VISA
You are required to have a valid passport and a $5.00 tourist card may be required also. Tourist cards may be bought at the airline counter at the time of departure or upon arrival at Tocumen Airport, however these visas only last a short period of time. Consult with your airline consultant to verify when you next need to leave the country, be it 30 or 90 days.

INSURANCE
Travel consutants strongly recommend that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of booking, to protect you and all those accompanying you against illness, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal items, cancellation and other travel contingencies.

MONEY
Since 1904, the United States dollar has been the legal currency in Panamá. Visa and Master credit cards are widely accepted. The use of ATM machines is preferred above Travelers Checks, which are not as widely accepted in Panamá. The hotel tax is 10%. The added tax value to products and services, with the exception of food and medicines is 5%. Do not try to use sacagawea dollar coins, because no one in Panama knows what they are: they think you are trying to fool them with fake money.

CUSTOMS
United States and Canadian citizens need only a valid passport and tourist card to visit Panama. Tourist cards cost about five dollars and are available both on your arrival in Panamá from the immigration authorities and through most airlines. A tourist card gives you an automatic 30-day stay, and is extendable for another 60 days. Travelers from other countries should consult with the Panamanian consulate or embassy in that country to obtain the latest information on entry requirements. Like other countries, you may be fined and charged for leaving Panama with products made from endangered species.

LANGUAGE
Although the official language in Panamá is Spanish, English is largely spoken and understood in Panamá City. However, if you have no knowledge of the Spanish language, you might want to pack a travelers dictionary also, or a small person who can translate for you in times of need.

CLIMATE
The country enjoys an agreeable tropical climate and an average daytime temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with cool eventings. The average humidity is 70%. The rainy season goes from May to December. Throughout the dry season, trade winds keep the air continuously cool. In the mountains, the average temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you visit Panamá during the rainy season a small umbrella might come in handy, and then again, it may not if you get caught in a monsoon.

TIME ZONE
Panamá time is the same as the United States Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5), however Panamá does not have "daylight savings time".

CLOTHING
Light clothes are recommended, but please realize that people in Panamá City tend to dress formerly. Shorts are T-shirts are often frowned upon, especially in a business setting or restaurant. Visits to banks and government buildings require formal attire. A wide-brim hat and sun glasses for during the day might be a good idea, for the strong sun. It is also not uncommon for ladies to use an umbrella against the sun, which we think is just funny, but hey, to each their own.

ELECTRICITY AND PUBLIC SERVICES
The current is 110v - 60 Hz, same as the USA. Telephone and international cable services in Panamá are excellent. The country code is 507. There are many public phones and internet-cafes, in Panamá City as well as in the smaller towns.

TOURIST OFFICES / EMBASSIES
The national tourist agency Instituto Panameño de Turismo (IPAT) has its headquarters in the Centro Atlapa on Via Israel in Panamá City. IPAT also has an information counter located at the airport. Further, there are many tourist centers dispersed throughout the country. The IPAT offices found throughout Panama are there to answer questions and help visitors explore the country, though often they come off as useless. More than 50 foreign embassies and consulates are located in Panamá City. Casco Antiguo has a special bureau for Tourist Police (who are extremely kind and helpful) with a large number of policemen. They patrol the Casco Antiguo area constantly and you will experience them as being very interactive with tourists. Be friendly also and show them your appreciation for their work!

HEALTH / WATER
No vaccines or pills are necessary prior to visiting our country, unless you plan on going into super remote jungle spots. Remember the tropical sun can be strong, so it's wise to take protective sunglasses and sunscreen with you. Although Panama is indeed a tropical country, mosquito control is quite effective (unless you’re going to the Caribbean coast). Other exceptions would include hiking and over-night jungle explorations, in which case you should use protective insect repellant. Panamá is the only country in Latin America where you can drink water straight from the tap. You can also buy bottled water for $0.40 a pop.

DANGERS
Panamá is among the highest ranking (along with the United States) countries for tourist safety. But as with any foreign destination, it is not advisable to walk around the streets flashing your money or valuable belongings. You really gotta be an idiot to do this stuff anyway. Reports of people being pick-pocketed in Panamá are rare, but it's best to assume that pick-pockets are around. Just use common sense and your intuition to protect yourself. Remember that the less attention you draw to yourself, the less likely you are to have an unpleasant experience. If you are actually looking to pickpocket other people though, this is a terrific stomping ground as no one will expect you coming.