Panama - Traveling On Our Own
Panama,officially the Republic of Panama, is a country in Latin America at the southern end of Central America, bordering South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Its capital and largest city is Panama City, whose metropolitan area is home to nearly half of the country's over 4 million inhabitants. Before the arrival of Spanish colonists in the 16th century, Panama was inhabited by a number of different indigenous tribes. It broke away from Spain in 1821 and joined the Republic of Gran Colombia, a union of Nueva Granada, Ecuador, and Venezuela. After Gran Colombia dissolved in 1831, Panama and Nueva Granada eventually became the Republic of Colombia. With the backing of the United States, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903, allowing the construction of the Panama Canal to be completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. The 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties agreed to transfer the canal from the United States to Panama on December 31, 1999. The surrounding territory was returned first, in 1979. Panama is a founding member of the United Nations and other international organizations such as the Organization of American States, Latin America Integration Association, Group of 77, World Health Organization, and Non-Aligned Movement.
LanguageSpanish:The official language of Panama, spoken by the vast majority of the population. Panamanian Creole English: A significant number of Panamanian's, particularly in areas with a history of West Indian influence, speak a form of Creole English. Ngäbere: One of the main indigenous languages spoken in Panama, by the Ngäbe people in the northern part of the country. Other Indigenous Languages: Panama is home to several other indigenous groups, each with their own languages, including Kuna, Emberá, and Teribe. |
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EconomyRevenue from canal tolls has continued to represent a significant portion of Panama's GDP, especially after the Panama Canal expansion project (finished in 2016) doubled its capacity. Commerce, banking, and tourism are major sectors. Panama is regarded as having a high-income economy. In 2019, Panama ranked 57th in the world in terms of the Human Development Index. In 2018, Panama was ranked the seventh-most competitive economy in Latin America, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index. Panama was ranked 82nd in the Global Innovation Index in 2024. Covering around 40 percent of its land area, Panama's jungles are home to an abundance of tropical plants and animals – some of them found nowhere else on earth. |
Population
The current population of Panama is 4,557,676 as of Saturday, April 5, 2025 based on Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data1. Panama 2025 population is estimated at 4,571,189 people at mid-year. Panama population is equivalent to 0.056% of the total world population. Panama ranks number 129 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The population density in Panama is 61 per Km² (159 people per mi²). The total land area is 74,340 Km² (28,703 sq. miles). 70.65% of the population is urban (3,229,574 people in 2025) The median age in Panama is 30.3 years.
ElectricityPanama's electricity is similar to the United States' in the following ways: Voltage and Frequency: Panama operates on 110-120 volts of alternating current (AC) at 60 Hz, the same as the United States. Plug Types: The most common plug types found in Panama are Type A (two flat prongs) and Type B (two flat prongs with a grounding prong), which are also common in the US. Travel Adapters: Hydroelectric Power: Panama relies heavily on hydroelectric power for its electricity generation, with hydro power accounting for over 69% of the country's electricity generation in 2022. Renewable Sources: Overall, renewable sources (including hydro) represented around 78% of Panama's electricity mix in 2022. Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels, mainly oil and coal, contributed to the remaining percentage of Panama's electricity mix. generation includes hydroelectric dams and renewable energy sources: |
Phone ServiceTo place an international call from Panama, one must first gain access to the international telephone circuits by dialing “00.” The country code for the US and Canada is “1.” Always check the hotel phone rates before placing any outside calls. One of the most cost-effective methods to phone home is to use your hotel's Wi-Fi to call via a VoIP service (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp, Google Chat, etc.). This method will only allow you to send/receive calls on your cell phone when you are connected to the internet. If you plan to use your cell phone, please make sure to contact your phone carrier directly to make sure you have International Service. Please make sure Data Roaming on your phone is turned off to avoid incurring international roaming fees if you do not plan to use your phone beyond where Wi-Fi is available. To avoid international charges, you can: Turn off roaming, Put your phone on airplane mode, Connect to Wi-Fi, and Purchase an eSIM or local SIM. |
CurrencyPanama’s official currency is the balboa. The rate of exchange for the balboa has always been tied to the US dollar—one dollar equals one balboa. Panama does not, however, print its own paper currency and instead uses the US dollar as legal tender. Panamanian coins come in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50-cent pieces. They are the same size, color, and weight as U.S. coins and both are used frequently. While shopping or eating out, you may see prices with either a “$” or a “B/” before them, corresponding the dollars or balboas. They mean the same thing and have the same value. |
History of Panama Flag
National Bird of Panama
Panama Health Care System
Panama Education System
Popular Foods of Costa Rica
Some of the locations on this Map are marked, move cursor to select a Location # Highway #1 # Town of Christobel # Town of Santingo # # Darian Gap # Tocumen International Airport # # Town of Boquete # David International Airport # # Town El Valle de Anton # Las Olas Resort # # Town of Panama City # Town of Old Panama City #
Travel Trips
Temperature Compare by Town
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Panama
Day 1 Thursday May 8 2025: Travel
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Our Flight Did a little pre-planning and had our bags checked all the way to Panama City. This avoiding the transfer of our bags manually from the main terminal to the International terminal in Houston. Leave: Albuquerque International Sunport Airport at 7:40 AM Arrive IAH · George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 10:48 AM United Airlines UA462 · Economy Flight time 2 hours 08 minutes Boeing 737 MAX 9 Layover 1 hour 09 minutes Leave: IAH · George Bush Intercontinental Airport 11:57 AM Arrive Tocumen International Airport `4:12 PM United Airlines UA 1250 Economy Flight Time 4 hours 15 minutes Boeing 737 MAX 9 We will be staying in Panama City this evening after renting a car and prepare for our tour of Panama Lodging:Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Panama Punta Pacífica |
Day 2 Friday May 9 2025: Touring
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We drove from Panama City to Boguete, Panama (approximately 300 miles
estimate 8 hours.
