traveling in Panama

Klea, Visit [url]http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/panama/[/url] and [url]http://travel.state.gov/panama.html.[/url] Travel tips: 1. avoid the Darien Province (no reason to go there anyway as there are only indigenous tribes there, no orphanages that I know of) 2. when in Panama, try to blend in (DON'T wear expensive jewelry, carry expensive-looking camera equipment, etc. Check out your map while still in your hotel room, know some travel Spanish phrases, etc.) 3. ask your attorney/agency for travel tips (They will most likely drive you to where you need to be anyway, but you may be tempted to wander on your own. Fine, but just do so only during daylight hours, and stay fairly close to the city. Don't bother renting a car, just take a taxi or bus.) Traveling to Panama is like traveling to any Central or South American country: You need to be perceptive, and if given a choice, choose the safer option. But tourism is important to Panama, so expect to be treated well!

I read it is the second safest country right behind the US. They accept US currency and lots of the people speak English.

Panama City is as safe as any large city in the US. It has 700,000 or so people living in it. You need to be cautious keep your purse close to you, if you can use a money belt. Don't drive if you can help it, the traffic is horrendous. There are some areas that you don't want to go to at night, ask a native about these. The night life in Panama is wonderful. There are many places to tour around the City, the old town (ruins where the original city stood before it was burnt down, the market, there is a place simular to the french quarter in New orleans, I think it is called downtown but i am not sure, there is an island off the coast of the city called Taboga, it is a must see! as well as El Valle and of course the Canal) The country is full of history (American history too) and Hispanic Culture. The people do love Americans and many do speak English - they begin teaching it in Kindergarten. As you can see I am a little partical to Panama, it is a beautiful country. You can travel rather freely there just take some normal precautions and get advice from your lawyer or agency. You should have a wonderful experience if you decide to travel there. Here are some websites to check out. [url]http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html[/url] [url]http://www.worldheadquarters.com/index.html[/url] (click on Panama) [url]http://www.panamainfo.com/viewArticle.php?seccion=&id=57&x=3[/url] [url]http://travel.state.gov/[/url] (click on the P in the alphabet line then click on Panama) This is a US gov't site about Panama [url]http://www.panamundo.com/panama/hotels/provincias-eng.html[/url] Wonderful site about each region of the country That is all the website I have that should get you started and help you make an educated decision. Good Luck!!! Cheryl

I lived in panama city and it was a tropical rainy and hot place. Very different in culture. Have you ever been to mexico? It is a lot like the entries onto Mexico from what I remeber. I was there when the Noriega thing was going on, pretty crazy stuff. I wish you the best in your journey.