About Panama

General Informations:

Panama is a country located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow bridge of land that connects North and South America. Its capital and largest city is Panama City, a vibrant metropolis known for its historic center, the Panama Canal, and modern skyline. Panama is a land of rich biodiversity, boasting rainforests teeming with wildlife, beautiful beaches on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and over 1,500 islands scattered around its shores.

Immigration rules:

Individual passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival. A visa is not required for most European or American citizens and a tourist stay of 15 to 90 days is granted upon entry* into the country, based on the documented duration of the stay, to be indicated in the short interview with immigration officials. (*by air, sea and land)

Language:

The official language is Castilian SPANISH. English is very widespread and is usually spoken in tourist areas, in many hotels and commercial activities.

Healthcare:

Valid certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever with application carried out at least 10 days prior arrival in Panama if the traveler arrives, even just in transit, from these countries: Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica , Nicaragua, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, El Salvador, Honduras, Bonaire, Aruba, Guyana. For other infectious diseases resulting from the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito such as Zika, Chikunguya and Dengue, there is no vaccination but it is possible to proceed with preventive prophylaxis at the discretion of the traveler and optional (consult your family doctor). Public hospitals are accessible only with a local health card, while private clinics and hospitals offer services to the public with direct payment or with private health insurance to be taken out before the trip. It is advisable to pack a small supply of generic drugs and medicines prescribed by your doctor that may not be available in local pharmacies.

Currency:

the official currency is the Balboa (PAB) equivalent to the American Dollar (USD) in a 1:1 ratio (1 PAB = 1 USD) and does not exist in banknotes, only in coins. The only circulating currency for all intents and purposes is the US Dollar and it is not advisable to carry EUROs in cash which are purchased from exchange houses at lower rates than the European currency market. ATMs are present throughout the national territory, except in remote or less civilized areas, and credit cards such as Visa and Mc are accepted almost everywhere thanks to mobile POS increasingly used by traders or service managers.

Time zone:

-5 GMT or -6 GMT during solar time.

Climate and clothing:

tropical climate all year round with minimum temperatures of 22Cº and maximum temperatures of 35Cº depending on the location. Humid period from May to November, with intense storms of short or medium duration, and dry period from December to April with sporadic rainfall and only in some areas of the country. We recommend bringing clothing suitable for the tropical climate and, if the itinerary requires it, for excursions in the mountains (Alto Chiriqui) where temperatures can drop to 12Cº at 1800 meters above sea level, up to 2Cº on the top of the Baru Volcano at almost 3500 meters above sea level. We also recommend a light scarf or sweatshirt for people who are more sensitive to temperature variations due to air conditioning in closed spaces such as visitor centers, museums, shops and means of transport. Don't forget a raincoat, comfortable shoes, glasses, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.

Voltage:

Electricity works at 110V/60Hz and also supports all modern appliances with dual voltage up to 230V but it is necessary to obtain a 'two-blade' adapter (American type) to be applied to European sockets. It is a low-cost item and can be purchased in any electrical supply shop, audio/video accessories shop, copy shop or minimarket.

Telephone:

for direct calls to Panama dial 00507 or +507. You can purchase prepaid local SIM cards with top-ups for voice traffic and data connection.

Typical Food:

Panamanian cuisine is not as rich as the Mediterranean but in its traditional recipes we find specialties such as fried pargo (fish), ceviche (Peruvian marinated fish) as well as various types of shellfish and excellent seafood. Typical are meat stews and dishes such as arroz con pollo (a mix of beans, chicken meat, rice and spicy seasonings). Other Panamanian specialties include: empanadas en hojaldres (puff pastry filled with meat or chicken); mondongo (seasoned tripe) while the national dish is sancocho (chicken with boiled vegetables and coriander). Another very common dish has the curious name of ropa vieja (old clothes): it is a sort of medium-spicy stew prepared with beef served on a bed of rice. Among the drinks, fresh fruit juices called chichas are very popular, normally served with the addition of water or milk and a lot of sugar. A delicious soft drink that you can only drink in Panama is chicheme: it is prepared with milk, sweet corn, cinnamon and vanilla. The national alcoholic drink is seco, which is obtained from sugar cane like rum (but its flavor differs considerably), to which milk and ice are added.

Tips:

are never included (by law) and recommended for porters, hotel doormen, guides and private drivers. In restaurants, waiters almost always ask to add it to the bill when paying (it can vary from 10 to 20% of the total) but it remains at the customer's discretion to evaluate the quality of the service, menu and final bill to refuse or determine the possible free amount without a fixed percentage.

Shopping:

there is no shortage of shopping opportunities in Panama. The best places to go to buy souvenirs or local handicrafts are the colorful local markets, the small shops in the tourist areas, the shopping centers and the 'duty free' at the airport. Panamanian art has been influenced by several cultures, finding original and graceful items will be quite simple.

Taxes:

the local tax (VAT) called ITBMS is 7% while 10% is applied for alcohol, chemical products and some private services. Please note that the tax is not included in the price displayed in shops or shopping centers and is applied to the payment with the release of the receipt or purchase invoice.

Banks and Commercial Activities:

bank branches are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 16.00, Saturday from 9.00 to 12.00. The shops are open from 10:00 to 19:00 with one day of closure during the week. Shopping centers are always open 7 days a week and have different opening hours, generally from 10.30am to 7.30pm. Restaurants that do not offer continuous hours close their kitchens at 2.30pm for lunch and 10.30pm for dinner but may open earlier based on customer flow or due to restrictions due to mandatory closures within certain times. N.B.: the times shown here are only indicative and may vary depending on the location.

Baggage allowance:

domestic flights of the national airline Air Panama include a baggage allowance per person of 23 kg in the hold and 4 kg of hand luggage with reduced dimensions to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat (backpack or soft bag). Any excess weight will be charged by USD 5.00 per kg (source: Air Panama).

Security:

always carry your documents (passport) with you, there are often checks by the police or the National Guard. There are no obvious dangers reported, except in some areas not frequented by tourists, but caution is always advised and not to carry jewelry or a lot of money with you, and not to show off cameras or cell phones in isolated streets or at night.