Those that know little about Panama, will nonetheless be aware of its important Canal, linking the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean; the famous foldable hat (which is actually made in Ecuador) and perhaps the drug-running dictator, General Noriega, who was eventually ousted following an American invasion.
Panama offers so much more, a lively and sophisticated capital, lush rainforest and pristine beaches. The country’s natural attractions offer an irresistible lure to the discerning traveller, with a wealth of flora and fauna such as cannot be seen anywhere else in Central America. Neighbouring Costa Rica has long been firmly on the tourist map: whilst the joys of Panama have so far only been discovered by the more adventurous traveller, looking for a destination largely untouched by tourism.
Wildlife abounds in the scarcely visited national parks and it is possible to snorkel in the Caribbean Sea and swim in the Pacific Ocean…. on the same day! With extensive shorelines, the country is much longer than it is wide. Topography consists of mountains, hills, virgin rainforests, dry tropical forests, and volcanoes.
It is a proud nation that offers astounding wildlife adventures, that respects its seven indigenous peoples, including the Kuna Indians, who inhabit the easily accessible San Blas Islands. Its Spanish heritage is regularly celebrated with frequent and colourful festivals.
It would be hard to imagine a country that can offer the pioneering traveller such a diverse range of attractions, many of which can be seen in a relatively short period of time.
Panama’s high tourist season corresponds with its Pacific-side dry season – from mid-December to mid-April. During these months, there is relatively little rain in Panama City and elsewhere south of the Continental Divide. 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.
The canal is the obvious start for many visitors and we can arrange either a part or full transit. Taking the trip will immediately give the visitor a good insight into the many natural attractions and diverse wildlife of the country. Another must for many travellers are the islands in the Comarca de San Blás, which are ruled by the indigenous Kuna Indians. For visitors with more time, equally interesting are the islands of the Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro, close to the border with Costa Rica. Here the adventurous traveller will find laid back villages, jungle-covered islands, coral keys and secluded beaches.
Also towards the boarder you will find cool alpine retreats including Boquete, a quaint town, with a glistening river. It is the perfect base for trekking or just a relaxing stroll.
A visit to one of the national parks is another must and on our small group tour includes time in the Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 2286 meters you will have an opportunity to see the elusive Resplendent Quetzal and many other birds in their cool habitat of orchids and wild avocados.
Visas- Back to top At the time of writing British and most other European nationals do not need a visa to visit Panama for stays of up to 90 days, on the basis of holding a return or onward ticket, See www.panaconsul.com for further details as requirements can change without notice.
Getting to Panama City - Back to top Panama City is well served by many international airlines, including most of the major American carriers. As with travel to many Central American destinations, often a change of plane will be required in the States, Miami being the hub for flights to the Central and South America.
Currently the only option from Europe that does not require a transit in the States is Iberia’s (www.iberia.com) service from Madrid, which touches down in San Jose, Costa Rica. However, this should always be reconfirmed at the time of booking, as even a short stopover in the US will make the passenger liable to the stringent American immigration requirements.
As we are a small, specialist agency, we are unable to secure the best airfares available. Increasingly the airlines are seeking the majority of their bookings, directly through their own websites, or only offer the best deals to a handful of selected, large agencies such as Trailfinders (www.trailfinders.com). We can highly recommend Trailfinders, as they are generally very competitive in price and consistently offer the highest levels of choice and expertise. See our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.
Immunisations- Back to top As with travel to most parts of Central 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. We can recommend the Trailfinders Travel Clinic (www.trailfinders.com/clinic.htm) 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 and Yellow Fever. Anti-malaria medication will also be required and the use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
Travel Insurance - Back to top We have a legal obligation to stress the absolute need to have adequate travel insurance, which should be taken at the time your trip is confirmed. These days there’s a huge range of options available and premiums have never been more competitive. Increasingly annual multi-trip policies offer good value for money, but you should compare the level of cover and the activities included with each policy. Please contact us for further details.
Foreign Office Advice - Back to top We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign Office. Currently the Foreign Office has no warnings in respect of travel to Panama. Should this position ever change we would of course advise all effected clients. Furthermore, we will always be as flexible as possible and do our best to waive normal cancellation fees (subject to the agreement of local suppliers), should we need to cancel a trip due to the advice issued by the Foreign Office.
Nonetheless, we strongly recommend that insurance be taken out at the time of booking, which may offer some protection should your plans later change as a result of such advice.
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