Panama, “Bridge of the Americas”. In this tiny nation that unites both North and South America; new and old collide, to form one of the most culturally diverse countries in the region. Panama has it all: vast tropical forests, breathtaking beaches and fishing spots, and amazing must see attractions. Panama has nothing to envy its neighbors to the east, Colombia, or to the west, Costa Rica. It’s small but diverse territory, is constituted of more than one thousand islands, mountains, white sand beaches, and luscious jungles. Besides its pristine natural beauty, Panama City is considered the most cosmopolitan city of the region, with an exuberant night life, excellent leisure and shopping activities and incredible facilities to conduct business. This is why Panama has become the “Hub of the Americas” for all mayor airlines, and the “Home Port” for many cruise ship liners of the area. Considered by International Living one of the top 25 places of the world to retire in. Panama has something for everyone, as Ruben Blades says: “Panama it will never leave you”.
Places to visit
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a must see wonder of the world in Central America. The Panama Canal was built in nineteen fourteen by the United States to create a one of a kind water way between the Atlantic and pacific oceans. It was decided that this small isthmus was the perfect place for it since its route would be the shortest approximately forty eight miles long. It works by using a locks mechanism through the can where one ship arrives and it lifts the ship to the current level of the lake and as it passes through each lock it is raised or lowered as needed until reaching the Pacific Ocean. This Modern wonder of the world is great feet in human ingenuity and resourcefulness and a must on any visit to Panama.
Bridge of America
Along with the Panama Canal there is another great site along this route it currently part of the Pan American highway. Since the construction of the Canal the two parts of the county needed to be put back together because the only small bridge to cross the canal could not hold the heavy traffic any longer. So the United States in the late fifties created the Bridge of the Americas. As recent as two thousand and four the new Centennial Bridge has been constructed and the Pan American highway redirected. But this bridge still stands as a temperance of the times of great ingenuity and connecting the world.
Casco Viejo
There is an old historic section of Panama City, original built in the late 1600’s after Panama Viejo was originally destroyed. The old hamlet is now a historical location within Panama City. It contains the original Spanish architecture and reminiscent of a simpler time. When you walk down the low cobble stone streets still in their original condition you can still smell the bread baking from the bakery. When The Panamanian people use to make it back in the days when El Casco Viejo was at its peak. Around the outskirts of the tare is a large wall originally used to keep invaders out. Along the main route is the National cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Each of these historic locations is a testament to the times when Panama City was only growing its roots. This is a great location to really delve into the past of panama cities history and see what the culture was like during this time another must for any historical stops along your route.
Beaches
Wedged in between two oceans, Panama offers a variety of beaches, both on the mainland and on islands offshore. Both coasts feature incredibly beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, white sand, coral reefs and coconut palm trees. From small coves to miles of open beaches, from sensual sandy beaches to rugged coasts, from popular beaches to deserted beaches, there is a beach vacation for anyone in Panama. With so many possibilities, in Panama the challenge is choosing which one to visit!
Shopping
You’ll hear a lot of talk about duty-free shopping in Panama, but it is exaggerated. Really, the only place you can duty-free shop is at the plethora of stores at the Tocumen Airport. Shopping complexes such as the Flamingo Center on the Amador Causeway limit duty-free purchases to cruisers landing at their port. Even the duty-free zone in Colón is overrated, as most wholesalers do not sell to independent travelers. The major shopping malls here offer excellent quality and national and international brands, though prices are comparable to those in the United States.
Weather
The weather can be hot and steamy in the lowlands during the rainy season, when the humidity makes the heat oppressive. But it won’t rain nonstop – rain in Panama, as elsewhere in the tropics, tends to come in sudden short downpours that freshen the air, and are followed by sunshine. If you’ll be doing any long, strenuous hiking, the dry season is the most comfortable time.
Daytime air temperatures increase slightly to around 30-31ºC (86-88ºF), but nighttime temperatures remain around 22-23ºC (72-73ºF). Relative humidity drops throughout the season, reaching average values as low as 70%. Relative humidity rises quickly and may hover around 90 to 100% throughout the rainy season from May through November.
Best time to visit
Panama’s tourist season is during the dry season from December to April. This is true for the Pacific slope, but the Caribbean side can get rain throughout the year.
If you’ll be doing any serious hiking, the dry season is the most comfortable time to do it. For planning purposes, be aware that Panama’s mountains can get very cold at night; if you’re considering camping at altitude (in Boquete, El Valle or Cerro Punta, for example), be sure to bring warm clothing.
If you’ll be spending most of your holiday surfing, bear in mind that swells are fairly constant in the Pacific year-round, though offshore winds from December to mid-April can add a few meters to curl. However, Caribbean swells are a bit more fickle, and are usually dependent on weather patterns in the region.
Currency
The official currency of Panama is the Balboa (PAB) which is available only in coins. This coins shape, size and value is the exact same as the US Dollar (USD).
The standard paper currency used in Panama is the US Dollar (USD) so for all travelers carrying US Dollars (USD) there is no need for currency exchange. For travelers who need to make currency exchanges there are exchange shops all over town; but we recommend either the exchange shops at the airport or the big banks in the city
Passport
The Panamanian authorities require that travelers arrive to Panama with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months starting from the day of arrival.
A visa is required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days (at the discretion of the Immigration authorities): Argentina, Slovenia, Latvia, Republic of Korea, Andorra, Estonia, Letonia, San Marino, Austria, Finland, Lichtenstein, South Korea, Belgium, France, Lithuania, Singapore, Bolivia, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Brazil, Greece, Malta, Sweden, Chile, Great Britain, Monaco, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Netherlands, The Uruguay, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Vatican City, Cyprus, Hungary, Norway, Czech Republic, Iceland, Paraguay, Denmark, Israel, Poland, El Salvador, Ireland, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy.