Visa: A passport is required for entry to Panama. All business travelers must have a business visa, which may be procured from a consulate or embassy. Otherwise, a Tourist Card is required and available to certain nationalities, including (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, USA) on the flight to Panama for a fee of US$5, or from a travel agent in your homeland at no cost. Certain nationalities must procure authorization from Panamanian immigration officials before entering the country. Always check with your nearest consulate for updated immigration information since Panamanian regulations are strict. The Tourist Card is valid for 30 days and may be extended for two additional 30-day periods.
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Languages Panama : Spanish (official), English 14%
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Climat Panama : tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
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Religions Panama : Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
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Currency Panama : Balboa; US dollar
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Telephone international Panama : 507
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Illicit drugs production Panama : major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem
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