7 Things to Know Before Visiting Panama City Panama
Summary
TLDRThis video offers essential tips for planning a visit to Panama City, Panama. It highlights the ideal travel time as mid-December to April during the dry season, explains the dual currency system with the US dollar and Balboa, and emphasizes the city's safety. The narrator compares Panama City's living costs to average US prices, with a 30% discount, and mentions the convenience of not needing converters for electronics. Additionally, it advises against purchasing a phone plan at the airport and showcases Panama as a unique capital with a rainforest within city limits, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
Takeaways
- đïž The ideal time to visit Panama City is from mid-December to April due to the dry season, avoiding heavy rainfall common in the region.
- đ” Panama uses both the US Dollar and its own currency, the Balboa, which holds the same value as the US Dollar.
- đïž Prices in Panama City are similar to average US prices, with a 30% discount, which may be higher than what some travelers expect from a Latin American country.
- đ¶ââïž Panama City is considered safe, with residents and visitors feeling comfortable walking around with personal belongings visible.
- đ US visitors do not need a converter or adapter for electronics, as voltages in Panama are similar to those in the US.
- đ± For short stays, local phone service can be obtained in Panama City, but it's advised to avoid purchasing it at the airport for better rates.
- đł Panama City is unique as it is the only capital with a rainforest within city limits, offering opportunities to see wildlife like monkeys and sloths.
- â ïž Research is important before traveling to avoid being caught off guard by local events such as elections or extreme weather conditions.
- đ A universal travel adapter is recommended for travelers to ensure they can charge their devices in different countries with varying outlets.
- đïž Visiting the Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano) in Panama City offers a chance to experience the rainforest and observe local wildlife.
- đ The video script serves as a guide for those planning a visit to Panama City, providing insights on when to go, currency, cost of living, safety, electronics, phone plans, and local attractions.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of the video?
-The main purpose of the video is to provide information and tips for those planning to visit Panama City, Panama, to avoid being caught off guard or encountering unpleasant situations.
What are the two distinct seasons in Panama City mentioned in the video?
-The two distinct seasons in Panama City are the dry season and the wet season.
When is the best time to visit Panama City according to the video?
-The best time to visit Panama City is from mid-December to April, which is during the dry season.
What currency does Panama use, and is there another currency that holds the same value as the US dollar in Panama?
-Panama uses the US dollar as its currency. Additionally, Panama has its own currency called the Balboa, which holds the same value as the US dollar.
What is the significance of the Balboa as mentioned in the video?
-The Balboa is significant because it is Panama's own currency, and it is used alongside the US dollar, with both having the same value.
How does the video describe the cost of living in Panama City compared to the US?
-The video describes the cost of living in Panama City as similar to average US prices, but with a 30 percent discount, especially during the Black Friday sales period.
What is the video's perspective on safety in Panama City compared to other Latin cities?
-The video suggests that Panama City feels safer compared to other Latin cities the speaker has lived in, based on personal experience and conversations with others.
Why might a traveler from the US not need a converter or adapter for their electronics in Panama City?
-A traveler from the US might not need a converter or adapter in Panama City because the voltages are similar, and the outlets are compatible with US electronics.
What advice does the video give regarding getting a local phone plan in Panama City?
-The video advises against getting a local phone plan at the airport due to higher costs. Instead, it suggests getting a SIM card in the city for around two dollars with internet for one week for five dollars.
What unique feature of Panama City is highlighted in the video?
-The video highlights that Panama City is the only capital with a rainforest within city limits, which offers opportunities to see wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and birds.
What is the recommended place to visit for nature lovers in Panama City?
-For nature lovers, the video recommends visiting the Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano) in Panama City to see wildlife and enjoy the rainforest.
Outlines
đ Best Time to Visit Panama City
This paragraph discusses the ideal time to visit Panama City, Panama, to avoid unpleasant surprises like extreme weather or political unrest. The video suggests mid-December to April as the best period due to the dry season, contrasting it with the wetter rest of the year. It emphasizes the importance of research before traveling to ensure a comfortable experience.
đ” Panama's Currency and Cost of Living
The speaker elaborates on Panama's unique currency situation, where both the Balboa and the US Dollar are used interchangeably at a 1:1 value. They clarify that while the Balboa is used for coins, US banknotes are standard, simplifying the currency exchange for visitors. The paragraph also addresses the cost of living in Panama City, comparing it to average US prices but with a 30% discount, particularly noting the higher costs for tourists unfamiliar with local deals.
đ Electronics and Connectivity in Panama
This section provides practical advice for travelers, highlighting that US electronics do not require adapters due to similar voltages in Panama. It also warns against purchasing phone plans at the airport due to higher costs, recommending instead that visitors buy a SIM card in the city for more affordable internet access. The paragraph concludes with a unique selling point of Panama City: being the only capital with a rainforest within its limits, offering a unique urban-nature experience.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄPanama City
đĄTropical Climate
đĄDry Season
đĄCurrency
đĄBalboa
đĄCost of Living
đĄSafety
đĄVoltage
đĄTravel Adapter
đĄPhone Plan
đĄRainforest
Highlights
The ideal time to visit Panama City is from mid-December to April due to the dry season.
Panama has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: dry and wet.
Panama uses the US dollar and its own currency, the Balboa, which holds the same value.
Balboas are primarily in coin form, and one Balboa equals one US dollar.
Prices in Panama City are similar to average US prices, with a 30% discount.
Panama City is considered safe compared to other Latin American cities.
No need for a converter or adapter for electronics from the US due to similar voltage.
A universal travel adapter is recommended for traveling to different countries.
Avoid getting a phone plan at the airport in Panama City for better rates.
A SIM card in the city costs around two dollars with affordable internet plans.
