The country of Panama, what a climate and life. Useful information about Panama

It was designed and built from east to west, in such a way that no one could walk along the street due to the sun, since it did not create any shadow. And this was felt so [significantly], because the heat was intense, and the sun was so unhealthy that if a person was used to walking on the street, even for a few hours, he would become so ill that he would die, and this happened to many. Half a league from the sea there were good, healthy places where the settlement of this city could begin. But since the prices for houses are high, it is therefore expensive to build them; Although there is noticeable damage that everyone receives from living in such a disadvantaged place, no one has moved, and especially because the old conquerors (conquistadors) are all already dead, and the current inhabitants are traders who do not think of staying in it for a long time, until then, until they get rich. And so some are replaced by others; and few or no one looks after the public good. A river flows near this city, which originates in the mountains. There are also many areas with rivers flowing through them, in some of which the Spaniards located their estates (estancias) and “grantarias” - agricultural estates - and where many Spanish plants were grown, such as: oranges, citrons, fig trees. Besides this, there are other fruits of the earth, such as fragrant pineapples, guava, chrysophyllum (caimito), avocado (aguacate), and other fruits that the soil of that earth produces. There are significant herds of cows for the fields, for the land is suitable for raising them. Rivers bring a lot of gold. And therefore the place on which this city is founded brings a lot of profit. It is well supplied with food, provided with all sorts of snacks from both seas, I am talking about both seas, meaning the North Sea, from where ships come from Spain to Nombre de Dios, and the South Sea from where they sail from Panama to all the ports of Peru. Neither wheat nor barley grows on the borders of this city.

Pedro de Cieza de Leon. Chronicle of Peru. Part One. Chapter two.

In 1671, Henry Morgan with a team of 1,400 men besieged and plundered the city, which was then destroyed by fire. The ruins of the old city have survived to this day; they are popular among tourists and are called Panama La Vieja (Panama la Vieja). The city was rebuilt in 1673 in a new location seven kilometers southwest of the original city. This place is now known as Casco Viejo.

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 led to an increase in travel across the isthmus to the West Coast. A year before the discovery of gold, the Panama Railroad Company was formed, but rail service did not open until 1855. Between 1848 and 1869, about 375,000 people crossed the isthmus from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and 225,000 in the opposite direction. This movement greatly improved the city's fortunes during that period.

The construction of the Panama Canal brought great benefits to the city's infrastructure. Most of the construction workers were brought from the Caribbean, creating unprecedented racial and social tensions in the city.

Military bases were built here during World War II. Due to the American presence, until the late 1960s, Panamanians had limited or no access to many of the Panama Canal zones near the city.

From the late 1970s and into the 1980s, Panama City became an international banking center, including a center for illegal money laundering. In 1989, US President George H. W. Bush ordered the invasion of Panama to overthrow its leader, General Manuel Antonio Noriega. As a result of this aggression, an entire block of Panama, consisting of partly wooden buildings from the 1900s, was destroyed by fires.

Currently, Panama remains a banking center. Balboa, an area located within the Greater Panama metropolitan area, was formerly part of the Panama Canal Zone, and in fact the headquarters of the administration of the former Panama Canal Zone is located there.

Geography and climate

Natural attractions

The coastal waters of the city are polluted and swimming is not allowed there. However, there are beaches nearby. The closest is the Playa Bonita complex, just outside the city, you can get to it by crossing the Panama Canal along the Bridge of the Two Americas. Also worth noting is Isla Taboga, which can be reached by ferry from the Amador Causeway in 45 minutes.

There are many more beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean sides (the advantage of Panama is that you can swim in two oceans at once, the journey between which takes only a few hours). Within a 30-60 minute flight, islands are accessible both in the Pacific Ocean (Archipelago Las Perlas) and in the Caribbean Sea (Bocas del Toro, San Blas) with bounty-style beaches. In recent years, many hotels have been built on the beach.

The nature of Panama is similar to nature. The city has a vast park, Parque Natural Metropolitano, which is difficult to reach without a vehicle. The Centro de Exhibiciones Marinas aquarium is located on the causeway.

