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Travel Tips

Money

Panamas Currency since 1904 is the Balboa (PAB). Since its implementation the Balboa has been tied to the US Dollar, which is also legal tender in Panama, at an exchange rate of 1:1. Coins up to 1 PAB/USD exist in both currencies, from 1 PAB/USD on, only US Dollar banknotes exist.

Sometimes hotels and restaurants include a service charge on your bill. If not, a tip of 10 – 15% is appropriate. Hotel porters should receive between $ 0.50 and $ 0.75 per piece. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips.

The standard credit cards (VISA, MasterCard and American Express) are commonly accepted by hotels, restaurants and shops and ATM’s are widely spread over the country. However, some exceptions exist, mostly at remote areas as the San Blas Islands or the Pearl Islands.

Safety Tips

Panama is generally a safe destination but crime and thievery does exist. Please follow these simple pieces of advice and have a save and pleasant holiday.

· Always leave your passport and any other important documents in the safety deposit box at your hotel – only carry a copy with you.

· Change money only in the banks or at your hotel – never in the streets.

· When walking in the city, do not carry large amounts of cash or valuable jewelry. Be careful with important and expensive articles such as cameras and binoculars.

· If you leave your hotel at nighttime you should not go walking – please ask your hotel to order you a taxi.

Driving in Panama

Driving in Panama generally features good roads in most of the country’s popular areas. Only in Panama City traffic conditions are a bit anarchic. In particular taxi, truck and bus drivers of the so called “red devils” drive quite aggressively. The drivers often change lanes, go through stop signs on a roll or even run red lights. Another difficulty of driving in Panama City is the numerous one-way streets. Before turning to another road, make sure you are really allowed to enter the street – sometimes the one-way street signs are really tiny and very hard to spot. While driving outside the capital is pure pleasure with many nice landscapes passing by you always need to stay highly focused in Panama City. For safety reasons we strongly recommend you avoid driving at nighttime.

The speed limits are always marked on street signs. In urban areas the speed limit is usually 50kph, on some side roads 30kph or 40kph. On highways the speed limit is between 90 and 110kph, when the highway passes villages you should drop velocity to 50 or 70kph. It is obligatory to wear safety belts at all time. The drunk driving laws are very strict in Panama. In the event of getting a traffic ticket, file the report and pay the fine at the Rental Car Agency upon returning your vehicle. Do not pay the traffic officers directly!

The street signs in Panama are easily understandable as internationally standardized. “Alto” means stop, “Ceda” yield, “Peligro” danger, “una vía” one-way street, “Salida” exit, “Despacio” slow down and “Derrumbes” landslides. The speed limits are in kilometers per hour.

When renting a car you should follow these simple pieces of advice to avoid any inconvenience:

· Always keep your car locked, also when you are driving.

· Never leave any valuables in the car. Do not leave anything lying in sight.

· Before any driving, study your destination and plan your travel route.

· If you are told by a passing motorist that something is wrong with your vehicle or if you notice that you are being followed, do not stop. Drive to the nearest public area and if needed ask for police assistance.

· The signals of emergency or police vehicles are blue or red; do not stop for flashing headlights alone.

· If you are driving and you get lost, find a public place, such as a service station, check your map or ask for directions.

· If someone from another vehicle calls your attention and asks you to stop because you have a flat tire or any other car problem, do not do so! Even if it is a vehicle with a nice family or an old couple inside, it might be a trap to steal from you.

· If you are bumped or have any sort of car accident, do not move your vehicle any further, even if it is in the middle of a busy road. Leave your car as it is and wait for the police. If you move your vehicle before the police arrives, the insurance company will not pay for the damage.

Important phone numbers

Panama Trails Phone: (+507) 393-8334

Fax: (+507) 393-8337

Emergency phone: (+507) 6094-3612

Emergencies

Police: 104

Firefighters: 103

Ambulance: (+507) 269-2222 (+507) 269-1111

Car Rental

Sixt Rent-a-Car: (+507) 269-7222 (+507) 269-SIXT (7498)

Hertz Rent-a-Car: (+507) 301-2611

National Rent-a-Car: (+507) 236-5777