The Panama Canal has to be the number one must-see sight on any vacation to Panama. The Miraflores Locks are only a few minutes outside of Panama City, making it the most popular day excursion from the capital. When you visit the Miraflores Visitor Center, you'll realize exactly how tough it was to construct the Canal.

The task of digging a channel across Panama's isthmus was so difficult that the original builders abandoned up. Thousands of employees perished as a result of illnesses and accidents, at a huge financial cost. The Panama Canal is extremely important for marine trade. This is absolutely one of the things to know before traveling to Panama.

It shortens the travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by 5,000 kilometers. Lower shipping rates and shorter shipment times result from the savings in fuel and time, which benefits everyone at the shop. Every year, over 14000 ships sail through the Panama Canal, which takes approximately 8 to 10 hours to complete.

Panama runs east-west. Panama is a Central American country located between Colombia and Costa Rica, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Panama is situated on the Panama Canal's narrow and low Isthmus. Between 7° and 10° north latitude and 77° and 83° west longitude, this S-shaped isthmus may be found. This is absolutely one of the things to know before traveling to Panama.

Panama covers an area of 75,417 square kilometers (29,119 sq mi). It stretches for 772 kilometers (480 miles) and is 60 to 177 kilometers (37 to 110 miles) broad. The only country in Central America that does not run north to south but east-west is this one. Panama is formed like an almost perfect sideways "S," with the Atlantic/Caribbean to the north and a vast peninsula to the south that juts into the Pacific Ocean.

Volcan Baru, a dormant volcano in the Boquete area, is Panama's highest point. You can view both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans if you climb to the summit. A central spine of mountains runs through the nation, and the volcano is one of them.

Foreign exchange sites may claim that Panama's official currency is the Panamanian Balboa, however this is not the case. Panama uses the U.S. dollar to pay for stuff. Even ATM machines dispense US currency. Panama does not create its own paper money, instead relying on the US dollar as legal cash. This is absolutely one of the things to know before traveling to Panama.

The only exception is the Panamanian coins, which come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, as well as a single Balboa coin. They are the same size, color, and weight of US coins and are used interchangeably. A "$" (dollar) or a "B/" (balboa) sign can be used to indicate a price. It makes no difference because they both signify the same thing and have the same value.

The value of the Panamanian Balboa is equal to that of the US dollar so that Panama uses the U.S. dollar. Withdrawing cash from an ATM incurs a cost, and your bank may levy an exchange fee. Bring some cash from home, preferably little amounts. Vendors aren't always able to provide change due to a lack of cash.

The capital city of Panama is only an hour or two away from many of the country's top attractions. This implies that you may remain in one location and travel throughout the area on day trips. You'll have a lot more time to sightsee if you don't have to change hotels. This is absolutely one of the things to know before traveling to Panama.

A day excursion is not practicable if you wish to see areas that are further away, such as Boquete, Bocas del Toro, the Pearl Islands, or San Blas. You could fly there for a brief visit, but why would you want to? They certainly deserve more than one day!

Hotels in Panama City had an average daily occupancy of 4,571 rooms last year, down 1% from 2018. According to the General Comptroller of the Republic's reports, the daily average of occupied rooms in December did not vary much from the same month previous year, moving from 4,307 to 4,281.

Panama’s tap water is safe to drink. It's chlorinated and completely safe to drink. You are free to shower, brush your teeth, and drink as much as you like. However, the water in the more isolated settlements might be suspect. If you're going off the established path, it's probably best to be safe and drink bottled water.

The answer may surprise you: Panama’s tap water is safe to drink in most parts of the nation, particularly in the bigger cities. Even while the water in cities is purified and generally safe, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to take extra precautions. Purchasing bottled water or heating your own water may appear inconvenient at first, but it will make your vacation lot more pleasurable in the long term.

Be honest with yourself about your physical limits. You should only consume bottled water or tap water that has been strongly boiled for 3 minutes, and you should avoid drinking beverages produced with tap water and ice in your drinks (which is likely made with tap water). Stick to bottled beverages that you have to open yourself. Check out the CDC's guide to all the different ways you can disinfect your water.

Panama has a good transportation system. Panama's infrastructure is rather good, and getting about is simple. Local buses and a new subway system are available in the capital city. To go out of town, the country has a well-developed bus infrastructure, with low-cost long-distance buses serving much of the country.

Next to Albrook Mall is the major bus terminus. Panama City has two international airports: Tocumen Foreign Airport (PTY), which receives the majority of international flights, and Panama City International Airport (PAC).

It's a sophisticated airport that appears to be growing all the time. This is absolutely one of the things to know before traveling to Panama. Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC), also known as Albrook Airport, is a Panamanian airport that serves Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala, San Jose, and Medellin (Colombia). The two airports in Panama City are located on opposing sides of the city. Between airports, ground transportation is available, but aircraft timetables are erratic, and scheduling travel times seldom works out. It's a good idea to spend some time in a good transportation system of Panama City before leaving the city.

Despite the United States' presence in many sections of the country for over a century, finding English speakers can be difficult. Panama's official language is Spanish, and if you learn a few words, you'll be welcomed with open arms.

Panamanians, on the other hand, like practicing their English with foreigners. Many people, notably in the capital and Boquete, can communicate in English. However, if you do need to communicate with someone who only knows Spanish, don't be afraid. With only sign language and the Google Translate app, you'll be OK.

