General Information
Climate
Panama is in the tropical climate zone and has two main seasons: a rainy season from April to December and a dry summer from January to March which is not very pronounced especially along the Caribbean coast. Panama's lowlands have a tropical climate. The average temperature at sea level is 29 °C. In the mountains especially in the western part of the country the climate is surprisingly cool. Despite the country's narrow diameter there is a remarkable asymmetry of rainfall between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Both the mountains and the two oceans are responsible for this, channeling large amounts of moist air and ensuring noticeably stable temperatures similar at the equator.
Travel time
As a travel destination Panama is great to travel to all year round. However during the rainy season you have to expect increased, heavy rain showers in the afternoon. The advantages of travelling in the rainy season are the lower number of tourists, the evergreen land and the more pleasant climate (not quite as humid).
Currency
The American dollar: The American dollar is the standard currency of Panama.
The Balboa: Strictly speaking, the official currency of Panama is the Balboa.
The printing of the banknotes was stopped in 1941 in favor of the US dollar. However coins made of the same metal, size and shape as the corresponding American coins are still minted. The Balboa has been pegged to the American dollar at a rate of 1:1 since 1903.
Travel advice/entry requirements
Current travel information and the currently valid entry requirements can be checked on the respective pages of the embassies of your country of origin in Panama.
Language
The official language in Panama is Spanish. English is widely spoken in the capital Panama City and
Bocas del Toro. In addition to Spanish, the native languages of the respective tribes are also spoken
in the indigenous population.
Time zone
Panama is in the GMT / UTC-5 time zone.
Time Change: In this time zone there is no Daylight Saving Time in use.
Electricity
The voltage in Panama is 110 V. An adapter type A and B (as in the USA) is required for sockets.
Health
The medical standard in Panama is very high. The quality of private hospitals and pharmacies is comparable to Europe and the USA. It should be noted that an advance payment must generally be made in all hospitals and clinics. We recommend that you take out private travel health insurance before you arrive.
Safety/Security
Panama is considered a very safe travel destination. Nevertheless we recommend that local customs and culture are respected and to avoid certain areas in Panama City and Colón. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, jewelry and other valuables as well as air tickets and passport but always carry a copy of your passport with you - identification is required! Try to keep all valuables in your hotel safe. At night it is recommended to take a radio taxi / Uber / Cabify.
Population
Around 4.5 million people currently live in Panama. The country's inhabitants are officially called Panamanians or Panameños or Panameñas in Spanish. Most of the population are mestizo with European and indigenous ancestry. In the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Darién the population consists of mainly Afro-Panamanians.
The indigenous population such as the Guna or Guaymí live mainly in the comarcas which are autonomous territories that hold the status of a province.