Along the western side of the canal is National Park Soberania (Parque Nacional Soberania). On the way there you can visit extensive botanical gardens and a zoo.

Climate

The climate of Panama is subequatorial. The city is characterized by a long wet season, which lasts from April to December inclusive, and a short dry season from January to March, when precipitation is rare, although it does occur. Since Panama is still located slightly north of the equator, then wet season there are two maxima - in June and October, and in July-August there is a secondary minimum, when the Sun moves further north than the latitude of Panama. The average monthly temperature remains almost unchanged and ranges from 26 to 28 °C all year round. It is hot and muggy all year round, with average monthly highs never falling below 32°C and rising to 36°C in April.

Population

One of the city districts

Panama is an extremely cosmopolitan city, even by Latin American standards. A significant (and poorest) part of the city's population consists of descendants of black Africans, citizens of Spanish origin traditionally make up the local economic and political elite. In recent decades, the city has experienced an influx of Indian poor from rural areas of both Panama and surrounding countries. The large number of mulattoes living in the city are usually middle class. Panama is also home to many immigrants from Europe and especially from the United States, many of whom are retirees. There is a large Chinese diaspora, the number of immigrants from Arab countries and India.

Economy

F&F Tower - a symbol of the construction boom recent years

Panama has a highly developed economy, relying primarily on transport, services, the banking sector and the construction and sale of real estate. The main source of the city's prosperity is undoubtedly the Panama Canal, one of the world's main transport arteries.

The city creates about 55% of the country's total GDP, being the location of all major Panamanian companies and representative offices of international corporations. The global financial crisis of recent years has led to a slight decline in real estate prices, but, unlike many other countries in the region, it has not stopped the progressive development of the local economy.

Tourism is an increasingly important part of the city's economy, attracting operators of major international hotel and restaurant chains to the city. in 2008, Panama ranked second in the world (excluding the USA) in terms of hotel occupancy (first place -, third - Dubai).

Transport

The city also has an airport named after. Marcos Gelabert Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Marcos A. Gelabert; IATA: PAC, ICAO: MPMG), also known as Albrook Airport, for intra-Panamanian flights. It is located near the city center, in the former Panama Canal Zone.

Since 2014, Panama Pacifico International Airport, created on the site of a former American military air base, has been used for passenger flights.

Diablos rojos - Panamanian minibus

Panama's passenger port handles many cruise ships passing through the Canal each year.

The Pan-American Highway passes through the city. The intercity bus station is located in the suburb of Ancon ( Ancon), the buses are quite comfortable and equipped with air conditioning.

Panama is connected to Colon by a railway line along the Canal. A passenger train runs along it once a day (used mainly by tourists).

The basis of the city's public transport for about 40 years (until 2011-2013) was private buses (minibuses). Most of them were former school buses from Florida, repainted red. Due to their coloring and driving style, they received the nickname diablos rojos("red devils") In 2011-2013, with the introduction of a modern municipal bus system, the “red devils” were completely removed from the city.

Municipal bus services are operated by MiBus. To ensure traffic safety, all buses are personally blessed by the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Huyoa.

Residents also widely use taxis. A trip around the city typically costs less than $3, and to and from the airport costs $30.

In December 2010, construction of the light metro began. The project, which is being implemented by a consortium of Mexican, Brazilian, Spanish, Italian and Japanese companies, required investments of $1.8 billion. The opening of the first line (14 kilometers, 13 stations) took place on April 5, 2014. This is the first metro in Central America, the commissioning of which will allow the capital to significantly relieve ground transport, which cannot cope with the flow of passengers. During peak hours, the city of 1.3 million people experiences constant traffic jams.

Images

View of Panama from Cerro Ancon hill

Republic of Panama

Country Summary

Finance

In the capital of the country you can exchange almost any international currency; in the provinces, preference is given to the dollar and euro.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 15.00, on Saturdays - from 08.30 to 12.00.
Credit cards Credit cards from the world's leading systems are accepted everywhere. MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are the most widely used types of payment systems. There are more than two hundred ATMs in the capital. You can cash travel checks at almost any bank. To avoid additional costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended to take checks in US dollars. Shopping This city can safely be called a Mecca for shopping; nowhere else can you find so many branded goods at manufacturer prices, delivered here from all corners globe, since the Canal is one of the most important centers for the transit of goods, and remembering that this country has minimal taxes, and for most goods and services they are completely absent, you can imagine how much is offered in shopping centers.

