azuero Peninsula is like a step back in time. The area hosts many colorful festivals throughout the year, including the four-day carnival celebration that precedes Lent. EcoCircuitos is excited to bring you this new 5 day tour showcasing the town of Pedasi, a tour of Isla Iguana, swimming, snorkeling, whale watching, horseback riding, walks in a tropical dry forest, surfing in Playa Venao, deep sea fishing, turtle watching and more.
For complete itinerary, please contact us at sales@ecocircuitos.com

Le Meridien: Chic, Refined and Stimulating

2009-11-30T11:55:00.001-08:00

On the edge of the Bay of Panama (Calle Uruguay & Balboa Avenue) overlooking the old and new quarters of the city, they are bounded by charming restaurants and vibrant nightlife, all within a walking distance from the Financial Center. The design is jaw dropping. A double high ceiling lobby features an overturned glass pyramid reflecting vibrant colors, while a black granite lobby blends with golden accents, and a prominent 46 feet high atrium featuring lively glass. 111 spacious Guest rooms and Suites with Contemporary Décor are designed to enhance our guest experience. Luxurious bathrooms have marble & granite finish. Clubrooms have a separate bath & shower. All bathroom suites offer a choice of Jacuzzi. Ask for New Years packages and promotions at info@ecocircuitos.com

CHRISTMAS VACATION IN PANAMA

2009-10-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Bristol Panama: Set in the center of the financial center, minutes from shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife, The Bristol is a rare jewel where luxurious accommodations and sumptuous dining are blended to create.
Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa: A cozy set of villas and restaurant whose design was inspired by the Tuscan style. This exclusive boutique-spa & hotel at the outdoors rise with magnificent views in the middle of a lush vegetation. At the restaurant you have the facility to entertain your family or guests with a delicious food to the style of "Golosinas", recognized restaurant that set a standard of haute cuisine in Panama.

Bristol Buenaventura: 114 luxurious rooms and 8 Villas, spectacular views of lakes, ocean and lush vegetation, 3 elegant restaurants leaded by the most renowned Panamanian chef: Cuquita Arias. Elegant ballroom, spacious salons for corporate meetings and social events, state-of-the-art audiovisual technology for corporate meetings and events, romantic setting for weddings and anniversaries s pools and outdoor amenities and 18-hole Nicklaus Design golf course.

Valid during: From December until January 1st 2010.

Day 1 Welcome to Panama
At the appropriate time an EcoCircuitos Representative will be waiting for you at the Tocumen International Airport for transfer to the Hotel. Once arrival, please check in and overnight

Day 2 Full Day City & Canal Tour
You will depart at 9.00AM for a historical experience. During the half-day morning tour you will visit the ruins of Panama la Vieja, climb up the Cathedral tower, visit the Panama La Vieja Museum and then continue to Casco Viejo (the old city compound), which dates from the late 1600's. Casco Viejo is home to many monuments, including to Simon Bolivar, Ferdinand de Lesseps and other Frenchmen instrumental in the ill-fated attempt of the French to construct a canal through Panama. Your tour ends with a visit to the Panama Canal Museum. Then the tour continues with lunch at a Panamanian restaurant and a tour of the Panama Canal area, including the town of Balboa, formerly part of the Panama Canal Zone. You will stop at the folk art market at the old YMCA building and then visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal where large ships can be seen transiting the canal. Enjoy a presentation by the Panama Canal Authority on the history of the Panama Canal and marvel at the workings of this feat of human engineering. Late afternoon you will return to your hotel in Panama City.
Duration: 6 hours – Available from Tuesday to Sunday. Departure: 9.00AM
Include: Private transportation, lunch in a local restaurant, Historical Guide, entrance fee to Panama La Vieja Visitor Center and observation deck of Miraflores Locks. (B)

