IsPanama safe?

Yes-Panama is one of the safest countries in the world. In graph by the Pinkerton Intelligence Agency published in Newsweek magazine, in which countries all over the world were rated for tourist safety, Panama merited the most desirable category for tourist safety- the same category as the United States.

In general, Panama is safer than Costa Rica and along with Chile and Uruguay among the safest countries in Latin America. The purse snatchings and pick-pocketing common in other places are almost unheard of. As for all foreign travel, when going about it is advisable not to carry large sums of money, carry a photo copy of your passport, (not the real thing) and not to flash expensive watches etc. And like anywhere, there are poor areas of town that it is not wise to walk around in, especially at night.

When is the best time to visit?

Tourism in Panama is a year-around activity. Panama has two climates-the lowlands including Panama City, which are tropical and humid and the highlands which have spring-like temperatures year round. In the lowlands, temperatures during the day range between 80 F and 90 degrees Fahrenheit ( 25-30 degrees Celsius).It cools off in the evenings which are invariably pleasant. In the highlands the day range is between 45F and 85F. In general, the sun shines everyday, all year long. However, there are two "seasons" in Panama and some people prefer to come in the "dry season" from mid-December through May when it doesn't rain. In the so called "rainy season" or “green season” from June until December, most days there is a one to two hour tropical rain storm in the late afternoon. This is a regular occurrence and most activities can be planned around it.

In the province of Bocas Del Toro, where Soposo Rainforest Adventures is located, the "seasons" are less distinctive because it is more heavily forested than other areas of Panama. Since tropical rain forests both create and require more moisture, there is more rain in this area than other parts of the country. Although there will occasionally be spells of several rainy days in a row, it is more common to see rain and sunshine mixed throughout each day.

I don't speak Spanish, will that be a problem in Panama?

Most Panamanians speak some English and many speak it fluently, especially those that cater to tourists. Remember, for 85 years up to 50,000 Americans lived in the middle of Panama in the former Canal Zone. Furthermore, Panama is traditionally an international business crossroads. Panamanians are accustomed to working side by side with foreigners and English has become a second language.

That being said, in the more rural portions of Panama, one may be hard pressed to find someone who speaks English. Panamanians are extremely friendly people however and will almost always do their best to assist despite the language differences. At Soposo Rainforest Adventures, both the owners and all of the main tour guides are fluent in both Spanish and English.

Do I need a visa to visit Panama?

Citizens of most countries including the USA and Western Europe do not need a visa. Tourists from some countries including the US, need only purchase a $5 tourist card from their airlines, at the ticket counter on the day of departure for Panama. A tourist card gives you an automatic 30 day stay in Panama and can be extended for another 60 days. Citizens of most other countries need only their passport. If your children are traveling with one parent only, Panama, like many countries requires a notarized letter of permission from the other parent. 

What’s the Government Like?

Panama is one of the most stable democracies in the Americas. Since 1989, when dictator Noreiga was deposed (now languishing in a Miami prison) , Panama’s presidents have been democratically elected. The current president Martin Torrijos began his five year term in September 2004. His government is investor friendly and is taking effective measures to reduce corruption.
 
What is the currency?

The US dollar is the currency. Yes- that’s right-no currency exchange hassles! Indeed, the US dollar is one of Panama’s great tourist conveniences. This is one country where you don't have to be a mathematical genius to figure out what that meal just cost.

 
How are the prices in Panama?

The tourism industry in Panama is just developing and so prices are reasonable and some of the most competitive anywhere. Then again, with a few exceptions, Panama is not the place for “bargain basement” beach vacation offerings like Cancun. Panama is the "affordable exotic destination", meaning it offers exotic, unique and off-the-beaten-path kind of experiences with no tourist hordes and plenty of priceless pristine nature.


Can I drink the water? Are there any health concerns?

In many places in Panama, you can drink the tap water. At Soposo Rainforest Advetures you will be provided with filtered or bottled drinking water that is perfectly safe.

There are no special other health concerns and no shots or special pills are necessary unless you are going to hike in the Darien jungles or other remote areas. In  most of Panama and the area surrounding Soposo Rainforest Adventures, malaria is scarcely heard of but if you plan on taking a more adventurous tour that will take you deep into the jungles, you may decide to take more precaution.

Where Do I Take Domestic Flights?
 
Panama’s domestic airport is in Albrook about 15 minutes from downtown Panama City and 45 minutes from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport.

What Type of Wildlife can I see in Panama?

Panama’s position as a narrow land bridge connecting two continents has endowed it with some of the world’s most pristine and biodiverse rainforests. It’s national parks cover five million acres. One key indicator of its biodiversity: Panama ( the size of North Carolina) has 944 recorded bird species, more than the US and Canada combined. One of the most exciting aspects of nature hiking in Panama is the many kinds of animals that can be readily seen: monkeys, sloths, the tropical neque and gato solo, alligators, armadillos and an unparelled variety of birds. One American travel writer told us that she saw more nature in one afternoon in Panama’s Soberania National Park just 45 minutes from downtown Panama City, than she saw in two weeks in Brazil's Amazon. Panama is also home for ninety years to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), an ecological treasure and the world's top tropical scientific research institute. No country outside the developed world has a flora and fauna that has been as studied and cataloged as Panama, thanks to STRI.

What Time Zone is Panama in?

Panama is on EST from October to April and CST from April to October when daylight savings goes into effect in the States.


What kind of clothes and other items should I bring?

In general, for the tropical climate, light colored, loose fitting cotton clothes are the most comfortable. Do bring neat clothes. Panamanians don’t appreciate grunge. Panamanians themselves, especially the women of Panama City are beautifully groomed. Panama City is a dress-up city , but as a tourist you’ll be excused from the dress code provided you are dressed neatly. The highlands can be cold in the night so a warm sweater or light jacket is necessary. If you plan to hike, bring long pants, boots , a hat and insect repellant. For everyone else a good sunscreen, sunglasses and binoculars.

Is Panama a typical Latin American country? What’s the Ethnic makeup?

Panama is not typical at all. Don’t expect to see mainly the typical mestizo ( descendants of a combination of Spanish and Indian) population like in the rest of Latin America. There is a saying that Panama was “born globalized.”The population of 2.8 million people has diverse origins: Spanish descendants, blacks ( brought in from the Caribbean to build the Canal, indigenous cultures, important immigrant populations from North America, Europe, China, India and the Middle East. There are seven living Indian cultures each with their own language: Kunas in the San Blas Islands on the Caribbean; Embera and Wounaanin the province of Darien; Ngobe Bugle in the provinces of Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro & Veraguas; and the Naso-Teribe, the tribe highlighted at Soposo Rainforest Adventures, in Bocas del Toro province.