WHAT TO PACK

Weather-Temperature: Sunny, Hot & Humid! ~ 80-85 degrees for the month of May. To check on the real-time weather conditions in the Panama City, Panama area, click here.

General Attire: Clothing made of cotton, linen, or summer and tropical fabrics - shorts, t-shirts, swimwear, etc.; Footwear: Sandals, water shoes, sneakers, etc.; Out on the Town: Casual attire is acceptable for most stores, casinos, bars and restuarants in the tourist areas. If you desire to blend in with the locals, jeans or pants are the norm. Up-scale establishments in Panama City or other areas may require men to at least wear long pants or dress jeans, collared shirts and closed-toe shoes; while women may be required to wear at least casual evening wear, or dress jeans. Eco-Tours & Hiking, Adventure, Leisure Activities: Comfortable hiking shoes, climbing boots, binoculars, rain poncho, backpacks, light jackets and long pants where necessary, fishing gear, golf clubs, active wear for riding ATVs, horses, etc. (see the recommended clothing requirements for each of these activities)

Don't forget to pack: A camera, film, a hat, and sunglasses along with plenty of sunscreen!

Limit flashy jewelry, valuables and other such accessories. Bring/wear what you choose, but always be mindful of the attention you bring to yourself in a foreign country.

Bring bug protection or deal with it! Panama consists of many wildlife preserves and rainforest jungle parks, i.e. insects are alive and well in Panama! Outdoor repellent containing "deet" works very well.

Pack Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Rolaids, Pepto Bismol or something similar so you'll have it, if needed. Remember you are traveling abroad, and the foods, although delicious and fresh, may be "new" to your stomach!

Some types of batteries and camera film may be hard to find. You will be able to find many American goods and items, but do buy these items ahead of time before you leave to be certain.

How to pack: Try to minimize the amount of luggage you are traveling with. Moving about will be easier and you can avoid the costly overweight & extra airline baggage fees that are now strictly enforced.

US DEPARTURE & PASSPORT

Please arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure to allow enough check-in time. Should you experience difficulty or any sudden problems with your outbound departure/connections, (this applies to travel group members only), US contact information will be contained in your travel documents. Tee Alford & the FP staff will also be available via phone/e-mail at the FP offices for trip assistance questions up until close of business on Tuesday May 19th.

On Copa Airlines, for international travel, your check-in bag(s) can weigh no more than 50lbs.; If it's more, or you have more than one suitcase, the airline may charge you at least $25 each way; Contact your airline directly for carry-on luggage, checked-baggage limitations and overage costs; American 800-433-4300, Continental 800-525-0820, Delta 800-221-1212

You will need a US passport to enter Panama - NO EXCEPTIONS! You are responsible for ensuring your travel documents are in order before the May 22nd trip. The US passport process can sometimes exceed 6-8 weeks. American citizens may visit here to apply for/renew a US Passport. If your situation is dire and you need a passport in less than two weeks before 5/22, we suggest using any one of express passport services. Try a web search for "express us passport service". NOTE: Prices will vary based on the urgency of your passort needs.

PANAMA ENTRY/EXIT

There is a $5 Tourist card fee to enter Panama upon your arrival through customs.

There is no international departure tax required upon leaving Panama.

PANAMA ARRIVAL & LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Private ground transfers have been arranged for all FP travel group members. If you have a customized itinerary for travel on different dates, a tour operator staff member will greet you on your specific arrival date. Other travelers should make their own transfer plans to/from the hotel.

Local Ground Transportation:

Local Buses – Panama has an excellent, inexpensive bus system linking most communities in Panama City and the rest of the country. Refer to local charter bus schedules and routes for departure/arrival times and pickup/dropoff locations. The infamous "red devil" buses are a very popular mode of local bus travel in Panama City, but the maintainence safety of these "coverted school buses" are not always stellar. Use them at your own risk.

Taxis – Not metered, and fares are generally very low, but can vary considerably for tourists. Most destinations in the city should cost $3-5. Be sure to agree to a price in advance. Drivers do not expect tips and many will not speak any English. Use taxi services arranged by your hotel or resort for local transportation. Some taxi drives will offer chauffeur type services if you desire.

Renting A Car – Car rental is fairly expensive in Panama. Car rental agencies have offices at most airports. You should buy all the insurance offered – and then some. For a non-confrontational people, drivers in Panama are very aggressive behind the wheel. Combine that with unpredictably poor road conditions and there can be “awkward” moments. Drive very, very cautiously. Traffic drives on the right. There is a reasonably good road system throughout Panama. If you are not familiar with the country, reasonably priced private transfers and local buses are a good alternative.

