The Panama Page

The Ultimate Panama Web Resource

www.thepanamapage.com

Why Panama?

Retirement

Buying Property

Countries

Costa Rica
Cuba
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Uruguay

Boomers Abroad Home
Expat Stuff
Site Map

Living and Investing in Panama
Comprehensive guide by Central America resident and authority Christopher Howard

How Television Sold the Panama Invasion
U.S. journalists go rah-rah over the invasion

Panama Deception, The
Video - What actually happened during the U.S. invasion in 1989 - VHS

TACA
Airline serving Central and South America from U.S. with frequently discounted prices

Bocas Breeze
Monthly English-language newspaper

Boquete Guide
Informative blog by expats now living in Boquete

Chiriqui Chatter
Lively blog from David

The Panama News
English-language online newspaper

Balance your travel carbon emissions with TerraPass. Los Angeles to Panama City and return is more than one ton of carbon dioxide.

We make every attempt to keep our links up-to-date and we check them weekly with LinkAlarm. If you notice errors or bad links, or have suggestions for listings we might add, please Contact Us

Official Government Web Sites

Visit Panama
Institute for Panamanian Tourism

President of the Republic of Panama
Foreign Ministry

Location

Panama is located in Central America between 7° and 10° north of the Equator, with Costa Rica to the northwest and Colombia to the southeast. Panama actually runs west to east, with the Caribbean on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the south.

Enlarge

Land

75,990 sq. km—slightly smaller than South Carolina. The terrain in the interior is mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected upland plains. Coastal areas are largely plains and rolling hills.

Population

3,000,000 (2004 estimate)
Panama City (capital) 470,000
(metro area 1,000,000+)

Ethnic Groups

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%.

Religions

Most Panamanians (85%) are Roman Catholic, the majority of the rest are Protestant. There are numerous churches, temples and synagogues throughout the country.

U.S. State Dept. International Religious Freedom Report

Languages

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken in Panama City and tourist areas.

English/Spanish - Spanish/English Translation

Time Zone

Same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time (-5 GMT)

Panama local time/sunrise/sunset

Telephone Codes

Country Code - 507
Dial 011 + 507 + the number (There are no area codes)

All International Phone Codes

Internet Country Code

.pa

Phone Cards

Clarocom

Internet Connection

Cybercafes
World Wide Phone Guide
Using a modem practically anywhere

Climate

Panama's climate is tropical, with a generally high humidity averaging 70%. Average daytime temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooling in the evenings. The rainy season goes from May to December, though this can vary along the Caribbean Coast, particularly in the Bocas del Toro area. Throughout the dry season, trade winds keep the air continuously cool. In the mountains, the average temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Panama is not in the hurricane belt.

Current Temperatures

Bocas del Toro
Boquete
Panama City

When to Go

Best time to visit Panama City and the Pacific coast area is during the dry season between mid-December and April. Conditions on the Caribbean side can be quite different with a higher rainfall more evenly distributed throughout the year. Residents of highland areas such as Boquete and El Valle consider their areas to have springtime weather year-round.

Customs/Visas

Depending 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. United States and Canadian citizens need only a valid passport and tourist card to visit Panama. 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.

Foreign Entry Requirements

Currency

The U.S. dollar has been the legal currency in Panama since 1904. Panamanian Currency is the Balboa (B), which equals 100 centavos. Prices can be expressed in Balboas (B/) or in Dollars ($). The Panamanian Balboa is established at the same value as the U.S. dollar. There is no Panamanian paper currency. Instead U.S. dollar denominations are used, as are U.S. coins. Panamanian Balboa coins exist in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos, and in 1 and 10 Balboas.

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%.

International Currency Conversion

Safety

As with any 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.

Consular Information Sheet for Panama

Health/Water

No vaccines or pills are necessary prior to visiting Panama. The tropical sun can be strong, so it's wise to take protective sunglasses and sunscreen with you. Although Panama is a tropical country, mosquito control is effective. Exceptions 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.

MDTravelHealth.com
Comprehensive and valuable information

Traveler's Health Information
U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Panama Health Statistics (WHO)

Electricity

The current is 110w - 60hz and 220w.

National Anthem

Himno Istemño (Isthmian Hymn), with lyrics by Jerónimo de la Ossa and music by Santos A. Jorge, was first sung by Panamanians when the country achieved independence in 1903. In 1925 it became the official national anthem. Listen

National Holidays

Events and Holidays

National Drink

Seco is a distilled spirit from sugar cane juice that has become Panama's national drink. The most traditional way to drink seco is with milk (seco con leche).

