Panama

For millions of years the Isthmus of Panama has been the bridge adjoining the Americas, shaping the development of life on the continent. Its importance has been magnified in recent centuries, as it is also the shortest land route for maritime goods crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific and vice-versa. As a result, the isthmus has played a vital role in enabling the...

For decades, many countries in Latin America struggled with corruption, and Panama is no exception. Corruption has become more prevalent in the country’s psyche, however, as more Panamanian officials, including former president Ricardo Martinelli, were indicted recently for a series of alleged corrupt activities.

Though one of Latin America’s fastest growing economies, Panama’s political situation stands in contrast to its economic performance. The past decade has seen sustained economic growth, driven by the transport, services and banking sectors. More recently, expansion of the canal and other large public spending infrastructure projects have set the pace of economic...

Panamanian food reflects the country’s multi-layered history and its mix of identities. There is an ancestral Central American layer, which can be traced back to some of the country’s original indigenous peoples, such as the Ngobe, Buglé, Naso, Bokotá, Kuna, Emberá, Wounaan and Bri-Bri. Like the great Central American civilisations, these used locally grown staples for...

View contact details and general information for some of the leading hotels and resorts in Panama

VISA REQUIREMENTS: Citizens of the US, Canada, the EU and some other countries are granted a 180-day visa on arrival with a valid passport. It is generally advisable to have an onward ticket and proof of solvency. Visitors planning to be in Panama for longer than 180 days can apply for an extension or for a visa in another category...