About Panama
Where is Panama located? The Isthmus of Panama is located to the South East of Costa Rica and the North West of Colombia. It is bordered by both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Panama is a transcontinental country and connects both North and South America.
What is Panama’s population? 3.3 million (2007), 1 million in Panama City (the capital).
What is the size of Panama? Roughly the same size as North Carolina, total area of 30,193 square miles.
What kind of government does Panama have? A constitutional democracy.
Does Panama suffer from natural disasters? No. Panama does not have hurricanes, earthquakes, or volcanoes like its neighbor countries.
Are there any direct flights from the United States to Panama and how close are they?
- Atlanta, Georgia – Panama: 4 hours on Delta Airlines
- Dallas, Texas – Panama: 4:35 hours on AA
- Ft Lauderdale, Florida – Panama: 2:50 hours on Spirit Air
- Houston, Texas – Panama: 4:10 hours on Continental
- Los Angeles, California – Panama: 7 hours on COPA
- Miami, Florida – Panama: 2:40 on AA and COPA
- New York (JFK) – Panama: 5 hours on COPA
- Newark, New Jersey – Panama: 5:15 hours on Continental
- Orlando, Florida – Panama: 3:20 hours on COPA
- Washington, DC -Panama: 4:40 hours on COPA
For assistance on flight booking please contact our concierge department at ursula@thepanamanetwork.com
What is the official language of Panama? Spanish, although 14% of the population speaks English.
What is Panama’s currency? It is the US dollar since 1904, but Panama has its own coins which are the same size and value to the US counterpart which can be used interchangeably.
How much does a taxi cost? Around the city you should be expected to pay between $1.50 and $3.50. It is not customary to tip.
Should I carry my passport? Yes, the Panamanian immigration laws are very strict and to avoid complications you should carry your passport which shows proof of entry.
How long is my visa entry valid? For most nationalities you are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days. For more specific information please contact your country’s embassy.
What time zone does Panama have? UTC -5
What is Panama’s climate like? Panama is tropical. Temperatures range from 70 to 90 degrees year round, with two seasons – dry and rainy.
Is it safe to drink the water? In the city it is perfectly safe to drink the water; outside the city it is generally not recommended.
What electrical outlets are used? Panama uses the same outlets as in the USA and Canada.
