Travel Guides: All Countries / Central America / Panama
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| | | An overlooked jewel |  | Why go on holiday to Panama?
The country's many natural attractions are an irresistible lure to adventurous travellers. It's often overlooked but offers some of the finest birding, snorkelling and diving in the Americas.
Activities include hiking and rafting, there's an abundance of wildlife in the scarcely-visited national parks and you'll get the chance to swim in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean on the same day, which means you'll have lots to boast about to your friends when you return home. A genuine, off the beaten track destination.
How much does it cost?
A nine-day tour, including flights and B&B accommodation, costs around £1,000. Shop around for deals.
When should I go?
Panama's tourist season is during the dry season, from around mid-December to mid-April, the best time if you're planning on going hiking.
The weather can be hot and steamy in the lowlands, with temperatures rising to 32C/70F during the rainy season, when the humidity makes the heat more oppressive.
Where should I start?
In Panama City, head for Casco Antiguo (also called San Felipe or Casco Viejo) which juts into the sea and offers a vision of decaying colonial grandeur, striking architecture, peeling paint and decrepit balconies.
Attractions include the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, the Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama, the Plaza de Bolivar, the presidential palace, the History Museum of Panama and the sea wall built by the Spaniards four centuries ago.
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| | | Unforgettable canal | | Any attractions close to the capital?
The Panama Canal is one of the most world's most significant man-made structures, and stretches 80km from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. Seeing a huge ship nudge its way through the narrow canal with vast tracts of virgin jungle on both sides is unforgettable.
The easiest and best way to visit the canal is to go to the Miraflores Locks, on the north-eastern fringe of Panama City, where a platform offers visitors a good view of the locks in operation. There's also a museum with a model and a film about the canal. Boats leave Balboa in Panama City, for a five-hour tour through the locks to Miraflores Lake.
Other attractions include the 16th-century ruins of Panama Viejo, the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, the tropical rain forest of the Parque Nacional Sobrerania and the Parque Nacional Metropolitana.
Any special events?
Carnaval is celebrated over the four days preceding Ash Wednesday and involves music, dancing and a big parade on Shrove Tuesday. The celebrations in Panama City and Las Tablas are the most festive.
The Semana Santa (Easter Week) celebrations at Villa de Los Santos, on the Peninsula de Azuero, are equally renowned. The Festival of the Black Christ at Portobelo on October 21 includes a parade of the famous life-size statue of the Black Christ, and attracts pilgrims from all over the country.
What about islands?
Hop on a boat from Panama City for a one-hour trip to Isla Taboga which has an attractive beach, protected rain forest, and is home to one of the largest colonies of brown pelicans in Latin America. It also has a small church, which is claimed to be the second oldest in the western hemisphere.
Several of the pristine islands of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea are protected by the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. The park offers great diving, snorkelling and swimming and its beaches are used as a nesting ground by several species of sea turtle.
Also on the Caribbean coast are the 378 islands of the San Blas Archipelago, which are home to the Kuna, who have their own distinctive language, customs and culture. There's also good diving and snorkelling here, with the best conditions between April and June.
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| | | The things we like to do | | Other activities?
Surfers should check out Santa Catalina beach, on the Peninsula de Azuero, which periodically sees six metre-high waves.
For deep-sea fishing, go to Pinas Bay, on the Pacific coast, while Cana, in the heart of Parque Nactional Darien, is a heaven for bird-lovers. Be aware however that due to guerrilla activity Cana is not always considered safe to visit, so check with local authorities to assess the situation before heading there.
The country's best snorkelling and diving are reputed to be on the Pacific coast near Coiba Island and the Pearl Islands where you can see reef sharks, groupers, and sea turtles.
Boquete is great for walking, horse riding, climbing the 3,475m high Volcan Baru or exploring its surrounding national park.
What's the nightlife like?
Panama City has all the usual bars, discos, clubs and casinos to satisfy party people.
Food
Ropa vieja (old clothes) is beef sauteed with garlic, tomatoes and onions and served with yellow rice.
Seafood is excellent; corvina is the most common fish. A popular, traditional dish is ceviche which consists of raw corvina or shrimps marinated in limejuice, peppers and onions.
What should I buy?
Panama's arts and crafts reflect the country's ethnic mix. Traditional souvenirs include wood carving, weaving, ceramics and masks.
Panama City has large shopping districts such as the Via Espana and Central Avenu. The Free Zone, in Colon, is a large duty-free shopping area.
What is there for children to do?
With beautiful beaches and so many activities, older kids will love it.
Tourist office
Embassy of the Republic of Panama, 40 Hertford Street, London, W1J 7SH. Tel 020 7493 4646/020 7409 2255 (consular section).
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| | Fact File : Panama |
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| | | Panama | | Did you know?
Panama has more than a 1,000 miles of coastline, with 1,000 islands on the Pacific side and 600 islands on the Caribbean side.
Language
Spanish but English is widely spoken.
Visas
None required for British passport-holders.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK. You can fly via three main US hubs, Miami, Los Angeles or New York, which are served by a number of carriers such as United Airlines, US Airways, Northwest Airlines, and Continental Airlines. The connecting journey can be made with Panama's national carrier Copa.
Flying time from London
It varies between nine and 18 hours depending on which US hub you fly into.
Getting around
Panama has a number of domestic airlines and a good domestic flight network. There's an inexpensive bus system servicing all accessible parts of the country. Boats are the principal mode of transport in several parts of Panama, particularly between the San Blas and Bocas del Toro archipelagos.
Currency
US dollar.
Costs
For a rough guide, a cup of coffee is about 15p, a four-mile taxi ride is about £1, a can of beer is about 55p and a moderately priced meal is about £1.40.
Weather
The dry season runs from around mid-December to mid-April. The weather can be hot and steamy in the lowlands during the rainy season, when the humidity makes the heat more oppressive.
Time difference
Five hours behind the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 507.
Voltage
120V/60Hz, 110V AC.
Opening hours
Banks are open to the general public from 8am-3pm, Monday to Friday; some of them until 6pm and on Saturdays, from 9am to noon.
Health — before you go
Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended but speak to a GP for further advice before you travel.
Health — when you are there
Malaria exists in some parts of Panama, but not the main cities. Cases of dengue fever are increasing particularly, and not only, in rural areas. You are advised to cover up and use insect repellent.
Warnings
Do not become involved with drugs of any kind orin any way. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to heavy terms of imprisonment. There is a risk of street crime, particularly in downtown areas, the old town (Casco Viejo) in Panama City, and in the old Panama ruins (Panama Viejo), the Madden Dam area and in Colon. Travel to the Darien province should be conducted only with an organised group and to protected tourist destinations.Contact the British Embassy in Panama City for details. You should not stray from the immediate vicinity of the protected resort areas. In addition, the border area with Colombia is particularly dangerous.
Emergency
Fire 103; police 104.
Customs
Locals should be addressed as senor (Mr), senora (Mrs) or senorita (Miss), plus their surnames. Shake hands whenever possible — it's a sign of friendship and respect.
Pets
Animals will be quarantined on their return to the UK.
Tipping
You can tip some small change, or around 10% of the bill in fancier restaurants but in small cafes and more casual places, tipping is not necessary.
Tourist office
Embassy of the Republic of Panama, 40 Hertford Street, London, W1J 7SH. Tel 020 7493 4646/020 7409 2255 (consular section).
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