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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. To date, approximately 860,000 vessels
have crossed the Canal, and it 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.
Language
Panama’s official language is Spanish, however many Panamanians also speak English.
Climate
Panama has a tropical maritime climate with a hot, humid prolonged rainy season (May to January) and
a short dry season (January to May). Summer is roughly from December to April. Temperatures range
from 27° to 32° (80 to 89.6°F) most of the year. Light clothing is recommended.
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 IFALPA 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.
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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
Shuttle Service
The Panama Airport Shuttle service operates to and from Tocumen and Albrook airports. Most
passengers ask for transportation to Panama City but special arrangements can be made to offer
transportation anywhere in Panama.
For information on shuttle services and rates, click here.
Traveling by bus
There are two kinds of buses in Panama: “metro buses” and “city buses”.
Metro buses
Metro buses travel from terminals in Panama City to various destinations along the Pan American
Highway and back to the terminal. The metro bus routes have recently been updated with more frequent
and efficient routes, 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. Visitors can drive up to 90
days with a foreign driver’s license.
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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.
Tips at restaurants are usually between 10 and 15%.
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.
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.
To learn more about Copa Airlines or book a ticket, click here.
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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.
Commercial activity usually goes from 9:00am until 6:00pm Mondays through Saturdays and in some
cases Sundays.
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.
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
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.
Multiplaza Mall, Panama
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
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Important Information
Panama is considered one of the safest cities in Latin America, however it is recommended that visitors
use the taxi services offered by hotels and airports for all your travels.
Please see below for important contact information within Panama:
Single System 911 Emergency Management: (507) 911
www.sume911.pa
Citizen Service Center: (507) 311
www.311.gob.pa
Police Zone of the Republic of Panama: (507) 104
www.policia.gob.pa
Tourist Police: A special forces unit. Tourist officers are easily recognized by their beige and tan
uniforms, and are there to help should tourists need it: (507) 511-9260
Civil Protection: (507) * 335