Global Trade, Offshore Finance, and Incredible Biodiversity
Panama serves as a vital bridge between the Americas and a crossroads for global maritime trade. Blending the meticulously preserved colonial streets of Casco Viejo with a towering, ultra-modern financial district and lush tropical rainforests, Panama offers a fascinating environment to explore international commerce, diplomacy, and environmental conservation.
Why Panama
CLE Abroad invites participants to delve into Panama’s unique legal and economic landscape. Programs explore high-profile topics such as the regulation of offshore finance (including the global fallout of the Panama Papers), the complexities of U.S.-Panama diplomatic relations, and the environmental challenges—such as climate change and drought—currently impacting the Panama Canal. Legal engagements often include private briefings at the Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), discussions on lawmaking at the National Parliament (Asamblea Nacional), and deep dives into Indigenous Intellectual Property rights and Female Entrepreneurship.
Who is this for?
CLE Abroad Panama programs are highly suited for professionals, finance and business experts, citizen diplomats, and environmental justice advocates. With its incredible mix of wildlife, indigenous cultural heritage, and modern urban appeal, the destination is perfectly designed to engage mixed audiences, including professionals and companions.
Expect an inspiring balance of high-level institutional briefings and vibrant tropical immersion. Participants may meet with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MINREX) or the U.S. Embassy, and discuss constitutional law with Supreme Court Justices. Culturally, expect to take front-row seats at the Miraflores Locks to watch enormous ships transit the Panama Canal, explore the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, and take private boat expeditions across Gatun Lake to spot howler monkeys and sloths. Programs also frequently feature meaningful visits to the Embera Indigenous Community to learn about their traditions and preservation efforts.
Explore Further
CLE Abroad Panama programs typically anchor in the vibrant capital:
Panama City – A city of contrasts. Programs explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Casco Viejo (the historic Old Quarter built in 1673), the ancient ruins of Panama Viejo, and the modern financial districts of Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacifica.
Cities and visits are selected based on program focus, themes, and timing.
Programs frequently incorporate extensions to further explore the country’s diverse landscapes:
Gamboa Rainforest & The Canal Zone – Located just 45 minutes from the city, offering immersive nature experiences, the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary, and interaction with indigenous communities.
Beach & Expat Communities – Traveling west to explore the coastal retirement havens of Coronado, San Carlos, and Gorgona, offering insights into Panamanian real estate and expat living.
The Azuero Peninsula – Known for the beach communities of Chitré and Las Tablas, the site of Panama’s most famous Carnaval celebrations.
Boquete & The Chiriquí Highlands – A picturesque mountain town famous for its coffee plantations (like the Ruiz Coffee Plantation), the Barú Volcano, and spectacular hiking.
CLE Abroad Panama programs are excellent options for Spring and Fall delegations. Its tropical climate makes it a vibrant, lush destination year-round.
The CLE Abroad Experience
Dynamic, naturally breathtaking, and geopolitically vital—CLE Abroad Panama programs offer participants an unforgettable perspective on the nation that connects the world's oceans and commerce.