People from neighboring countries come to Panama on shopping tours, this is where the largest complexes in Latin America are located, to get around at least a third of one of these mega centers, you will need several days, the surprising factor in this matter is that when buying the highest quality products of global brands, you will pay only 25-40% of their selling price in other countries, not to mention the choice.

Grocery stores in Panama differ from leading European ones only in prices, which are several times lower, and in terms of the quantity and quality of fruits and seafood, Panama can challenge the leadership even with Japan.

One of the most popular shopping centers in Panama among tourists and locals is “Multicentro”. This shopping mall is located in a very convenient and easily accessible location - on Avenida Balboa.

There are a huge number of beautiful local handicrafts available to purchase in Panama. The most famous are "molas" - bright local cotton fabrics decorated with abstract designs.

From Darien come exquisite carvings made from wood known as tagua or plant ivory, while artisans in the western regions and the Azuero Peninsula produce a wide range of pottery, masks, leather goods and straw sombreros.

Bright colored dresses and long shoulder bags called "charakas" are the hallmark of the Ngobe-Bagle tribes. However, the famous Panama hats are most often made not here, but in factories in Ecuador.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 18.00. During the ten national holidays, almost all stores are closed. It is customary to haggle only at market stalls and in case of buying from hand to hand, in shops and at artisanal markets, you should not haggle.
Tips Tips make up 5-10% of the bill amount, are accepted in both dollars and balboas, and in large restaurants and hotels they are often already included in the bill amount. Taxi services Taxi is considered one of the most important public transport means in Panama. Here you can find two “varieties” of this transport: the so-called VIP taxi, with fixed prices (prices are in the car), however, the cost for using VIP taxi services is 3-5 times higher than usual.

The second type is official street taxis, they have a identification mark- car number. However, street taxi drivers in this country are a special category. The price of the trip is agreed upon in advance; the car is not equipped with meters. If traveling around the city is not very expensive pleasure, then the cost of travel to the nearest suburb, for example, to the airport, or to places where you can meet many tourists, increases by an order of magnitude.

For example, in the capital Panama City the fare is $2. In places where tourists gather, the price can rise to $5. Distance doesn't matter. The taxi driver has the right to take more passengers along the way. If the taxi driver is not satisfied with the route, he may refuse the service.
Public transport Currently, the main type of public transport in the republic is decommissioned American school buses. They are called Diablo Rojo - the red devil. They are used mainly by the lower strata of the population. It is recommended not to use buses, as accidents involving them are common.

The buses themselves are very bright and very noisy. The only country where people adequately perceive graffiti-covered buses is Panama. Here, drivers themselves determine what will be painted on their vehicle. Particularly talented drivers paint the bus themselves, without the help of professional artists.

There are additional trunks on the roofs of the buses, which, of course, are empty in the city, but if you come across a suburban route, then you won’t see anything there: from bags of oranges and cages with live chickens to bicycles and baby strollers.

Panamanian passengers, not to mention drivers, treat their shuttle buses as if they were something alive. Everyone has their own name. Sometimes, while standing at a bus stop, a Panamanian may miss several buses, although any of them could take him to his destination. The Panamanian will wait for the one he likes best, the one in which he is used to driving around the city. As a rule, such pets are given names. There are buses named after popular songs or pop singers. That's why Panamanians never give the route number. If you ask if bus number 2 stops here, you will not be understood. But if you say the name of the bus, for example, “bessome mucho” or “juana la cubana,” everything will immediately fall into place. The expressions “somehow Jesus is late” or “I haven’t ridden the Virgin Mary for a long time” do not surprise or outrage anyone here. Even if the hard workers have indecent nicknames given to them by the street.

