Region and climate:
The Isthmus of Panama is the thin strip of land slightly smaller than South Carolina that joins Central and South America. Only 50 km wide at its narrowest point, it nonetheless has hundreds of miles of coastline on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This slim country is bordered by Costa Rica on its Eastern side and Columbia to the West. The famous Panama Canal cuts through from North to South, and divides the country in half.

The Canal Zone is dominated by rainforest, as are most portions of the northwest and eastern county. These regions are widely known for their spectacular variety of wildlife, vast national parks, and freedom from an overwhelming number of tourists.

Panama is surrounded by hundreds of islands along its coast. In the Caribbean Sea on the Atlantic side, the two major archipelagos are the San Blas and Bocas del Toro Islands, but the best diving and deep-sea fishing are found off the Pacific Coast around the Pearl Islands. The rainforested lowlands, including Panama City, are tropical and humid in climate, with temperatures generally around 80F. The highlands are cooler with a wider temperature range, sometimes dipping down to 45F. There are two seasons in Panama: the rainy season, from May through December and the dry season (mid-December through May).

Documents needed to Travel to Panama

Entry and Exit Regulations:
U.S. citizens are encouraged to obtain a U.S. passport before traveling to Panama. Although entry into Panama is permitted with any proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate or a Naturalization Certificate) and official photo identification (such as a driver's license), travelers may experience difficulties entering and/or exiting Panama when not in possession of a valid U.S. passport. Panamanian law requires that travelers must either purchase a tourist card from the airline serving Panama or obtain a visa from a Panamanian embassy or consulate before traveling to Panama. There is an airport departure tax of $20.00 when leaving the county.

Further information may be obtained from the Embassy of Panama, 2862 McGill Terrace, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, tel. (202) 483-1407. Non-US citizens should contact the Panamanian Consulate in their country of residence to check visa requirements.

General Information for travel to Panama

Official Time:
Panama's time is Eastern Standard Time. Daylight savings time is not observed.

Vaccines:
For the latest health information and vaccine recommendations for Panama, consult your local physician and visit the Center for Disease Control website.

Language:
The official language of Panama is Spanish. During your travels in Panama you will find that most people working in the travel industry (airlines, hotels, et cetera) speak English as a second language. You should find little trouble getting around most of the common tourist locations; however knowing a little Spanish goes a long way. Make it a point to bring a Spanish phrasebook or pocket dictionary and to learn the rules of pronunciation as well as a few key phrases to help you get around.

Electricity:
110V is standard voltage in Panama, but most four- and five-star hotels also have 220V power available.

Currency and Money Exchange:
Panama uses the US dollar as its currency; both coins and bills are the same. Panama City has a large and prosperous banking community in which it is easy to change currency from almost anywhere in the world. The latest exchange rates can be found at http://www.xe.com/

Most establishments accept the main credit cards, including Visa, Master Card and American Express. Ask if an additional service fee is charged for using credit. The use of traveler's checks is not as widespread or easy as cash or credit. If you plan to travel with them, make sure they are accepted at your destination beforehand.

ATMs are widely available in the larger cities.

USA Travelers Info

The US Consulate Section in Panama is located at:

Building 520
Clayton
Panama City

Tel: (507) 207 7000/7030
Emergencies: (507) 207 7278
Home page: http://panama.usembassy.gov/