Location:
Panama is located in the middle
of the American continent.
Climate
It is a 100% tropical with temperatures around
80-90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25 - 30 degrees
Celsius). There are two seasons: the dry season
with a bright sun from December to April and the
rainy season from May to November. You can also
enjoy temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees
Celsius in the highlands of the Province of
Chiriqui close to the border with Costa Rica as
well as in the Valley of Anton and Cerro Azul
at one hour and a half and 40 minutes from
downtown Panama City respectively.
Good News!!! Panama is situated
south of the hurricane track and generally not
affected by these tropical storms.-
Area, coasts and islands
Panama covers an area of 75,517 square
kilometers with more than a 1,000 miles of
coasts and 1,000 islands on the Pacific side and
800 miles of coasts and 600 islands on the
Caribbean side.
Population
There is an estimated population of
2,329,329 (1990 census) with 40%
residing in Panama City.
Languages
Spanish is the official language but
most Panamanians speak English fluently.
Currency and Banking
The currency is the Balboa which has the
same value as the U.S. dollar. The U.S.
dollar is legal tender in Panama by a
1904 agreement between the two countries.
Therefore Panama does not print bank
notes but only mints its own coins.
Panamanian coins are 50c, 25c, 10c, 5c
and one cent.
Banks are open to the
general public from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. from Monday to Friday; some of
them until 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. They are
located all around Panama City and some
of them have branch offices in the
interior of the country. Visa American
Express, Master Card and Diners Club
credit cards are accepted in most
hotels, restaurants and commercial
establishments.
Public utilities
Panama's electrical grid covers the
whole country;110-volt AC is found
nation-wide. Panama has an excellent
telephone and communications system
which can be considered the best in
Latin American and one of the most
sophisticated in the world. There is
potable water in all towns; qualified as
one of the purest in the world, it is
safe to drink directly from the faucet.
Ground transportation
Transfer from Tocumen International Airport to
downtown is provided by airport taxi or limos at
two different rates: US$30.00 for a maximum of
two persons or US$35.00 for a maximum of three
passengers. In the city, taxis are inexpensive
and almost constantly available. The fares vary
according to the number of zones you travel.
Going outside the city limits can cost up to
US$12.00. Taxis waiting at hotel entrances are
air-conditioned and a little more expensive but
some of the drivers are trained guides and speak
English or can understand it. Buses to the
interior are also comfortable, air-conditioned,
with reclining seats and stereo music and very
affordable.
Tocumen International Airport.
Foreign driver’s licenses are
valid for up to 90 days. Speed limit is 90
km/hr. Gas stations are easy to find on the
Panamerican Highway except from Panama City to
Darien.
Entry and exit requirements
Panamanian Immigration has waived visa
requirement for many countries. Check with the
Panamanian Consulate in your country of
residence and you may discover that a visa is no
longer needed. In most cases a tourist card is
sufficient and can be bought before boarding the
plane at the airline ticket counter or at the
Immigration Office at Tocumen International
Airport after you have arrived in Panama.
Tourist Cards are valid for 30 days however you
can get a two-month extension at the Immigration
and Naturalization Head Office in Panama City,
if you submit a request 7 days before the first
30 days have expired.All tourists must pay an
exit tax of US$20.00.
Bring light clothes. Panamanians
are very casual most of the time but a light
suit is worn for business and for
visit to government authorities. Never forget
to include a bathing suit when packing your
suitcase. Sun glasses are recommended as well
as sunscreen lotion for protection against
sunburn.
If you visit the highlands of
Chiriqui Province, bring a light sweater or
jacket since it can be a little chilly in the
evening and early morning. Good walking shoes
are necessary for your excursions.
Customs
There is no restrictions on what you can bring
with you for personal use. Visitors are allowed
up to two cartons of cigarettes, five bottles or
a gallon of liquor. A duty free zone is located
at the airport before entering Customs and
Immigration and is useful for last minute
shopping for a gift for your friends or hosts in
Panama.
Government
Panama is a constitutional
republic. Executive power is
held by the President assisted by two
Vice-Presidents and an appointed Cabinet of
ministers. The Judicial Branch is composed of a
Supreme Court of Justice with nine judges
appointed for 10 years terms; five superior
courts, and three courts of appeal. The
Legislative Branch is unicameral; the President
and the legislator are elected through popular
vote every 5 years.
Administrative division
Panama is divided into nine provinces with their
respective capitals. Each province is in turn
divided into districts, municipalities and
administrative units called corregidors.
Economy
Because of its key geographic location, Panama's
economy is service-based, heavily weighted
toward banking, commerce and tourism. The Colon
Free Zone and the Panama Canal play a very
significant role in the country's economy by
generating employment and services. Another
important employment generator is the Trans-Isthmian
Pipeline, which goes from ocean to ocean, from
Puerto Armuelles in the Province of Chiriqui to
Chiriqui Grande in the Province of Bocas del
Toro.
Panama has the largest merchant
marine registry in the world. This service
represents the biggest foreign currency earner
for the country. The main export products are
bananas, rice, corn, sugar cane, coffee and
shrimps bought mostly by Costa Rica, Germany and
other European countries.
Religion
Like all Latin American countries, Panama is
predominantly Catholic but other denomination
are found throughout the country.
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