Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
General precautions
A major plus is that tap water in most of Panama is safe to drink, which means the usual
travel worries about avoiding ice in drinks and salads washed in ordinary water can be dis-
pensed with. The exceptions are in Guna Yala, much of the Darién and the remoter parts of
Bocas. On the main tourist islands of Guna Yala and Bocas bottled water, though expensive,
is widely available, but it is less easily obtained in the Darién. That said, since disposing of
non-organic waste such as plastic bottles is a particularly acute environmental issue in these
areas, try to bring a water filter or use water purification tablets as much as possible. These
are usually available in Panama City (see Hiking ) but it's a better bet to bring them with
you. While vile-tasting chlorine or iodine tablets are still effective and widely available, most
companies now produce tablets to neutralize the unpleasant aftertaste. Seek advice on the rel-
ative merits of chlorine versus iodine; the latter, for example, though considered more effect-
ive against giardia parasites, is generally not recommended for pregnant women. Campers
with their own stove can of course boil water to sterilize it.
Since food safety is related to water safety and to food storage, exercise common sense
when eating salads or unpeeled fruit in the few areas in Panama where the water is not pot-
able. Street food , though frequently very tasty, is another potential minefield, particularly at
fiestas when mounds of chicken and rice stand around in the hot sun for hours. Make sure the
food is well cooked in front of you and, if the stall has been dishing up food all day, that any
raw meat or fish has been stored in a cooler box with ice before cooking - and avoid anything
swimming in mayonnaise.
Intestinal problems
Travellers' diarrhoea (TD) lasting a few days is the most common ailment encountered, as
likely to be due to the change in diet and climate as to contaminated food or water-carrying
bacteria, viruses or parasites. If afflicted by the runs, the best cure is to rest and rehydrate,
drinking plenty of clean water with rehydration salts. Sachets of Dioralyte or Electolade are
worth keeping in your first-aid kit, though equivalents are easily purchased in pharmacies in
the major urban centres. Diarrhoea remedies such as Imodium and Lomotil should only be
used in emergencies, such as when embarking on a long-distance plane journey or a jungle
trek, since stopping the flow is not actually healthy. If symptoms persist, especially if there is
blood in the stool or vomiting occurs, consult a doctor, who will probably prescribe a course
of antibiotics.
Sunburn and dehydration
Skin cancer is on the increase, largely because of overexposure to UV radiation - indeed
it is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US. In the fierce tropical sun of Panama, a
high-factor sun cream (SPF 15 or higher with both UVA & UVB protection), a sun-hat and
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