Day 3 El Valle Mountain Town – Tour & Overnight
In the morning you will be met by an EcoCircuitos representative and transferred to the mountain town of El Valle. Your adventure will begin with a drive west of Panama City and crossing the famous Americans Bridge that was established 1963. You will drive along the Pan-American Highway passing small restaurants, local stores, until you reach El Valle de Anton. Check-in and overnight at Los Mandarinos Boutique-Spa & Hotel. (B)***During your stay you will have included breakfast and thermal circuit (Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish baht, and sequential biothermal shower)

Day 4 Exploring El Valle – Lodging at Los Mandarinos
Optional spa activities, hiking, bird watching can be organized in the area upon request or by your own. (B)
During your stay you will have included breakfast and thermal circuit (Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish baht, and sequential biothermal shower)

Day 5: Panama’s Pacific Coast – Brand New Bristol Buenaventura
This journey takes us to a special place on the Pacific side of Panama. Located on nearly 800 acres of tropical paradise along the Pacific Coast of Panama, Bristol Buenaventura redefines rewarding escapes. Just 80 minutes west from Panama City 126 luxurious rooms with vistas including lake front villas with plunge pools. Elegant function spaces, indoor and out, uncompromising attention to details. Five inspiring dining option. Pristine skies, white sand beaches – horseback riding, jet skiing, fishing, kayaks or hiking, all within the precincts. A renewal spa and signature golf course. (B)

Day 6 - 8: Beach Resort – Pacific Coast
You will have free days for your relaxation, leisure and optional activities at the resort. Optional tours can be arranged upon request. (B)

Day 9: Departure
Today at the appropriate time transfer to Tocumen International Airport. (B)

PRICE PER PERSON / Minimum 2 pax $ 2,199.00

Includes: 8 nights of lodging + taxes, meet and greet at the international airport, English Speaking Guide during City Tour & El Valle Tour, private transportation, meals as specified above, information kit and 24 hours assistance of EcoCircuitos Panama.

For more information, please contact us at sales@ecocircuitos.com or www.ecocircuitos.com or + 507 314-0068

Hot Pick from EcoCircuitos & Fundación Avifauna

2009-10-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Wildlife Observation at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Early in the morning an EcoCircuitos naturalist guide will picked you at the hotel for a 45-minute ride along the scenic Gamboa Road to Pipeline Road located in the Soberania National Park. You will experience a unique tour where you will be able to explore the trails and the canopy of the Soberania National Park; you will be fascinated by the beautiful view of the forest, the lake and the national parks that protect the canal’s watershed. After a hike around the trails of the forest, you will climb the observation tower of 100 feet with spiral stairs and 4 rest platforms every 25 feet. This painted steel tower blend with nature and has been specially designed by the Panamanian architect Patrick Dillon and constructed entirely by hand and recycling materials. Our naturalist guide will explain you the wildlife you will observe during this trip and you will learn about the sustainable use of water and the recycling materials of the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, a great educational facility in the core of the forest managed by Fundación Avifauna. For more information prices and other tours, please contact us at sales@ecocircuitos.com

Panama Jazz Festival 2010

2009-10-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

Visit Panama in January (11 – 16th) during a one-week of pure jazz music, with musical auditions, artistic workshops, and some live free performances in the Old Quarter and National Theater at the rhythm of piano and saxophone with Danilo Peréz as the creator and organizer of this festival. American jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter's acclaimed quartet with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade, and the legendary Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes are among the headliners at past Panama Jazz Festival. The Boston-based Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez, who founded the festival in 2003 and whose Foundation coordinates its educational component, anticipates more than 16,000 attendees. Main Concert in Plaza Catedral is free. Schedule and performers artist will be available in October. For more information about this event and packages and tours during this week, please contact us at sales@ecocircuitos.com

Infected by the influenza in Panama recover and resume work

2009-06-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

After undergoing supervised isolation by the local public health authorities and overcoming the virus, nearly 63% of the persons that had been diagnosed with the influenza A (H1N1), which has not caused a single fatality in the country, have been cured and have returned to their daily activities according to the Ministry of Health (MINSA).

Last May 20, Panamá became the second country in the world and the first in Central America to present to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) a strain of the virus to help with the production of a vaccine.

