Travel Tips

ARRIVING/DEPARTING

BY AIR
Although carriers and schedules can vary according to season, there are nonstop and connecting flights to Panama City (PTY) from several U.S. cities.

AIRLINES
AeroRepublica (www.aerorepublica.com.co)
Air Madrid (www.airmadrid.com)
Air Transat (PHONE: 866/847-1112 www.airtransat.ca)
American Airlines (PHONE: 800/433-7300)
Avianca (PHONE: 800/284-2622 www.avianca.com)
Continental Airlines (PHONE: 800/523-3273 www.continental.com)
Copa Airlines (PHONE: 800/FLY-COPA www.copaair.com)
Delta Air Lines (PHONE: 800/221-1212 www.delta.com)
Iberia (www.iberia.com)
Skyservice (www.skyserviceairlines.com)
Westjet (PHONE: 888/937-8538 www.westjet.com)

AIRPORT
Panama City-Tocumen Airport (PTY/MPTO)

As a Cuna de Vida guest, you also have three exclusive airport pickup options: Executive Bus, Sedan Private Transfer, and Rolls-Royce Transfer.

BY TAXI
There is an official taxi stand in the exit area after you pass through customs. It costs $25 for the 15 minute taxi ride into Panama City. The taxis are safe and reliable. There are private taxi services available.

BY CAR
Driving in Panama City requires steel nerves. A car can be rented from the following agencies or supplied by Cuna de Vida with an advance reservation.

Avis (PHONE 507/264-0722)
Budget (PHONE 507/263-8777)
Hertz (PHONE 507/264-1111)
National (PHONE 507/265-2222)

CLIMATE
Panama lies very close to the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. Temperatures vary between 80-90 Fahrenheit (25-30 celsius). Humidity is very high. Panama has two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to mid-April and the rainy season from mid-April to December.

DRESS
Casual, lightweight clothing is suggested. Guests wear swimsuits around the resort in the daytime, but swimwear is not appropriate in public places. Topless or nude sunbathing is also considered inappropriate. In the evenings, some restaurants prefer that men wear slacks, but jackets are rarely required.

SUN AND SKIN
Panama is very close to the equator and has strong sun year round. Caution is recommended when tanning, particularly at the start of your holiday. Remember to wear and reapply protective sunscreen, and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

BANKS
Most banks are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m, to 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. There are a few that are open on Saturday. Cash stations are also scattered throughout the city.

ELECTRICITY
Panama has 120 volt and 60 cycles service.

EMERGENCIES
National Police (PHONE 104)
Fire Department (PHONE 103)
Ambulance – Red Cross (PHONE 507/228-8127)
A doctor is on call with the hotel. Arrangements can be made for medical, dental, optometry and pharmaceutical services.

Nacional Hospital
(507) 207-8100 / 207-8102
http://www.hospitalnacional.com/
Avenida Cuba & 38th - 39th Streets, Panama City, Panama
Hospital National is an 80-bed facility: 25 private rooms, 28 semi-private rooms, 12 shared rooms (for three patients) and 5 suites. The Intensive Care Unit has eight adults beds and five pediatric beds. The neonatal area has 22 bassinets and two transport incubators. The Neonatal ICU is finely equipped, and able to care for 5 patients at a time.
There are 59 registered nurses Nurse to patient ratio is one nurse for every ten patients during all shifts.

MAIL & SHIPPING
Correos (post offices) are throughout the city. The main post office, Correos Nacional, will hold mail for you when it is addressed: Entrega General, Zona 3, Panama, Republica de Panama, Central America. The main office is open Monday – Friday from 7am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm. DHL is open Monday – Friday 8am-5pm.

Correos Nacional – At the end of Av. Balboa, at Central Peatonal, Santa Ana. (PHONE 507/262-1831)
DHL – Radison Hotel, World Trade Center, Calle 53 and Av. 5a b sur, Marbella. (PHONE 507/265-3636)

MONEY
The official currency is the Balboa and is equivalent to one U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are the widely accepted in Panama. Major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted at most establishments. The islands' few ATMs are primarily located at the banks.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
A valid passport is needed to enter. The requirement for visas to enter Panama has been waived for many countries. It is best to check with a Panamanian consulate before traveling. A tourist card is sometimes needed to enter and can be bought at the airline counter or before entering immigration if you are going to overstay your allotted time extend your visa or tourist card with immigration. Heavy fines are levied for late exiting.

SAFETY
Panama City was rated as safe as the U.S. for travel safety, but it is always recommended that guests leave valuables in the in-suite safe, or the hotel's safe-deposit box. It's a good idea to lock doors in cars and rooms when unattended and stay away from poor areas during evening hours. The El Chorrillo, Santa Ana and Calidonia neighborhoods should be traveled with caution. Santa Ana and Calidonia border Casco Viejo. So, if you are in Casco Viejo late, travel by cab.

TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES
The departure tax is $20 and is usually built into the cost of your tickets. If not, it's payable only in cash or traveler's checks. Restaurants and hotels add a 10% government tax. Hotels also add 10% to 15% for service.

TELEPHONES
The area code for the Turks and Caicos is 507. Just dial 1 plus the 10-digit number, including area code, from the United States. To make local calls, dial the seven-digit number. To make calls from the Panama, dial 0, then 1, the area code, and the number.

All telephone service is provided by Cable & Wireless. Many U.S.-based cell phones work on the islands; use your own or rent one from Cable & Wireless.

Cable and Wireless Phone Company, Calle Eusebio A. Morales, near Hotel Continental, Marbella. (PHONE 507/264-8104)

TIPPING
At restaurants, a customary 15% tip should be added if service isn't included in the bill. Taxi drivers also expect a token tip, about 10% of the fare.

TIME ZONE
Eastern Standard Time and but does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

VISITOR INFORMATION
The Instituto Panameno de Turismo (IPAT) is located at Atlapa Conventiona Center, VIA Israel, across the street from the Marriott Caesar Park Hotel. Their brochure titled “Conjunto Monumental Historico de Panama” discusses the background information and small maps of Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo and Portobelo.