Beach Holidays in Panama

Spanning a land-bridge that links North and South America, The Republic of Panama is known best for its shipping canal. The country is still largely unexplored by tourists.

The country has a significant history that stretches back thousands of years. Its natural beauty offers visitors so much more value and around 30 percent of Panama is made up of national parks, forest reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
 

Because of the melting pot culture, Panama's cuisine is influenced by a diverse range of tastes including French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese. In regional areas, traditional Panamanian cuisine is an overlapping mix of Afro-Caribbean and spanish influences, incorporating a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The local growing US population has introduced North American style cafes and bistros. There are many local beverage options sure to give you a refreshing boost during your travels. Pipa, the sweet clear liquid of an unripe coconut is sold from around 25p on roadsides. Often known as 'nectar of the gods' it is said to aid in digestion.

Other popular drinks include pineapple, apple cider, and cinnamon as the leading flavours. Traditional soft drinks are also readily available throughout the country.

Panama's most famous drink is seco, a sugar-cane distilled alcohol commonly served with milk and ice. It is mostly consumed in rural communities. Other popular spirits include rum, vodka, and scotch.

There are many exciting forms of entertainment in Panama including its pulsating nightlife, the cultural energy generated by sports teams, and great shopping experiences to be had. Travellers can choose from a variety of restaurants that serve not only spansh cuisine but also french and American entrees.

The casino and discotheques in particular exemplify the entertainment of the country in a big way. Other popular activities embraced by the locals included ballet, belly dancing, and classic theatre.

Most visits to Panama are trouble-free. However as in most travel situations, tourists should always be aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas and remain aware of potential pickpockets.

Panama is a tropic located country with average temperatures that are very warm. Humidity is always high and rainfall varies noticeably between the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the country.

The best time to visit Panama is during the summer season when it is dry from mid-December to mid-April. Because of the ideal weather conditions, this is also considered to be the high season for travellers. March and May are the sunniest months of the year.

If you are unable to visit during the dry season, keep in mind that between April and July, sudden thunderstorms are frequent and happen every few hours.

All travellers are advised to verify their Tetanus and Polio vaccines are up to date. Vaccines for Hepatitis A and B are also strongly suggested. In certain areas, Yellow Fever is widespread so be mindful to do research on your specific area before travelling.

The official language of Panama is Spanish, which is widely spoken by the local citizens. English is the second most popular with over 14 percent of the population speaking it fluently.

The official currency of Panama is called the Balboa. One Balboa is divided into 100 cent-decimals. They hold the exact same value as the US dollar and can be used interchangeably with no exchange restrictions of any sort.

Panamanian money exists in the form of coins only. Paper bills are not in circulation.

The time difference is GMT -5 hours

The midday siesta is practised in many South American countries, mostly due to the heat.It is common for shops and businesses to close during lunchtime and then resume daily business in the afternoon.