Comments on: 10 Things To Know Before Your Next Trip To Panama https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/ tech and tips to help you travel smarter Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:59:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Soupisdad https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/#comment-325314 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:59:25 +0000 http://www.foxnomad.com/?p=5537#comment-325314 I just returned from Panama a couple weeks ago. I disagree with some of the comments! Yes you DO need a passport to enter! First thing they asked at customs. Passport please! Also, the water is safe in Panama city to drink, but in the surrounding suburbs and villages, it is NOT! After spending a week in the city, I got spoiled and used to the idea of safe water. I was walking around a small village named Farallon, and had dinner at a quaint little cafe. I had a glass of water with dinner, and was sick for 3 days! I forgot all about “common sense” after a few days at a beautiful hotel where I’d gulp down tons of water cause of the heat. But that was my fault, at becoming complacent after a week or so. Another point please, if I may. There is a town on the Caribbean end of the canal called Colon. It is a place not 100% safe for tourists during anytime of day. They advise to avoid it if you can. Even the “free trade” zone is not the best. Personally, I had no problems or issues.I have traveled a little bit and not much frightens me anyways, but for a newbie, it might be wise to avoid it all together. Perhaps with a guide and a tour group, at least one would not be on their own! Not as bad as Guatemala where I’ve witnessed taxi drivers carrying weapons to protect themselves and their fares from pirates. It is a beautiful and fascinating country to visit. It is also quite Americanized! Macdonalds restaurants are common in the city, and hotel chains that are common back home.When buying souvenirs one can haggle the price like in Mexico, Guatemala and other central American countries! They pretty much expect you to! One of the locals selling his wares even told me that when asked the price from a tourist, they start high as they wish to haggle down the prices! It’s not about saving a mere couple of dollars. The people are generally quite poor, but they do enjoy the price dickering with the tourists.It is a fascinating and beautiful country to visit! The people genuine and kind! The other fellow who commented on the people was correct! They DO love to practice their English, but it also helps to know a little Espanol as the villages and smaller markets English is not spoken always. Enjoy your trips to this amazing country! Thank you for allowing me to say my piece! Travel safe!

]]> By: Anil Polat https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/#comment-325246 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:27:40 +0000 http://www.foxnomad.com/?p=5537#comment-325246 In reply to Shawn.

Cheers, have a great trip.

]]> By: Shawn https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/#comment-324251 Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:25:40 +0000 http://www.foxnomad.com/?p=5537#comment-324251 I am strongly considering visiting Panama soon. Thanks for the tips.

]]> By: Anil Polat https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/#comment-320250 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:45:47 +0000 http://www.foxnomad.com/?p=5537#comment-320250 In reply to Soupisdad.

Hope you had a great trip!

]]> By: Soupisdad https://foxnomad.com/2009/10/27/10-things-to-know-before-your-next-trip-to-panama/#comment-308601 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:00:41 +0000 http://www.foxnomad.com/?p=5537#comment-308601 I am leaving this Tuesday on december 18th , 2012 . It will be my first trip to Panama, but I’ve seen Cuba, and mexico a few times! So I am pumped! 🙂

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