Lodging:Day 3 Saturday May 10 2025: Boquete
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Boquete. The high altitude and pleasant year round weather are only a small part of the picture. The ex pat community is very active in this little mountain town known as "The little town with the big heart". Boquete has an annual charity event that bring in over $100,000 to fund local charities. This is a weekly Tuesday Market, where everyone has a chance to catch up on current events. There is live music at multiple venues several days a week. In addition, you'll find card games, golf, tennis, and pickle ball. There are also art classes, yoga, meditation groups, cooking classes and more. The Boquete Community Players hosts a play or theater event 4-5 times a year. Your Even though Boquete is a small town, there are more 50 restaurants, some are owned by Celebrity Chefs so your food choices are amazing in Boquete. Lodging: Hotel Valle del Rio/a> |
Day 4 Sunday May 11 2025: Touring Boquete & Las Olas Resort
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We had planned to spend time in the town of David but we spent more time in
Boquete hiking and looking at vacation homes. We then traveled to a resort
via the town of David on the Pacific coast called "Las Olas Beach Resort"
We spent the night at Las Olas Beach Resort which offered a serene escape nestled within a
4,500-acre family-owned finca agroturística, where the rich biodiversity of Panama thrives.
Bordering the Pacific coast and near the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica, this protected
area is a sanctuary for endangered plants and animals, inviting us to explore its
vibrant ecosystems, including mangrove forests, lush trails, and pristine beaches.
Discover a world teeming with life, from playful Howler Monkeys to exquisite bird
species, all while enjoying the natural beauty of this remarkable location.
Lodging: Las Olas Resort on the Pacific Coast
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Day 5 Monday May 12 2025: Travel: El Valle de Anton
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Today we are traveling to our next destination which a town called El Valle
de Anto which is located in central Panama.
Lodging: Day 6 Monday May 12 2025: Travel: Tour El Valle de Anton
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El Valle de Anton is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, surrounded by mountains and cloud forest. To the north, Cerro Gaital National Park protects 3 hills: Cerro Gaital, Cerro Pajita and Cerro Caracoral. Its trails have ocean views and the park is home to hundreds of species of native birds, including the red-legged honey creeper, the bay-headed tanager and the blue-crowned motmot. Lodging: Hotel Campestre |
Day 7 Wednesday May 14 2025: Drive to Old Panama City
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Today we headed back to Panama City. We are no really interested in the newer part
of Panama City but in the original area of Panama City.
Lodging: Day 8 Thursday May 15 2025: Old Panama City
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Panama City, the capital of Panama, is a modern city framed by the Pacific Ocean and man-made Panama Canal. Casco Viejo, its cobblestoned historic center, is famed for colonial-era landmarks like the neoclassical Palacio Presidencial and bougainvillea-filled plazas lined with cafes and bars. The Miraflores Locks offers views of ships traversing the canal, an essential shipping route linking the Atlantic and Pacific The Panama Canal was made by building dams on the Chagres River to create Gatun Lake and Lake Madden, digging the Gaillard Cut from the river between the two lakes and over the Continental Divide, building locks between the Atlantic Ocean and Gatun Lake to lift boats to the lake and another set of locks at the end of the Gaillard Cut to lower ships, and digging a channel to the Pacific Ocean. Lodging: Hotel San Felipe |
Day 9 Friday May 16 2025: Travel
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Our Flight Leave: PTY - Tocumen International Airport 10:00 AM Arrive IAH · George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 2:26 PM United Airlines UA1031 · Economy Flight time 4 hours 26 minutes Boeing 737 MAX 9 Layover 6 hours 02 minutes Ugh! Leave: IAH · George Bush Intercontinental Airport 8:28 PM Arrive: ABQ · Albuquerque International Sunport Airport United Airlines UA2037 · Economy Flight time 2h 27m Boeing 737 MAX 9 |
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