Panama is a small jewel located in Central America just a short flight away from all major cities in the United States. Many people know about the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel that joins the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. Panama is a small country of approximately 3 million people with a lot to offer, from beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, great shopping to adventures in the wild. Panama's official currency is the US Dollar so there is no need for money exchange yet you will find very low prices on everything from food, accommodations, car rentals, shopping and tours. A visa is not required as you can purchase a tourist card for a mere $5 that will allow you to stay in the country for up to 60 days. Panamanians are known for their warmth and love to party so you can be assured that you will have a great time during your visit.

Here are some tips to keep in mind for a safe journey to Panama:

1. Use common sense, do not wear flashy clothes and jewelry that will attract unwanted attention to yourself
2. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you. There are tons of banks in Panama with ATM services and most places accept major credit cards so there is no need to carry loads of cash
3. Be aware of your surroundings and do not wander off into areas that do not look safe. Avoid the following neighborhoods: San Joaquin, El Chorrillo, Maranon, Samaria, Calidonia, San Miguel, Rio Abajo, Curundu and most areas of San Miguelito
4. Panamanians are friendly, however use caution when asking for directions so you won't find yourself another victim of street crime. If you need directions go to a nearby gas station, store, hotel or any other establishment
5. Do not stop for strangers on the street. This is such a basic rule yet so many people do not follow it and find themselves victims of crimes unnecessarily
6. When you need a taxi, have the hotel call you one or use a yellow taxi that is part of a taxi stand. There are no meters in Panama so make sure you ask how much it is to your destination prior to entering the taxi to avoid problems later. Keep in mind that some taxi drivers will try to rip you off once they know you are not from there, so make sure you settle on an amount before starting the ride
7. Keep small bills and change handy to pay for tolls when using the toll roads known as "Corredores" around the city. Most of the time they don't have enough change for bills over $10 and tolls are usually not more than $2
8. Exercise caution when driving alone at night. Stay in well lit areas and drive carefully to avoid some of the many potholes on the road (what can I say, road maintenance is not exactly the best here)
9. Traffic and more traffic. Unfortunately, there is no way around it. For such a small country, traffic is absolutely insane here. Avoid driving around the city during peak hours, mainly before 8am and after 5pm when everyone is trying to get to and from work
10. Relax and enjoy the excitement Panama has to offer!

Have a great and safe journey! Let me know what you think of your trip to Panama.