Decorated buses are not only common in Panama. This is a sign of a Latin American province in general. But, perhaps, nowhere do they look as fun and exotic as here, and also on the Colombian coast. Buses have entered local folklore, jokes are told about them, couplets are sung. And their smaller copies made of papier-mâché are a must-have for any souvenir shop.
Car Rental Car rental in Panama is quite expensive. There are a huge number of rental points.

The procedure is very simple (if you use a credit card, the deposit amount is about $500, but if you want to pay in cash, you will be required to deposit a deposit of $3,000), and the cost ranges from $35/day for a Hundai Accent (2009 range) to 250 dollars/day for Mercedes-Benz S600 (2009 model).
Foreigners are allowed to drive on their own license for 90 days from the date of arrival.

In large cities, it is not necessary to rent a car, since catching a taxi for a very reasonable fee is not a problem.

Customs control

The import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. You can import any amounts in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $10,000 are required to be declared. When importing gold and gold products, a declaration is required.

Persons over 18 years of age are allowed duty-free import of:
- up to 500 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco;
- up to three bottles of alcoholic drinks;
- perfumes and other perfumes - within a reasonable amount for personal use (bottles must be open);
- as well as gifts totaling up to $50.

Import prohibited:
- fruits, vegetables and products of animal origin (including shrimp), perishable products;
- weapons and ammunition, as well as drugs and narcotic substances.

Export prohibited rare species plants and fauna.

Transport

Panama has a fairly well-developed transport system, which has traditionally been oriented towards the outside world rather than towards the interior of the country.

Most transportation in the country is carried out by road transport, although public transport also accounts for a considerable part of it. It must be said that the public transport system needs modernization and improvement. The cost of bus travel on routes connecting most of the country's settlements is low.

From west to east, from the border with Costa Rica to the border with Colombia, the country is crossed by the Pan-American Highway. The total length of the road network is 11.6 thousand km.

Helicopter transport is very developed in the country. The cost of helicopter services (4-6 people on board) for 1 hour starts from $600.

In many regions of the country, the main means of transport are boats, especially between the Bocas del Toro and San Blas archipelagos.

Panama has a well-developed domestic air transport network. There are 115 airfields in the country. The main domestic airlines are Mapiex and Aeroperlas. All domestic airlines are concentrated at Panama's main airport, Aeropuerto Marcos A Gelabert, located in the Albrook district of Panama City. The modern airport in Panama City is the most important transit point connecting North and South America.

Panama has a railroad with modern locomotives that runs from Panama City to Colon. The length of Panama's railways is 355 km. In practice, this is the most inexpensive and very popular way for tourists to travel to the Colon Free Trade Zone.

An interoceanic lock canal is built across the Isthmus of Panama. Its length is 81.6 km, of which 65.2 km on land and 16.4 km along the bottom of the Gulf of Panama and Limon Bay (for ships to approach deep water). This is a country of “flag of convenience”, occupying 1st place in the number of ships assigned to its ports (5005 ships, including 4388 foreign ships from 64 countries, 2005) and their displacement (183.6 million tons of deadweight, 2005).

Panama's seaports are served by North American companies. The largest ports in the country are the cities of Panama and Colon.

Panamanian seaports play an important role in the development of the country's economy. Thanks to this, Panama is a leading region for cargo transit.

A subway will be built in Panama. The implementation of this project will begin in the capital of the republic of the same name in July 2010.

Telecommunications

Network technologies are developing very intensively in Panama. Providers Inter.net, Cable Onda, Convergence Communications Inc. Panama, CyberMedia/Sinfonet, as well as about two dozen small companies, provide a full range of network services. Internet access is available in many hotels. Almost all cities have Internet cafes; prices are usually low (about $1 per hour).

Telephone communication Anywhere big city On the streets of Panama you can see pay phones that work with plastic cards. From these phones you can call not only within the country, but also abroad. Sometimes you can find old coin-operated pay phones on the streets. Telephone cards are sold in newsstands, shops and special machines. You can also call abroad from large hotels, shops and banks, where there are telephone sets with access to an international line. Calls to Russia In order to call from Panama to Russia, you need to dial 00 - 7 - city code - subscriber number. Calls from Russia In order to call from Russia to Panama, you need to dial 8 - 10 - 507 (Panama code) - the subscriber's number. Area codes There are no intercity codes in Panama. Useful phone numbers Useful phone numbers.

