Panama

Useful information

The Republic of Panama is located on the isthmus joining South America with Central America. Panama is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Republic of Colombia to the east and is bordered by the Republic of Costa Rica to the west. It has an area of 75,517 km². Its territory is only interrupted by the Panama Canal, a work that connects the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and significantly influences international commerce.

Thanks to its geographical position, it has always been a transit zone for other parts of the Americas and for international trade. It currently offers the world a broad platform for maritime, commercial, real estate, and financial services, including the Colon Free Zone, the largest free trade zone on the continent and the second largest in the world.

Panama has a wide variety of landscapes, including beaches and mountains that are very close to each other.

Spanish is the official language in Panama, though English is widely spoken, especially in the tourism industry.

Climate

Panama has a tropical weather. It is warm throughout the whole year on the coast and low lands. The relatively high temperatures change little throughout the year. In Panama City, temperatures range from 24° C (75.2 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F).

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of the most impressive architectural works in the world. It is an artificial 82-kilometer (51-mile) waterway that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. It cuts across the narrowest point of the Isthmus of Panama, and is a conduit for maritime trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that greatly reduces the travel time for ships.

Panama City

Panama City is the capital and largest city of Panama. It is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of Panama. It is one of the most important cities in the world due to its unparalleled geographical position and its development in naval engineering. It has a total population of 1,086,990, with over 2,100,000 in its metropolitan area.

The city is the country’s political, administrative and economic hub, and is known for its modern skyline and historic neighborhoods. It is divided into areas: the Spanish colonial Casco Viejo section of the city and the modern skyscraper city with its prosperous business district and skylines, lively nightlife, great restaurants, and historical sectors.

Climate – Clothing

In Panama City, lightweight, breathable clothing like cotton, linen, or bamboo is ideal, especially given the hot and humid climate. Dressing comfortably and casually is generally the norm, but business is very formal.

Entrance to the country

To enter Panama, travelers must prove their financial solvency, have a passport valid for at least six months, and a return ticket.

All travelers must complete the Panama Declaration Form when entering the country.

Visa

Specific visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. It is recommended to check visa requirements on the official website of the Panamanian National Immigration Service or with the Panamanian consulate in your country.

Vaccination

No vaccinations are mandatory for travelling to Panama. However, it is advisable to be up to date with the yellow fever vaccination.

For further information on recommended vaccination, please contact the Panamanian embassy or consulate of your country.

Tocumen International Airport

It is the primary international airport serving Panama City. The airport is the homebase for Copa Airlines and is a regional hub to and from the Caribbean, South, North and Central America, and additionally features routes to some European cities. It is located 24 kilometers away from the center of Panama City.

Taxi Cabs – Car Rental

In the airport arrivals area, official taxis are the only available option and usually have a fixed fare per ride. For getting around the city, ride-hailing apps can be a more economical alternative and offer the option to request a vehicle from any place.

There is a wide range of options for renting a car in Panama. The main companies offer their services in the city and some of them also have an office at the airport.

Currency – Credit cards

Panama’s official currency is the balboa. The rate of exchange for the balboa has always been tied to the US dollar—one dollar equals one balboa. US dollars are also widely accepted and circulate as cash. Changing other foreign currencies can be difficult.

Credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. Smaller businesses and taxis may prefer cash.

Tips

Tips aren’t compulsory, but they are welcome. Sometimes hotels and restaurants include a service charge on your bill. If not, a tip of 10 – 15% is appropriate. Taxi drivers don’t expect a tip, but you can round up a fare.

Electricity

Panama uses Type A and Type B electrical plugs. Type A has two flat prongs, while Type B adds a grounding prong. The standard voltage in Panama is 110 V at 60Hz.

Gastronomy

Panamanian cuisine is a blend of flavors and traditions, influenced by Native American, Hispanic, African, and American cultures. Rice is a key ingredient in many dishes, such as guacho and rice with guandú. The sancocho, a chicken soup with yucca and corn, is a signature dish. Fried fish with patacones, tamales, and traditional sweets are also popular. Panama City has areas such as the old quarter, San Francisco, Costa del Este and Cinta Costera, where visitors can find a wide range of culinary options.

City highlights

🏛️ The old quarter

It is the historic district of Panama City. It was founded in 1673 after the original Panama City (Panamá Viejo) was destroyed by pirates. Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant atmosphere. It houses some of Panama City’s main monuments, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Theater, the Plaza Mayor, and the Canal Museum.

🦐 Seafood Market

One of the true icons of the capital city is the seafood market. The building is located at the end of Balboa Avenue and the Coastal Strip, next to Old Town. On-site restaurants serve a wide range of dishes, such as the famous paella or the traditional Guacho de Mariscos, a local version of seafood risotto.

⚓ Miraflores Visitor Center

This modern center features a four-floor interactive museum that looks at the canal’s history, operations, expansion and ecology. It has large viewing platforms from which visitors can observe the opening and closing of the lock gates as ships begin or end their transit through the Canal.

🎨 The Biomuseo

This extraordinary museum relates an equally extraordinary story: how the Isthmus of Panama emerged from the sea and how it changed the world. Designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry (his only work in Latin America), the Biomuseo is a powerful combination of science, art, and design.

🚢 Panama Canal Museum

A museum dedicated to preserving, researching, and disseminating the testimonies of the history of the Panama Canal. The museum is situated in the city’s old town district. In ten permanent exhibit halls, the museum displays the history behind the inter-oceanic route that crosses the isthmus and depicts the construction process of the Panama Canal.

🌉 Amador Causeways

Located next to the Bridge of the Americas, the Amador Causeways is a road that connects the mainland of Panama City with four islands in the Pacific Ocean that form a small archipelago. The site was originally part of a U.S. military complex known as Fort Amador, established to protect the entrance to the canal.

⛪ San José Church

This colonial structure was built between 1671 and 1677 and shows plenty of baroque details with strong influences from indigenous or colonial art. It holds one of the country’s greatest treasures, the Golden Altar.

🛍️ Shopping in Panamá

Panama is the region’s favorite shopping destination. There are several major shopping centers:

Information about the event

Dress code

For the social meetings, elegant casual clothes are recommended, no jeans. No tie is necessary.

Punctuality

Badges

You will be requested to show your identification card / badge at all the social and academic events to be allowed into the meeting rooms.

Don’t forget to bring with you

• Prescribed glasses
• Personal medicines
• Comfortable and smart shoes

Luggage

We suggest that you identify your luggage with bag tags (name and surname).

Insurance