Having a facility in Panamá such as The Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine (GMITP), that sends regularly strains of seasonal influenza virus to various laboratories has put Panamá in an outstanding international level.

Parallel to these contributions and scientific investigations, the health authorities of Panamá have sent continued messages of prevention and control through mass media communications with the participation of authorized spokepersons in training and delivery of informational material to different areas of the society.

Due to the positive results of this awareness campaign and the reduction of the cases, Panamanian health authorities have announced the flexibility of some of the preventions set up to control the spread of the virus and have cut the restrictions to celebrate massive events and have recommended the use of the face mask only in cases of respiratory problems to the personnel of the Tocumen International Airport.

Panama, June 2009.
By ATP (Panamanian Tourism Authority)

EcoCircuitos Donates to Casa Esperanza

2009-05-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

EcoCircuitos has been involve in Responsible Tourism in Panama for many years and we believe in supporting different organizations by collaborating with community development and conservation. Casa Esperanza support children of extreme poverty in Panama by giving them education and home. EcoCircuitos donates $0.20 per person, per day on every tour we operate to different organizations as Casa Esperanza in Panama.

You can support Casa Esperanza by:
• Help local schools provide education material, supplies – currently we are searching for funding to install a sidewalk in Darién. The lack of one currently poses a major hazard to children walking alongside the road to school. Contact us for a complete school wish list.
• Sponsor a child’s education through the scholarship program.
• Buy plants to be reforested in a biological corridor- visit a local farm in communities that neighbor a private reserves and help in planting native trees on the property and promotes environmental education. If you like, you can help plant them yourself or even better, invite a local school to join you.

Suggestions for travelers and tourists

2009-03-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

TAKE BOOKS AND LEAVE BOOKS - Global understanding could vastly be improved if we took (and left) better books on our trips! Once you have decided where you are traveling, email locals and ask if you can bring something. This is a variation of the Platinum Rule (Do unto others as they would like to have you do unto them). If you have academic leanings, before you go do some research and find out if the local libraries can use more technical materials and take them something they can use.

PICK UP THE TRASH - Actions speak louder than words. If you are concerned about the environment, show that you care by picking up trash and never throwing anything of yours on the ground. As the adage goes, 'pack it in, pack it out.'

LEARN THE LANGUAGE - Learn and use a few words starting with 'hello' and 'thank you.' If you have the time, take a language class.

BE RESPECTFUL OF PEOPLE'S PRIVACY - Some people do not wish to be visited. In rural communities, wait until you are invited to approach homes or groups of people.

BE RESPECTFUL OF RESTRICTIONS - Some communities may be closed to visitors. Natural attractions might be off limits for cultural or environmental reasons. When in doubt of whether or not to proceed, ask first.

BE RESPECTFUL OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE - Traditional land owners should be acknowledged. Aboriginal and indigenous people working in tourism take their role of welcoming visitors very seriously. Recognize their connection to the land and you'll learn to see the world differently.

BUY LOCAL CRAFTS - If you are looking for a gift or a souvenir, patronize the arts and demonstrate your support for local culture. Buying from a local artisan can cut out 40 steps in the traditional export chain. Planeta.com's Tourism and Crafts Guide explains the details. What not to buy? Items made from endangered animals or pirated archaeological treasures.

CONTRIBUTE TO A LOCAL CHARITY - Ask around and find out which social or environmental efforts can use your time or a financial contribution. Be generous!

SUPPORT URBAN ECOTOURISM - Before heading to the 'pristine' wilderness, visit some city parks. There are few remote ecolodges that are not visited in transit via a major metropolis. For those inclined, please sign the Urban Ecotourism Declaration.

