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About Panama
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Panama is fast become a world class vacation destination. Most of our Panama Vacation Rentals are located at Las Olas Resort, Playa La Barqueta, near David, in the Province of Chiriqui in the Republic of Panama.
As you can see from the map below, our location is near Costa Rica in the Gulf of Chiriqui, near David. Once you arrive in Panama City, Panama, there is a regional flight that takes you to David (50 minute flight). Once in David you can rent a car and drive out through the beautiful farming country side to Las Olas Resort and the Panama Vacation Rentals (about a 20 minute drive to the Las Olas Resort area from David).
Once you are at your vacation destination here at Playa La Barqueta, your fun and adventure are about to begin. You can visit so many wonderful tourist destinations all within driving distance from your Panama Vacation Rental at Las Olas Resort. Deep sea fishing, zip line tours, casinos, more shopping, island tours, volcano tours, coffee plantation tours, ATV riding in the rain forest, sun bathing, surfing, it is all here!
It is always a great idea to spend some quality time on your vacation to Panama, in Panama City. There is plenty to do there also. The night life is fantastic! There are plenty of casinos, restaurants, night clubs plus more! Panama City has so much to offer.
Elaine's Panama Adventure BLOG
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Why visit the Republic of Panama? Be sure to view our ACTIVITIES page. Panama has so much to offer you will have to come back time and time again. The country slogan is once you visit Panama, "It will never leave you" and this is true. You will not only fall in love with the country of Panama, but the people of Panama will win your heart over too. The kindness they show is second to none.
The Panama Canal.
There are many tours available for the Panama Canal. Here is one very popular tour company: PANAMA JONES. You can read all about the canal here and schedule your Panama Canal tour too.Indian Culture Tours
PANAMA JONES provides these tours also! Contact them about spending a day with the real locals of Panama. It is a very educational tour and a once in a life time experience.
Shopping. Panama has some world class shopping. Spend a few hours or days finding some of the hard to find souvenirs and shop some of the duty free shops they offer. Here are some Facts about Panama:
Language: The official language is Spanish. However, many Panamanians speak both Spanish and English.
Currency: The official currency is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), equal to 100 centesimos, but the US Dollar is accepted everywhere at a rate of B1 = US$1. Balboa are available only in coin denominations. The only paper currency used is US dollars. It is easy to exchange currency and travelers cheques in Panama at banks, exchange shops, hotels and the airport. Avoid the black market. The best rates are offered at the larger banks. Old, creased and dirty foreign notes may be refused for exchange. Most major credit cards, American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Diners club, are widely accepted. There are about 300 ATMs in Panama City. Banks are usually open from 8am to 1.30pm on weekdays.
Time: Local time is GMT -5.
Electricity: Electrical current is 120 volts AC, 60Hz. Round 2-pin plugs are the norm.
Communications: The international access code for Panama is +507. The outgoing call code is 00. Discount telephone rates apply between 10pm and 7am. Coin and card-operated public telephones are available, cards being sold at stores and vending machines. There are no domestic area codes in Panama. Cell phone providers offer digital TDMA 800 and GSM 850 networks therefore triband handsets are required for international visitors. There are several Internet service providers in Panama and Internet cafes are widely available in Panama City. Most hotels also offer the Internet.
Duty Free: The following items may be brought into Panama duty free: 500 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco, three bottles of alcohol, and opened bottles of perfume for personal use. Fruit, vegetables and animal products are prohibited.
Getting Around: A bus service criss-crosses Panama, most services starting and ending in Panama City at more or less hourly intervals from the Gran Terminal de Albrook in the downtown area. Buses are fairly comfortable and reliable. In the city itself the buses are brightly colored, hot and uncomfortable, a flat fee payable at a turnstile when boarding. A tourist train service connects Panama City to Colon along the Panama Canal. Several international car rental companies are represented in Panama, but road conditions and signage are not good, so driving can be hazardous and traffic in the cities is chaotic. There are abundant taxis in Panama, as well as shared cabs called colectivos. In Panama City taxis are not metered but fares are calculated by zones, and the fare should be agreed before the journey. Most hotels can arrange private taxis prior to arrival. In some parts of Panama boats are the main means of transport.
Panama Economy
Panama is a great value. Once you arrive you will start to experience all that Panama has to offer. We recommend going to as many local shops, restaurants, night clubs as you can find. The prices are great, the quality of food and drinks are fantastic and the people really enjoy seeing you in their business. This all makes Panama a great family value on vacation. You can go to local grocery stores and supply yourself for the week and you will be amazed at the cost compared to what you normally spend.
Panama has so much to offer in the world of banking and finance too. Just search online about some of the benefits of moving to Panama or opening a business there. You will be impressed.
We hope you enjoy your stay at one of our Panama Vacation Rentals. We hope to have you back time and time again. We look forward to hearing from you soon.