Panama
From CruisersWiki
| Panama
| |
 Map | |
 Flag | |
| Capital | Panama City |
|---|---|
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Balboa |
| Time zone | EST (UTC−5) |
| Calling code | +507 |
Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: República de Panamá), is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on an isthmus, some categorize it as a transcontinental nation connecting the north and south part of America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the north-west, Colombia to the south-east, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is an international business center and is also a transit country. Although Panama is also the third largest economy in Central America, after Guatemala and Costa Rica, it has the largest expenditure on resource consumption, making the country the largest consumer in Central America
Charts
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
Weather
Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season, called winter or hivierno (May to November),dry season, called summer or verano (December to April).
Weather links
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/radar/main.html THE PANAMA CANAL RADAR WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD APPRECIATION OF THE LOCAL WEATHER http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/CaribbeanSatellite.aspx?animate=true THE CARIBBEAN SATELLITE https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-117.31,-24.69,408 : THE CURRENT WORLD'S WINDS http://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/fax/gulflatest.shtml : NOAA WEATHER PREDICTION NOTE THAT WEATHER IN PANAMA IS PRETTY IMPREDECTIBLE (EXCEPT FROM DEC. THROUGH APRIL) DUE TO THE DARIEN FOREST AND BEING ON THE ITCZ LOTS OF THUNDERSTORMS FROM MAY THROUGH NOVEMBER VERY HIGH RISK OF LIGHTENING STRIKES (ABOUT 50 BOATS HIT PER YEAR)
Passages
Islands
– island || 
– port of entry || 
– harbour || 
– marina || 
– anchorage || 
– needs data ||-
- Rio Diablo | – needs data |
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
- facebook: "san blas cruisers"
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Any navigation notes here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Entrance
Arrival
NOTE - Pre-arrival notification is NOT required (jan'17).
The port authority will issue a cruising permit (valid for 12 months) when you arrive. If you are planning to proceed to the San Blas Islands after transiting the Canal you must ensure that you obtain a cruising permit for the islands and make sure that this is noted on the clearance document when checking out from Panama.
Customs and Immigration
Customs
Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival and will be held in custody until your departure.
Immigration
All arrivals require a just a valid passport
Visas are required (at no charge) if issued to nationals of Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway and the USA. These visas are valid 30 days from the date of entry and must be used within 3 months of issue. Extensions are possible for another 60 days. Pre-authorisation to acquire a visa is required from Immigration in Panama for nationals of most East European, African and Asian countries. Arriving without a visa will raise a charge of US$11. In the US, visas can be obtained from the Panamanian Consulate in Tampa, Florida - Ph: 813-229-6860.
VENEZUELANS, NICARAGUANS AND COLOMBIANS CITIZEN HAVE ONLY NOW 90 DAYS PERMITTED IN THE COUNTRY. THEY MUST THEN BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR 30 DAYS TO BE ABLE TO SHOW UP AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 90 DAYS. UPD. 11-6-17
No vaccinations needed (2017)
Fees and Charges
tiotal coast for 1 year cruising permit and other local taxes is about 190 USD
Restrictions
PETS: Dogs require health and anti-rabies certificates and must not be allowed ashore. Cats and other animals must have health certificates.
Health and Security
Health
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is NOT required.
- Anti-malarial prophylaxis is not necessary as malaria occurs only in the deep forest of darien. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control state that risk of malaria exists in rural areas of Bocas del Toro, Darién, and mountains of San Blas provinces; no risk in Panama City or in the former Canal Zone. NB: Chloroquine is no longer effective for San Blas Province.
- Dengue fever is endemic, everywhere in Panama.
- Zika is also encountered in the area of Panama City. Chikungunia is almost unknown
- Chitras (yen yen , sand flies) are very common in winter time when no breeze: do not scratch just apply 70 degrees alcohols to avoid infection. use coco nut oil to be protected. In san blas, mosquitoes are rare but sand flies are very common.
- Tap water is safe in virtually all cities and towns, with the exception of san blas & Bocas del Toro, where bottled water is recommended.
- Female visitors should be aware that the moisture and heat of the tropics can encourage yeast infections. 3-day and 5-day treatment courses are available in pharmacies, but must be purchased from the pharmacist.
