Panama tourism is experiencing growth like never before. The trip to Panama is a relatively simple plane ride, especially for people from Europe, Canada and the United States and Panama attractions and activities abound, even for the world traveler. Panama tourism can take you to the mountains, to the beach, to a rainforest or even to the past. Because of its long-term affiliation with the US, many things about Panama are familiar to Americans, but the beauty of Panama tourism is that no matter from where you come, you can find something exciting and new.

Some of the facts about Panama include:

• Panama Government: Elected Democracy
• Current Head of State: President Martin Torrijos
• Currency: US dollar (called Balboa) No national paper currency is printed, but there is coinage of the same size and denominations as American coins.
• Sales Tax: VAT is 5% (10% for imports)

• Language: Spanish (official), English 14%
• Religion: 85% Catholic, 15% Protestant

• Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz
• Telegram: Available in hotels and main post offices of major cities.
• Press: La Prensa, El Siglo and El Panamá América are among the largest daily newspapers.
• Mail: Mail to North America takes about a week. Post office hours are Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:00 pm, Sat 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. For express services, FedEx and DHL are available in most areas. Mail forwarding services are available from locations such as Miami, FL for approx. $25 per month. These services provide an address and regularly forward mail based on a weight charge.
• Time Zone: GMT-5
• Police: If you are a victim of a crime, report it immediately to the local police, especially if you will be making an insurance claim. The tourist police, or policia de turismo, are better prepared to deal with foreigners and more likely to speak English. Typically they wear white armbands and ride bicycles.
• Emergency Numbers: Police 104, Fire 103, Tourist Police 269 8011

• Area: 75,990 sq. kilometers
• Population: 3,191,319 (July 2005)
• Population Density: 42 per sq. kilometer
• Capital: Panamá City

• Telephone: IDD is available. International calling cards are available and widely used. Many Internet cafes also offer VoIP calling as well.
• Directory Assistance: Dial 102
• National Dialing Code: 507
• Cellular Phone: Roaming agreements exist
• Fax: Available at most post offices and hotels Miscellaneous Panama Facts
• Siesta Time: There is no siesta, or midday break.
• Internet: Internet cafes are common and inexpensive. (usually less $1 per hour) Some restaurants and coffee shops now offer wireless hot spots.
• Pets: Have your veterinarian prepare a standard International Health Certificate no more than 10 days prior to travel to Panama. The certificate should include the pet's name, breed, owner's name and current country of residency. It should state that the pet is healthy and free of parasites. It should also contain a list of inoculations including type, manufacturer and batch number.
• Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is customary in hotels and restaurants. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but it is wise to arrange the rate before the trip.
• Smoking: There are non-smoking rooms in hotels and non-smoking areas in restaurants
• Siesta Time: There is no siesta, or midday break.

The Panama tourism industry has created continued growth for Panama's Tocumen International Airport, the country's only international destination. Because of this expansion, Panama tourism has become an easy adventure; with direct flights from Newark, NJ, Miami, FL and Houston, TX, Panama is little more than two hours away from the US. Other countries, including several in Europe, offer direct flights to Panama as well, giving Panama tourism a connection with the rest of the world. The US government is very favorable about travel to Panama, listing only a small portion of the border area with Columbia as hazardous for travel.

All international flights to Panama come to Panama City and for most tourists; the first thing to do is purchase a tourist card. This $5 document gives you permission to travel within the country for up to 90 days. There is a variety of travel options to use in Panama: city buses, cross-country buses, taxis, rental cars, airplanes and boats.

1. Panama buses - The brightly painted buses of Panama City are nearly tourist attractions by themselves. This is the lowest-priced form of transportation and an interesting cultural experience as well.
2. Cross-country buses - The country has a well developed bus system, similar to the Greyhound system in the US. For $25 you can travel from Panama City to San Jose, Costa Rica. This is a great way to see the geographic beauty of Panama. In addition, buses are typical forms of transportation to remote areas such as Boquete.
3. Panama taxis - These distant relatives of the US taxi system are brightly colored and will beep their horns to alert possible passengers that they available. Taxis are very reasonably priced and can even be rented hourly or for trips to specific destinations.
4. Car rental - Many of the same companies that service the US are in Panama as well. Prices for rentals cars can be reasonable via the Internet but very high in office. The style of driving in the country suggests that Panama tourists be careful when renting cars and strongly consider purchasing the insurance.
5. Airplanes - The country has a good regional service for Panama tourism. Fees are reasonable and service connects the major destinations within the country such as David, Bocas del Toro and Colon.
6. Boats - Along the coasts, there is some use of boats for Panama tourism but this is not a widespread. Boats are also not recommended for tourists traveling from Panama to Columbia due to safety concerns at the border; only airplane travel is viable between these two countries.

This is a country filled with activities for Panama tourism. Starting in Panama City with the ruins of the ancient city, the rainforest, the Panama Canal all give historic destinations for visit. Throughout the country, the Carnival (held near the end of February), numerous fairs, concerts and traditional events dot the country. People in Panama are very enthusiastic about their national baseball league, soccer and basketball games are always available to be enjoyed and activities such as swimming, surfing, and fishing add to Panama tourism's appeal to the sportsman.

Tourists are drawn to Panama activities and attractions that they will always remember. The country is safe and tourists are able to easily move about the country, enjoying all there is to offer. Panamanians enjoy the presence of tourists and keep the streets alive with goods, sights and activities for Panama tourists to enjoy.