Travel to Panama: A Complete Guide for Experienced Travelers

Egor Karpovich

CEO

Panama is the pearl of Central America, where modern cities coexist with serene beaches. This country offers everything from historical sites to adventure tours. Panama is also a country about which you need to know many interesting facts.

Facts about Panama:

Language in Panama - Spanish, but English is also widely used.
To travel to Panama you need a visa, which can be obtained at the consulate or upon arrival.
The official currency of Panama is the Panamanian Balboa, but dollars are also often used.
In terms of time zone, Panama is in the UTC-5 time zone. This means that Panama is 5 hours behind UTC.
Panama's economy is mainly based on the financial sector, tourism and trade.
Crime in Panama is quite high, so you need to be careful and follow safety measures.
Regarding the religion of Panama, the majority of the inhabitants profess Catholicism, but there are also Protestants, Jews, Muslims and other religions.

Culture and holidays of Panama

Panama is a country rich in cultural traditions and celebrations. There are many festivals and celebrations held here that reflect the history and culture of this amazing country.

One of the most popular and famous festivals in Panama is Carnival, which takes place every year before the start of Lent. This bright and cheerful event is accompanied by parades, fireworks, musical performances and national dances. Carnival in Panama attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world and becomes a real holiday for all residents of the country.

Panama also celebrates many other traditional holidays, such as Independence Day, Children's Day, and Mother's Day. These holidays feature carnival processions, dances, concerts and various cultural events.

An important holiday in Panama is also the Day of Saint Isidore Labrador, the patron saint of farmers and agriculture. On this day, exhibitions of agricultural products and competitions in working with animals are held in the country.

Main attractions of Panama

One of the most popular places to visit is the Panama Canal, which is one of the most important transport routes in the world. It is also worth visiting Panama's old town (Casco Viejo). Here you can see beautiful colonial buildings, cozy streets and many restaurants and shops.

Another popular attraction is the Bocas del Toro archipelago, which consists of several islands with crystal clear waters and picturesque beaches. Here you can go diving, snorkeling or just enjoy the beauty of tropical nature. Panama is an amazing country with beautiful landscapes and hospitable people that is worth visiting.

The site provides exclusive tours to Panama from TravelHub:

Best of Panama

Program: On our tour we promise: Incredible views of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean from Baru Volcano. The city of the conquistadors is Panama City with two cities - Old and New Panama - and a masterpiece of engineering - the Panama Canal. A fascinating walk along the deep Chagres River on an Indian pirogue and swimming in the Chorro del Mono waterfall. Great stay in Bocas del Toro.

The cost of a 10-night tour starts from $4814. You can find out more details and book a tour here.

And also many others:

Panama cuisine

Panamanian cuisine features seafood, rice, beans, and traditional dishes such as sancochos and tamales.

Ropa Vieja is a dish of beef with vegetables, seasoned with spices and tomato sauce. Usually served with rice or mashed potatoes.
Tamal is a traditional corn dough dish filled with meat (usually chicken or pork), vegetables and spices.
Fritura is a fried mix of mango, bananas and yams. Served with coconut oil and black pepper sauce.
Patelilo - pasta with beef and vegetables. Usually baked in a silk cake.
Ensalata de papas is a salad of boiled potatoes, eggs, cucumbers and herbs, dressed with mayonnaise.
Chorrillo is a popular seafood dish (shrimp, squid, mussels) with hot spices and tomatoes.
Kanyama is a fruit dessert made from banana and papaya, topped with coconut milk and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Panamanian cuisine combines many influences - Indian, Spanish, African, which makes the dishes rich and interesting flavor combinations.

The best resorts in Panama

Panama offers vacations on the beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean seas, ecotourism and active recreation.

Panama City is the capital of Panama, where you can enjoy local culture, landmarks and shopping.
Golfo de Chiriqui is a region with thermal springs and spa resorts, an ideal place for rest and relaxation.
Contador is an island in the Pacific Ocean, popular with surfers and divers, with magnificent beaches and beautiful nature.

When is the best time to go to Panama?

Panama is located in Central America and has a tropical climate. Panama always pleases with warmth, the average temperature ranges from +23°C to +33°C. The seasons in Panama are divided into dry and rainy periods. The dry season begins in December and ends in April, during which time there is virtually no precipitation. The rainy season begins in May and ends in November; during these months there can be heavy rain, but it is usually short-lived.

You can book a hotel in Panama using our online service. When choosing a hotel in Panama, pay attention to its location, amenities and reviews of other tourists. To travel to Panama it is better to buy plane tickets advance to get the best prices and seat selection on your flight to Panama. Air tickets can be purchased on our online booking platform.