RIVER RAFTING. The Chiriquí River and the Chiriquí Viejo River flow down from the high Cordillera in cool abundance and at times with great ferocity. Two companies operate river rafting tours on these rivers. Panama Rafters tel. 720-2712 and Chiriquí River Rafting Company, tel: 720-1505. Closer to Panama City, Panama Explorer Club offers rafting on the Rio Grande. Tel: 215-2330.

There are also white-water rafting tours offered on the Chagres River in the province of Panama. The journey to and from the river, through mountain terrain and jungle trails, is as memorable as the rafting.