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Located
between Central and South America, Panama covers 75,517 square/km
(29,208 square miles) and is bordered both by the Pacific Ocean
and the Caribbean Sea - only 50 miles apart at the narrowest!.
The 2.7 million Panamanians speak Spanish, but English is also
widely spoken.
Panama
is a stable, democratic, independent Republic and the U.S. dollar
has been legal tender since 1904. All major credit cards are accepted
and there are numerous ATMs all over the country. Panama IS the
world's 5th largest International banking center. A valid passport
is sufficient and a 90-day tourist card is obtained through your
airline.
The Int'l Airport of Panama,
Tocumen, has direct flights from the major cities of North and
South America. Miami is only 2 hours away. European flights transit
through the U.S.
This hurricane-free country
enjoys a two-season tropical climate. From mid-December to May,
the cool trade winds blow. The rest of the year finds light winds
and sporadic rainfall. Temperatures are always between 25-30º
C (80;-90º F). No special vaccination are needed.
The City of Panama pleasantly mixes ancient and modern architecture.
It’s always a pleasure to take a walk in 500 year old Casco
Viejo, the original city sacked by Henry Morgan, the pirate.
The most beautiful part
of Panama is located along the Caribbean coast: the 365 island
archipelago of San Blas. Established in 1938 as an autonomous
Indian territory, the land and marine park of Kuna Yala offer
both land and sea treasures. On the mainland, the “ cordillera
de las San Blas “ mountain range rises above this gorgeous
unexploited, unspoiled and relatively unknown paradise.
Today's Kuna Indians inhabit
the islands in the same way their ancestors did - trading coconuts
and fishing for crabs, lobsters and snappers aboard their graceful
hand carved wooden canoes called "Cayucos,” complete
with patchwork sails.
Most of the communities speak only the ancient Indian language
and the women still wear the traditional colorful dresses in orange
and yellow, highlighted with the world famous “mola”
rainbow colored patterns emblazoned with fish, birds, jungle animals
or geometric designs. Their calves and arms are tightly bound
with lengths of beads known as “Uinni” and they wear
a golden ring through the tip of their nose.
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