Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your passport and photocopies of the page with your personal information and of the
stamp of your most recent entry to Panama. You must also bring two passport-size pho-
tos, an onward air or bus ticket and a letter to the director stating your reasons for wishing
to extend your visit. You must have proof of funds (US$500) for the remainder of your
stay. You will have to fill out a
prórroga de turista
(tourist extension) and pay US$250. You
will then be issued a plastic photo ID card. Go early in the day as the whole process takes
about two hours.
If you have extended your time, you will also need to obtain a
permiso de salida
(exit
permit) to leave the country. For this, bring your passport and a
paz y salvo
(a certificate
stating you don't owe any back taxes) to the immigration office.
Paz y salvos
are issued at
Ministerios de Economia y Finanzas, found in towns with immigration offices, which
simply require that you bring in your passport, fill out a form and pay US$1.
These documents can be obtained in Panama City at the Migración y Naturalización
and the Ministerio de Economia y Finanzas, Dirección de Ingresos.
Migración y Naturalización
(Immigration Office;
507-1800;
www.migracion.gob.pa
;
Av Cuba & Calle 28 Este, Calidonia;
7:30am-3:30pm Mon-Fri)
Ministerio de Economia y Finanzas, Dirección de Ingresos
( 800-4636;
www.dgi.gob.pa
; cnr Via España & Calle 52 Este) For a
paz y salvo
(a certificate stating
you don't owe any back taxes).
Women Travelers
Female travelers usually find Panama safe. A minority of Panamanian men may make flir-
tatious comments, hiss, honk their horn or stare, even if you're accompanied. Don't take it
as a challenge. A kind of hormonal babble, this behavior is as much about male bonding
as the female passerby. The best response is to follow the lead of Panamanian women:
give these men a broad berth, ignore their comments and look away.
While locals might get away with skimpy, stretchy clothing, travelers will naturally attract
less attention with a more conservative approach. Shorts mark you as a tourist; it's up to
you if you want to wear them. In the interior, dress is more formal, with skirts and nice
sandals the norm. It is not legal to go topless, even in beach towns, and even for men.
Women traveling solo will get more attention than those traveling in pairs or groups. Al-
though assault and rape of foreign travelers is rare, avoid placing yourself in risky scenari-
os. In bars, do not take drinks from strangers. In general, don't walk alone in isolated
places, don't hitchhike and always pay particular attention to your surroundings.
If you are taking a long-distance bus, sit next to a woman or a family if you are nervous
about come-ons. Be picky about your taxis: though shared taxis (between unknown
parties) may be the norm, avoid those with more than one man in them. If the driver tries
to pick up another fare, you can offer to pay more to travel alone.