TIME ZONE & ELECTRIC USE

Panama is on Eastern Standard Time, the same as New York and Miami. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Panama. (However since the Eastern US is on DST at the time of our May '09 trip, note that there is a 1 hr time difference)

The voltage throughout Panama is 120, the same as in North America. The wall outlets are the same as in the US. However, three-prong outlets are scarce, so bring along a 3 to 2 prong plug adapter and an extension cord for your electric chargers and/or other travel appliances, if you need one.

HEALTH

No shots are required, but having a Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A shot as a precaution is often suggested. The water in the major cities of Panama is safe and most hotels and restaurants offer purified tap water. Regular tap water outside of your hotel is not always safe to drink. To be always certain, you might prefer to drink bottled water (agua purificada) or seltzer (agua mineral) throughout your trip. Panama has excellent, low-cost medical care and well-qualified practitioners. Many North Americans come to Panama for cosmetic surgery and even dental work.

Travelers to Central America need to be vigilant about food-borne as well as mosquito-borne infections. Chagas' disease, Dengue fever, Malaria, Leishmanias and Leptospirosis are just a few to be aware of. Most of these illnesses are not life-threatening, but they can certainly ruin your trip. Besides getting the proper vaccinations, and watching your sun exposure, it's important that you bring along a good insect repellant and exercise care in what you eat and drink. Other things to be aware of include handling, feeding or petting any animal, with the exception of domestic pets known to be free of any infectious disease.

SAFETY & CRIME

Panama is just as safe as the some of the safest cities in the USA! Violent crime in Panama is relatively unheard of. The assaults that happen here are overwhelmingly going to be amongst local people well known to each other like husband and wife, criminal gang members, etc. Armed robberies are rarely heard of. However, pickpocketing can be common crimes of opportunity. Always be aware of your surroundings and observant of people you pass by or brush against. Exercise caution and common sense as anywhere in the world and carry your money and passport in an inside pocket or money belt out of view.

If you are lost, go inside any local store or restaurant to get directions. After dark, travel by taxi. Women should not walk alone at night. If you are bar or club-hopping, go with a group of people since there's always more safety in numbers. Stay anonymous by not wearing flashy jewelry or exposing rolls of money in public view.

If driving, avoid leaving valuables inside your car, even for brief periods. Always use a guarded parking areas and remove all luggage overnight.

Additionally, most eco-adventures (such as hiking, river rafting, canopy tours, ATVs, scuba diving, etc.) involve some sort of danger, so be sure to use good judgment when deciding on your level of participation in these activities. Choose adventure-tour operators who are recommended and have a good safety track record.

CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS, TRAVELERS CHECKS

Panama's paper currency is the US dollar and is accepted everywhere. The Balbóa (bal-bow-uh) is the Panama's coin currency. Do not be alarmed when you are given small change in this form while you are in Panama. Non-US travelers are advised to buy US dollars before they arrive in Panama. Other foreign currencies will be more difficult to exchange. Daily updates for exchange rates of other currencies are provided at www.exchangerate.com.

Credit and debit cards are accepted at most medium to large businesses. You can use Visa and Mastercard all over the country. BEWARE: There may be a charge of 7% for using credit cards, on top of government and service taxes. Look for and read these policies before the bill comes.

You won't need to travel with a lot of cash, there are numerous ATM machines around. ATMs in malls often have a security guard nearby for extra security. Remember, Panama's money is US dollars, but your US bank may post ATM surchages to your account for making foriegn ATM withdrwals.

Travellers’ checks are infrequently received in Panama, particularly those in currencies other than US dollars. American Express Travellers’checks are preferred. American Express checks are the easiest and quickest to replace in Panama.

SOCIALIZING ABOUT THE COUNTRY

Panama is known as the "Crossroads of the Americas" due to its privileged position between North and South America. The indigenous meaning of the country's name, "abundance of fish", reflects Panama's reputation as a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and eco-tourists alike. Panama is also known for its highly developed international banking sector, with more than 150 banks from 35 countries establishing local branches, including HSBC, Dresdner Bank and Citi Bank. Panama boasts a large expat community; about 25,000 US citizens live in country. It is worth spending some time reading up on Panama and communicating with locals, expats and fellow travelers alike before arriving in the country.

Dress is generally casual and handshaking is the normal form of greeting someone in Panama. The official language is Spanish, but many of the people speak some English, a required course in all schools. However, we feel that knowing a bit of the local language is always a form of good gesture and respect when visitng any foriegn place. A pocket travel book is never a bad investment. You'll find many different latin nationalities living in Panama and the local Panamanians themselves are warm and friendly. Don't be shy during your time there, be sure to Smile and say Hola!!!

The Panamanian culture is a vibrant mixture of American and Spanish lifestyles. The Mestizo majority, which is largely rural, shares many of the characteristics of Mestizo culture found throughout Central America. Only three indigenous tribes have retained their individuality and traditional lifestyles as a result of withdrawing into virtually inaccessible areas.