Popular Beers

Cristal, Soberana, Panamá , Balboa, Atlas

Food Specialties

Arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), red snapper, sancocho (chicken soup), patacones (fried plantain), ceviche (fish marinated in lime juice, peppers and onions), shrimp, lobster.

Panamanian Cuisine

Foods of the Americas

Coffee

Panama's outstanding coffee is finally being recognized in the international coffee world. The finest is grown in the highlands of Chiriquí Province, near the towns of Boquete and Volcan.

Specialty Coffee Association of Panama
Café Duran
Café de Eleta
Café Kotowa
Café Ruiz
Cafetalera Rio Cochea
Finca Hartmann
Hacienda Esmeralda
Janson Family Coffee
La Torcaza Estate
Wild Orchid Coffee

Miraflores Locks of Panama Canal

Activities

Birding
Panama offers magnificent bird watching with 950 species of birds, more species than anywhere else in Central America.

A Guide to the Birds of Panama
Birding in Panama
Birdingpal
Canopy Tower
Los Quetzales
Panama Audubon Society

Diving/Snorkeling
Excellent diving on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Best-known sites are the San Blas and Bocas del Toro archipelagos on the Caribbean side, and Coiba Island and the Archipelago Las Perlas on the Pacific side. Coiba Island National Marine Park has been ranked as one of the world's best diving locations. More

Boca Brava Divers
Bocas Water Sports
Scuba-Charters
Scuba Panama

Ecotouring
Panama has more than 10,000 varieties of plants, 950 species of birds, 14 national parks and 35 reserves and refuges covering almost 24% of the country's area—and waters.

Ancon Expeditions
Rainforest tours, bird watching, canal transits
Ecocircuitos
Ecotours
Extreme Panama
Nature and adventure travel
Los Quetzales
770-acre preserve with accommodations inside Volcan Barú national Park

Fishing
Panama's Indian name means "abundance of fish." The country has over 1500 islands, 1000 miles of coastline and 480 rivers. Panama offers three world-class areas for deep-sea fishing: Bahía Piña and the Pearl and Coiba archipelagos. Bahía Piña holds more world fishing records than any other place in the world.

Panama Big Game Fishing
Panama Fishing and Catching
Panama Fishing Tours

Geocaching

Geocaches in Panama

Hiking
Hiking is everywhere. Along mainland and island beaches, by hidden waterfalls and natural pools in the jungle, in the 49 national parks, refuges and reserves, and through small villages throughout the country.

Rafting/Kayaking
Rivers in Chiriquí Province are excellent for whitewater rafting. They include the Chiriquí (level III) and Chiriquí Viejo (level IV). Close to Panama City, the Mamoni River offers Class II, III and IV rafting. The Chagres River in Chagres National Park is deep in the jungle and offers levels of II and III.

Aventuras Panama
Chiriquí River Rafting
Panama Rafters

Surfing
Many excellent, but still largely unknown, surfing beaches. Some of the most popular on the Pacific coast are Santa Catalina, Venado and Río Mar. On the Atlantic in the Bocas del Toro area are Isla Grande, Bluff and Careneros.

Panama Surf Tours

Celebrities

Well-Known Panamanians

View Panama Index

See Page Two

Regions of Panama

Azuero Peninsula
Bocas del Toro
Boquete
David
El Valle
Panama City
Pearl Islands
Taboga
Volcan

Profiles and Guides

Atlapedia
BBC Country Profile
BBC Timeline
From 1502 to present
British Govt. Panama Country Profile
Canadian Govt. Panama Travel Report
CIA Factbook
Library of Congress
Lonely Planet Guide
NationMaster
Photo Atlas.com
Wikipedia
U.S. Department of State Post Report

General Guides/Interesting Websites

All About Panama
Excellent guide for the tourist
Canal Museum
A web tribute to the Panama Canal
Casco Antiguo, El
Central America
Good directory of links, particularly for travel within Panama
Colón City
History and photographs
Colón Free Zone
Columbus World Travel Guides
Elderhostel Tours
Escape Artist
Explore Panama
Focus Panama - Recommended
Gay Friendly Lodging
General Manuel Noriega
Alleged website of Noriega
Hostels.com
HostelWorld
International Living
A very commercial site with a variety of information
Operation "Just Cause"
A personal account
Panama Conventions & Visitors Bureau
Panama Guide
For the expat community
Panama Info.com
Package tours. Excellent information on things to see and do, places to stay, and where and what to eat - Highly recommended
Why Visit Panama
Why Retire in Panama
Panama Tours
Online magazine with lots of good information—Excellent site
Panama Railroad
Panarail
Passenger Train from Panama City to Colón
Purple Roofs
Directory of gay-owned and gay-friendly lodging
Republic of Panama Visitors Guide
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Research stations throughout Panama
Virtual Panama- Travel, tourism and real estate information