Ambulance: 269-9778.
Police: 104.
Fire service: 103.
Information: 102.
Tourist Police: 226-7000 or 269-8011.
Panama Tourist Office (Instituto Panameso de Turismo, IPAT): 226-7000, 226-4614, 226-3164 or 226-3544.
Office of the President of the Republic of Panama: 227-9600.
Department of Health: 212-9100 or 212-9200.
Ministry agriculture: 232-6254 or 232-5043.
Department of Trade and Industry: 360-0600 or 360-0700.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 211-4100 or 211-4200.
Ministry of Justice and Governance: 212-2000 or 212-2100.
Ministry housing construction: 279-9200.
Ministry of Economy and Finance: 269-4133 or 269-4024.
Panama Canal Authority: 272-1111.
Kolonskaya Free Trade Zone: 445-1033, 445-1005, 445-1084.
Immigration: 227-1158 or 227-1609.

National cuisine

The unique geographical location of Panama influenced the formation of the national cuisine. At all, national cuisines Latin Americans use products that we have become accustomed to consider native since childhood, while forgetting where their real homeland is. So, potatoes, beans, tomatoes came to Europe from South and Central America, not to mention the “queen of the fields” - corn. Corn is an integral part of almost every Panamanian meal. Tortillas of any type and size (not to be confused with the Spanish tortilla - casserole omelette) are sold in any supermarket and are used as an addition to dishes instead of bread.

One of the international Latin American dishes that has firmly taken root in Panama is ceviche, the historical homeland of which is Peru. These are pieces of finely chopped meat or fish marinated in a spicy sauce. There are countless variations on the theme of ceviche. Marinades range from scalding hot to delicately piquant flavors, and in progress is underway any meat, fish and seafood. In Panama, ceviche is sold everywhere. Each housewife and each cook prepares their own version, different from others. And every time you get a new taste. Trying ceviche is included in the tourist program of any visitor to the capital. Many people can try this dish when visiting the fish market or buy it in one of the many shops. Market versions of ceviche are distinguished by their spiciness and abundance of onions. In stores, ceviche has a milder taste, with the addition of not quite traditional mayonnaise.

This dish is so simple that you can make it yourself. It is excellent as a snack and does not require special ingredients or rare spices. A simple folk dish with exquisite taste. You can make a lot and store it in the refrigerator for several days. All you need is fresh meat or fish; you can use shrimp or octopus.

From traditional meat dishes It's worth trying "fritura" (assorted fried plantains, sausages, eggs and herbs), "karimokolas" (yuca dish with meat), "saos" (marinated pork), "arros con pollo" (chicken meat fried with spices) with rice), "tamale" (meat baked in banana leaves with potatoes or corn), "jokon" (chicken in green sauce), "conejo pintado" (fried agouti meat), "sancocho" (stewed meat with vegetables, soup-like consistency), arroz con carne (rice with beef), fried flatbread "gallos" with meat filling and fried flatbread with meat "takoe".

The long ocean coast of the country determines the presence on the tables large quantity fish and seafood - the word “Panama” itself is translated from Indian languages ​​as “abundance of fish”. Typical local dishes are baked fish "a la plancha", "fufu" (stir-fried fish, bananas and cassava, stewed in coconut milk), "escabeche" (fish fillet fried in oil with vegetables, served cold), traditional " paella" with fish or seafood, etc.

As a side dish, fried plantains ("platanos") are usually served in two types: sweet "maduros" and crispy "tostones", as well as "casados" - a mixture of rice and vegetables. Salads made from cabbage and tomato, corn with egg, rice and seafood, or tropical fruits are very popular. There are always all kinds of flatbreads on the table, which are used as plates and cutlery, and hot sauces.

