Panama Port Guide

The Railway Founded: Pre-Columbian populations are known to have inhabited Panama as far back as 11,000 years ago. King Charles V of Spain n b st of t n Pa na ma Cana authorized a survey of the region in 1534. Don't miss out on the top Points of Interest in this port — Region: The Isthmus is a land bridge Book a Princess Excursion and experience them for yourself! connecting North and . • Pan Viejo - Population: 3.4 million (est. 2010) with about • 1.2 million in the Panama City metro area. The The original devastated city is still Ride the world's first transcontinental population of ColOn is 204,000 (est. 2000). in ruins, and has become known as railway. Experience Panama's rainforest

Climate: Situated just a few degrees above Panama Viejo, or "Old Panama." Take setting along the historic route the equator, Panama's temperatures vary in the sights, sounds, and shopping at originally built in 1850 during the little from month to month. Enjoying a tropical this historic location. heyday of the California gold rush. climate, Panama experiences daytime temperatures from 80° F to 90° F. The rainy O Casco Viejo - Panama City 43 Aerial Tram & Soberania Nat'l Park season occurs April through December, but Casco Viejo displays a mix of Nestled within the vast Soberania showers are often followed by sunshine. architectural styles, which reflect National Park, an aerial tram soars Language: Spanish, although English is the cultural diversity of the country. over the Gamboa rainforest, a jungle widely spoken. Caribbean, Art Deco, French & Colonial paradise and complex ecological Currency: U.S. dollar. architecture mix in this historic area. system showcasing spectacular Local Cuisine: Everything from French and vegetation and wildlife. Gatun Locks Italian to Chinese and Middle Eastern is available. Traditional Panamanian cooking Witness the workings of the Panama • Cruise borrows from the Caribbean and Spain and Canal at Gatun Locks Observation A jungle boat excursion through incorporates many indigenous vegetables, Area. Take in the engineering feat the dense rainforest highlights the fruits and herbs. Enjoy this delicious fare at required to move ships over a abundance of exotic wildlife and restaurants, beachside cafés and fondas (roadside food stands) continental divide that separates two breathtaking scenery found along this oceans. vital waterway, a key component of the Tipping: Suggested tipping is 15-20% for good Panama Canal's intricate system. service. • Locks The Miraflores Locks Observation O Embera Indians Center provides a close view of the Experience traditional Embera Explore Panama with a Princess functioning of the locks. The Miraflores hospitality when visiting a world of Shore Excursion. Visit the Tour Locks are part of the engineering ancient ritual, native culture and Office for more information. marvel that makes the Panama Canal. timeless wonder. Panama Canal The epic sea change

It would be an understatement to say that the Panama Canal is one of the great engineering feats of the 20th century, managing to do what nature forgot to do — connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific, reducing the 12,000- mile sailing distance between New York and San Francisco by more than 7,000 miles.

The discovery A must-see destination on every traveler's list, the Panama Canal opened in 1914, fulfilling a dream 400 years in the making. The 51-mile route cuts through sheer granite and Gatun Lake dense jungle, creating a vital trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. More than 1 million ships have traveled through the canal's intricate lock system, one of the most Stroll through history challenging engineering projects ever undertaken. It was on Panamanian soil that Spain founded its first city on Gatun Locks are the first set of locks on the Atlantic side. The solid ground. Panama la Vieja (Old Panama) grew rapidly from three-step process lifts the ship 85 feet above sea level and its establishment in 1519. It maintained a position as chief post into Gatun Lake. of the Pacific, and through it passed treasures from the mines of Peru and the pearl fisheries in the Bay of Panama. Although A complete transit to the Pacific would include two more the city survived a series of devastating fires, it was ultimately sets of locks. The Pedro Miguel Locks step down 26 feet and destroyed by pirates lead by buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan. Miraflores Locks has two more steps down, lowering vessels Casco Viejo replaced the city in the same year, and although another 58 feet. This set of locks is the the largest and tallest the location had changed, it preserved the original street plan. due to fluctuating tides. The architecture is an unusual mixture of Spanish, French Explore in style and early American styles, and the Colonial-era center is a An eco-cruise along tranquil Gatun Lake takes you through a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This charming district is home to labyrinth of verdant islands that are home to an abundance several monuments and museums and is wisely protected by of wildlife and the famed Monkey Island, named for its playful a sea wall erected to guard against pirate attacks. A stroll atop inhabitants. The two species most often seen are the howler this wall affords breathtaking Pacific Ocean views. monkey and the capuchin monkey, equally adorable and Cultural expression mischievous. To really experience the origins of Panama, travel further back Extraordinary scenery flanks the Panama Canal, and thrilling in time and into the jungles of Chagres, where a traditional views can be captured aboard the historic Panama Canal Embera Indian Village waits to be discovered. The Embera Railroad. Originally built in 1855, it was the first transcontinental are an indigenous tribe, and daily life here is much as it was railroad ever constructed. It follows a picturesque path across centuries ago. Tribal members welcome you to their authentic the Isthmus of Panama, past the canal's locks, magnificent homes, and proudly display their original handicrafts. Gaillard Cut, and the slender causeways in Gatun Lake. Panama City uniquely blends natural splendor and a strong Prefer a bird's eye view of this incredible landscape? Then cultural history with one of the greatest man-made marvels climb aboard an aerial tram ride that takes you 280 feet above of concrete and steel. Yet this diverging heritage produces the rainforest floor. A naturalist accompanies guests on this adventure, excitement and beauty to those who visit its shores. scenic journey, and a stop at the observation tower affords splendid views of Soberania National Park. Established in 1980, Soberania National Park borders much of the eastern side of the canal. Home to 105 species of mammals and over 525 different species of birds, the Camino de Cruces that crosses through the park is an actual road that the Spanish used to transport gold overland from the Pacific to their ships in the Caribbean. c`a" Did you know?

