1. Walking Shoes: When I say walking shoes, I mean specific models[1]. Panama City is very walkable and your feet can take just about anywhere you want to go so accordingly, your footwear should be up to the task.
2. Clothes: This category is subdivided into three sections
   1. Beachwear: An appropriate Panama beach arsenal consists of beach hat, beach towel, flip flops or thongs or AquaSocks, sunglasses, suntan lotion, a nice baggy shirt and your best bathing suit[2]. If you like to snorkel and your accommodations don't offer equipment, you can either pack the masks and fins or refer to my previous blog, “How to make snorkeling gear out of almost anything.”
   2. Citywear: In Panama (and especially on weekdays) men usually wear pants and closed-toed shoes but do not feel like you have to subscribe to this custom. I wear shorts and sandals all the time but then again, I also get funny looks wherever I go.
   3. Nightwear: Depending on your destination, this will vary. Usually I can get away with loafers, pants, and a collared shirt and for the lady-counterpart something equivalent. If your nighttime festivities include some sort of costume party or theme gathering, dress accordingly.
3. Camera: There are some extraordinary sights in Panama and to capture that special image, almost any kind of camera will do: disposable cameras, underwater cameras, SLR cameras, digital cameras, digital SLR cameras, underwater cameras.
4. Map/Atomic Compass/Government-issued Solar Bluetooth Satellite GPS Receiver: Getting around Panama City is actually quite easy and once you are oriented a simple street map is useful. If you are venturing elsewhere, chances are signs will be pretty prevalent and reliable. The atomic compass and Government-issued Solar Bluetooth Satellite GPS Receiver are only necessary of course, if you are exploring unchartered territories.
5. Money: The currency here is US dollars –very convenient for the visiting American. It saves the chore of changing money at that little booth with all the confusing numbers on the board at the airport as well as making all transactions much easier for the mathematically challenged. While all the bills are exactly the same, some Panamanian coins are used interchangeably with the quarter, nickel and dime. (Note: if you happen to bring home any of this impostor coinage, be aware that they will not work in arcade games, bubblegum machines, or even large mall water fountains[3])
   1. Funds: Panama City (although oddly ranked the world's 95th most expensive city) is very affordable. As far as meals go, throughout the country a low-budget traveler can spend as little as $9/day on food and a higher-end visitor perhaps $75. Tours are affordable and taxis[4] are extremely cheap.
6. Other: Some other items that you may want to bring are insect repellant, small backpack for daytrips, prepaid phone card to call home, a good book, mp3 player.

That's a very basic list of things that you cannot do without. You detail-oriented readers might say “well, I could do without clothes for my trip” or perhaps “I don't need money to have a good time” and yes, you may be right. Just don't show up on my doorstep naked and broke telling me I was right.

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Comments (2)

john oughton: retired money broker We arrive 30th March for our first trip to Panama, so thanks for the tips.I got 5cms of snow at the moment, so Panama sounds cool! 1 March 20, 2008 Madre Una niRiain: ... take and bring vitamin b1; it helps keep misquitos away. bring your favorite hair care products; you won't find them here. be sure to get a good haircut before you leave and upon your return. there IS dengue here. and the water in all of bocas province in unpotable. don't brush your teeth or open your mouth in the shower..... carry tissues and wipes as there may not be toilet paper in the arrocha toilets even... if you're in the outlying lands, you'll not be flushing your tp either... you'll need an umbrella; they are inexpensive here but they are also very flimsy... i've yet to find a really serious english type umbrella here; they'd be useful actually... 2 March 24, 2008

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