Casco Viejo, Panama
Casco Viejo, Panama Casco Viejo—“old quarter”, also called Casco Antiguo or San Felipe—is a neighbourhood in Panama City in Central America that has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1997.…
Small group escorted tours to Panama. Places of interest for like minded travellers who are curious.
Casco Viejo, Panama Casco Viejo—“old quarter”, also called Casco Antiguo or San Felipe—is a neighbourhood in Panama City in Central America that has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1997.…
Panama City is the capital and largest city of Panama, a country in Central America located on a narrow land mass (Isthmus of Panama) that connects North and South America.
Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Efficient express bus services go to most towns from Panama city. Most of these regular services have air-conditioning but are otherwise often in poor condition.
In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.
Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.
Panama is bordering both the Caribbean Sean and the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. covers a total area of 75,417 square kilometres and has a coastline of 2,490 kilometres.
The climate in Panama is tropical with high temperatures and humidity and not much seasonal variations.
There are 5 sites in Panama listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pa). Panama’s listed properties include:
Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama. Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo. Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection
Carnival de Las Tablas is the most famous cultural even in Panama, which takes place every year in March. Traditional folk songs and dances are performed and creates a lively and colourful celebration, which symbolizes harmony and togetherness.
The most important cultural event in Panama is the Fiestas Patrias which celebrates the country’s separation from Colombia in 1903 as well as the nation’s Flag Day, making it a particularly patriotic event.
The Panama Jazz Festival is a one of the most important Jazz festivals in the world. It takes place in Panama City every January.
Panama History: The Conquest, The Spanish Colony, The War Years, The Society and Its Environment, Ethnic Groups, The Economy, Government
by Uzo Marvin
Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas
by Michael L. Conniff and Gene E. Bigler
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
by David McCullough
Panama cuisine is influenced by its diverse population. In Panama City, you will find something from every corner of the world, including French, Japanese, Italian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and Chinese food. In regional areas, traditional Panamanian cuisine is a mix of Afro-Caribbean, indigenous, and Spanish cooking influences incorporating a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Most Panamanian restaurants are casual — diners, beachfront cafes, and roadside fondas (food stands). Panamanian cuisine is based around coconut rice (rice made with coconut milk) and beans, and fried green plantains called patacones. A lot of Panamanian food is fried. Even breakfast is a selection of fried meats and breads. Panamanian food is neither spicy nor heavily seasoned; in fact, salt is often the only seasoning used in many staple dishes. Panama’s most famous drink is seco, a sugar-cane-distilled alcohol produced in Herrera and commonly served with milk and ice. Beer is Panama’s most popular alcoholic drink, and there is a wide variety of national brands – all light pale lagers. Panama is known for its high-quality coffee.
As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling through Panama. Crime is a significant problem in some of Panama’s major cities, so keep your valaubles close and pay attention to your personal security.
Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Panama runs at 110V and 60Hz. Panama uses the Type A and Type B electric plug types, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.
Join Odyssey Traveller as we go on a 27-day small group journey for mature and senior couples and solo travellers across Central America, exploring the history and diverse scenery of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Panama has a single time zone, Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5). Daylight savings are not observed in Panama.
If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping is appreciated in Panama, with small tips for hotel staff, tour guides, and servers in upscale restaurants. In restaurants, a tip of around 10% is customary.
Wifi should be freely accessible in most hotels, cafes and restaurants in urban areas, though connection speeds can vary, particularly in more isolated areas.
Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in Panama. Many providers will allow you to pay a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.
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