Experience Panama 2013
Weather:
The weather in Panama is warm and humid, similar to the weather in Miami, Florida. Temperatures usually range from 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the evenings. Light clothing is recommended, but your hotel and most of the restaurants are air-conditioned. Wewillbethereduring the rainyseason.
Electricity:
You will probably not need any electrical adapter as the electrical plugs in the Republic of Panama are verysimilar to the ones in the United States. However, if youneed an adapter to plug in your appliances, youneed to beaware of important physicaldifferencesrelevant to polarization and grounding. For additional information, visit the website:
Country / Voltage / Frequency / Plug / Additional InfoUnited States of America / 120 V / 60 Hz / A & B
Panama / 110 V* / 60 Hz / A, B / *Panama City: 120 V
Money:
ATM’s are reading available throughout Panama, except in very isolated places.Look for the red ‘sistema clave’ sign. ATMs usually accept Plus, Cirrus, MasterCard, Visa, and Amex cards. Be aware of any additional fees that your bank can charge you. Please also keep in mind that the maximum amount that can be withdrawn is usually around US$500.
Panama uses the US dollar as its currency, so you should not have to worry about currency conversions in Panama.. Balboa is the official name for Panama’s money, but it is exactly the same bill as the US dollar. Panamanian coins are the same as US coins in terms of size, value, and metal (FYI: 100 centavos equal one balboa.) Most businesses won’t break US$50 and US$100 bills, and those that do may require you to present your passport.
Safety:
Panama is a safe country, but you need to be aware of pickpockets whenever you are in tourist areas. It is recommended that you carry your money, credit cards, and passport in a front pocket, inside pocket, or a travel pouch that you can wear under your clothing.
Luggage:
Delta charges for checkedbags. It isrecommended to bring one carry-on bag and one suitcase. Be careful if you plan to buy souvenirs, becauseitwillcostyou an extra $50 for a second check bag. (But thismaybecheaperthanpaying for an overwieght bag.) You mightwant to consider keeping some unused space in your luggage, so that you can bring back some souvenirs. For additional information on baggage and security policies, please check the Delta website at
Passports, Visas and Student IDs
Studentswith US passports do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Panama, but visas mayberequired from studentswithpassportsfromother countries.
Bring a photocopy of yourpassport and store it in a separate location from the original.
Be sure to bring a copy of your Clayton State Universitystudent ID card (Lakercard) withyou, as we might receive discounts thatrequire Student IDs.