New Panama cruise program

PANAMA. Panama continues to be discovered by small tour operators that are on the lookout for fresh destinations.

The American company Cruise West is introducing a new route between Panama and Costa Rica, designed for those individuals, who not only want a relaxing holiday, but also would like to visit non typical tourist places.

The revised 9-night "Between Two Seas" voyage sailing one-way between Panama City and Los Sueños, Costa Rica, takes in the sights of Portobelo and traverses the entire Panama Canal.

It will also have a stop in the Darién jungle. Newly added are two days at Coiba National Park and then to Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica.

The cruise will operate from October 26, 2009 through April 3, 2010. The cost of the cruise starts under $4,000.

The cruise ship Pacific Explorer only has accommodation for 100 guests and it starts two months ahead of the traditional cruise season.

Over the last three years the number of cruises visiting the country has increased dramatically and many who never used to stop in Panama have included it in their itinerary.

Places like the port Colon 2000 and Isla Flamenco have special facilities where cruise ships passengers can board tour buses that take them to see places of interest around Panama and Colon cities.

However, there have been incidents in near the port of Colon where tourists have been assaulted by gangs of teenagers who operate in the area. The Panama Tourism Authority has launched a program involving youth’s gangs, in which some of their members acts as tourist guides and at the same time protect the visitors.

The National Police have also increased vigilance in the area, in an effort to decrease the amount of assaults on tourists.

Meanwhile in the South Corridor more surveillance cameras have been installed after several tourists were car jacked by criminals. Tourism is an industry that is growing every year, but it has been affected by the current global economic crisis.