Books

Don't Kill the Cow Too Quick
An Englishman's Adventures Homesteading in Panama
Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America
Getting to Know Panama
Enjoyable and informative book from a highly-respected correspondent.
Let's Go 2003: Central America
For the low-budget backpacker
Living and Investing in Panama
Comprehensive guide by Central America resident and authority Christopher Howard
Lonely Planet Panama
Moon Handbooks Panama
Excellent, handy-to-carry guide by a journalist raised in Panama
Panama Adventure Guide
Panama Canal by Cruise Ship
The Complete Guide to Cruising the Panama Canal
Panama: The Bradt Travel Guide
Brand-new guide with a focus on Bocas del Toro and ecotourism
Path Between The Seas
The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 - By Pulitzer prize-winning author David McCullough
The Panama Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Isthmus of Panama
The definitive book on sailing in Panamanian waters
The Rough Guide to Central America
Ulysses Travel Guide Panama
A Guide to the Birds of Panama
Nearly 1000 species, 850 illustrated

Language Classes

Habla Ya (Boquete)
Spanish Language Classes
Ileri (Panama City)
Spanish by the Sea (Bocas)
Latin American Spanish Phrase Book

Flags

Flagline.com
Flags, pins, patches, key rings and more

Videos

The Panama Deception
What actually happened during the U.S. invasion in 1989 - VHS
A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama
5 stars - VHS
Panama Canal
5 Stars on - VHS
Panama Wild - Rain Forest of Life
From National Geographic - 5 Stars - VHS

Music CDs

Panama Tipico
Panamanian folk music. Learn about it, listen to it, buy it.
Instrumental Folk Music of Panama
Street Music of Panama
Traditional Music from Panama
Authentic Panamanian music from the Azuero Peninaula

Maps

View Online

Country
Directory of Cities, Towns and Regions in Panama
Major Towns and Roads
Panama Canal
Provinces
Relief
Zoomable

Webcams

Panama Canal - Miraflores and Gatun Locks
Construction of new bridge over canal

Barro Colorado Island, Lake Gatun
Panama Crane, Panama City

Panama City skyline

Panama City

Photographs

Panama City
Panama City and Canal
Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete
Panama Countryside
Panama CyberNews
Great picture tour of the provinces
Panama Nature and Wildlife
Various Regions

flower

Auctions

Panamanian Items on eBay

Internet Forums

Altos del Maria Forum
For everyone interested in living in Altos del Maria and its environs
Bocas del Toro Community Forums
Online community to share information about living in the Bocas del Toro islands and adjacent mainland, especially for the expat community (and those thinking about joining that community)
Casco Viejo
About life in the area of Panama City founded in 1673
Panama Forum
Primarily for English speaking people who live in or are interested in living in Panama
Panama Laws for Expats
Laws and legal issues of interest to expats living in Panama (or those thinking about it)
Panbocas
Visiting and living in Bocas del Toro
RetireNPanama
For those retired in, or considering retiring to, Panama
Viviendo en Boquete/Living in Boquete
For those who are living, or plan to live, in Boquete

The following two forums are also available, but have basically become the marketing arm of a commercial website:

Viviendo en Panama/Living in Panama
Americans Living in Panama

Entertainment

Busca Panama
Entertainment guide to Panama City

Meet People

Expats in Panama
Meetups in Panama

Getting There

Air

Find Great Prices on Airfares at QIXO

Many international airlines fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), just outside of Panama City. They include Mexicana, American, Continental, United, Delta, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Air Lines, KLM, Lufthansa, Sabena, SAS and Varig.

Book Airline Tickets
Panama City airport code is PTY

The domestic airport, with flights to Bocas del Toro, David and Changuinola, is Albrook Airport (officially Gelabert Airport), also outside Panama City—but in another direction.

