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About Panama
Panama City, the capital and largest city of the Republic of
Panama, was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias de Ávila, a Spanish
colonial administrator who led the first great Spanish expedition
in the New World. Panama is home to the 48-mile long (77 km)
international waterway known as the Panama Canal, constructed
from 1904-1914, which allows ships to pass between the Atlantic
Ocean and Pacific Ocean. The Canal is widely considered one of
the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
The country has more private airstrips per square mile than any
other country in the world, and it is technically feasible for the
adventurous private pilot to fly to one of them, either directly or by
country-hopping through Central America.
Panama’s official language is Spanish, however many Panamanians
also speak English.
For more information on Panama, click here.
Traveling to Panama
Visa requirements
For information on visa requirements for Panama, please click here.
If you do not have a Panamanian embassy in your country, please follow the instructions to fill out the
visa application form found here. Once completed, you can submit this form directly to UNPAC by
email at: [email protected]
Traveling Within Panama
International flights arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which lies about 20 miles east of
Panama City.
Traveling by Taxi
Taxi rates within Panama City are set by a zone system. However, the zone
rates are complicated and fares are typically negotiated, depending on
location, time of day and how well you know the city and can speak Spanish.
Airport taxis can be shared--the transportation information booth in the lobby
will help you make arrangements.
Tourist Taxi Service (Tel. (507) 238-4305 / (507) 220-1210 ). These are the only taxis that can be
boarded at the Tocumen International Airport because they are used exclusively to provide service
to tourists.
Rates in $USD (approximated)
Taxi service from Tocumen International Airport to Panama City is about $25 for 1 to 2 persons. For
groups of 3 or more, expect to pay roughly $10 each.
Note: Most cabs only accept cash
Traveling by bus
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There are two kinds of buses in Panama: “highway buses” and “city buses”.
Highway buses
The Highway buses travel from terminals in Panama City to various destinations along the Pan
American Highway and back to the terminal. Theses buses run pretty frequently, and will pick you up or
drop you off at any point along their route.
To get on the bus, stand by the side of the road, hold out your arm and make obvious pointing motions
toward the ground. If you're on the bus and want to get off, yell "¡Parada!" or tell the driver in advance.
All trips originating from within the city require a ticket, however you must have a MetroBus card to
embark. Buses do not accept cash.
City buses
City buses, nicknamed Diablos Rojos or "Red Devils" are decoratively painted school buses, that our
often crowded.
A flat rate of 25 cents can get you to any location in Panama City.
Note: The city buses in Panama are heavily used by local Panamanians and those who are very familiar
with the city.
Traveling by car
Panama is in the south of Central America and can
easily be discovered independently. The road system
of Panama is in very good condition (for Central and
South American standards). You can rent a car and drive
it around the country if you are an excellent defensive
driver.
Panama City may be difficult to navigate for those who
are unfamiliar to city. Please use your best judgement
while traveling through the city, particularly at intersections.
The minimum requirement to drive in Panama is a valid driver’s license from your country of origin,
however an international driver’s license is recommended to avoid any issues at police controls.
Currency
USD currency/ Panamanian Balboa
Panama has used the US Dollar as its only currency since 1904 although Panamanians often refer to it
as Balboa. If you're from the US, the only oddity about Panama will be change. Panama mints its own
coins in the same weights and sizes as US coinage, but with Panamanian stampings. As a result of a
legal treaty (1904) between the US and Panama, the Panamanian coinage is completely interchangeable
with standard US coinage in Panama.
You can typically use a credit card at all hotels in the capital, as well as medium-sized regional cities
(David, Las Tablas, Colon, Santiago, Bocas del Toro, etc.). Restaurants, grocery stores, and department
stores in major cities will also usually take credit or even debit cards. Outside of the capital, however,
using your card could be difficult.
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Conference information
Dress Code
Symposium, Plenary Sessions, Safety Seminar: Business attire
Welcome Reception: Smart casual
Awards Dinner: National dress or business suit
Mobile phones, laptops, and tablets
Please set mobile phones to silent operation and refrain from using them during business sessions.
Please set laptops to silent operation during the Conference business sessions.
Badges
For security reasons, conference badges must be worn at all Conference-related activities including
lunches, the Welcome Reception, and Awards Dinner.
Official Carrier information
Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines was founded in 1947 as the national airline of Panama
and began operations with domestic flights to three cities in Panama
on Douglas DC-3/C47 planes. The airline quickly expanded to include
international destinations. In 1998, Copa partnered with Continental
Airlines and in 1999, launched a new Copa Airlines brand, upgrading its fleet with Boeing 737 Next
Generation planes. The airline became a member of Star Alliance in June 2012.
Copa Airlines is happy to partner with IFALPA for the 69th IFALPA Conference in Panama.
To learn more about Copa Airlines or book a ticket, click here.
Accompanying Persons
Activities in Panama
Panama Offers a variety of activities for individuals and/or groups, including guided tours, bus tours,
and visits to the Panama Canal, shopping, golf, fishing, diving, and the always popular beach.
We’ve included a few examples of activities below, but feel free to consult the hotel concierge for more
infomation on tourist destinations and activities in Panama.
Touring
Day Tour Panama Hop-On & Hop-off Sightseeing Bus:
See Panama City from the top deck of an open top tour bus,
which takes you to all the major attractions of the Panama
capital. Set amidst the Pacific Ocean, the rainforest and Panama
Canal, Panama City is a strikingly modern city, with an array of
unique attractions.
The tour is designed to ensure that you see all main attractions,
beginning with the world-famous Panama Canal.
For more information on this tour, click here.
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Shopping
For those who prefer discovering the retail side of
Panama, the city offers a variety of markets and
world-class shopping complexes to fit everyone’s
taste, including Multiplaza Mall, Albrook Mall, and
Multicentral Mall, among others.
For more information on shopping in Panama, click here.
Panama Shopping Tips
• Feel free to bargain in the markets, but not in stores
with set prices.
• For food items to bring home, like coffee and
chocolate, check the supermarkets (especially in
Multiplaza Mall, Panama
Boquete and Panama City). Prices are much lower than in touristy shops.
• When it comes to Panamanian souvenirs, the famous Panama hat is a must-buy, along with
Panama’s famous local coffee.
Beaches
Due to its geographical shape, Panama has the biggest
concentration of coastline compared to land mass in all of
Latin America. Therefore, no matter where you are, there’s
always a beautiful beach nearby.
For more information on some of the most popular beaches
in Panama, click here.
Azuero Peninsula, Panama