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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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Bienvenidos a Panama!

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, culture and the Panama Canal. Despite that over the past decade, Panama has been one of the fastest growing economies. Things here work in a slower 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. Temperature goes from 82°F to 85°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).
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.

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We suggest you to bring a hat, sun block, cooling bandana, bug repellent, light rain jacket, a camera, batteries, memory cards, binoculars, day pack, walking stick (it helps with balance), hair dryer, comfortable walking shoes, and alarm clock (the wake up calls in the hotels are not so reliable).
Bring an empty bottle to refill (water from the tap is drinkable).
***For a full detailed list of what to pack, please check your travel handbook.

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.

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Our foundation site is The Omar Torrijos Public School in the Town of Paraiso. It is a great opportunity to learn about Panamanian Educactional System and share with the school teachers and children. We will visit the school on Day 7. As a gift for the school we will recommend you: Spanish/English Dictionary, Puzzle Games or reading books in English. Children age is 4 to 11.

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We will visit an Embera Community on Day 7 as an included feature. As a gift for your host you may bring a candy or a locally made product from your hometown. As well, you can wait until your arrival to Panama, because I am planning to stop in a local supermarket one day before our home hosted visited and you can buy dry food or kitchen item for the villagers.

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Diets and food restrictions
If you have specific food allergies or requirements let me know in advance, so we can inform our providers in advance and be able to meet your needs. But if you required special snacks or food, I will suggest that you to bring them as they may not be available to purchase in Panama.

Electricity in Panama: The electrical current in Panama is 110V, 60Hz.

Laundry: There is laundry available on day 3, 4 and 5 at the Cubita Hotel in a very reasonable price, it won't be ironed but it will be clean. The other hotel where you can do it is Radisson Hotel, but prices are expensive there.

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Panama's paper money is the US Dollar. Nevertheless, Panama has its own coins known as Balboa with the same size and dimension than the USD Coins.
Everywhere in Panama, both coins are accepted, you may receive change with both US and Panamanian coins.
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 inconveniences.
Credit cards (VISA and MASTERCARDS) are widely accepted in most restaurants and shops.

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You must be able to walk 2 miles unassisted and participate in 3 hours of physical activities each day, including several sets of stairs.

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.

Agility and balance are required for boarding fiber glass boats and kayaks.

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If you made flight arrangements through Grand Circle, our airport representative will be standing with an GCCL sign, will meet you at the airport. If you are taking part of the pre extension, I will be at the airport waiting for you.

Should your luggage not arrive with you, PLEASE go to the airline counter to get a claim number, tell the airline to send your luggage to the Las Américas Golden Tower Panamá if it arrives within the next 24 hours.

Should it take longer, tell the airline to send it to the Cubita Hotel Boutique Resort & Spa, in Chitré Town. Address: Vía Circunvalación, Ave. Roberto Ramírez De Diego, La Arena, Chitré, Panamá.
We will leave from Panama City early on day 3 on our way to Chitré Town 158 miles from the city.

In case of an emergency you can give my name and phone # 011 (507) 6253-8033 (PTY) to a family member, should they need to contact you during the trip. This is also my Whatsapp number.

For travelers that did not purchase airfare with GCCL, please have in mind that the TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL IS NOT INCLUDED, We recommend for you to take a Taxi at the airport to the Golden Tower Las Américas Hotel. USD 30.00 is the usual fee. You can also prepay a transfer from us directly through the Boston Office. Golden Tower Las Américas Hotel does not offer free shuttle service from the airport.

We recommend you bringing a set of clothes and your medicine in your carry-on bag, just in case your luggage is delayed.

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My name is Yesenia Yorlet Yépez Mejía, better known as “JJ”. I am 36 years old. I was originally born in Venezuela and moved to Panama in 1998 with my mother and my siblings. As my mom is 100% Panamanian I got the citizenship immediately. I have been here already 19 years and I loved every single minute. I am a single mother and I have a 17 years old son and his name is Kevin Alexander (The one in the picture). He is in 10th grade and he loves everything related to computers and graphic arts. I live with my mom Myrna and son.

In my days off, I love going to the rainforest or any of our National Parks to hike some of the trails.

I have been working in Tourism for 13 years. I am a lover of nature, but my real passion is the birds; though, I am amateur birding tour guide.

Picture: Two dancers of the Diablicos Sucios Traditions in Parita. On this trip, we will learn about it.

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Here is a brief selection of favorite books, that I recommend you to read before your traveling experience.

- The Path Between the Seas, David McCullough
- The Building of the Panama Canal in Historic Photographs.
- A Brief History of Central America, Hector Perez-Brignoll
- How Wall Street Created a Nation: J.P. Morgan, Teddy Roosevelt, and the Panama Canal, Ovidio Díaz Espino.