Panama City – General Information

People

With a population of three million and a land mass of 74,000 square kilometers (about the size of Portugal) Panama is very much a Caribbean country in many ways similar to Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. People from different nations and ethnic groups have come together in a melting pot that has produced the Panamanians of today.

Being an international crossroads because of the Panama Canal, Panamanians have been outward-looking and accustomed to receiving foreigners for more than 150 years.

Language
A large number of Panamanians speak English especially in the capital city of Panama and also in Colon. Many Panamanians you meet will have at least a working knowledge of English.

Security
Panama City is an increasingly modern urban sprawl with new metro buses and underground railways to pass quickly and cheaply from sector to sector. One of the safest cities in the region as with any foreign destination, you should avoid flashing valuable belongings. Use common sense and intuition to protect yourself. Remember that the less attention you draw to yourself, the less likely you are to have an unpleasant experience.

Dress
Panama is informal but not casual. This means it is best to wear long pants and a shirt or skirt and blouse instead of shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt when away from the marina. Government offices including the Port Captain and Immigration office require long pants, shirts and shoes. Jeans are appropriate and allowed almost anywhere. All government offices (and others) will expect you to remove your hat before entering.

Embassies in Panama City
The U.S. Embassy in Panama City it is located in the town of Clayton. Phone number (507) 207-7030, the hours are M-F 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. For information on services go to http://panama.usembassy.gov

The French Embassy in Panama is located on the old part of the city (Casco Viejo) facing the French Plaza. Phone: +507 211 62 00 and website: http://www.ambafrance-pa.org

For other embassies and Consulates see Useful Links.

Currency
The US dollar is the currency used in Panama. Sometimes you will hear it referred to as the “Balboa.” You will find your purchasing power is greater in Panama than in the US and Canada.

Medical Care
Medical care is of high quality; costs much less than in the United States. Many doctors are US or European trained and English speaking. Panama is an excellent place to take care of yearly medical and dental examinations.

Transportation
Taxi cabs are plentiful and cheap. $1.50 – 5.00 will get you anywhere in Panama City. Always ask the price before getting into a taxi.

Communications
The cheapest method of making intenational calls is to purchase an international calling card from grocery store or supermarket. You can make an international call for roughly .50 cents a minute at any public pay phone. Try Telechip Internacional.

Internet cafe’s are abundant and most hotels have internet service for their guests.

Food and Drink
The “comida tipica” (traditional food) here in Panama is rice accompanied by chicken, beef, pork or fish. Lentils, plantains and yucca (a starchy root similar to the potato) are also offered as side dishes. Sancocho soup is the national dish of Panama. It is a rich chicken soup that is packed with native herbs and vegetables and is often served with a bowl of white rice. This is a meal in itself.

All Panama enjoys potable tap water except perhaps central Colon and the province of Bocas del Toro.