Many dishes are served not in plates or dishes, but in tortillas. They are often used instead of cutlery. The number of different types of tortillas is huge, here you can see quite traditional tortillas called “tortilla de mais”, which are often rolled into a tube and filled with all sorts of ingredients, from vegetables to meat and cheese, or corn-banana tortillas called “plantain”, which in many cases replace dessert -tortillas." Also served for dessert are rice cooked in coconut milk, El Carmello fruit pie, vanilla cake"Tres leche", lemon pie "pi de lemon", a kind of meringue made from coconut milk "Delicia de Coco", bananas fried with sugar, vanilla and cinnamon "tentación" ("temptation"), "ohaldres" ( fried dough with various jams as a topping) and other sweets.

Many varieties of vegetables and fruits are grown in Panama, and along with the well-known mangoes, papaya, oranges, pineapple and others, here you can try all kinds of exotic fruits. A variety of soft drinks are made here from the same fruits, including the original fruit juices "refrescos", mixed with milk ("leche"), water ("aqua") and ice.

Locals in large quantities They drink coffee with milk and Latin American herbal tea "mate". Alcoholic drinks are represented by local beer varieties: "Panama", "Löwenbrau", "Atlas", "Soberana" and "Balboa", rum varieties: "Seco Hererrano" and "Carta Vieja", and traditional Indian "chicha" from sugar reed

Work of institutions

Working hours for most organizations in Panama begin at 8.00–8.30 and end at 15:00–16:00. The lunch break starts at 12:30–13:00 and ends at 13:30–14:00. Working days are from Monday to Friday. Often the first half of Saturday is also a working day. All museums have a day off on Sundays and Mondays; the largest museums are also open on the first half of Sunday.

Holidays and non-working days

National holidays:

January 1 – New Year.
January 10 is Martyrs' Day.
February 8 – Carnival.
March 25 – Good Friday.
May 2 – Labor Day.
August 15 is Old Panama City Day.
November 1 is Children's Day.
November 3 – Independence Day from Colombia.
November 4 is Flag Day.
November 5 – Colon Independence Day.
November 10 – Day of the beginning of the struggle for independence from Spain.
November 28 – Independence Day from Spain.
December 8 is Mother's Day.
December 25 – Christmas.

Please note that if a day off falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is considered a non-working day.

Customs and orders

Panama is a historically multinational country, the local population is characterized by extraordinary tolerance, friendliness, and the ability to absorb different cultures. Many traditions and customs of the Indians (which still exist mainly in the south of the country), Spanish (along the Caribbean coast) and American (along the Panama Canal) are mixed here. At the same time, the distrust of “gringos” traditional for Latin American countries is noticeably less pronounced here; the cosmopolitan nature of local traditions and somewhat greater flexibility than its neighbors in resolving some complex issues are much more visible.

The descendants of ancient Indian cultures still retain the features of bygone civilizations, being extremely proud of their kinship with the tribes of pre-Columbian America. The Panamanian tribes stubbornly resisted colonization, so the memory of those terrible events still lives in the traditions of many tribes, especially Western ones.

All Indian tribes retain their customs and languages. Their right to this is protected by law. The Indian tribes of Darien are still very little studied ethnic groups, and their traditions and rituals are available only in “theatrical” form. Their communication with civilization is reduced to barter and some kind of participation in political life countries (officially, the territories inhabited by Indian tribes have complete autonomy), tourist access is difficult.

Most of the country's population is a colorful mixture of Spanish, Indian, African and Caribbean ethnic groups, which makes Panamanians similar to other Latin American countries. Panamanians are renowned for their self-respect and politeness, in a very unusual combination with a fiery temperament and sociability. At the same time, one should not forget that general level life in the country is very low, so sociability may also hide the desire to somehow “talk up an overseas guest” for one’s own selfish purposes - such excesses are not uncommon here.

Panamanians are witty and hospitable, although, unlike neighboring countries, the attitude towards guests here is somewhat drier. Some ethnic groups have their own code of conduct, sometimes noticeably different from the generally accepted one, so when visiting inland areas it is worth familiarizing yourself with the customs of the local population in advance.

