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Photo Samples, North / Central America
Nicaragua, Costa
Rica and Panamá
The south-eastern part of
Central America is certainly less historically interesting than Guatemala,
Honduras and Yucatan, however, if you are looking for nature and colonial
architecture, it's hard to beat the rain forests of Costa Rica, the classic
cities of Leon and Granada - and anything in Panama.
Of these, Costa Rica has "suffered" badly from over-tourism
for a decade or two, while Nicaragua to the west and Panama to the east are
much more unspoilt. In particular Panama is a gem but for some funny reason,
te tourist trail seems to run in between Guate and Costa Rica - avoiding El
Salvador and Panama alltogether. On my latest visit to the region, these two
countries proved to be the pearl.
As always, all photos are © Claus Qvist Jessen, and none
of them are to be used without my permission.
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Happy man in a local wheelchair; Honduran border, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The largest cathedral in all of Central America, the one in León, Nicaragua,
seen from the Parque Central. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The church and convent of San Fransisco; León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Inside the convent of San Fransisco; León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Selling hot-dogs in front of the Martyrs Monument; León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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A nice place to study: The market of León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Happy faces at the market of León, Nicaragua. Maiz are being fried and
potatoes weighed. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Street-side money changer; León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Christmas is coming! Deers on display at the streets of León, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The magnificent cathedral of Granada, Nicaragua. Originally built in the
16th century, it has been rebuilt several times later on - last time in
1915. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Another colonial church of Granada, Nicaragua, the Iglesia de San
Fransisco. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Colonial building close to the Parque Central; Granada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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In Granada, Nicaragua, horse carts still do as taxis - not only for
tourists. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Happy traditional dancer girls at the Parque Central of Granada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Making a
hammock is always done by hand.
Granada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Scenes from the bus station; Grenada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Carts at Lago Nicaragua; Grenada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Tilapia and cichlids being sold at the fish market; Grenada, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Sunset on the magnificent Lago Nicaragua; Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local boat plying the Lago Nicaragua; Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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No dogs, guns or knives allowed on the boat! Lago Nicaragua; Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The fantastic and still active Volcan Concepcion of the very rural Isla
de Omitepe (Omitepe Island) of Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The smaller and less known Volcan Madeira; Isla de Omitepe (Omitepe
Island) of Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Growing tobacco close to San José de Sur; Isla de Omitepe (Omitepe
Island) of Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local hut in a small hamlet close to San José de Sur; Isla de Omitepe
(Omitepe Island), Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The weekly pig-towing of San José de Sur; Isla de Omitepe (Omitepe
Island), Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Friendly faces; San José de Sur; Isla de Omitepe (Omitepe Island), Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Wooden toy trucks from the tiny village of Alta Gracia, second town on Isla
Omitepe in the middle of Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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A "real" truck - and, believe it or not, it was actually operational! Alta Gracia; Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The local sport: Pool; Alta Gracia, Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Shy girl eating chips; Alta Gracia, Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Delicious cooking; Alta Gracia, Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The local broom girl; Alta Gracia, Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local worker from Alta Gracia, second town on Isla
Omitepe in the middle of Lago Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Girl at school, Alta Gracia, Omitepe, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Rio San Juan at El Castillo, Nicaragua. Further downstream, the San Juan becomes
the border with Costa Rica. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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Sunset at the Rio San Juan at El Castillo, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| Waiting
for the signal. Local riders
on horses and mules before the race, during the annual fiesta in El Castillo, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| The
beach of
Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua. In the summer (June to October), thousands
of turtles lay their eggs here - always at nighttime. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Pacific views at Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Road
works at the
semi-deserted hamlet of Las Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The difference in between high and low tide is a couple of meters. These
boats only get water at high tide. Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The main reason to go to Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua, is the mangrove
hinterland. Chances of spotting birds and reptile is quite good. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Locals fishing in the mangrove swamps behind Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local fishing boat; Playa Las Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Lucky boy with a good catch: A 10 pound Spanish mackerel; Playa Las
Penitas, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The bay of Bluefields, one of the most colourful (and unfortunately most criminal) towns in
Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local market in Bluefields, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Doing the
yo-yo in a church window; Bluefields, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Kids at the Indian island of Rama Key, just 10-15 kms south of
Bluefields. Hardly any tourists have ever heard about the place, which
is inhabited by 100 % pure-blooded Indians. A rare sight these days. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Fishing from a small bridge in one of the true wonders of the world:
Isla de Maiz, a tiny island four hours of sailing from Bluefields,
Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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The local market of Isla de Maiz; Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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Local fisherman, Robbie, showing a beautiful "shad", caught by the
Danish tourist - me. Isla de Maiz, Nicaragua. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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Local houses; Isla de Maiz, Nicaragua.
© Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| Very
local barbecue; Isla de Maiz,
Nicaragua.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Funny blue lizard of Isla San Andres. The island belongs to Colombia,
but it's only a few kilometers from Isla de Maiz of Nicaragua. The main
export in between the two is cocaine, which may explain the blue lizards! © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Catholicism
is very strong in Latin America, and being there during Semana Santa (Easter) virtually
ensures an extrordinary adventure. This Jesus look-alike boy is from a
Good Friday Easter parade in San José, Costa Rica. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The quiet
backwaters of Tortuguero, Costa Rican Carribbean. Great for watching
birds and fishing.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Different light, same adventure; Tortuguero, Costa Rican Carribbean.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local guy Jim doing his cooking in his very primitive shelter. The menu
was colourful cichlids caught the same morning.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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After laying her eggs, this female Atlantic Green Turtle returns to her
right element - the Carribbean Ocean.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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The Carribbean coast of Costa Rica is largely without cars and other
hard traffic. Instead, the towns are made of stilt-houses with
rain-proof cement
pavement in between; Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Carribbean
bars are full of cheap beer and rum, and an excellent way of getting to know the locals is
to start drinking. Being a non-drinker won't do you much good! Barra del
Colorado, Costa Rica.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Local happiness at Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica. The gentleman at the
right is my old friend Alejandro Guiterrez in whose house I have been
staying three
times from 1990 to 1995. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Danish angler Johnny Jensen i a hammock in the house of Don Alejandro
Guiterrez of Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The main
reason to go to
Barra del Colorado in Costa Rica: The fishing, here represented by a
self-caught 80 pound tarpon. Click on the "Tropical
Fishing" to see more Costa Rican fishing shots. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The main
street of the beautiful highland town of Boquete, western Panama.
Due to the pleasant climate, Boquete has become a favourite refuge of
rich American retired people. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The Rio
Caldera of Boquete, Panama.
Further upstream, there is a chance of catching a trout. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Traditional dancer of the western highlands of Panama; here in Boquete. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Small
bus passenger, obviously a bit afraid of the cold; Boquete, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
local beggar of Boquete, Panama,
holding his newest possesion: my blue t-shirt. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Ngöbe-Buglé women and her son from the highlands north of Boquete,
Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Ngöbe-Buglé girls of the highlands north of Boquete, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Ngöbe-Buglé dresses for sale; Boquete highlands, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Sunset
acros the Golfo de Chiriqui; western Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Fishing
boats; Chiriqui, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Rock
islands of the Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama.
Several larger islands have been bought by European and American
millionaires and huge mansions have been built. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| A fine,
10 pound red snapper ("pargo") from Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Jumping
howler monkey; Chiriqui, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Road-side toilet; Chiriqui Province, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Azuero Peninsula is famous for their colourful fiestas, in particular
during the carnival in February or Corpus Christi in June. For the
occasion, elaborate masks are made; Villa Los Santos, Azuero Peninsula,
Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Bell
tower; Villa Los Santos, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Happy
chef; Villa Los Santos, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Lottery
vendor; Las Tablas, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Musical
cafe owner of Las Tablas, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| A chair
is being made; Las Tablas, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
village of Santo Domingo is famous for its makers of "polleras", the
traditional wedding outfit of women. This gentlewoman is aged more than
70 and has made hundreds of polleras during more than 50 years of
working. All is made by hand, and the price of one may exceed 2-3,000
USD. Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Pollera
detail; Santo Domingo, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Making
of the belt for the pollera - hand work by a 90 year-old woman! Santo
Domingo, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Panama
hats on display; Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| A Panama
hat is being born. One hat requires between two and four weeks of work
and don't go cheap. Prices start at 20 USD; Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Charming
girl; Ocú, Azuero Peninsula, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
major attraction of Panama is the Panama Canal, here at Miraflores. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
Miraflores Locks, looking towards south; Panama Canal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Looking
North; Panama Canal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Panama
overtaing at the Gatún Locks, the northernmost locks of the Panama Canal. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Local
cooking; Escobal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Cheers!!
As anywhere, the empty bottles remain on the table to who can drink the
most. Escobal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Another
happy drinker of Escobal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Most of
the Panama Canal consists of the Lago Gatún, here close to the village
of Escobal, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| For
decades, the city of Colon has been ranked among the saddest and most
dangerous places on earth. The slum is dense and the poverty is obvious.
Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| More
slum; Colon, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| But a
happy face - here in the bus leaving Colon, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
entrance of the 16th Century Fuerte Santiago of Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Looking
out towards the Carribbean from Fuerte Santiago of Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Old gun
of the Fuerte Santiago of Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Fuerte
San Fernando from above; Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| As
incredible as it may sound, this immensely fat woman made it inside the
entrance of the Fuerte San Jeronimo, however, she gave up the stairs!
Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
Aduana Real of Portobelo, Panama.
Here, the Spaniards collected all the riches stolen from South America
and later shipped to Spain. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The
catholic church of Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Bayside
houses of Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Ramshackle houses are plentiful in Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Local
restaurant, Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| A
bird-cage is being born. His t-shirt says "I'm selling my wife".
Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| So young
and in jail! Small boy behind a steel fence; Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Originally, the Kuna Indians live in the autonomous region of Kuna-Yala
in NE Panama. However, like the Otavalo of Ecuador, they have discovered
the virtues of making souvenirs for the tourists, here in Portobelo,
Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Young
Kuna woman of Portobelo, Panama. Right: Her leg decoration (elaborate
pearls). © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Charming
girls; Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| And
another one; Portobelo, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The view
from the top of the luxury Rainforest Resort, Gamboa, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Cheeky
cappuchiner monkey climbing the boat; Gamboa, Panama. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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