Our Story: A Legacy of Bringing People Together

¡Hola! I’m Armando, and while Ticama Tours is a new company, our story began more than three decades ago.

It started with my Uncle Gilberto, who had a beautiful vision: bringing friends and family from the United States together to celebrate life. He gathered us for events in Panamá, in Barbados, and even at the horse races in upstate New York. To him, a trip was never just a trip. It was a reason to bring people together, renew friendships and create memories that would last a lifetime.

When Uncle Gilberto passed, his daughter, my cousin Melida, lovingly carried his tradition forward. For the past 15 years, she has brought groups to Panamá every year for Carnaval. On every one of those journeys, I was her co-pilot, helping to plan the trips, spread the word and design the flyers. Along the way, I watched strangers become friends and friends become family.

Now the torch has been passed to me.

Panamá is part of who I am. My great-grandfather helped build the Panama Canal, and my grandfather was a well-known businessman in Panamá in the early 20th century. I was born in Panamá, and I have always held its culture and spirit close to my heart.

I want you to feel what I feel every time I return: the joy and dazzling colors of Carnaval, the beat of the drums and the swirl of the pollera in our traditional tamborito, the new sounds of Afropop and the world-class jazz that fill the night air, and the flavors of Panamá’s table, from fresh ceviche and crispy patacones to a warm bowl of sancocho and rice with coconut. Panamá is a feast for every sense, and it’s best shared with friends.

That is the heart of Ticama Tours. Our name joins two places I love: “Tica” for Costa Rica and “ama” for Panamá. My dream is for Ticama Tours to be more than a travel business. I want it to feel like a travel club: a community where we develop new friendships and renew cherished ones while experiencing wonderful things together, on small, thoughtfully planned trips that always feel like traveling with friends.

With Ticama Tours, you’re more than a traveler. You’re part of a family tradition, and part of the legacy.

¡Vamos a disfrutar la vida!

Armando
Ticama Tours, LLC