Security
Most of Panama is very safe. People in rural areas are generally extremely friendly and very helpful. Guna Indians are quite mercantile and always negotiate catch of the day, service, etc. One must also pay Guna woman 1$ to take a picture.
However, as with most countries, there are a few spots that warrant some caution. Most of the city of Colon is considered dangerous, and some neighborhoods in Panama City are a bit sketchy, in particular El Chorrillo, Curundu and El Marañón, poor and crime-ridden areas. The old colonial quarter, Casco Viejo (also called San Felipe) is a safe touristic zone day and night. Nowhere in Panama should yachts anchor at night in remote areas without being accompanied by other yachts.
The use of UBER taxis is preferable to yellow cab because cheaper, greater and safer!
Berthing
Ports
Also see Panama Canal.
– island || – port of entry || – harbour || – marina || – anchorage || – needs data ||- Caribbean Coast
- Pacific Coast
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- PanamarinaTHE MOST ATTRACTIVE OF THE AREA ,ECONOMIC AND CONVIVIAL THOUGH THEY DO NOT HAVE DOCKS BUT MOORINGS. SEE JEAN PAUL OR SYLVIE. VERY GOOD RESTAURANT. WORKSHOP AND MORE. FRIENDLY SPIRIT
- Green Turtle Cay Marina -It is 30 nm from San Blas but access is difficult in trade wind season. ECONOMICAL
- Linton Bay MarinaNOT REALLY FRIENDLY, NO SOCIAL LIFE, VERY NOISY AND RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGES WITH NO PREVIOUS ADD.
Transportation
- one can drive to san blas or fly private charter plane: contact Nativa Tours at [1] for quote.
Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References
Panama Guides
- Compilation of many authors, 2012 Panama City Cruisers Guide, Latest Edition 2012, (Avaliable free online as a PDF)
- Connie McBride, Eurisko Sails West, A Year in Panama, Publication Date Apr 16 2012, ISBN 9781475156058 (Also available as an Audiobook)
- Eric Bauhaus, The Panama Cruising Guide, Latest Edition 4th, 2009, Sailors Publications, ISBN 9789962006374 (Most up to date guide of Panama, however some text out of date / mixed up, http://www.noonsite.com/Members/val/R2009-12-23-2). BEST SAN BLAS GUIDE
- YachtPals, PANAMA Cruising Guide(Free Online Guide)
- Eddie Tuttle, M/V Tothill The Panama Cruisers Information Guide , Latest Edition August 12, 2009, (Free PDF on Line) (Covers Panama City and Colon, at west and east ends of the Panama Canal, Linton, San Blas Islands and Bocas/David.)
- S/V Windsong, Frank and Shirley (Updated by) originally compiled by S/V Mamouna and S/V Creola, Cruisers Guide to Services in Panama City, Latest Edition May 2008 (Free PDF on Line)
- Doug and Judy Decker s/v Limerence, Cruising Guide for Colon, Panama , Latest Edition Draft #4 May 2002 (Free PDF on Line)
- Geoff Schultz (s/v Blue Jacket) & Ian and Anne Gatenby (s/v Fidelio of London) compiled by Doug and Judy Decker s/v Limerence, Cruising Guide for Panama City, Panama , Latest Edition Draft #4 May 2002 (Free PDF on Line)
- Nancy Schwalbe Zydler & Tom Zydler, The Panama Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Isthmus of Panama, Latest Edition 2 edition (July 2001), Seaworthy Publications Inc., ISBN 9781892399090Bold text
Regional Guides that include Panama
- Eric Baicy and Sherrell Watson, Explore Central America Part 1 & 2 (Pacific Coast), Latest Edition Aug 1, 2013 Edition #18 (Download)
- Captain Pat M. Rains, Cruising Ports: the Central American Route (Formerly Cruising Ports: Florida to California via the Panama Canal), Latest Edition #6.5 - June 2012, Point Loma Publishing, ISBN 9780963847027
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- The Yacht charter company in San Blas is San Blas Sailing since 1997
- Excursions in the country, transportation, receptive, services, etc.. contact Nativa Tours
- Yacht supply in san blas: contact Veronica at [email protected] or 6672-0590
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Panama and this page's details validated:
- Compiled from research (pilot books, internet, etc.) March, 2017 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Haiqu, Rr7, Sanblassailing |
