Panama

Travel Insurance > Travel Guide > Central America > Panama

Panama is located between Costa Rica and Colombia and is the most southern country of N. America. Costa Rica lies to the west and Colombia to the east. The Pacific Ocean is situated to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north.

Travel Insurance for Panama:
Area: Worldwide exc. USA / Canada *

Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for the Virgin Islands

The isthmus forms a natural land bridge between the N. American and S. American continents. Panama gained its independence from Colombia in 1903 and from Spain in 1821.

A treaty was signed with the U.S. for construction of the Panama Canal with the U.S. having sovereignty for the Panama Canal Zone, either side of the canal. The Panama Canal and supporting area was transferred solely to Panama from the U.S. in 1999. It holds an important asset with the eastern part of the isthmus forming a bridge of land connecting South and North America, and the canal linking the N. Atlantic with the N. Pacific Ocean via the Caribbean Sea.

As part of Latin America, it is a fast growing tourist destination mainly because of its interesting history and diversity of activities. It combines the Caribbean style with SCUBA diving, snorkelling, and areas for hiking andrafting. It has a great climate It is a mainly Catholic country, and Spanish and English are the official languages.

You can rent a car or boat, take a bus tour or taxi, or walk to your destination. There is something for everyone in Panama , from luxury 5-star resorts, to more rustic places such as treetop lodges in the rainforest. It is also a popular destination for bird watching and for nature enthusiasts in general. It offers thousands of different species of fauna and flora in the rainforests, Many of the national parks and nature reserves are within easy reach from the city.

There are hundreds of small islands, mangrove bays, and protected coral reefs teeming with sea life in the beautiful waters. It is, therefore, also a great destination for water sports enthusiasts with opportunities for snorkelling, diving, swimming and fishing, to name a few. The interior of Panama is quite steep with rugged mountainous terrain

The capital, Panama City, is a modern city with many fascinating attractions for visitors. There is great shopping and dining, parks to stroll and ruins to be explored. Panama City has a population of close to a million people. A major draw for vcisitors is watching ships going through the Panama Canal..

There are many areas to visit, including the province of Bocas del Toro which is located on the eastern, Caribbean, side. It is mainly jungle and forest with some interesting towns. The Bocas del Toro Archipelago contains 9 islands, over 50 cays and hundreds of smaller islets. Here can be found great hotels, restaurants and resorts with opportunities for adventure trips. There are palm-fringed white sandy beaches for sun-lovers. These areas can be accessed by car or by air.

Weather
Tropical climate. Mainly hot and humid with a long wet season from May to Dec. The dry season is short, approx. from Jan to May. Average daytime temp. 80F, with cooler evenings. The mountainous areas are cooler with average temperature about 55 F.

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.

* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.

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