Page 45 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

Travel essenTials BASICS 43
the popular misconception that Panama is a though, people are very courteous – driving in
dangerous country to visit. in fact, even though Panama City aside – and quite formal. Greetings are
crime seems to be on the increase, especially in customary before any exchange, such as asking for
urban areas, Panama is still much safer than most information, and the “usted” form of address is
other Central american states, with only a few areas preferred to the “tu” form, which is reserved for close
to avoid or in which to take special care. friends – although this is beginning to change
The eastern strip of the Darién and Guna Yala among younger people or those who have spent
that borders Colombia tops the danger list as a significant periods of time out of the country. This
no-go area; it contains the fabled Darién Gap, which formality is also reflected in clothing, particularly by
has long held a fascination for travellers seeking the urban middle classes, who like to dress up to go
adventure by hacking through jungle to the border. out. Dress is also important on the beach; no nude
While this was difficult but feasible, it is now very sunbathing is permitted in Panama, except on one
dangerous and prohibited; since the 1990s several beach on isla Contadora (see p.122), and beachwear
travellers attempting the overland route have been should stay on the beach – cover your body in town.
kidnapped or killed. There are still ways of visiting suitably modest attire (covered shoulders) is
the Darién safely both in an organized group and as appreciated in churches. When visiting indigenous
an independent traveller, and for crossing to communities, cultural sensitivity is particularly
Colombia on the Caribbean side by boat (see box, important as regards dress, alcohol and photo-
p.25), all of which can provide excitement without graphy (see box, p.255).
putting your life in acute danger.
The second major trouble spot is Colón, where Drugs
extreme caution needs to be exercised even during
the day (see box, p.107). Panama City also has Drugs are widely available in Panama, marijuana
several areas to avoid, generally poor neighbour- and cocaine in particular, and you’re quite likely to
hoods with inadequate housing and high be offered something at some stage. However,
unemployment. Violent crime is on the increase, possession of either is illegal and makes those
but ninety percent of this is estimated to be drug- caught liable for a prison sentence. While the police
related, often among rival gangs; petty crime too is might – and only might – turn a blind eye to a joint
on the rise in some areas, especially where there are being smoked discreetly on a deserted beach,
significant economic disparities between the general being caught with weed trying to cross a border
population and those who are making decent can have serious consequences. Possession of
money from tourism, such as in Bocas. That said, by cocaine is punished very heavily, in part because
far the vast majority of visitors enjoy their time in Panama is a known transit point for drugs heading
Panama without incident, with the main issues being from Colombia to the Us.
theft of money and/or passport and the odd traffic
accident. The usual common-sense guidelines apply. Electricity
The police The voltage in Panama is 110 volts and sockets
if you are a victim of crime, report to the Policía de take flat two- and occasionally three-pronged
Turismo (Tourist Police) in Panama City (see p.86) or plugs. Power cuts and subsequent surges occur
the main police station in other towns. even fairly frequently so if travelling with a laptop you
though your possessions are unlikely to be may want to bring a surge protector. in many
recovered, a police report (denuncia) will be remote parts of the country, such as some islands
required to make an insurance claim. at the police of Guna Yala and in much of the Darién, in national
station, you will probably need to present your iD, parks or in isolated villages, there is limited or no
which by law you should always carry with you, electricity at night, so a torch is essential.
though it is acceptable to carry a photocopy of
your passport details provided it also includes a Insurance
copy of the entry date stamp on the same page.
it would be unwise to head for Panama without
Culture and etiquette insurance that covers theft, loss, illness, injury and
flight cancellation. Before you take out a new policy,
no society is homogenous but Panama is particu- make sure that you aren’t already covered: some
larly diverse, and customs vary widely. Overall, all-risks home insurance policies may cover your

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