As a Panama tourist, you are sure to find so many things to do and experience during your stay in this wonderful exotic land. Although Panama tourism is only just beginning, it offers a number of activities to make not only your stay in Panama a moment to remember. It is enough to entice you to come back again and again.
For the first-time Panama tourist, here are some of the great things to do and places to visit during your stay at Panama.
When to Visit Panama
Panama tourism is bustling all year long. This is because of the tropical climate that it enjoys all year round. Frequent Panama tourists recommend that the best time to head out to Panama is during the summer months which are between the months of January to May. These months are the best time for a Panama tourist to bask in the warm tropical sun right after those chilly winter months. Take note, though, that these months are also considered the peak season for Panama tourism. As such, air fares and hotel rates can be rather steep.
If you do plan on visiting Panama during the off-peak seasons, make sure that you pack up your rain gear. The months between May to December are considered the rainy months. Just make sure that you steer clear from the Darien area of the country. During the off-peak season, the Darien area is prone to severe storms which would mean you staying indoors most of the length of your trip. The good thing though is that unlike other Central American countries and cities, the location of Panama is away from hurricane path.
Getting Around Panama
There are a number of different forms of public transportations that even a Panama tourist on a limited budget can avail.
Taxis
Taxis would often charge you a fixed rate. To save on the expense, you can share the taxi with other tourists traveling into the area. Taxis in Panama are safe and reliable. The average cost to get you from the Tocumen International Airport to any part of Panama City, the country’s capital, is about $15. Taxis in Panama do not have any meters so it is best to negotiate on a price before hopping into one.
Bus
If you care working on a limited budget, the best place to go around the country is through a bus ride which would only cost about .25 Balboa. There are some areas within the country that you can purchase roundtrip bus tickets from the local Panama Tourism agency or from your local travel agency. These roundtrip bus tickets would cost a Panama tourist about $20. There are two primary bus lines that serve the city: Panaline and Tico Bus. You can contact any of these two bus lines to check on their schedules as they have several round trips to most parts of the country on a daily basis.
Car Rentals
For those who have a little bit more to freedom in terms of travel expenses, the Panama Tourism agency has set up ties with popular car rentals such as National, Dollar and Thrifty car rentals.
Things to Do & See
Apart from its pristine beaches and the Panama Canal, there are so many things to do and see while in Panama. The Panama Tourism authority offers a number of adventure tours for those Panama tourists who are seeking for a little bit of an adrenaline rush. Some of these tours include the Water Sports & Adventure tour where a Panama tourist can take part in water sports such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, sailing and surfing. They also offer a Jungle adventure tour to take you to the vast jungle regions of the country. This provides you a taste of what the Spanish and American explorers saw and went through when they first discovered Panama.
Panama tourists who are traveling during the summer months must not miss an opportunity to take part in the Carnival Festival. Reminiscent of the festival with the same name celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, the Carnival Festival is celebrated alongside the one celebrated in Brazil. For four whole days, the cities of Panama and Las Tablas come alive with a breathtaking display of floats, parades and bright costumes.
Learn more about the culture and the customs of the various ethic tribes living in the country. There are a number of different tours such as the Embera Indian Village tour. For an entire day, Panama tourists would get a first-hand glimpse on the daily everyday lives of the Embera Indians, one of the four ethnic tribes living in the area from witnessing a ceremonial Indian dance, tasting their food and taking part in some handicrafts.
Where to Stay
Panama has a wide range of lodgings that would suit your preference and budget. These range from Eco-lodges and Bed and Breakfast Inns to luxurious hotels and resorts.