Population – 3.2 million, Area – 75,517 sq km (29,157 sq mi), Currency – Balboa (PAB; symbol B/.) = 100 centavos, Flight times – From London to Panama City is 14 hours and from Miami is 2 hours 45 minutes, Cities – Panama City (capital), Colón, Chiriquí, Santiago, Chitre, Time Zone – GMT -5, Weather – Temperatures are high throughout the year, though cooler at high altitudes; rainy season lasts from May to November, Languages – Spanish, English is widely spoken, Religion – Almost all Christian; 86% Roman Catholic, Electricity - 120 volts AC, 60Hz; plugs are the flat two-pin American type.

The southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. The Panama Canal bisects the isthmus at its narrowest and lowest point, allowing passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina. It is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area

Panama's charms include its stunning coastline of palm-fringed beaches, its astounding wildlife - boasting an incredible diversity of tropical birds - and its proud, vibrant indigenous peoples, such as the Kuna. While in Panama, you'll find it hard to shake the inescapable feeling that you're in on a secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover.

The major cities are San Miguelito and Colón

The Climate is tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Spanish is the official language, though English is spoken. Most of the Panamanians are bilingual.

Panama-one of the best places in the world for first-class medical and cosmetic treatments at competitive prices.

Panama offers first-class medical treatments by American-trained doctors in hospitals that rival USA hospitals at almost half of the cost in the USA.

Advantages of traveling to Panama for your health or cosmetic surgery:

· A very high quality medical care from US-trained physicians and specialists.

· Medical management and treatments using the same techniques, facilities and medications as in the US.

· Choice of American-trained doctors and hospital environments better than US hospitals.

· Top class vacation and relaxing in world-class beach, mountain and nature destinations.

Medical tourism or health tourism is growing rapidly in Panama. Many factors are contributing to the increase of health tourists to Panama. Panama has a combination of attractive and temperate climate, natural scenic beauty, cultural diversity, strategic geographical position, and is one of the world's key offshore trading centers. The US dollar is the official currency. Most of Panama's doctors are bilingual, board certified, and work with the same state of the art medical equipment and technology used in the USA and Europe. Panama offers savings of more than 50% compared to the US and Europe. Please see our price comparison page for more details.

Panama's tourism has grown by almost 20% every year for the last five years. Panama is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for Americans and Europeans. Panama is Central America's most cosmopolitan, international, technologically advanced country, with highly trained physicians.. There are daily direct flights to/from Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, New York and others. Getting to Panama is easy - just 2½ hours from Miami and four from Houston.

Panama is also the only Latin American capital where it is safe to drink the tap water.

Panama was claimed by the Spanish in 1501. Nearly two decades later, the City of Panama was established. A part of New Granada after 1739, Panama left the Empire over 80 years later. At that point, Panama became part of Gran Colombia. Panama was viewed as a potential route between the Atlantic and the Pacific as far back as 1825. By 1855, the United States had bankrolled a railroad from Colon to Panama City. In 1903, Panama broke with Colombia and soon agreed to develop a canal zone that would be under US control. Eleven years later, the mighty Panama Canal was opened. Functioning as a protectorate of the US, the US maintained that it had the right to intervene militarily when its interests were threatened, as it did in 1918. A new canal treaty was negotiated in 1977; it provided for the Panamanians to take control of the canal in 2000. Politically, Panama experienced some instability when the country's military head (and, basically, the leader of the country) General Manuel Noriega, was indicted by the US on drug charges. Noreiga refused to resign and the US ended up freezing Panamanian assets in US banks. A year later, Noreiga nullified the results of the election (he was losing) and made himself the sole power in the country. The US responded by invading the country, capturing Noreiga, trying him in the US and convicting him.

Panama's arts reflect its ethnic mix. Indian tribes, West Indian groups, mestizos, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Swiss, Yugoslav and North American immigrants have all contributed ingredients to the cultural stew. Traditional arts include wood carving, weaving, ceramics and mask making.

Spanish is the official language, though US influence and the international nature of the canal zone reinforce the use of English as a second language. West Indian immigrants also speak Caribbean-accented English. Indian tribes have retained their own languages. Panama is predominantly Roman Catholic, but there are sizable Muslim and Protestant minorities and small numbers of Hindus and Jews.

Transportation

Air Transport

Your first stop will be in Panama City at the Tocumen International Airport. Numerous carriers from around the world have direct flights into Panama City. So getting to Panama will not present any difficulty. As always shop around for the best flight. From the airport there is efficient taxi service that can take you anywhere you need to go to.

Road Transport

In a town of any size you can find a taxi. In Panama City they are everywhere. As such finding one is not a problem. Be aware of the fact that a taxi meter is not typically used. Do not hope in a taxi get to your destination and then try to figure out the price. You must negotiate a price prior to leaving. Most locations in Panama City by taxi should not cost more than $4-5.

On a day by day basis buses are your best and cheapest way to get around Panama City and Panama in general. The cost is very inexpensive by our standards. Buses run throughout the city and the country on a regular basis. Check with the school for the most up to date info on schedules.

Places To visit

Panama City:
The capital of Panama, Panama City, is enriched with enchanting restaurants, fantastic nightclubs and magnificent shopping. In the event you prefer something a little more historic, the old side of the city is close by for an exploring adventure.

Panama Canal:
Often referred to as the ninth wonder of the world, the Panama Canal extends across Panama from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Visit and find out why some say it’s the greatest engineering achievement for human kind!

San Blas Islands:
Featuring a coastline of 200 miles, these islands offer crystal clear waters and beautiful secluded islets. The Kuna Indians of Panama call these islands home and live the same today as they did hundreds of years ago.

Chiriqui:
Habitats of quetzals, parrots and numerous other bird species make this province a birdwatcher’s paradise! Cloud and rain forests, mountains and beaches are among the other visual delights you’ll enjoy while visiting.

Darien:
Tropical flora, fauna and 1.5 million acres of pure rainforest provide the native Chocoe Indians with an immense jungle in which to live. Come and liven up your senses with the miracles of Mother Nature!

Bocas del toro
This city is near the border of Costa Rica.This beautiful island provides its visitors with numerous attractions, lavish rain forests having plentiful of fauna and flora, sun-drenched islands, beaches that give competition to the Caribbean.

Colon
The port of Colon is located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.This bustling city was built on a swampy island. It took many years of hard work to drain the surrounding swamps and give the city a proper sewage and waterworks system. The city has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid, with average temperatures in the mid-twenties.

Boquetes
Boquetes is a small and attratcive town located on the eastern slopes of Volcan Barú.This place is famous for producing the tastiest oranges and rich coffee in the entire of the Panama region.