In everyday communication in Panama, quite European standards are used. Here it is customary to shake hands; well-known people and friends may even hug when they meet, and neighbors or colleagues are often greeted at every meeting. In business circles, punctuality is highly valued, but the Panamanians themselves are rather cool towards it, to say the least.

The dress code is quite democratic; in business circles it is customary to wear a European-style suit, but at home many Panamanians get by with jeans and light shirts. At the same time, national forms of clothing are also very popular - all kinds of wide-brimmed hats, ponchos and wide leather pants can be seen almost everywhere, especially in the provinces.

The national dress of Panamanian women, the poyera, is also very beautiful. This white dress with full skirts and capes with frills, with embroidery self made. Embroidery takes a lot of time and is very expensive; the cost of an original national costume, with unusual hair decorations made of pearls and fish scales, can reach several thousand dollars.

As in most Latin American countries, the vast majority of the population is Catholic. They honor and observe religious traditions. In any village, even the smallest one, there is always a church. On Sunday, it is customary for the whole family to go to the service, which is almost always accompanied by a modern musical arrangement. Religious motifs are also present in the design of public buildings. At the same time, Panamanians are alien to hypocrisy and hypocrisy.

Panamanians love holidays and have fun on any occasion. There are many holidays in Panama - both public, religious, and traditional. There is, for example, a wonderful holiday for girls - Quince a?os, their fifteenth birthday, when the whole family gathers, they buy the girl a beautiful dress, everyone congratulates her on becoming an adult, they dance and have fun.

Precautions

The crime rate in Panama is quite high. Violent crime, theft (including in hotels), and outright fraud are common in Panama City. Police checkpoints even began to appear on the roads, and most shops, banks and hotels started their own private security structures.

All single visits to remote areas and city streets should be avoided, especially in Colon and the capital, especially at night (the most dangerous areas are the areas of San Felipe, El Chorillo and Calidonia, as well as the suburbs of Ancona, Curunda, Veracruz and others).

Increased security measures should always be taken against pickpockets, especially in crowded areas, at ATMs or on transport. Never entrust your luggage to strangers who are not wearing the uniform of porters or hotel employees.

Many of Panama's shores have strong tidal currents and can be dangerous for swimming. Along the Pacific coast, often at a short distance from the coast, there are powerful currents, forming strong eddies in the areas of the islands, which can be a source of danger for divers and surfers. Before entering the water, you should consult with your guide or local residents regarding the safety of swimming in this area. There are relatively few dangerous marine animals off the country's coasts, but increased safety precautions should always be taken to avoid being bitten or pierced by needles from sea creatures.

When visiting national parks You must obtain a permit (usually paid - $3-10) at the park office or at a local travel agency. Movement through the territory of protected areas without a guide is prohibited, and in general it is unrealistic - the local flora forms such a thick undergrowth that it is often simply impossible to pass through it without knowledge of the area. When visiting national parks, it is also recommended to take some food supplies, bedding, repellent and mosquito nets (clothing), clean water and water purifiers, and a first aid kit. Gifts and souvenirs for park employees (food, cigarettes, drinks, batteries, newspapers, etc.) are also very useful in networking.

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required if entering from an area where the disease is widespread (most countries in South America and the Caribbean). You will also need one if traveling to the Darien areas and other southeastern regions of Panama.

Immunization against hepatitis A and E, rabies, cholera and typhoid is recommended. It is recommended to use precautions against malaria. In general, the risk of infection is low, but in the Bocas del Toro, Darien and San Blas areas there is a year-round risk of infection with P. vivax, or, much less commonly, with the chloroquine-resistant form P. falciparum.

It is recommended to carry sunscreen, hats and insect repellent. Mosquitoes, which transmit most diseases, are widespread throughout the country (some areas adjacent to the Caribbean coast are especially affected by them), so special attention should be paid to the condition of mosquito nets on residential windows.

Tap water is usually chlorinated and is considered safe to drink. Drinking water outside the main cities is dangerous to drink. Milk is usually pasteurized, and dairy products are also safe. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are considered safe, however, for safety reasons, meat and fish should be consumed only after pre-cooking, preferably hot, vegetables should be thoroughly washed and pre-processed, and fruits should be peeled.

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