|
:: Frequently Asked Questions ::
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS
REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO PANAMA?
A passport is about all
you need. Citizens of most countries are not required to have travel
visa's. It might be a good idea to check with your consulate if your
are in doubt. Your airline will sell you a tourist card when you check
in.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED?
Visa, American Express
and Mastercard are accepted in most tourist areas. You will need one
to rent a car. You should carry some cash when visiting outlying areas.
RETURN TO
TOP
CAN TRAVELERS CHECKS BE USED?
Yes, but be careful. While
most banks will cash them, many merchants will not accept them. If you
carry travelers checks, those issued by American Express, Visa or Master
Card seem to be the most accepted. Most banks and hotels charge a fee
for cashing Travelers Checks.
RETURN TO
TOP
IS THERE A DEPARTURE TAX?
Yes! The departure tax
is $20 per person, regardless of age; but is normally included in the
price of your ticket.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT IS THE OFFICAL CURRENCY
AND EXCHANGE RATE?
The official currency is
the Balboa at an exchange rate of 1-1 with the US dollar. Panama does
not print paper money and only the US dollar is used. Panamanian coins
are exactly the size of the U.S. coins of the same value and are used
interchangably in vending machines, toll booths etc.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE?
Temperatures vary between
80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit at Sea Level. In the mountains, of course
it is cooler.
RETURN TO
TOP
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
Check your bill to see
if the tip is included. A normal tip is 10 -15%
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT TIME ZONE IS PANAMA IN?
Panama is Eastern Standard
Time and does not observe daylight savings time.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT IS THE EHNIC MAKEUP OF
PANAMA?
According to IPAT the country's
population is 63% Mestizo, 14% African Descent, 10% Spanish Descent,
5% Mulatto and 5% Indian.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN
PANAMA?
Spanish, Of Course! Though
it is usually not difficult to find someone who speaks English, especially
in tourist areas.
RETURN TO
TOP
WHAT KIND OF HEALTH CARE
IS AVAILABLE IN PANAMA?
Panama offers great medical
care and modern hospitals in the metro areas, but in the more isolated
parts you can be a long way from medical care.
|
