Best of Panama

Notes

Essentials

Visas
Visas are not required by most nationalities, including UK, EU and US citizens. However we recommend that you check with your nearest embassy for the most up to date details.

Airport Tax
There is currently a departure tax of US$20 when leaving Panama by air.

Health and Immunisations
As with travel to most parts of Latin America, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended, and we recommend that you take professional advice about malaria prophylactics.

Insurance
What should my travel insurance policy cover?

• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
• Extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as certain sports

The policy should cover the whole time that you are away.

Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover
• legal expenses cover

Common travel insurance policy exclusions
Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:

• most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents

You must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Practical information

Local Currency
The currency in Panama is the balboa. For current exchange rates visit www.xe.com. However the US dollar is widely used as currency within the country.

Where currency can be exchanged
It is easy to exchange money in Panama, both at banks and at exchange bureaux, although it is quicker at the bureaux. Panama’s main towns and cities are also well equipped with ATMs. We recommend however that you simply bring US dollars for sake of ease.

Credit cards and travellers cheques
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Panama. The same applies to travellers’ cheques. If you do want to bring travellers’ cheques, it’s easiest to change US dollar cheques.

Best time to go
Panama’s dry season is generally accepted as being the best time to go – this lasts from mid December to mid April. The temperature generally remains constant year round, at around 30 degrees Celsius. Even during the rainy season it can still be pleasant to visit – the rain usually falls in a short downpour lasting one or two hours in the mid afternoon each day, and outside of this time it is usually dry. North of the mountains, on the Caribbean side of Panama, it rains all year around. However, it tends to rain less in February, March, September and October than it does the rest of the year

Main Language
The national and official language is Spanish – you will get the most out of your visit if you have at least a few basic phrases of it. English is however generally widely spoken. In addition to Spanish, Panama’s indigenous Indian communities have languages of their own, and many people speak Wari-Wari, a dialect of English that is difficult to understand for the uninitiated.

Main Religion 
Panama is a staunchly Catholic nation and religion plays a very important role in society, with numerous festivals and national holidays associated with religious saints.

Food and drink
Panama’s cuisine is subject to a number of different influences – African, Caribbean and American. A typical meal would consist of meat, coconut rice and beans accompanied by vegetables such as yucca, squash and plantains. Typical Central American dishes such as tortillas and empanadas, savoury pastries filled with meat and potatoes, are also fairly popular. Around the coast, expect to be treated to good seafood. The national dish is sancocho de gallina, a stew containing chicken, yucca, corn, potatoes, onions and plantain.

Beer is a very popular drink, inexpensive and widely available.

If you have any special dietary requirements you must notify us at the time of booking. While we will make every effort to cater for you, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

Transport
On this tour we use either private cars or private buses. Please be aware that roads in Panama are sometimes poor and travel can take a long time. However this is generally more than compensated for by the spectacular scenery surrounding you.

We also use motorboats on our itineraries in Panama.

We also make use of domestic flights. The flight to the San Blas Islands on our Best of Panama itinerary is typically made in a small aircraft carrying around 6-8 passengers. Other flights would usually be made in a larger aircraft.

Local conditions
Travelling in the destinations that we visit requires a good deal of understanding that often standards simply won’t be as they are at home. While we aim to make your trip as comfortable as possible, please be aware that we are often visiting remote or less developed regions that may have little infrastructure. While we aim to make your trip run as smoothly as possible there may be times when we need to ask for your patience while we rectify any problems.

What to take with you

First Aid Kit
The first thing on your list should be a first aid kit. Whilst there is no undue cause for alarm, travellers are best advised to travel well-prepared: adequately immunized, with sufficient supplies of prescription drugs, along with a medical kit.

Clothing
When it comes to clothing it is usually recommended that lighter clothes are worn through the day, and warmer ones at night – although it doesn’t really get that cold in Panama. A hat is also advised to be worn through the day to protect from the sun, along with at least one piece of waterproof clothing for any days that the weather may be wet or windy.

Footwear
Footwear is a main priority on our tours in Panama. Comfortable walking shoes/boots are recommended.