Aeroperlas (TACA) Schedule and Fares
Within Panama
Aeroperlas - Purchase Tickets

Air Panama
Within Panama

Copa Airlines
To, and within, Panama

Airports

Bocas del Toro Airport (BOC)
Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) (David)
Marcos Gelabert International Airport (PTY) (aka Albrook Airport) (Panama City)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) (Panama City)
All Airports in Panama

Agencies specializing in low cost air travel to Latin America

Americas Travel
Me Again Travel

Boat

Noonsite
A superb one-stop site for cruising sailors
Cruiser's Guide to Bocas del Toro

The Panama Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Isthmus of Panama
The definitive book on sailing in Panamanian waters

Marinas

Bocas Yacht Club & Marina (Bocas del Toro)
Fuerte Amador (Amador, Panama City)
Marina Boca Chica (Chiriqui Province)
Marina Carenero (Careening Cay, Bocas del Toro)

Car

Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America (book)

Cruise Ship

Book Now! - Upcoming Panama Canal Cruises

Panama Canal by Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising the Panama Canal

Tour Companies

Ancon Expeditions
Rainforest tours, bird watching, canal transits
Ecocircuitos
Ecotours
Extreme Panama
Nature and adventure travel
Panama Canal Cruise
Full and half-day canal transits
Panama Star Tours
Panama, Colón and elsewhere in the area
Panama Travel Experts
Tours, packages, shore excursions
Panoramic Panama
Personalized service from Tammy Liu and Gustavo Chan. Highly recommended.

Web Only

The Boquete Times
Local residents cover the Boquete area
Inside Panama.com
News items with a Panama connection
The Isthmian
Daily English-language news
Noriegaville
Irregular news, opinions and information from investigative Dutch journalist and Panama resident Okke Ornstein. The non-hype side of Panama
The Panama News
English-language online newspaper
Panama Post.com
News items with a Panama connection from the World News Network

Television

FETV
RPC
Telemetro
Televisora Nacional (TVN)

Radio

RPC Radio
Super Q
Omega Stereo
KW Continente
Radio Latina
Music of the Tropics
Radio Peninsula
Panamanian Folk Music
Radio Sabrosa
100% Panamanian Music
Romance
Because the world needs more love

Mail/Shipping

Aerocasillas Panamá
Fast delivery of mail and packages to and from the U.S.
Air Facility Panama
Courier and cargo services between Panama and the U.S.
PakYa Panama
Forwarding and shipping of U.S. mail and packages to Panama. Also household goods.

Embassies

Canadian Embassy
U.S. Embassy
Other Embassies

Business

Business Panama.com
(Business, investments, tourism and trade)
Doing Business in Panama
A World Bank report on the ease of doing business
U.S.-Panama Business Council

Expatriates

The larger expat communities are in Panama City, Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast, Boquete and Volcan in the highlands in Chiriquí Province, and El Valle in the highlands outside Panama City. Many Americans now living in Panama either stayed after the Canal Zone was turned over to Panama by the U.S., or went back to the States and returned later. Americans who formerly lived in the Canal Zone are referred to as Zonians, or Zonies.

Articles

Personal Reflections
From soon-to-be expats
Real Post Reports
Unofficial reports from diplomats and spouses

Legal

My Panama Lawyer
Panama's Immigration Laws
Work Permits in Panama

Intentional Communities

Planned/Existing Communities

Retirement

Move to Panama
Business site with useful information
  Pensioner Tourist Visa (Pensionado)
  Retirement benefits
  Cost of Living
Hemingway Hideaway
Service providing sales, lodging, visas and consultation service for those desiring to establish a retirement or second home in Panama. Information on Benefits, Cost of Living.
  Update on Retiring in Panama
Imagine Panama - Retirement in Boquete
A first-person account
Panama Guide
For the expat community
Panama Mundo
Includes blog and free newsletter
Paradise Services
Service and assistance for retirees who want to live in Panama
Retire in Panama—Twice the Lifestyle/Half the Price - The benefits of retiring in Panama and a list of retirement communities.
Retire in Panama
Retirement Wave
Excellent website with no-nonsense information
  A Different Way of Looking at Panama
The best, most practical, non-hype article we've seen on the advantages of living in Panama
Sea Level Rise in Panama?
Government study
Interactive map of Panama
Shows sea level rise up to 14 meters
Why Live in a Gated Community?
Article by Valle Escondido developer Sam Taliaferro

Blogs

The Panama Report
Articles from expats who live there

Buying Property

Cpanama
Investment and retirement properties
GSL Worldwide
Real estate throughout Panama
Happy Whale
Property throughout Panama with a focus on Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro Provinces
Latin TV
Videos on Panama and real estate
Panama Realtor
Homes, commercial, and property throughout Panama
Palmetto Realty
Specializing in affordable housing for expats
Panama for Sale by Owner
Sales of residence, land, business. Long term rentals or vacation property. Home vacation exchange. Free "wanted" posting.
Panama Golden Mountain Realty
Property in the highlands on the western slope of Volcan Baru
Panama Residential Developers Blog
Blog of Sam Taliaferro, developer of Valle Escondido in Boquete
Panama Real Estate
Internet Forum
Purchasing Property in Panama
Tucan Country Club and Resort