2005-11-28T13:37:00.000-05:00

General Information

Oficial Name: Republic of PanamáCapital:

Panama CityNacionality:Name: Panamanian (s); adjetivePanamanian/Panamanian
VISA RequirementsDepending on your nationality, you may be required to have a valid passport and a visa or a $5.00 tourist card. Tourist cards may be bought at the airline counter at the time of departure.
ReligionMost Panamanians are Roman Catholic. However, due to the great diversity in the country, there are numerous churches, temples and synagogues all over the country. There is freedom of religion in Panama.
LanguageAlthough the official language in Panama is Spanish, English is widely spoken and understood in the major cities.
ClimateThe country enjoys an agreeable tropical climate and an average daytime temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooling in the evenings. The average humidity is 70%. The rainy season goes from May to December. Throughout the dry season, trade winds keep the air continuously cool. In the mountains, the average temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
ClothingLight clothes are recommended. Business clothing is formal. A light jacket for men and a tailored suit or a two-piece pants suit for women is recommended. A wide-brim hat and sun glasses are necessary if you go to the shore or inland.
Time ZonePanama time is the same as the United States Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).
Electricity and Public Services The current is 110w - 60hz and 220w. Telephone and international cable services in Panama are excellent. We have a direct-dial system to locations inland and all over the world. Our country code is 507.
MoneySince 1904, the United States dollar has been the legal currency in Panama. The Balboa, the Panamanian monetary unit, is par valued with the dollar. Prices can be expressed in Balboas (B/.) or in Dollars ($). 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 ServicesMore 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 AroundThe Pan American Highway, also known as Interamerican Highway, joins Panamanian cities with Costa Rica. At this time, the Darién jungle continues to be impenetrable, preventing access by land to Colombia. A tour by car along the Transisthmic Highway joins Panama City with Colón. 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 TerminalsPhone Code: (507)La Gran Terminal de Transporte de Albrook Phone: 232-5803 Fax: 314-6170Padafront -Albrook Telefax: 314-6264Piquera de Buses Panamá - Colón (Utracolpa)- Albrook Phone: 314-6248Transporte de Aguadulce de Panamá Albrook (UTASA) Phone: 314-6280 Fax: 997-0694Terminal de Transporte de Buses y Taxis "La Doña" Centro Comercial La Doña Vía Tocumen.Phone: 295-6453 Fax: 295-1554Transporte Santiago – Panamá (SAMPASA)- Albrook Phone: 314-6230/31 Transporte Expreso 5 Estrellas Albrook Telefax: 314-6285Transporte Inanzún – Albrook Phone: 314-6204Transporte Panamá – David - Albrook Phone: 314-6228 Telefax:314-6395Transporte Unidos de Azuero - Albrook Phone: 314-8235
CustomsUnited 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/EmbassiesThe national tourist agency Instituto Panameño 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/WaterNo 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.
DangersPanama 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)
PoliceTourism Police: 211-3044National Police: 104
Hospital:Hospital Nacional: 207-8110Hospital Santa Fé: 227-4733Hospital San Fernando: 278-6305Hospital Santo Tomás: 227-4122Hospital del Niño: 225-3677Hospital Integrado de San Miguel Arcángel: 230-2830Hospital Psiquiátrico Nacional: 224-1670Hospital de Salud Mental: 217-0068
Emergency:Alerta: 269-9778 / 800-0911SEMM Servicio de Emergencia Médica: 264-4122SINAPROC Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil: 316-0080 ó 231-4209
Fire Department:Grupo de Bomberos de Panamá / Group of Firemen of Panama: Tel: 103
Cruz Roja de Panamá - 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)

Where by tourist activities are promoted in the Republic of Panama