Luggage
Your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable.

Other
Suncream/sunblock is a must – please ensure you bring enough as it may not be available locally. Insect repellent, including a bite spray will also be useful to have. For tours that involve camping, a torch (flashlight) is essential.

Fitness
Our Best of Panama tour does not require any special degree of fitness but you will find it more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit. For our Darien Explorer trip you should have a moderate level of fitness as it involves trekking.

Cultural and environmental guidelines
When out and about, and especially when in national parks please ensure that you take all non-biodegradable rubbish away with you.

You may come across beggars while on tour in Panama. Every traveller has different perspectives on this and ultimately the choice is up to you. Many sources recommend that you watch to see if local people give, and then follow their lead with genuine beggars. We do not recommend giving money, sweets, pens etc to children as this can encourage a begging mentality and can lead to children choosing to beg rather than go to school.

Haggling is a way of life in Latin America when making many purchases, especially with tourist souvenirs. Usually, but not always, the vendor will start with a price that is higher than they are prepared to accept, and the buyer is expected to haggle. There are no hard and fast rules with this – some vendors may initially quote a vastly overinflated price, others may start with a price close to the true value, while others may just present you with one price and not be prepared to discuss it. Although many tourists may feel uncomfortable with this, it’s important to remember that this is best entered into in a relaxed manner. Once you have agreed upon a price, it is extremely bad form to then not pay this. Please also bear in mind that a small amount of money to you can be a relatively large amount for the vendor, and that it is not necessarily best practice to ‘beat the vendor down’ to the lowest possible price. Remember that they also have a living to make.

You will be spending time in environments that have very little trace of human presence or development on our tours in Panama. It is important to ensure that they stay this way. Please make sure that you take any rubbish back to the hotels or lodges with you where they can be properly disposed of – this includes cigarette butts as well.

Please do not buy any products made from endangered species – this is not sustainable and hastens the species’ decline

Photography
You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. In more remote areas women and older people often do not want to be photographed. Some people may also ask for some money – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot - in return for a photo. Taking photos of military installations, state buildings, and airports can lead to problems with local authorities. If you are unsure about whether it is acceptable to take a photo, please ask your tour leader or guide.

Tipping
Tipping is common practise in Latin America. If your local guide has been helpful then you could think about tipping. This amount can obviously be left to you. When tipping a driver, a guide or hotel staff a few dollars will always be gratefully received.

Foreign Office Advice
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to Panama. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Further Information

Public Holidays in Panama:

1 Jan New Year’s Day
9 Jan Martyr’s Day
1 May Labour Day
3 Nov Independence Day
10 Nov First Call of Independence
28 Nov Independence from Spain
8 Dec Mothers’ Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

The Easter holiday varies annually. In addition to this some regions of Panama have their own separate public holidays.

Dates are for guidance only and may vary year to year

Electrical Supply
Plugs are generally of the two pronged, round European style. However this can vary from hotel to hotel so we recommend that you bring a multi-adapter.

Recommended Reading

Panama – The Bradt Guide
Sarah Woods

Hell’s Gorge – The Battle to build the Panama Canal
Matthew Parker

IMPORTANT NOTES – PLEASE READ

Please note that the information provided is correct at the time of writing but may change. It is intended as a guide only. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health visit www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or contact your local healthcare provider.

In addition we strongly advise you to check the information and any travel advice provided by your government. For British citizens you should visit the Foreign Office website www.fco.gov.uk.

Furthermore, you should be aware that any travel warnings or advisories may affect the validity of your travel insurance. Therefore, at the time of booking your tour it is essential you check any restrictions on cover with your insurance provider.

