Short Description

Panama has warm, friendly people, a stable democracy, a dynamic business sector and an unusual variety of terrains. Panama is a safe country with a first-world infrastructure, a stable democracy, and inexpensive cosmopolitan living.

Destination Highlights

This small country famous for its canal connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans has much more to offer. The lush rainforests, the long beaches of the Pacific and the tranquil reefs and coves of the Caribbean make this a tropical paradise.

Local Weather

Days are hot, nights much cooler; temperatures range from 32C (90F) during the daytime to 20 C (70 F) in the evening practically year-round. Humidity is always high at about 80 percent. The rainy season takes place between October and November, and the best months to visit are mid-December and late March.

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Description

Panama is one of the world's most visitor-friendly countries. It has the highest rating for tourist safety from the prestigious Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. It's people are warm, friendly and unspoiled. Panama has always been an international crossroads-Panamanians are accustomed to meeting people from other lands and English is a second language. The Republic of Panama is a natural-rich land that makes it one of the world's prettiest regions. This is undoubtedly the new tourist multi-destination worldwide, a country featuring endless tourist and commercial attractions. Panama is not just a giant canal. Its nature is fantastic, teeming with birds and flowers, inhabited by peaceful and happy people who welcome visitors nicely and show them around an incredibly beautiful country featuring waters almost ready-made for scuba diving and some of the best on the planet for fishing. Its varied flora and wildlife, as well as the number of indigenous communities put it on the map as one of America's most outstanding spots for ecological tourism. One place in Panama, Pinas Bay, holds 170 world fishing records. There are five world class diving areas: Coiba National Marine Park, the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro archipelago, Portobello and for historical diving the Panama Canal. Everything about this country is humble, serene and relaxing.

Local Information

The U.S. dollar is the official Panamanian currency. In the country, it is called the balboa with the same denominations and exchange rate, 1 balboa = US $1. The centesimos coins are of identical size, denomination, and metal as U.S. coins, and the coins of both nations are used here interchangeably. If you have U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-denomination traveler's checks, then there is no need to exchange currency. Unlike most other parts of Central and South America, it is relatively easy to exchange other major currencies also, due to the extensive offshore banking business in Panama.

Airport Information

Eight major US cities offer direct daily flights to Panama City: Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa. Please be advised that many destinations charge a departure fee. Generally, most airlines include this fee in the cost of your airline ticket. We recommend you contact the airline directly to review the details with the carrier.

Entry Requirements

Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality. This information should be used only as a guideline and non-U.S. citizens should contact the airline they are traveling on, or their local consulate regarding the specific entry requirements that apply to their nationality.