World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
American, French and Spanish food is available in all restaurants and hotels in Panama City and Coln. There is a huge selection of excellent restaurants in Panama City, as well as other main cities. There are also several Oriental restaurants. Native cooking is reminiscent of creole cuisine, hot and spicy. Dishes include ceviche (fish marinated in lime juice, onions and peppers), patacones de pltano (fried plantain), sancocho (Panamanian stew with chicken, meat and vegetables), tamales (seasoned pie wrapped in banana leaves), carimaolas and empanadas (turnovers filled with meat, chicken or cheese). Waiter service is the norm. The choice and availability of wines, spirits and beers in hotels, restaurants and bars is unlimited.

Nightlife
Panama City, in particular, has a wide range of nightlife from nightclubs and casinos to folk, ballet, belly dancing and classical theatre. Dancing and entertainment are available in all the big hotels, as well as many clubs. Other large towns and resorts have music, dancing, casinos and cinemas. Further details can be found in local papers.

Shopping
Panama is a duty free haven and luxury goods from all over the world can be bought at a saving of at least one-third. Local items include leatherware, patterned, beaded necklaces made by Guaym Indians, native costumes, handicrafts of carved wood, ceramics, papier mch artefacts, macram and mahogany bowls. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1900, Sun 1000-1900.

Special Events
For further information, contact the Instituto Panameo de Turismo (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Panama in 2005:
Jan Coffee and Flowers Fair, Boquete; Festival of San Sebastin, Oc. Feb Las Balseras (Guaym Indian celebration – see Resorts & Excursions section), Chiriqu Province. Feb 5-8 Carnaval. Mar San Jos International Fair. Apr Semana Santa; Orchis Fair, Boquete. Apr-May Azuero Festival, Villa de los Santos. Jun San Juan Bautista, Isla Grande, Chitr. Jul Boat Races, Taboga Island. Sep Feria del Mar, Bocas del Toro. Oct Black Christ Celebration, Portobelo.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the normal form of greeting and dress is generally casual. The culture is a vibrant mixture of American and Spanish lifestyles. The Mestizo majority, which is largely rural, shares many of the characteristics of Mestizo culture found throughout Central America. Only three indigenous tribes have retained their individuality and traditional lifestyles as a result of withdrawing into virtually inaccessible areas. Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is customary in hotels (where it is added automatically) and restaurants. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, and rates should be arranged before the trip.