Issue Date – 04/09/09

For possible changes to this dossier please visit www.undiscovered-destinations.com or call +44 (0)191 296 2674

Historical Background

Few people know much about Panama beyond its canal, but this enchanting Central American country holds a wealth of sites and attractions ripe for exploration by independent minded, adventurous travellers. Alive with colourful local culture and amazing wildlife, Panama is one of the undiscovered gems of the Americas. Its indigenous cultures maintain age old traditions in spite of encroaching modernity, offering a glimpse into how the region once was before the arrival of the conquistadors centuries ago, while its major towns contain superb examples of old Spanish colonial buildings and are a delight to wander around, losing yourself in small streets where day to day life carries on much as it has done for generations. But it is perhaps Panama’s natural attractions that are its biggest draw. Travelling through its jungles one enters a timeless world where history has stood still and nature reigns, where enormous trees have stood for centuries untouched by man, where brightly coloured birds flit from branch to branch, and where, if you are lucky, you can catch sight of some of the region’s most enigmatic creatures. A trip here is to reach back to the primeval beginnings of our world, a deeply moving experience that leaves an impression that will stay with you forever. Few people are aware of the natural beauty of Panama, shunning it for its better known neighbour Costa Rica. We say explore Panama before everyone else does.

As is often the case in the region, little is known about Panama’s indigenous cultures prior to the arrival of Europeans, although archaeological excavations suggest that a number of different civilisations inhabited the area, trading with each other and leaving pottery remains behind as evidence of their existence. The first European to explore the area was Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1501, sailing along its western coast. He was followed a year later by Christopher Columbus, and after that subsequent Spanish expeditions established a more permanent presence on the isthmus. Panama was known as Terre Firme – ‘dry land’ – and colonial authorities there were given control over several of the islands in the Caribbean, including Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Following the colonisation of the area, indigenous groups suffered greatly – either through falling prey to hitherto unknown diseases, or massacres and enslavement – and most fled to the safety of the forests or the islands, to be replaced by African slaves.

It was not until 1513 that it was discovered that local rumours of Panama bordering another ocean were found to be true. This discovery led to Panama assuming enormous strategic importance, and a trail was soon opened up to connect the Atlantic and Pacific, establishing the tradition of bridging the two oceans that Panama is today so famous for. The capital was moved to the coast, and Panama City was founded in 1525. This route attracted considerable wealth, and it is estimated that approximately 60% of the gold entering Spain from the New World passed through the Atlantic city of Nombre dos Dios. This in turn attracted predators – the most notable of which was Sir Francis Drake, who in 1573 led his men inland to Vera Cruz, plundering the town in search of its riches. Although the Spanish built forts, and protected outgoing ships with large military escorts, piracy continued to be a problem for some time – on the 17th century the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacked and looted Panama City, forcing it to be rebuilt. Continual attacks led to Spain abandoning the route in the mid 18th century, at which point they sent all shipments south round Cape Horn, a far longer, but more secure, journey.

In 1717, Panama had become incorporated into the Viceroyalty of New Granada, an administrative entity that included Panama, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru, with its capital at Bogota. Panama never sat easily within this arrangement, and its remoteness from the centre of power meant that it exercised a certain degree of autonomy. This was a time of instability for the colony, not aided by events in Spain. The early years of the 19th century saw Spain’s power within Europe fade, defeated by Napoleon who ousted the king and installed his brother as ruler. Spain’s South American colonies refused to recognise the new monarchy and the region was marked by political infighting and rivalry. It was around this time that one of Latin America’s greatest historical figures, Simon de Bolivar, emerged onto the scene. An able general and fierce proponent of independence, Bolivar and his men fought several battles against the Spaniards across the region, finally pushing them out of the region and winning independence for Panama as well as Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia and eventually Bolivia. The new state of Gran Colombia was formed in 1821, comprising of Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela and with Bolivar as its president. The vision of a larger South American state was not to last however, and within ten years Ecuador and Venezuela had gone their separate ways, leaving Panama under the control of Colombia, part of a federation now known as New Granada.

For much of the 19th century, Panama vacillated between wanting independence from Colombia and choosing to remain what was effectively one of its provinces. The newly emerging United States was also starting to take an interest in the region, realizing the commercial benefits that could be gained through reducing the time needed for ocean travel. A treaty signed in 1846 between the US and New Granada allowed the US to build railroads across the isthmus and also intervene militarily to ensure the control of the province – by this point Colombia was unable to control its province to any great degree. Throughout the next fifty years, the United States periodically sent troops into Panama to put down any separatist uprisings. In 1853 the first railway across the isthmus was built and proved to be a financial success until similar railroads in North America, linking the west and east coasts, were built, rendering it less important for trans-continental traffic. The existence of a railway prompted the reigniting of dreams of a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific – first thought of by the early Spanish settlers but dismissed as impractical. Ferdinand de Lesseps, responsible for the construction of the Suez Canal, was the first to attempt it. Starting work in 1882, the project faced almost insurmountable problems as workers succumbed to tropical diseases, and engineering problems became apparent. The canal had only made 30km into the interior before de Lesseps’ company went bust in 1893, and the project lay dormant for some years.

From 1899 to 1902, Colombia underwent a period of civil strife known as the Thousand Days War, as liberal and conservative political forces sought to establish dominance. Panama took advantage of this state of affairs and in 1903 declared its independence, backed now by the United States who were keen to lever better terms on the control of a potential canal than had been offered them by Colombia. Shortly after independence, Panama granted the US to rights to build the canal, and exercise sovereign rights over it. The US army completed the canal in 1914, one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements.

From 1903 to 1968 Panama was a republic, dominated by a commercially orientated oligarchy, but by the 1950s the military was starting to eye their power with jealousy. Also, US control of the canal and the Canal Zone surrounding it became contentious as relations between Panama and the US became increasingly tense. Many Panamanians felt that the canal zone rightfully belonged to Panama; student protests were met by the fencing in of the zone and an increased military presence. Riots on 9 January 1964 brought matters to a head and resulted in the deaths of 23 Panamanians as well as four US marines. In October of that year the military, under General Omar Torrijos Herrera, seized power from the democratically elected president. Although his rule was undoubtedly harsh, Torrijos did go some way towards addressing some of the issues largely ignored by previous presidents, and took a nationalistic line, negotiating with the United States to assume Panamanian sovereignty over the canal. Torrijos was killed – some believe assassinated – when he died in a plane crash in 1981.

Torrijos was succeeded by Manuel Noriega, who continued the military regime and collaborated with the US over the Contra War in Nicaragua, allowing US planes to fly arms into Panama. Despite this however, relations with the US took a significant nose dive at this time, and had deteriorated to such a point that by 1987 the US imposed sanctions on Panama, freezing economic and military assistance in response to an attack on the US embassy. Noriega was also indicted in US courts on drug trafficking charges. |Dissatisfaction with the military regime was also growing at home. An election in which Noriega lost power was promptly annulled but by 1989 the government was only just holding on to power. Continuing unrest and a desire to oust Noriega led the US to fill the Canal Zone with troops and then invade Panama on December 20, under the auspices of defending human rights and democracy, combating drug trafficking and safeguarding US citizens – troops from the Canal Zone had recently come under attack from Panamanian forces. This was a short conflict and a week later it was all but over, Noriega resisting capture by seeking shelter in the Vatican City Embassy, until he was forced out.

Guillermo Endara was sworn in as president, and under his rule Panama began to return to democracy, with the power of the military curtailed and many senior members sacked or arrested. Control of the canal has reverted to Panama, the final transfer of power taking place on 31 December 1999, and travellers are starting to discover the charms of this small nation with a troubled recent history. Too often overlooked in favour of better known neighbours, Panama is the hidden gem of the Americas, as yet undiscovered in comparison to places like Costa Rica, and all the more charming for it. Thins delightful corner of Central America has everything that you’d expect of a far larger country – apart from masses of tourists. Its history is tied up of course with the famous canal, and for years the country was seen as little more than just land surrounding this fantastic achievement of engineering, but look further than the cliché and you’ll find superb old colonial architecture, vibrant ethnic groups and some of the continent’s most amazing wildlife, tucked away in national parks that are largely off the radar for most people. An amazing wealth of biodiversity is hidden away in areas that few venture into, and for intrepid travellers areas like the Darien offer an opportunity to break new ground and explore a region that sees little visitors. Panama may not have one major world class site, of the likes of Machu Picchu or Tikal, but its attractions are starting to attract the attention of curious travellers waking up to the joys of this enchanting little nation.