Parcion's Private Panama

This small, tropical, Central American republic is the kind of melting pot of tradition, culture, and diversity that you’d expect from a country linking two continents and two oceans. Panama’s long coastlines offer exquisite marine playgrounds and an array of natural delights, with numerous historical treasures in between. Visitors can discover world-class surfing at Santa Catalina, take a cruise to the Pearl Islands dotting the Pacific Ocean, relax along stretches of sandy white beaches, explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast, or paddle deep into indigenous territories in a traditional dugout canoe. Visits to the Volcan Baru National Park Coiba and National Marine Park are also itinerary musts.

Currency

Panama’s official currency is the balboa. The rate of exchange for the balboa has always been tied to the US dollar—one dollar equals one balboa. Panama does not, however, print its own paper currency and instead uses the US dollar as legal tender. Panamanian coins come in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50-cent pieces. They are the same size, color, and weight as U.S. coins and both are used frequently. While shopping or eating out, you may see prices with either a “$” or a “B/” before them, corresponding the dollars or balboas. They mean the same thing and have the same value.

Banking

There are banks located throughout the country that are open Monday through Saturday. During the workweek, banks are usually open from 8 AM to 3 PM, although they tend to have shorter hours on Saturdays, from 8:30 - 12pm. ATMs are ubiquitous and are definitely the easiest way to get cash – just look for the red signs that say Sistema Clave. ATMs generally accept most types of credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Cirrus, Plus) and will charge a service fee, usually around $5. The amount that you can withdraw at one time depends on the bank, though it’s typically around $500.

If you’re coming from the United States, you won’t need to exchange money—the dollar is legal tender in Panama. Changing other foreign currencies can be difficult in Panama. You can exchange money at the Banco Nacional de Panamá in the airport. However, outside of the airport the only place you can exchange foreign currency is at a casa de cambio (exchange house). These can be difficult to find outside of Panama City.

Credit cards are often accepted in the cities, especially at nicer hotels, restaurants and stores. Smaller hotels and restaurants, however, will generally only take cash, as will taxis. The farther one gets from a city, the more difficult it is to use a credit card. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards, although other cards can often be used in upscale establishments. There are some remote parts of Panama where it’s impossible to use credit cards so it is important to bring cash to these places and to have small bills, as larger denominations are hard to break. Some of these destinations won’t have banks or ATMs either. Traveler’s checks are rarely accepted by businesses in Panama.

Copa Airlines and Air Panama operate flights within Panama. Smaller airports for internal flights are Marcos A Gelabert International Airport in Albrook and Enrique Malek in David, Chiriquí.

Panama is widely accessible by bus, and the roads are often good. However, Panama has several islands that are only accessed by flight or very long boat trips, and for some areas, such as Yaviza for hiking in the Darién, it might be more expedient for those on a tight schedule to fly rather than braving long bus journeys.

The road system throughout Panama is reasonably good. People drive on the right. The speed limit on highways is generally 90 km, and is between 40 and 60 km/h in towns. Nevertheless, it is not considered safe to drive outside the cities by night.

Having such a mix of cultures in the population, it is only right that Panamanians have a huge variety of cuisines, including North American and Spanish.

Traditional cooking is most reminiscent, however, of Creole cuisine, sometimes hot and spicy, always hearty, with rice present at every meal. Seafood is excellent and abundant, especially along the Caribbean coast, where it is fresh-off-the-boat and succulent. Ceviche, a traditional marinated fish or seafood marinated in lime juice, onions and peppers, is superb.

Despite its cosmopolitan influences, Panama’s must-try national dish is a traditional chicken stew: sancocho de gallina, a filling and flavoursome dish comprising of yucca, plantain, mixed vegetables and local herbs.

Tipping

10% is customary in hotels (where it is added automatically) and restaurants.

In Panama the days are hot and nights are much cooler. Temperatures usually range from 32 degrees Celsius (90° Fahrenheit) during the daytime to 21 degrees Celsius (70° Fahrenheit) in the evening. These temperatures are found practically year-round. However temperatures can vary according to geography. The climate is less tropical at higher ground. In mountain areas the average annual temperature ranges from 10ºC to 19ºC (50-66ºF). In Panama humidity is very high at about 80 percent. The rainy season takes place between October and November, and the best months to visit are December until March.

Lightweight cottons and linens are worn, with rainwear advisable, particularly in the rainy season. However, keep it light: just because it rains doesn’t mean it gets cold. Warmer clothes are needed in the highlands, especially in the dry season. If hiking and camping at a higher altitude, things can get very chilly indeed – make sure your sleeping bag can handle it. Hiking boots are great for the mountains, but most of the time you’ll be in flip-flops. Forget your mosquito repellent at your peril, and a mosquito net might come in handy too.

Electrical sockets in Panama are one of two electrical socket types: Type B (NEMA 5-15) and/or Type A (NEMA 1-15). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electricity in Panama is 110-120 Volts AC, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to Panama with a device that does not accept 110 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.