Panama's cuisine is indicative of both its northern and southern neighbors. Travelers can find the rice, beans, tamales, and tortillas common to Central America as well as the ceviche (cold seafood soup) and empanadas (fried corn tortillas filled with meat) of South America. The national dish is sancocho, a spicy stew with chicken and vegetables. Seafood is also plentiful and delicious.

HOTELS & MORE LOCAL INFO

There are several major and smaller hotels in and around Panama City. Each will have their own set of policies, but note that most commonly a credit card or cash deposit "will be" required upon check-in for your own incidental charges (phone calls, etc). If safes are available in your room, it is wise to utilize the safe to store your valuables.

Be cautious about drinking tap water from the faucet in your room or any other public (non-resort) areas; The tap water is relatively safe to drink in Panama, but bottled water is recommended when available at tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants. You may want to also use bottled water when brushing your teeth! Ice is not always made with boiled or bottled water. When outside the hotels, drink bottled water or order your beverages without ice (by saying "sin hielo").

Cellular service in Panama: Cingular/AT&T (Yes), Sprint/Nextel (Maybe), T-Mobile (Maybe), Verizon (NO). Check with your US carrier for international coverage areas to be certain or a special service upgrade may be necessary. CAUTION: International roaming fees are very costly! You can rent a local cell phone if you wish. We suggest using the local pay phones with a calling cards as a good practice. (Remember, local phone operators will likely speak Spanish)

Unless necessary, don't call (locally or internationally) direct from your hotel room as the service and connection costs are extremely high; Room to room calls are of course free. Buying a local calling card is the most inexpensive option for calling back to the U.S and within Panama.

Internet service is available at the hotel business center. Most hotels offer free internet service, but check for pricing before use. Local internet cafes can be found just near our hotel locations, if necessary.

TVs in your room will have some local and international English speaking stations. Radios will only have local Panamanian station(s); Enjoy the reggaeton, salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggae - remember you're not home - you are in a different region of the Western Hemisphere entirely!

Service Tipping - 10% is the norm. Some restaurants include the tip on their total. Your bill should include the amount consumed, a 5% service tax, and either the 10% tip (servicio) or a space for you to include this.

Local Attractions - The Radisson Decapolis hotel is located in the business district and Restuarants, clubs, casinos, bars, shops, and malls can be found in abundance closeby. The hotel is also less than a 10 min taxi ride to most major attractions in Panama City. The capital is a curious blend of old Spain, modern America and the bazaar atmosphere of the East. In the old part of the city with its narrow, cobble-stoned streets and colonial buildings, most of the interesting sights are to be found. These include the Plaza de Francia, the Court of Justice Building, the Paseo de las Bóvedas along the massive stone wall, San José Church with its magnificent golden Baroque altar and the Santo Domingo Church, next to which is the Museum of Colonial Religious Art. The old historic city with the Salón Bolivar is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Overlooking the bay is the President’s Palace, the most impressive building in the city; further along the waterfront is the colorful public market. The most interesting museum in town is the Museum of the Panamanian Man north of the market and near the shopping centers. A worthwhile excursion from the city is a visit to Panama Viejo and its ruins including the square tower of the old cathedral, 6km (4 miles) away. This is the original Panama City which – like Fort San Lorenzo – was sacked and looted in 1671 by Henry Morgan, the celebrated Welsh buccaneer who helped to undermine Spanish control of their colonies.

The Royal Decameron hotel Resort is located about 2 hours outside of Panama City. It is a completely self-contained beach resort on the picturesque southern coast of Panama. Although the atmosphere is more laid back and reserved than the hotels in Panama City, it is close to several rainforest reserves and cultural sites. Note that travel times to some of these attractions may be lengthy based on the Decameron Resorts' proximity to them. Private chaffuers that work with your own vacation schedule, may be an alternative to the daily planned tours that are scheduled.

Funky People Online Travel Group Itinerary: Besides the hotel activities, the night on the town tour included in your trip package, a list of suggested restaurants, clubs, bars and points of interest will be furnished upon your hotel arrival in Panama.

For those individuals that plan to locate and meet with our travel group in Panama at some point, note that getting in touch with FP staff at our base hotels may prove to be very difficult. We strongly suggest that you plan ahead and do not rely on leaving phone messages with hotel reception. The Funky People travel group coordinators WILL NOT have a Panamanian cell phone number. You may view a copy of our public events schedule online or contact our offices by Monday May 19th, 2009. Be mindful, that vacation plans are subject to change at any time. Why? 'Cause it's Panama and we're on vacation too. See you in the Sun!!!!