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Panama Practical information Panama

 
 
Area : 29761  sq.mi - Population 3300000 hab.
Panama

Our expert Panama

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Weather

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Practical information Panama

superficie

Area

29761  sq.mi
vol

Flights

Anticipate a flight of approximately 16 hrs 30 mins from the United Kingdom.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

3300000 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

Tocumen international airport is located 15 miles away from the centre of Panama City. Allow an hour by bus (USD 0.35) and half an hour by taxi (USD 20). The international tax concerning international flights leaving the country costs USD 20.
securite

Security

Panama City's old quarter, "Casco Viejo", is to be avoided in the late hours of the night, as are the districts of El Chorillo, Curundú, Río Abajo and San Miguelito. Tourist muggings are not uncommon in these areas. You should therefore follow elementary safety measures: drive with your doors locked and windows up, avoid wearing any jewelry or valuable objects, do not wander off away from crowded places on your own, etc.
Colombian guerrillas and the military force are present in the region of Darién, on the border with Colombia, it is hence more than ever ill-advised for tourists to go there.
The rest of the country presents no danger.
Drug possession, whatever the drug and even if only a minuscule amount, is strictly forbidden. Many foreign nationals are presently serving a prison sentence for illegal possession of narcotics.
langue

Languages

Spanish is the official language but English is also widely spoken. 14 other languages are spoken on the Isthmus of Panama, eight of which are used by the seven Indian tribes plus Chinese, Hebrew, Arabic, French Creole and English Creole.
formalites

Requirements

To enter into Panama, a valid passport is necessary. Upon arrival, it is asked that travellers show their round-trip ticket.
religion

Religion

85 % Catholics, 5 % Protestants, 5 % Muslims and 1% Baha'is as well as a small community of Jews and Hindus.
monnaie

Currency

Panama has adopted the American dollar as its national currency. The Balboa is still in circulation but the national bank no longer prints notes (1 balboa = 1 USD). It is advisable to bring small currency denominations as many shopkeepers refuse US$100 and US$50 notes due to the fake notes in circulation. Travellers cheques in dollars are generally preferred and are accepted in certain shops; in the cities, credit cards are widely accepted, and withdrawing money is very easy. Always take cash with you when you go to remote places. Banks are generally open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays, but opening hours vary a lot depending on the bank.
transports

Local transportation

Domestic flights ensure air links all over the country. Allow approximately USD 100 for a return flight Panama City/Bocas del Toro. The bus network is excellent and remains the most economical way to travel. There are many car rental agencies in Panama City. Allow roughly USD 40 per renting day. $$ Boats are also a common means of transport to go from place to place along the coast.
sante

Health

For those who will be travelling in these areas, as well as in San Blas Islands and in the province of Darien, an antimalaria treatment is required because a type of malaria is still present here. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever and typhoid.
Tap water is drinkable everywhere except in Bocas del Toros region.
electricite

Electricity

110 V almost everywhere, with sometimes 220 volts.
Plan to bring an adapter.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

$$ in 2005. All international tourists included, 702,000 people visited Panama.
taxe

Taxes and tips

Concerning cars, if you have booked one in advance, which is more advantageous than renting it once in the country, do not forget to come with the photocopy of the contract, indicating the price. It is in fact very frequent that once you meet the renter, he reconsiders the price.
Concerning your housing, you must add 10% of the room rate to pay the tourist tax. Apart from local school holidays, public holydays and week ends, it is possible to negotiate the price of your housing, especially in big cities and seaside resorts where competition between the hotels is more active.
In restaurants, think about adding 10% of the bill's total for the service if the tip is not included in the price.
Moreover, some shops do not mark the 5% tax that must be added to the marked price of each product. Only basic food and medicines are exempted from the tax.
telephone

Telephone

To call Panama from the UK, dial 00 + 507 (country code), followed by the number you are trying to reach.
To call the UK from Panama, dial 00 + 44 followed by the number you are trying to reach, excluding the initial 0.