Updated 14 July 2025.

Panamá went for something creative. They delisted Panamá and replaced it with the route. Of which Panamá became a member. So my original complaint re redundant WHS is not applicable. Still, Panamá was a perfectly fine WHS by its own merits. I would really need to see evidence that the route makes this a richer experience than the prior configuration. Looking forward to reviews. As an aside, replacing WHS was quite a hassle on the IT side of things.

Original.

Panama has managed the rather remarkable feat to show how weak their nomination is in the very first sentence of their nomination:

"It is a serial property which comprises 5 component parts, several of which already have been inscribed on the World Heritage list[.]"

Executive summary: Of the 5 proposed components 3 are already inscribed as Panama and Portobelo and San+Lorenzo. This leaves the two roads connecting the Caribbean and Pacific coast as sole new addition.

I effectively ticked this off on my short visit to Panama by visiting Panama and Portobelo. I even made an effort in Panama to follow the road a little bit in downtown.

OUV

I really don't think serial combinations consisting primarily of already inscribed sites should be given any consideration. This does not belong on the list and is well covered by the already inscribed sites.

Getting There

Visiting Panama already gets you there, so there is little to add here.