Destination Guide - Panama

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	Rumble in the Jungle Hiking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Snorkeling, Whitewater Rafting and Zip-Lining (10 Days)

Panama is the hidden eco gem of Central America. This narrow slice of land pushed up from the ocean floor four million years ago to bridge the gap between the North and South American continents. It boasts the most protected land in all of Central America, with 40% of the entire country declared national parks. Picture long stretches of unspoiled whitesand beaches, virgin rain forests, misty cloud forests, over 900 species of birds, 1500 species of trees and over 7000 plants. Panama is a real tropical paradise for adventure travel enthusiasts. The best part of all — it's yet to be discovered so you'll feel like you've been let in on a secret that others will someday discover (hopefully not too soon!)

Official Name: Republic of Panama
Population: 3.2 million
Capital City: Panama City
People: 58% Mestizo, 14% African descent, 6.7% Amerindian, 8.6% White, 5.5% Asian and 7.1% Other
Languages: Official language is Spanish
Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, 1% Islamic and Jewish
Currency: The US dollar or Panamanian Balboa
Time: GMT/UTC minus 5 hours
Electricity: 110V or220V, 60 Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce, tourism, trading and private industries
Airport Departure Tax: $20 USD (subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

Canadian, US and British citizens are required to purchase a $5 US tourist card issued by the airline carrier. As well, every visitor needs a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity on it from the date of departure.

Climate

Panama has a year-round wonderfully pleasant tropical climate and an average temperature of 27 degrees Centigrade (or 80 degrees F.) Nights, however, are generally fresh, especially in mountainous areas. The country has two seasons; rainy and dry. The former lasts from May to December, and despite of the rainfall it is a rare day that the sun fails to show. During the dry season, called "summer", the nice trade winds constantly blow.

Food

Panama has a rich tradition in the culinary arts. Due to its location the country is home to a vast array of fresh and tasty fruits, herbs and vegetables. Combine this with influences from the Native Indians, Europeans and other Latin American countries and you have some great food in Panama. Some must-tries are Hojaldras – Panamanian donuts; Sancocho – chicken soup; Ceviche – sea bass chopped up and added to lemon juice served cold; and Plantain – similar to banana, fried and served as a side dish.

Water

Panama City has the purest potable water in the world, which you can drink directly from the tap. Sanitation standards are very high and milk is pasteurized. For your safety, you should check on the status of smaller towns and their water supply, as standards outside Panama City can change.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Panama unless you are traveling from countries that have not eradicated malaria, yellow fever, etc. However, there are some recommended inoculations; these are tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Please note that information regarding necessary inoculations can and does change frequently, we therefore suggest that once you have booked your adventure you check with The Center for Disease Control for the most recent information. http://www.cdc.gov