It is estimated that 7% of Panama City citizens speak English as a second language. Because the majority of professionals and businesspeople work in cities and even rural regions, their competence levels are comparable to the general population. Because Spanish (Castilian) is the official language of Panama, it may be found there. Other Caribbean Spanish variations are closely linked to the Puerto Rico Native type.

Panama, as a tropical country, experiences scorching temperatures all year and the weather is so great. Its rainy season is from May to November, but significant downpours are common throughout the dry season, which runs from December to April. The dry season is when the majority of tourists visit. Because of its location in the south, Panama is the greatest place to visit if you want to escape hurricanes.

Panama is located outside of the hurricane belt and has never been hit by one of these storms. Panama has a tropical climate that is hot and humid, with a long rainy season from May to January and a brief dry season from January to May. Between May and December, the rainy season occurs, with an average rainfall of 250-700 millimeters (mm) over the nation. The country's average annual temperature is 27°C, with yearly total rainfall of 1900 mm.

Its weather is so nice. These, however, differ by geography and height. The country's maximum mean temperature varies between 31.1°C and 34.5°C. The minimum temperature varies between 20.1 and 22.4 degrees Celsius. In the Darien Gap, strong storms and forest fires occur on a regular basis. El Nio Southern Oscillation, tropical cyclones, and sea surface temperatures are the major drivers of climate variability in Panama.

Panama does, after all, have that man-made canal, as well as lovely beaches and islands with resorts, cocktail bars, and spas. But there's a lot more to the country than that. Panama City has it everything, from colonial ruins to traffic and skyscrapers, but not far away, you can swim with sharks off the coast of Isla Coiba, relax on a hammock on the San Blas Islands, or unwind at a Bocas cocktail bar. Panama is more than a tropical beach vacation.

If you're looking for the ultimate experience, travel to the Darién rainforest and witness what Panama was like before the Canal was completed. Panama is more than just a beach destination; it's also a tropical jungle adventurer's dream. Panama's rainforests are home to an incredible variety of tropical flora and animals, some of which are unique to the world.

Panama has over 3,000 kilometers of tropical coastline with over 1,000 deserted islands and cays just waiting to be discovered. About tropical beach vacation in Panama, one may choose between beaches on the Caribbean Sea and beaches on the Pacific Ocean. These two bodies of water have distinct personalities, and each beach is unique, offering both peace and quiet. Some quiver with the hammering of the Pacific Ocean's thundering waves, while others are solitary and serene.

Panama is the fourth safest country in the Western Hemisphere and the 56th safest country in the world, according to the 2020 Global Peace Index of 163 countries. In the Western Hemisphere, only Canada, Uruguay, and Chile are regarded safer.

Traveling in Panama with your family or by yourself as a woman is absolutely safe. Just keep in mind the usual safety measures. Panama is a very gorgeous nation worth visiting, and it is far safer than Costa Rica and Colombia. However, it is not without risk. You can avoid being a victim of crime if you keep your wits about you and avoid well-known risk zones.

There are, however, certain precautions to take for you to stay safe. Keep your belongings near at hand; close your bags and carry them on your front at all times; mobile phones and wallets should never be carried in your back pocket. At all times, you must have a valid form of picture identification with you. Make sure you have one with you, or at the very least a duplicate of your passport and the page with your entrance stamp, so the cops have no cause to bother you.

Panama vacations highlight the country's vast cultural and geographic variety. If you travel to the Chiriqui Highlands' Flower and Coffee Festival, you'll get a glimpse of the beautiful landscapes that make up the country's interior. Visit the Bocas del Toro Sea Fair to understand why the waters are so vital to our country's history.

The Spanish influence and Roman Catholicism it brought are vital parts of Panamanian society, but they've been merged with Latin American flair, and the yearly Carnaval isn't going to let anybody down. Let's start with the Carnaval event. It takes place 40 days before Easter, at the commencement of Lent, and coincides with other 'Mardi Gras' festivals across the world. Every day of the Panamanian carnival has a different theme: the grand opening on Friday, international day on Saturday, 'Pollera' day on Sunday, costume day on Monday, and Queens day on Tuesday.

The Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival follows. This annual music festival is place in March in the hillside town and coffee-growing region. It has risen in popularity in recent years, and it is now a destination for worldwide touring jazz and blues musicians. The town of Boquete has a relaxing atmosphere.

The food of Panama, being a bridge between two continents, is another form of melting pot represented in the cuisines. Cooking with a broad array of vegetables, tropical fruits, and herbs. The flavors of the cuisines are varied due to the techniques, ingredients, and recipes contributed by the diverse people.

This is when herbs and spices like cinnamon and ginger were first employed, and it is still used today. They provide the true flavor of the food that we eat today. Coconut rice, fried and marinated fish, cod, and fried plantains are all products of Afro-Antillean influence. With a foundation of native roots, a variety of freshwater and saltwater seafood, herbs and spices, and a variety of cooking methods derived from a mix of civilizations, the cuisines are flavorful.

The distinctive fusion cuisines of Panama are born here, combining components from many civilizations from across the world. Unfortunately, despite all of the facts and culinary history, Panama is not considered a gastronomic center like Peru or Mexico.