Panama is the only capital with a rainforest within city limits.
The Metropolitan Park offers a chance to see wildlife like monkeys and sloths.
Panama City's cost of living is higher than other Latin American countries but offers safety and convenience.
Research is essential before visiting a new country to avoid unpleasant surprises.
When it rains in Panama, it pours, affecting nearby countries like Costa Rica.
For first-time foreign visitors, Panama City offers a blend of urban and natural experiences.
The video provides practical tips for visitors planning a trip to Panama City.
Transcripts
in this video i'm just going to touch on
a few things you should know a few
things to keep in mind for those who
plan on visiting panama city panama okay
not panama city florida and i'm making
this video because it's always good to
do research and know a little something
about the country you plan on visiting
so you're not cut off guard or you're
not caught in an unpleasant situation
when you arrive there the first thing to
keep in mind when traveling to a new
country and traveling here to panama
city specifically is when is the ideal
time to visit because you don't want to
get somewhere and let's say they're
having their presidential election and
and now there's protest and writing or
you touch down somewhere and it's
freezing cold or vice versa it's blazing
hot so it's good to know when's the best
time to visit now this city has a
tropical climate with two distinct
seasons dry and wet and from my research
the best time to visit is around
mid-december to april because that's
during the dry season whereas the rest
of the year it can rain a little bit
more and i've heard that when it rains
in this region it pours not just here in
panama but also costa rica and some
other countries nearby so basically in
essence the first half of the year is
considered the dry season and the ideal
time to visit next up on the list is the
currency money this is always good to
know because when you're going to a
foreign country you need to understand
their currency so you reduce the risk of
getting taken advantage of and also so
you don't pay more than you have to now
for this section i could keep it simple
and just say that panama uses the us
dollar however you guys know i like to
get detailed i like to break things down
so to explain this part panama has its
own currency called the balboa with the
b you may notice this whenever you walk
into a supermarket and the prices have a
b next to them now in panama the balboa
and the us dollar hold the same value so
one balboa equals one dollar us dollar
two balboas two us dollars and so on for
some people who've never been here this
may seem a little confusing like oh man
i have to keep track of two currencies
but no it's pretty simple because
all the bills are in us dollars in u.s
currency you'll only see balboas and
coins and here's a picture of a few of
them the only one in my opinion you
really need to be familiar with is the
coin all the way to the left the silver
and gold coin
because this is one balboa aka one us
dollar but to sum everything up in
panama they're pretty much used everyone
uses the us dollar and since we're on
the topic of money let's get into the
prices here because that seems to be a
be an interesting topic especially in my
comment section i'm guessing it's due to
you know i was traveling south america
for a little bit and people were so
accustomed to the the cheap prices the
three dollar lunches etc etc and now i'm
here in panama man
prices are a little different but i want
to point out that here in panama city
don't be fooled because they you know
it's considered a latin country they
speak spanish here and maybe you've been
to other countries where the cost of
living was pretty low that's not here i
would say the prices to compare it are
similar to like average u.s prices i
know each city is different but just
take the average the average price in
the u.s
and then take 30 off like the prices
here are
u.s during black friday and look i know
if you're from panama you may disagree
because you grew up here you know the
the spots to get you know four dollar
three dollar meals you have an auntie's
uncle's cousin's brother that that can
get you things for super cheap but this
section is more for like the average
foreigner who's coming down here no
first time and maybe you don't really
speak the language you want to eat at
some of the nicer restaurants some of
the nicer neighborhoods and areas you
know maybe a rooftop bar some italian
food some caribbean food so that's how i
would describe the cost of living or
some of the prices that i'm paying here
in panama city it's the u.s cost with
around a 30 percent discount this brings
me to my next point and i would say this
is probably factored into the price of
living here and that would be the safety
from all the latin cities that i've
lived in so far i would say panama has
felt the safest keep in mind i have no
statistics or anything i'm just going
off living here traveling around filming
talking to people and i've met another
person
who felt the same shout out to carl if
you're watching he's been living here
since he's been he's been living here
for a while and he's traveled around
south america to some of the hot spot
countries and he said that's one thing
he enjoys about living in panama city is
that for him he feels safe walking
around with his watch his cell phone out
not saying nothing can happen here but
just in the areas that he resides he
feels comfortable next on the list is
the fact that if you're coming from the
us you will not need a converter
or an adapter for your electronics
because the voltages here are similar so
using the outlets here will be just fine
however i will say that if you love
traveling you're always in a new country
or you plan on traveling one thing you
should always have with you is a
universal travel adapter because some
countries have different outlets and you
don't want to be stuck somewhere you
know your phone's dead because you can't
charge it next up is the phone plan if
you're staying in panama city for only a
week or two and you want local service
so you can have internet to move around
the city and maybe you don't want to use
your service provider from your home
country due to prices and roaming
charges etc etc you can easily get
service here one tip i would say though
is don't get it from the airport they
got me i spent thirty dollars for one
week of service one week of internet
when i thought it was one month that's
what i asked for but in the city a sim
card will cost around two dollars and
then you can have internet for one week
for five five dollars last but not least
i want to point out that i forgot how it
was worded but i think this is i think
this is the correct way of saying it
panama is the only capital with a
rainforest within city limits so if
you're into nature you want to see
monkeys and sloths and birds things of
that nature you can head to the
metropolitan park parque metropolitano
take a hike take a stroll and hopefully
you'll come across you know some monkeys
birds and that chirp and holler and
hopefully don't growl but that's also
one of the interesting things of living
here is sort of like being in the jungle
with all that being said these are just
a few things to keep in mind if you're
visiting panama city soon i hope this
video has helped you hope you found some
value in it and i'll catch you guys at
the next one deuces
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