Panama
Tourism
Official Name: Republic
of Panama
Capital: Panama City
Nationality:
Name: Panamanian (s); adjective
Panamanian/Panamanian
VISA Requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may be required to have a valid
passport and a visa or a $5.00 tourist card. Tourist cards may be
bought at the airline counter at the time of departure.
Religion
Most Panamanians are Roman Catholic. However, due to the great
diversity in the country, there are numerous churches, temples and
synagogues all over the country. There is freedom of religion in
Panama.
Language
Although the official language in Panama is Spanish, English is
widely spoken and understood in the major cities.
Climate
The country enjoys an agreeable tropical climate and an average
daytime temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooling in the
evenings. The average humidity is 70%. The rainy season goes from
May to December. Throughout the dry season, trade winds keep the
air continuously cool. In the mountains, the average temperature
is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Clothing
Light clothes are recommended. Business clothing is formal. A
light jacket for men and a tailored suit or a two-piece pants suit
for women is recommended. A wide-brim hat and sun glasses are
necessary if you go to the shore or inland.
Time Zone
Panama time is the same as the United States Eastern Standard Time
(GMT -5).
Electricity and Public Services
The current is 110w - 60hz and 220w. Telephone and international
cable services in Panama are excellent. We have a direct-dial
system to locations inland and all over the world. Our country
code is 507.
Money
Since 1904, the United States dollar has been the legal currency
in Panama. The Balboa, the Panamanian monetary unit, is par valued
with the dollar. Prices can be expressed in Balboas (B/.) or in
Dollars ($). Traveler cheques and credit cards are widely
accepted. The International departure duty is US$20.00, payable in
the airport. The hotel tax is 10%. The added tax value to products
and services, with the exception of food and medicines is 5%.
Business Services
More than 150 international banks and their branches operate in
Panama. The United States, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Taiwan,
Argentina, South Korea, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, Canada, China, Spain, France and others are
represented here. The banking hours vary, but most of them are
open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Some banks
offer services on Saturday.
www.superbancos.gob.pa
Getting Around
The Pan American Highway, also known as Interamerican Highway,
joins Panamanian cities with Costa Rica. At this time, the Darien
jungle continues to be impenetrable, preventing access by land to
Colombia. A tour by car along the Transisthmic Highway joins
Panama City with Colon. Even the most remote areas of Panama are
accessible by paved secondary roads. The bus service is good and
covers the entire country as well as the other countries in
Central America and Mexico.
The transportation to the interior of the country is located in
the National Transport Terminal in the Former Albrook base.
Taxis work with a tariff system and most car-rental companies are
represented in Panama. The minimum age for driving is 18 years,
and foreign licenses are valid for 90 days.
Bus Terminals
Phone Code: (507)
La Gran Terminal de Transporte de Albrook
Phone: 232-5803 Fax: 314-6170
Padafront -Albrook
Telefax: 314-6264
Piquera de Buses Panama - Colon (Utracolpa)- Albrook
Phone: 314-6248
Transporte de Aguadulce de Panama Albrook (UTASA)
Phone: 314-6280 Fax: 997-0694
Terminal de Transporte de Buses y Taxis "La Dona"
Centro Comercial La Dona Via Tocumen.
Phone: 295-6453 Fax: 295-1554
Transporte Santiago – Panama (SAMPASA)- Albrook
Phone: 314-6230/31
Transporte Expreso 5 Estrellas Albrook
Telefax: 314-6285
Transporte Inanzun – Albrook
Phone: 314-6204
Transporte Panama – David - Albrook
Phone: 314-6228 Telefax:314-6395
Transporte Unidos de Azuero - Albrook
Phone: 314-8235
Customs
United States and Canadian citizens need only a valid passport and
tourist card to visit Panama. Tourist cards cost about five
dollars and are available both on your arrival in Panama from the
immigration authorities and through most airlines. A tourist card
gives you an automatic 30-day stay, and is extendable for another
60 days. Travelers from other countries should consult with the
Panamanian consulate or embassy in that country to obtain the
latest information on entry requirements. When entering the
country, you may only bring up to one carton of cigarettes and 3
bottles of liquor. Like other countries, you may be fined and
charged for leaving Panama with products made from endangered
species.
Tourist Offices/Embassies
The national tourist agency Instituto Panameno de Turismo (IPAT)
has its headquarters in the Centro Atlapa on Via Israel in Panama
City. IPAT also has an information counter located at the airport.
In addition, there are many tourist centers dispersed throughout
the country. The IPAT offices found throughout Panama are there to
answer questions and help visitors explore the country. More than
50 foreign embassies and consulates are located in Panama City.
Health/Water
No vaccines or pills are necessary prior to visiting our country.
Remember, the tropical sun can be strong; so it’s wise to take
protective sunglasses and sunscreen with you. Although Panama is
indeed a tropical country, mosquito control is effective.
Exceptions would include hiking and over-nighting in the jungle,
in which case you should use protective insect repellant. Panama
is the only country in Latin America where you can drink water
straight from the tap.
Dangers
Panama was given the highest ranking (along with the United
States) for tourist safety from the Pinkerton Intelligence Agency.
But as with any foreign destination, it is not advisable to walk
around the streets flashing your money or valuable belongings.
Reports of people being pickpocketed in Panama are rare, but it’s
best to assume that pickpockets are around. Just use common sense
and your intuition to protect yourself. Remember that the less
attention you draw to yourself, the less likely you are to have an
unpleasant experience.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
ZIP CODE (507)
Police
Tourism Police: 211-3044
National Police: 104
Hospital:
Hospital Nacional: 207-8110
Hospital Santa Fe: 227-4733
Hospital San Fernando: 278-6305
Hospital Santo Tomas: 227-4122
Hospital del Nino: 225-3677
Hospital Integrado de San Miguel Arcangel: 230-2830
Hospital Psiquiatrico Nacional: 224-1670
Hospital de Salud Mental: 217-0068
Emergency:
Alerta: 269-9778 / 800-0911
SEMM Servicio de Emergencia Medica: 264-4122
SINAPROC Sistema Nacional de Proteccion Civil: 316-0080 o 231-4209
Fire Department:
Grupo de Bomberos de Panama / Group of Firemen of Panama:
Tel: 103
Cruz Roja de Panama - Sede Central de Albrook / The Red Cross of
Panama
Tel: 315-1388 / 1389
Events and Holidays
JANUARY 1 New Year's Day
JANUARY 6 Wise Men Day (Dia de Reyes)
JANUARY 9 Martyrs Day
FEBRUARY 21 - 24 Carnival Tuesday (always the Tuesday before Ash
Wednesday)
APRIL 9 Good Friday
MAY 1 Labor Day
SEPTEMBER 22 - 28 National Tourism Week
SEPTEMBER 27 International Tourism Day
NOVEMBER 1 Kid's Day
NOVEMBER 2 Day of the deceased
NOVEMBER 3 Separation from Colombia
NOVEMBER 4 Flag Day
NOVEMBER 10 First cry of Independence from Villa de los Santos
NOVEMBER 28 Independence from Spain
DECEMBER 1 Teacher's Day
DECEMBER 8 Mother's Day
DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE DAY (celebrated in the afternoon only)
DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
DECEMBER 31 NEW YEARS EVE DAY (celebrated in the afternoon only)
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