Panama has a great variety of world-class attractions all in close proximity
Panama is small country, yet it has a great variety of attractions- exotic tropical rainforests, beautiful mountain refuges, Caribbean-style beaches, a 1000 islands, seven living Indian cultures, a Miami-style sophisticated capital city, scads of Spanish colonial historical sites, golf, diving, sport fishing, not to mention that 8th wonder of the world and engineering marvel, the Panama Canal. It is hard to think of any other destination in the world that has such a variety of attractions so close by and so easy to get to.
Panama is safe
Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin American for tourists. Tourism crime especially is low. You don’t have to be constantly on your guard for pick pockets or purse snatchers like in other countries in the region. Foreign residents will tell you how safe they feel in Panama compared to other countries in the region. And it is only going to get better. Under the new Martinelli government, effective measures are being taken to reduce crime in general-they have already reduced crime 28%.
Panama, the affordable exotic destination
In today’s economy, people are looking for tourism bargains. Normally the kind of pristine natural beauty Panama has comes at a fancy price. However, because Panama has just begun to promote itself as a tourist destination, its prices are some of the best in exotic travel.
Panama has a first-world infrastructure
Panama has a first-world infrastructure starting with a US style capital city with high speed internet, the second largest Free Trade Zone in the world, a banking sector with 90 banks, first rate hotels and restaurants and the best shopping in Latin America. The highway infrastructure, medical care, telecommunications and business services are excellent-comparable to the USA as noted in the ARRP’s Modern Maturity magazine.
Panama is close
As part of Central America, Panama is just a short plane ride away. There are direct flights from 10 major US cities to Panama City: Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. Newark, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta,Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.
Panama is tourist friendly
Panamanians are some of the friendliest people in the world. English is spoken as a second language. Since Panama has historically been an international crossroads, Panamanians both understand, appreciate and enjoy foreigners.
Panama has the US dollar as its currency
That’s right! The dollar is Panama’s currency-a great convenience. In Panama, there’s no need for currency exchange. You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to figure out what that meal just cost or how much to tip the bellboy. All your bank accounts and investments are all also in US dollars.
Panama has a excellent sanitary conditions and world-class medical care.
Sanitary conditions are excellent- there’s virtually none of that tourism scrourge, “Montezuma’s Revenge”. You can even drink the tap water, a rarity in Latin America. If as a tourist you happen to need medical care, another pleasant surprise. The Panamanian doctors that will treat you will most probsbly speak English and many are American-trained . Major hospitals have medical services on a par with US hospitals.
Panama is the best place for nature travel and ecotourism today
Panama has most accessible exotic nature in the world. It’s position as a narrow land bridge connecting two continents endowed it with some of the worlds’ most pristine and bio-diverse rainforests in national parks covering 5 million acres. There is a local saying: “In other countries you have 20 tourists looking at one bird, while in Panama you have one tourist looking at 20 birds.”
A key indicator of its bio-diversity: Panama has 944 recorded bird species, more than the U.S. and Canada combined. Importantly, all that great nature is very accessible- some of the best locations are less than an hour from Panama City!
Panama has a wide selection of beaches and island venues and activities
If you love beach vacations but hate the crowds, Panama is the place for you. With two coasts and more than a thousand islands, there is much to choose from for beach vacations from full service resorts to exotic island retreats. See more in Beaches & Islands.
Panama is world-class for adventure
Panama has many choices for both the hard and soft adventure seeker. International experts rave about river running in Panama, including rafting and kayaking. This includes rivers where you can ride 20 sets of rapids in one afternoon. You can take an ocean-to-ocean hike across the Isthmus through dense jungle or live with ancient Indian tribes experiencing their culture. Canyoning, trekking, repelling, surfing and river and sea kayaking are excellent. Canopy tours, jungle and mountain trekking, rappelling, birding, sea kayaking and surfing are world-class.
Panama has world-class fishing, diving, snorkeling and sailing
Panama has world class fishing spots in a number of places on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. One place in Panama, Pinas Bay, holds 170 world fishing records. There are five excellent diving and snorkeling areas: Coiba National Marine Park, the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro archipelago, Portobello and the Chiriqui Coast.
Panama City is a smart choice for convention and incentive travel
Panama City is a sophisticated and safe city with fascinating and fun things to do nearby. Day trips from Panama City include world-class sportfishing, rainforest adventures, golf, Indian village tours, fascinating historical sites and the Panama Canal.
Panama is Survivor Country
How exotic and interesting is Panama? 15 countries filmed their Survivor programs in the islands of Bocas del Toro and the Pearl Islands. CBS’s Survivor filmed four series in Panama’s Pearl Islands. In no other country did Survivor take place more than once, except Panama.