(Panama Gringo) The word for tip in Spanish is “propina”(pronounced pro-pee-nuh). In the more affluent countries we come from, tipping is a common courtesy and a generally expected custom. When it comes to gratuity in Panama, however, many are unsure of who to tip and how much is acceptable to offer. Let’s consider a few different scenarios and discuss what the appropriate … [Read more...]
Panama is more than sunny beaches and a canal
(Ottawa Citizen) "A volcanic crater?" I queried, my eyebrow raised with obvious interest. "With a town inside it!?" I considered this for a moment, still not quite sure if I had heard correctly. Though I was lying prone on a beach chair, piña colada in hand, the earnest young man holding the brochure for his tour company now had my full attention. My wife Fionna who had … [Read more...]
New Panama resorts promise ultimate in luxury and escape from civilization
(Travel Daily News) For those that have done the jungle villas of Costa Rica and the private island retreats of the Caribbean, luxury resorts in Panama offer a fresh dose of character, exclusive amenities and unmatched wilderness adventure. Three new boutique properties are raising the bar for the tiny isthmus, inviting the discerning leisure traveler to delight in its … [Read more...]
What Vaccinations Do You Need Before Traveling To Panama?
(Live and Invest Overseas) Yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid, and rabies vaccinations are suggested for travelers to Panama, but not all are required. Antimalarial tablets are recommended also but not ever required. As the date for departure to Panama approached, I didn't know who to believe. My doctors in Ireland were telling me one thing, my friends in Panama … [Read more...]
Cruise Through the Panama Canal on Oceania Cruises’ Marina
(Cntraveler) Did you know that they’re building new locks at the Panama Canal that should double the number of ships that can transit by next year? Did you know that each transit uses 52 million gallons of fresh water? Did you know that crossing the Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic is actually a journey from east to west (as the Canal follows the shape of the … [Read more...]