Panama gets ready for whale watching show in the Pacific

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Panama gets ready for whale watching show in the Pacific

Wed, 07/04/2018 - 13:52

The Panamanian Pacific Ocean coast will receive between July and October the first humpback whales of the migratory season, which begin their journey from the Northern and Southern Hemisphere to Panama in order to give birth to their offspring and reproduce, reported the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).

The spectacle of the giants of the seas, which make their journey every year, can be seen from the Gulf of Chiriquí, South of Veraguas and the Azuero Peninsula, to Las Perlas Archipelago, which is about 50 kilometers south of the Panamanian capital.

The tourist entity said these mammals that undertake their trip to Panamanian waters to have their offspring and reproduce, remain from the breastfeeding process until two months of birth; although they lack data on the number of whales that migrate.

That is why the tourism manager in Panama reported that tour operators have prepared sightings tours of these huge specimens that impress tourists with their show of jumps and dives, being the coast of Pedasí, in the central province of Los Santos, and Taboga Island in the province of Panama, the two best places for travelers.

This activity will be complemented with excursions to beaches, diving, snorkeling and bird watching, through tour packages that companies sell for the whale season.

According to the entity's data, in 2017 whale watching, together with the observation of sea turtles, increased hotel occupancy in Pedasí by 80 percent in a traditionally low season due to the rainy season.

The head of Community Tourism Planning ATP, Juan De Dios Portugal, stressed that due to the international and local promotion, last year's whale season attracted 50 percent of Panamanian tourists and 50 percent of foreigners, mostly Americans, Canadians and Europeans.

He said within the "Site Guides" program, which is provided by the entity nationwide, they have prepared to receive tourists with historical site reports, customer service, the role of the sighting guide, and first aid.

The cost of this activity on average for a group of about six people ranges between $ 60 and $ 70 per person, and if the visitor wants to go on their own, the boat can cost $ 120.

The recommendations for whale watching include: do not approach less than 250 meters from a whale with its baby, turn off the engine of the boat if you get to have a spontaneous approach of the species to the boat, do not chase the animals, neither swim or dive with them.

Cetacean watching tourism began in Panama in the late 1990s and, according to Wetlands International organization, annual revenues of more than 3 million dollars are reported.

 

http://www.panamatoday.com/life-style/panama-gets-ready-whale-watching-show-pacific-7245