Building blocks Hats off Souvenir shopping The most expansive man-made project The Panama hat isn't made in Panama Replicas of huacas, traditional objects ever undertaken was the construction at all. It originated in Ecuador but was made before the arrival of the Spanish, of the Panama Canal. It took more than worn by the balding Ferdinand de convey spiritual meaning and are 34 years to complete and cost the lives Lesseps during the building of the popular mementos from Panama. They of over 25,000 people, who died from canal. They were then imported from can be purchased in various materials either tropical diseases or landslides. Ecuador to be used by the thousands of from clay to gold. Colorful canvas canal workers to protect them from the Tweet intense tropical sun. The Canal Administration Building was Pipeline Road is a superstar among the built in 1914. Four magnificent murals Snow cone Audubon Society. In just one day in 1996, depicting the heroism exhibited during Panamanians love snow cones, known 525 species of birds were recorded! the building of the canal surround as raspadors. Vendors scrape shavings Tropical studies its beautiful glass cupola. They were of ice into a cone and add a dash of painted by William B. Van Ingen, fruit flavors and a squirt of condensed What began as a small field station who also did murals for the U.S. Mint milk or honey. Refreshing! in the in 1923 has developed into The Smithsonian in Philadelphia and the Library of The city of Colon Congress in Washington. Tropical Research Institution, one of the The city was founded by Americans leading research centers in the world About the railway in 1850 as the Atlantic terminus of specializing in biological diversity and The Panama Canal Railway was built the Panama Canal Railroad, which visited by 1,000 scientists from around across the isthmus from 1850 to 1855, was under construction to meet the the world each year. running 47 miles from Colon, on the gold rush demand for a fast route to First transit Atlantic Coast, to Panama City on the California. Pacific side. The cargo ship Ancon was the first Get lost vessel to pass through the Panama Mark your calendar In Panama City, most residential streets Canal on August 15, 1914. By using the The anniversary of the opening of either have no name or three different canal, 7,800 miles is cut off of a journey the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914, ones! Some say that's the reason that from New York to San Francisco. coincides with the anniversary of the Panama City never developed a postal founding of Old Panama on August 15, delivery system. Residents have post 1519. office boxes, called apartados.

Practical Information Shore Excursion departures: Passengers Cruise Terminal in ColOn, located on the Princess Cruises Port Agent: In case will meet at a specific location. Please . The tours return to this of an emergency while you are ashore, refer to your tour ticket and/or the point. All remaining passengers are able please contact: Princess Patter for the place and time. to disembark in Colon, where they may Norton Lilly International (Panama), S.A. It's always recommended that you drink explore the dockside shops. (507) 269-1613 bottled water while in port. Colon 2000 Cruise Terminal: The Going Ashore: After your ship building features lounge areas, Radisson completes her transit of the Gatun Hotel, restaurant and bar, supermarket, Locks, only passengers booked on and souvenirs. Colon remains essentially Princess Cruises-organized tours will an industrial area with few attractions. be permitted to disembark and go There are no tours offered in Colon. ashore by tender. Later in the day, the Time Zone: Central Standard Time ship then retraces her route through the Gatun Locks to dock at ColOn 2000 •

S

ID p-aiite'olitto

COLON

Parque Nacional Chagres

e COCO irai‘o PUERTO PILON • COLON • • CRit, STOBAL 0 MARGA RITA

GATUN 0* •EL LIMON 0 I ESCO: I• Points of interest GAMBOA T d Pan Viejo - Panama City * o LAS CUMBRES o Casco Viejo - Panama City • O Gatun Locks o Miraflores Locks 43 Panama Canal Railway PARAISO 0 Aerial Tram & Soberania National Park o Cruise Gatun Lake O Embera Indians

COL( \64' BALB ml 0 10 FUERTE A km 0 10