Laguna de San Carlos (San Carlos Lake)

If you love nature, you're really going to enjoy this place. In the foothills of Picacho Hills (1.100m or 3608ft) is located Laguna de San Carlos, with an altitude of almost 800m above sea level  and surrounded by green mountains partially covered by fog  this place is wonderful. So perfect to pitch a tent, rest, picnic, paddle, fish, oh yes you can catch a very modest diversity of fishes including river shrimps. If you like walking you can walk down the paths around the lake or even visit the summit of the mountains and enjoy the view.

The climate here is much cooler than the average temperature of Panama city. Temperatures can range from 27°C (80°F) to 18°C (64 °F), during summer is very windy and the lake is almost 2 meters below its normal level. Through winter the lake can reach up to 10 meters depth.

Laguna de San Carlos is approximately 100 kms from Panama City. To get there you need to drive all the way like if you’re going to Coronado beach, and 50 mts before Coronado’s main entrance, on the right hand you will see a green road sign that reads Las Lajas, then you take this way and drive up all the way (no deviation) for 20 kms, almost 25 minutes, and you will see the paved road ends, here you make a turn to the right and drive on a gravel road for around 3 minutes until you finally get to the lake.

Now drop a comment ;)  and enjoy the pictures!!

Laguna de San Carlos

Sunset at Laguna de San Carlos

Picacho Hill

Boat for rent

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SAN BLAS

Recently (Feb 18-21, 2012) I went back to San Blas for the third time in my life, and I will not get tired of saying these are to me the most amazing beaches anyone can ever see. And its not that I have been to many other beaches in the world, but you just have to be there and will definitely agree with me. San Blas is an indian region, or reservation comprising approximately 378 islands and cays, of which only 49 are inhabited. They lie off the north coast of the Isthmus, east of the Panama Canal. They are home to the Kuna Indians and a part of the comarca Kuna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

Chichimé Island

Big Dog Island

You will not find here 5 stars hotels or luxury, locals make a big effort to keep this place untouched by human civilization as much as they can. However you can find accommodation in decent cabins and small hotels run by Kuna Indians. Camping at the islands is also very common between visitors who want to experience nature at its most. Just imagine, perfect blue skies, pleasant sea breeze and during the night a stunning starry sky.

Chichimé Island

Dog Island

The Swimming Pool

San Blas can be visited via domestic flights which depart from Albrook Airport (25 mins flight) or by car through its recently enhanced road. The trip by car takes about 2 and a half hours, from Panama City to Carti. In Carti people leave their cars and hop on a boat. The nearest island, Isla Aguja (Needle Island) is at about 20 mins from Carti. Another very famous island is Isla Perro (Dog Island, 45 mins away), with a sunken ship in front of the beach now a colorful coral garden, perfect for snorkel. Also very popular and near Isla Perro is La Piscina (the swimming pool) a sand bank in the middle of the ocean, water level is no higher than your waist so you can hop off the boat, swim, snorkel and play around in the very middle of the ocean with no danger. Very recommended is Isla Pelicano, I haven't been there yet, and Chichimé Island, this one is the one I like the most because of its pristine water, although all san blas islands have pristine waters, actually I think I liked this island the most because it's not very visited, not crowded, like all the other beaches it has fine white sand, the only cons may be that it is almost 60 mins from Carti. I almost forgot to mention Isla Perro Grande also known as Isla Perro 2 (Big Dog Island or Dog Island 2) which is larger than Isla Perro 1 and less visited which also makes it a very good option.

I'm sharing some pictures in the blog, hope you like them. If you'd love to do business or live in Panama email me at: liveinpanama@live.com

Sunset from our Hotel

Kikirdub Hotel

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Posted in: playas