5 Important Travel Tips When Visiting Panama
Panama is one of the true gems of Central America. I’m an American who’s been living here for almost a year and the country’s beauty and diverse culture continues to amaze me every day. Traveling to Panama is so much fun! There are plenty of things to see and places to explore. Below are 5 important travel tips to that I’d like to share with you. Let my own experiences guide you in traveling to this amazing country and truly having an enjoyable stay.· Travel light – It’s really an advantage to just travel with one carry-on bag and one personal bag. You’ll be able to get through customs and immigrations much faster with no checked-in baggage. A tour to this country usually covers traveling from Panama City to other towns, so traveling with a light suitcase would really be a plus. Most of the places covered by the tour have laundry facilities that you can avail for a small fee.· Visit the country’s famous canal – Your trip won’t be complete if you don’t visit the Panama Canal. You can take on a canal cruise and traverse the famous Gaillard Cut. Learn the history of the canal and find out why it significantly contributes to the country’s economy. While you’re there, you might also try experiencing the locks the canal is famous for, on a ferry-boat.· Eat local food – Try the country’s delicious chicken soup called the “Sancocho” and many other tasty dishes like the “Yuca Frita”, “Pescado”, “Patacones” and the “Carimanola”. You can also try eating what they call the “Comida Corriente” which means meal of the day. This constitutes rice accompanied by beans and meat (a choice of chicken, beef or pork). Drink as well “Seco”, the country’s alcoholic beverage that is made from sugar cane.· Be a responsible traveler – When going on a hike for instance, try not to get carried away by the beauty of nature and create a new track. If you are not familiar with the country’s rainforest, it won’t be such a good idea to wander off on your own. Stay with your group as getting lost in the rainforest can be extremely dangerous.· Stay for 1 more week – Tour packages just often include a 5-day and 4-night stay which is definitely not enough. If you extend your trip, you’ll be able to meet and visit American expats who are residing permanently in Panama and spend more days at the country’s beaches, waterfalls and rainforest. You can also do more shopping as the items that you can buy in the country are definitely a bargain.From the amazing skyscrapers and modern splendor of Panama City to the relaxed lifestyle in the provinces, Panama is such a beautiful country that’s truly worth visiting. Many tourists are often surprised to find that modern conveniences abound in a country that’s considered as third world. Panama is therefore so full of surprises. It may not be as rich and modern as the US, Canada or UK but the country has its own unique appeal that’s truly worth a thousand words.