When is the best time to visit?

Tourism in Panama is a year-round activity. The temperature never varies and the sun shines everyday, all year long. There are two "seasons" in Panama and some people prefer to come in the "dry season" from mid-December through May when it doesn’t rain. Some recreational activities are better in the dry season, such as Caribbean diving and particular kinds of sport fishing and bird watching.

In the so called "rainy season" or "green season" from June until December, most days there is a one to two hour tropical rain storm in the late afternoon. This is a regular occurrence and most activities can be planned around it. Many hotels offer special "green season" rates.

I don’t speak Spanish. Is that a problem in Panama?

Most Panamanians speak some English and many speak it fluently, especially those that cater to tourists. Remember, for 85 years up to 50,000 Americans lived in the middle of Panama in the former Canal Zone. Furthermore, Panama is traditionally an international business crossroads. Panamanians are accustomed to working side by side with foreigners and English has become a second language.

Do I need a visa to visit Panama?

Citizens of most countries including the USA and Western Europe do not need a visa. Tourists from some countries including the United States need only purchase a $5 tourist card from their airlines, at the ticket counter on the day of departure for Panama. A tourist card gives you an automatic 30-day stay in Panama and is extendible for another 60 days. Citizens of most other countries need only their passport. If your children are traveling with one parent only, Panama, like many countries requires a notarized letter of permission from the other parent.

What is the currency?

The U. S. dollar is the currency — no currency exchange hassles! Indeed, the U.S. dollar is one of Panama’s great tourist conveniences.

Can I drink the water? Are there any health concerns?

Panama is the only country in Latin America where you can drink the tap water. The "montezumas revenge" that is so common in the rest of Latin America is almost unheard of in Panama. Sanitary conditions are just very good. There are no special other health concerns and no shots or special pills are necessary unless you are going to hike in the Darien jungles or other remote areas.

What is the electrical voltage? Can I use my electrical appliances?

Yes, all your appliances will work here. The voltage is the same as the United States and Canada: 110V.

What about mosquitoes?

Believe it or not, you are unlikely to see a mosquito your whole trip! Panama may be a tropical country but mosquito control is effective. Exceptions would be if you were in the rainforest after dusk, hiking, or overnight in the jungle, in which case insect repellant is advised.

How Much Should I Tip?

10% is normal. Some tips are included in the bill, so check. You don’t have to tip taxi drivers-but it would be deeply appreciated if you did.

What Time Zone is Panama in?

Panama is on EST from October to April and CST from April to October when daylight savings goes into effect in the United States.

Why Retire or Buy a Second Home in Panama?

1. Panama is close.
• There are direct flights of 3-5 hours from seven major U.S. cities like New York, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and Orlando and Toronto.
2. Panama is safe.
• Panama is one of the safest countries in the world with the same rating for tourism safety as the United States. Talk to foreigners who live here and they will tell you how safe they feel relative to other places they have lived.
3. Panama is a beautiful country with a wide variety of world-class attractions all close by.
• Panama has a wide variety of destinations, activities and world-class attractions. Since it is such a small country, about the size of South Carolina, they are all in close proximity. You will never have a reason to be bored — Panama has it all — beach, mountains, nature, a sophisticated capital city, fine dining, golf, sport fishing, Indian culture, history and much more.
4. Your investment will increase in value.
• Panama today reminds real estate professionals of the Florida market twenty years ago — it has many of the same attractions of Florida and property prices are a bargain. It is not uncommon for Americans coming to Panama today to buy a condo in Panama City, a beach home and mountain home — all for less than the price of the home they just sold in the States. And because the Panama property boom has just begun, your investment is sure to increase substantially as more and more people discover what a great place Panama is to live and invest.
5. Panama has a stable democracy and Latin America’s most stable economy.
• Panama has a democratically elected president and historically the most stable economy in Latin America. The present administration of Martin Torrijos has excellent relations with the United States, is pro-business and working hard to create transparency and good governance.
6. Panama has the US dollar as its currency.
• What a "travelers pleasure" it is not have to exchange money at the airport and not to have to pull out a calculator to figure out what that meal just cost or how much that neat Panama City condo costs.
7. Panama has no hurricanes or major earthquakes.
• Unlike its Central American neighbors, not to mention certain places stateside, Panama is in a hurricane-free zone. There are no major destructive earthquakes.
8. Panama is a nature lover’s paradise
• You will discover beautiful and fascinating nature in the rainforests, mountains and the oceans- indeed it's hard to think of anywhere as nature-rich as Panama.
9. Your family and friends will be impressed with your smart decision.
• We hear this story all the time…"my kids and family thought we were crazy when we told them we were going to buy a home and live in Panama ...they thought we were having some severe mid-life crisis etc…then they came down and were blown away by the place...".
10. If you or your friends and family are beach lovers, Panama is the place.
• There’s a beach close by everywhere in Panama. The narrow isthmus is only 50 or so miles wide- this means a beach is never more than an hour away. With both a Pacific and a Caribbean coastline, Panama has thousands of miles of beaches and in addition over one thousand islands. This also means great water sport activities, in fact, the fishing, diving surfing, sailing, and sea kayaking is world-class.
11. Panama has the best retiree benefit program in the world.
• Retirees get major discounts on air tickets, medicine, movies, restaurants, hotels etc. Other benefits include the importation of all your household goods free of all taxes and as a retiree, you can import a car every two years free of import taxes (other taxes apply).
12. Panama has a carefree climate.
• In Panama City, the beaches and lowlands there’s a year-round warm climate. Some places like Panama City are humid but that is easily remedied with air conditioning… and you go from an air-conditioned home, to an air-conditioned supermarket, to an air-conditioned mall and never are bothered by it. Evenings and early morning temperatures are perfect for walking or running. In the mountains and highlands, weather year-round is spring-like temperatures —no air-conditioning needed.
13. Panama has a modern American-style infrastructure.
• Panama City- it's Manhattan-like skyline, the buildings, stores, shopping malls and many neighborhoods will remind you of the States- this is all the by-product of nearly 100 years of an influential American presence in the Panama Canal
14. High speed Internet is more available in Panama than in the United States.
• You can get high speed Internet just about anywhere in Panama. Phone and other telecommunication services are also excellent.
15. If you are an investor or businessman, you will find Panama's entrepreneurial class great to work with.
• People starting small companies or major investments find it a pleasure to do business in Panama with the because so many business people are Americaneducated or worked for Americans in the former Canal Zone; i.e., they understand Americans and know how to work with them.
16. Medical care is on a par with the United States Medical facilities compare favorably to US facilities and it is easy to find a Panamanian doctor or dentist that is U.S. trained and speaks English.
• Prices run about 50% less than the US.
17. Panama has one of the best road infrastructures in Latin America.
• It is not perfect, mind you — this is the "third world"- but darn good.
18. You will love the Panamanian people
• One of the most common things you will hear from retirees is how friendly and helpful they find the Panamanian people — that means the man-on-the-street, neighbors, maids, taxi drivers, the mall security guards…etc. They feel safe and welcome —many are well traveled and say there is no place in the world they would rather be.
19. A Retiree Visa is easily and readily attained.
• You can get a retiree visa in a short time for a reasonable price.
20. Foreigners can own property in Panama and have all the same legal rights as Panamanians.
• Unlike some other Latin American countries, foreigners in Panama have all the same property rights as its citizens.