From: Planeta

Hot Picks for this High Season

2009-01-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

The Canal & Rainforest Experience (7 days / 6 nights)
This tour package features a daylong trip through the Panama Canal starting at the Pacific and ending in the Atlantic. You will be accompanied by an expert guide who will give a detailed explanation of the canal's fascinating history – from the French’s attempts to build a sea level canal, through the final days of the United States' project. You will stay at the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort or Canopy Lodge, constructed on the banks of the Chagres River located near Lake Gatun at the mid-point of the Panama Canal. Here you will be surrounded by lush tropical forest, yet only 45 minutes from Panama City. This is a great family adventure
* Arrival on Thursdays From: $970.00 per person Min. 4 people

The Panama Journey (11 Days / 10nights)
On this journey you will visit some of Panama's most stunning Caribbean beaches, the Kuna Kingdom of San Blas and experience an unforgettable encounter with the Embera tribe in the Chagres National Park. Then you will hike Boquete mountain town on the Costa Rican border, to observe rare and elusive bird species in a tropical cloud forest. Finally, enjoy the beauty of Bocas del Toro, an Afro-Panamanian paradise on the Caribbean coast. This is a great adventure for couples. From: $1785.00 per person Min. 4 people

The Grand Panama Migration (13 days / 12 nights)
This great adventure just for commited birders who want to discover the gret birding diversity of the Isthums of Panama. From: $2140.00 Min. 4 people

For complete itineraries our quotes, please contact us at www.ecocircuitos.com

Panama moving toward sustainable tourism

2008-12-23T07:53:00.001-08:00

The World Tourism Organization (OMT), on the basis of the definition of sustainable development, affirms that the development of sustainable tourism responds to the needs of the tourists and the regional hosts both protecting and improving the future for new opportunities.

The Central American Tourism Chamber defines it as: a tourism activity which involves itself in the ecosystem and the utilization of renewable resources in order to benefit communities where the activity takes place.
This type of tourism focuses on the essential management of all resources in order to satisfy economic, social and aesthetic needs, while respecting cultural integrity, ecological processes, biological diversity and all systems that support life.

This is the way some countries have already begun to address this topic. Such has been the case of Costa Rica that with the objective of becoming the first 100% sustainable destination in the world, as well as the first country with zero carbon emissions by 2021.

The neighboring country will promote more hotels and tour operators in this respect to certify that their businesses are environmentally friendly through the Certificado de Sostenibilidad Turística (Tourism Certificate of Sustainability (CST)).
The program, created in 1999, tries to categorize and certify tourism related companies in agreement with the degree in which their operations come near a model of sustainability; nevertheless, the advance has been slow as the supply of evaluators is far lower than the demand of the companies.

The spokesman noted there is no doubt there are countries like Costa Rica that are further ahead on this matter, as they have been working with international organizations for the preservation of the planet for many years.

Actions have also been taken by trade associations, recently the Panamanian Association of Sustainable Tourism was created (APTSO), with more than 70 individual and corporate members to date.

Annie Young, President of APTSO indicated that Panamá has a new tourism master plan which, “propels sustainable tourist development through the improvement of the institutional capacity at a national and regional level (the development of human resources, investigation and better sector planning including the government), and locally (the development of the community which promotes it).

"In order for Panama to think about certification of sustainable tourism it’s very important to become aware of what sustainable tourism is; although the word is widely used, many of the practices are still unknown."

Among sustainable practices for tourism companies, as well as not touristic, are the maximum reduction of residual water, diminishing water consumption. When decisions related to nature are made, local plants and trees must be chosen, requiring less use of water, fertilizers and pesticides as well as biodegrading detergents. A program should be established in order to treat solid residues, based on the three “R’s”, reduce, re utilize, and recycle. Wild animals should not be kept in captivity, the use renewable energy sources, to name a few.

Annie Young explained that very few hotels and operators practice sustainable tourism in Panamá due to lack of knowledge. Some hotels and tourism companies in Panamá are recognized internationally for their practices of responsible tourism.

APTSO in conjunction with AviFauna, the National Association for the Conservation of Nature (Ancón) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), are working on the initiation of practical guides of sustainable tourism which are expected to become a tool for Panamanian tourism companies. Such guide is a manual for tour operators, hotels and communities. They are actions to be implemented in the short, mid and long term range.

