Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
form of address is preferred to the “tu” form, which is reserved for close friends, although this
is beginning to change among younger people or those who have spent significant periods of
time out of the country. This formality is also reflected in
clothing
, particularly by the urban
middle classes, who like to dress up to go out. Dress is also important on the beach; no nude
sunbathing is permitted in Panama, except on one beach on
Isla Contadora
,
and beachwear
should stay on the beach - cover your body in town.
Suitably modest attire (covered shoulders) is appreciated in churches. When visiting
indi-
genous communities
,
cultural sensitivity
is important as regards dress, alcohol and photo-
graphy.
Drugs
Drugs are widely available in Panama,
marijuana
and
cocaine
in particular, and you're quite
likely to be offered something at some stage. However, possession of either is illegal and
makes those caught liable for a prison sentence. While the police might - and only might -
turn a blind eye to a joint being smoked discreetly on a deserted beach, being caught with
some weed trying to cross a border can have serious consequences. Possession of cocaine
is punished very heavily, in part because Panama is a known transit point for drugs heading
from Colombia to the US.
Electricity
The
voltage
in Panama is 110 volts and sockets take flat two- and occasionally three-pronged
plugs.
Power cuts
and subsequent surges occur fairly frequently so if travelling with a laptop
you may want to bring a surge protector. In many remote parts of the country, such as some
islands of Guna Yala and in much of the Darién, in national parks or in isolated villages, there
is limited or no electricity at night so a torch is essential.
Entry requirements
Requirements
for Panama can be confusing; they change frequently and updates can take
a while to filter through to all immigration officials. Check for the latest regulations at a
Panamanian consulate in advance of your trip and don't forget that if you are transiting via
the US, you will need a transit visa, or a visa waiver application to be made online in advance
of travel (see
usimmigrationsupport.org
), as well as a machine-readable passport. The
Panamanian immigration authorities' website is also worth checking (
migracion.gob.pa
).
At the time of going to press, citizens of
most European countries
, including the UK and
Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need a visa and
can get their passport stamped for ninety days on arrival provided they can produce a pass-
port valid for at least six months after departure, an onward (or return) bus or plane ticket and
proof of funds (usually $500 or a credit card).
