Panama travel and visitor guide with hotel, airport, airline and vacation information. Panama is a natural land bridge that links North and Central America with South America. Thus it is home to a myriad of species from both continents. Thousands of species of flora and fauna flourish in Panama's lush rainforests. With 954 bird species, more than in all of North America alone, these forests are a bird watcher's dream.
Panama is served by Tocumen International Airport (Airport Code: PTY). Flights are available from most major international USA hubs. Major USA Airlines serving Panama include American, Continental and Delta. Visit our Airports & Airlines section for more airport and airline information.
The beautiful and warm beaches of Santa Clara, Farallón and Río Hato, located on the great Pacific coast, only two hours from Panama City, are ideal for swimming and spending moments of relaxation with the whole family. There are adequate lodging facilities, as well as restaurants and places for entertainment. These white sand beaches are excellent for water skiing, beach volleyball and other sports.
Venao Beach is one of the country's most famous for surfing. International competitions are constantly being held here. Venao Beach is close to Pedasí.
Not far from the coast, there are hundreds of islands and thousands of protected coral reefs. The beautiful beaches offer the opportunity to practice sports such as snorkeling, diving and swimming, among others. Panama also offers excellent fishing in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well as in Lake Gatun. The archipelago of “Las Perlas”, also called Pearl Island is a place filled with history and natural beauty, it is primarily composed of Isla Pacheco, Saboga, Contadora, Chapera, Mogo Mogo, Casaya, Viveros, Pedro Gonzalez, Isla del Rey and San Jose. Of the 97 islands of the Archipelago of “Las Perlas”, there exist 83 beaches of different sizes, with beautiful natural landscapes that invite you to escape or take refuge for a weekend to discover and enjoy the marvels that nature has given to this lovely destiny. Visit Panama, the official government web site for Panama visiitor information.
People who take the time to Learn Spanish are able to better enjoy the culture, the people and feel more comfortable traveling.
Passport, Visa & Embassy Information
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to obtain a U.S. passport before traveling to Panama. Although entry into Panama is currently permitted with proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate or a Naturalization Certificate) and official photo identification (such as a driver's license), travelers may experience difficulties exiting Panama and re-entering the U.S. when not in possession of a valid U.S. passport. Panamanian law requires that travelers must either purchase a tourist card from the airline serving Panama or obtain a visa from a Panamanian embassy or consulate before traveling to Panama.
Panama maintains an embassy in the United States at 2862 McGill Terrace, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-483-1407).
The U.S. Embassy in Panama is located at Avenida Balboa y Calle 38, Panama City (tel: 507-207-7000). Personal and official mail for the embassy and members of the mission may be sent to: U.S. Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002. E-mail: sispan@pty.com
Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency.