In addition they are working on a sustainable tourism directory to be edited on CD, to be promoted internationally at fairs and tourist events and on a website.

For Scott Muller, vice-president of APTSO and one of the authors of the guides of sustainable tourism of the Agreement of Biological Diversity (CBD) which Panamá ratified through Law 2 of 1995, believes that the initiative of Costa Rica to become the first destination in the world with 100% sustainable tourism is a good intention and recognizes that “if there is a thing which make Ticos better than us, is their advertising and trade“.

To certify or not to certify
But do tourists value more a country with certification, over one which doesn’t Muller says that “the market in many cases is established when tourists discover it’s not sustainable, they disappear. But mainly, the monitoring of impacts from tourism is extremely important.“

He indicated in comparison to other countries of the region the process of sustainability in Panamá is “inclusive and there are many examples where it’s working in an excellent way“. For example, one practice of sustainable tourism in Panamá are the Canopy Tower tours, Eco-circuitos Panamá, the AviFauna operations, the “La Montaña y el Valle” Hotel, Tropical Expeditions and their aquatic paths, the town of Tigre in the Kuna Yala region, to name a few.

For instance, as far as tour operated Ecocircuitos Panamá is concerned, they train their guides and customers not to feed artificially wild animals, they provide bottled water to their employees and customers in order to responsibly use natural resources such as water. They recycle paper, plastic and ink; they are firm believers in responsible purchasing practices.

He also indicated it’s really difficult to certify sustainability practices since the concept is tied to the present reality and changes between cultures and times. There is not one single definition. We speak of sustainability when there is a “Co-evolution” between the players who participate in this change. In this sense, APTSO makes the co-evolution possible between the private sector, the tourists, the natural and cultural heritage, and the government.

The certification, according to Muller excludes people who do not have the means and frequently the use of non-government agencies. Nevertheless, the Panamanian tourism industry wants the players of this change to operate under an environmental, social and cultural umbrella. “It’s not necessary to certify oneself to be sustainable”, stated the spokesman.

Stocks
At the trade level, APTSO has begun a series of actions to motivate sustainable practices. For example, they have made forums of sustainable tourism through the exchange of experiences and successful examples. For instance in Panama we have: Canopy Tower tours, Tranquilo Bay, Punta Caracol and Cala Mia as hotels of success. These are companies that take advantage of their privileged location and understand that tourism today is very interrelated with an environmental and cultural experience. Although they are not registered they promote these practices.

APTSO has also carried out a diffusion of objectives, exchange of experiences with the local industry and the successful experiences of other countries. In addition they have created alliances with local nongovernmental organizations like Ancon and AviFauna and with international organizations such as The Travel Foundation of the United Kingdom.

The Organization doesn’t yet provide certification, but hopes to be an organization which recognizes local tourism companies which fulfill a worthy program in sustainable tourism.

At the moment it’s important for APTSO to finalize the sustainable practice guides which will be an excellent tool for companies wishing to start practicing sustainable tourism.

Carbon emissions free
In the case of Costa Rica their strategy looks for the tourism industry to incorporate practices to mitigate the climatic impact change, they set out as their goal to become a neutral destination in carbon emissions by 2021.

As of that date, all companies of the tourism sector will have to implement practical measurable practices for the mitigation and compensation of the greenhouse gas effect.

This strategy will be developed in two fundamental stages; first the transportation sector, which generates 80% of the greenhouse gas effect, and the hotel sector, making emphasis on the use of electrical energy.

With regard to the greenhouse gas effect, Panamá has a great challenge ahead, in this country in year 1990 the emissions reached the 3,134,180 tons of CO2, which was almost twice as much in 2005 with 5,894,020 tons of CO2.

The numbers of growth in CO2 emissions in Latin America for the period 1990 -2005 indicate that Panamá increased 88%, Peru 76%, Brazil 61%, Argentina 39%, Mexico 12% and Colombia 2%.

From: The Panama Post
www.thepanamapost.com