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Panama Canal & Panama: A Continental Divided Oceans United

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Panama Canal & Panama: A Continental Divided Oceans United

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In the name of Grand Circle Cruise Line I would like to welcome you to Central America and to the Panama Canal & Panama: A Continent Divided, Oceans United. My name is Yesenia Yorlet Yépez Mejia well known as “JJ” and I will be your Program Director during your traveling experience in Panama.

This experience is an opportunity to learn, share and discover Panama, its people, traditions and culture. Despite that over the past decade, Panama has been one of the fastest growing economies; things here work in a slow pace than in the US, so be patient and well-prepared!!
I encourage you to read the GCCL TRAVEL HANDBOOK CAREFULLY.

If you have any questions, PLEASE EMAIL ME!!!

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Panama´s climate is tropical, with hot and humid weather most days, although temperatures do vary slightly by location and altitude.  On both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the annual average temperature is 84°F. But average humidity of 80% which makes you sweat a lot. We don't have seasons like in the US, it is rainy season (May until December) and dry season or less rainy (from mid-December until April). You may be traveling during the dry season, but please keep in mind it may rain.
For your reference, you can check this weather forecast: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/Panama+City+Panama+PMXX0004:1:PM

Altitutes
Panama City & Colon are located at 7 feet above sea level.
Chitré is located at 65 feet above sea level.
Boquete Town (our pre-extension) is located at 3,900 feet above see level. Temperature here could go down to 65°F in the evening and it could be 85°F in the day.

Diets and food restrictions
Please if you have any specific diet, allergies or food restrictions, let me know by e-mail as soon as possible so I can inform our providers in advance. Keep in mind, that we may not have access to the same type of food you have in the US, so you can bring with you some of your favorite snacks or food so you don't starve.

What to bring
We suggest you to bring a hat, sun block +50, cooling device or bandana, bug repellent, an empty bottle to refill (water from tap is drinkable). Light rain jacket, a camera (extra batteries and memory cards), binoculars and rechargable batteries for your electronics, small day pack and alarm clock (the wake up calls in the hotels are not so reliable).
In some hotels the hairdryers don't work properly, so I recommend you to bring your own.

Medication: make sure you pack all your medicines and copy of your presciptions just in case you to get them in Panama. If you have suffer motion sickness, I will reccomend you to bring your motion sickness pills or patch.

Other things to bring: for a full detailed list of what to pack, please check your travel handbook.
Also bring comfortable clothes and shoes, a walking stick (good for balance). Please keep in mind you must be able to walk 2 to 3 miles unassisted and participate in 3 hours of physical activities each day, including several sets of stairs in uneven terrain and streets.

This trip is not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters. Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them throughout the trip. And agility and balance are required for boarding fiber glass boats and kayaks.

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Panama's paper mone is the US Dollar. Nevertheless, Panama has its own coins known as Balboa with the same size and dimension than the US Coins.
Everywhere in Panama, both coins are accepted, you may receive change with both US and Panamanian coins.
US Dollars are the only paper money accepted in Panama. All ATMs will provide them. In Panama, ATMs will only allow withdrawal of up to $500 per day (Bring your ATM Pin). Please advice your bank your exact trip dates to avoid any inconviniences.
The only coin you might receive and it is different to any other US coin is a dollar coin with golden rim introduced by former president Ricardo Martinelli, popularly known as Martinelli dollar.
Credit cards (VISA and MASTERCARDS) are widely accepted in most restaurants and shops.