A Quick Guide to

WHAT TO PACK

WHAT TO DO

LANGUAGE AND WEATHER QUICK GUIDE TO THINGS TO DO IN PANAMA Home to diverse landscapes and indigenous cultures, Panama is an exotic tropical destination that welcomes explorers seeking to experience adventure and cultural exchanges. Here’s a look at the top five things you can do on your visit to Panama.

A Quick Guide to Panama Scuba Dive Coral Reefs Discover the natural wonders of Panama by scuba diving tropical Caribbean waters in Bocas del Toro. This archipelago of islands has some of the best scuba diving in the Northern Hemisphere, and divers frequently spot diverse under QUICK GUIDE TO PANAMANIAN HISTORY water ecology including moon jelly fish, parrot fish, nurse sharks and magical bioluminescence.

The Isthmus of of Panama has until Sir Henry been inhabited Morgan, a Welsh Experience Indigenous Cultures by humans for pirate, burnt the Panama is home to a diverse number of indigenous groups. In fact, 5% of the country’s population belongs to one of the past 10,000 city to the ground eight native groups. Expand your cultural awareness by interacting with indigenous people through volunteering or years. Home to in 1671. The ruins ecotourism. many indigenous of the old city still groups, Panama stand as Panama played a major Viejo. Present- role in the trade day Panama city Aid in Sea Turtle Conservation route extending sits just West of Five different turtle species nest on the beaches of Panama – the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green, Olive Ridley and from Peru to the original site. Leatherback sea turtles. Unfortunately, many of these sea turtle species are being threatened. At the San San Pond Mexico before Sak wetlands, you can aid in conservation projects alongside locals. Projects include performing night patrols, building habitats and collecting data. the arrival of . Panama gained independence from Today, many of the largest towns and Spanish rule in 1821. The country monuments built by the indigenous became part of Gran , a united people of Panama have been swallowed Latin American nation comprised up by the jungles, though archeologists of what is now known as Colombia, Go on a Sea Kayaking Expedition continue to search for rumored lost cities. Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Another great way to explore the islands of Panama, particularly in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, is on a sea kayaking expedition. While sea kayaking you’ll cover a lot of territory and get up-close to unique wildlife and plant life In 1501, an expedition lead by Spanish Backed by the United States, Panama while getting in a workout at the same time! explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas reached the revolted and gained its independence shores of Panama. Three years later, the from Gran Colombia in 1903. Work quickly first mate of this voyage, Vasco Núñez began on the Panama Canal, a 48-mile wide Balboa, scaled the Continental Divide canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Wakeboard on the isthmus and became the first Oceans. Completed in 1914, the canal was Wakeboard is a thrilling water sport that involves riding the wake of a calm body of water while trailing a boat. The European to set eyes on the Pacific Ocean. operated by the United States until 1999 calm, warm waters on the Caribbean coast of Panama are an ideal spot to give this sport a try, whether you are a Panama City was founded in 1519 and when Panama assumed full control of the beginner or have more advanced skills and are learning to “jump the wake.” quickly established itself as an important canal . Canal tolls, tourism and banking are Good news – you can do all these activities on a course with Outward Bound Costa Rica! Visit www. Spanish settlement for further exploration crucial to the Panamian economy today. OutwardBoundCostaRica.org for information on our summer, semester and group programs in Panama. QUICK GUIDE TO SPANISH PHRASES Though many indigineous groups speak their own languages, Spanish is the official language of Panama. While many Panamanians, especially those in Panama City or major tourist destinations, speak English, knowing a little Spanish can go a long way. Not only will using Spanish help you communicate more efficiently, it will also show locals that you respect their language and culture. Of course, learning a language is a process that takes many years, but here is a quick guide to top phrases you should know before you visit Panama:

Buenos días – Good morning Buenas tardes – Good afternoon Buenas noches – Good evening Sí – Yes No – No Permiso – Excuse me (when trying to pass someone) Disculpe – excuse me (when you need someone’s attention) Me gustaría – I would like Hasta luego – Good bye ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom Salve – Street slang for tip Entonces laope! – Slang greeting, or “hey, dude!” QUICK GUIDE TO WEATHER QUICK GUIDE TO PACKING South of the continental divide in Panama there are Because temperatures in Panama tend to be high, two distinct seasons – dry and rainy. The dry season you shoud pack light weight clothes that provide a lot lasts from December through April and the rainy of breathing room. If you are going to the mountains season lasts from May through November. On the you may need a pair of pants and a light sweatshirt Caribbean side of the country it rains sporadically in the evenings. Bring hiking boots or sturdy tennis all year. shoes to explore more rigorous landscapes and flip flops for walking around small towns or visiting the Temperatures in Panama fluctuate with the seasons. beach on hot days. If you are visiting during rainy In the lowlands, rainy season temperatures are hot season you should bring a rain jacket, but make and steamy and in the dry season it is very humid. sure it is light because temperatures will likely still In the mountains of be steamy. Panama it gets cool at night year round. Panamanians tend to dress Temperatures in casually, so you will not be out of Bocas del Toro range place wearing casual clothes while from 68 to 85 degrees doing activities during the day. Fahrenheit year round, However, if you plan to dine out and temperatures in in the evening, especially in more the capital Panama touristy areas or in Panama City, City range from 70 to dressy casual clothes, such as a 90 degrees Fahrenheit dress or jeans and a nice top, are year round. more appropriate.

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