Panamanian Flag
The original idea of the Panamanian Flag was from Mr.
Manuel Encarnación Amador and manufactured by Mrs.
Maria Ossa de Amador. The Panamanian flag has the colors
blue, red and white. The color red represents the Liberal
party, the color blue represents the Conservative party
and the color white represents the peace between both
parties. The two stars represent the authority and uprightness
of Panama.
National Coat-of-Arms of Panama
Mr. Nicanor Villalaz created the National Coat-of-Arms
of Panama and Mr. Sebastian Villalaz, his brother, collaborated
in its creation. The green background symbolizes vegetation,
in the center you can see an Isthmus between the two oceans,
the sun and the moon which symbolize the time of independence.
On the top there are two divisions, at the right there
is a rifle and a hanging sable (of arms) that represent
the waiver of Panama to warlike activities. On the left,
over a red background, there is a “pica” and
a shovel which symbolize work. The bottom is divided in
two, the right has in a blue background a cornucopia which
symbolizes wealth. The left division has over a white
background a wheel with wings which represents progress.
In the top part of the coat-of-arms there is an eagle
holding a white band in its beak which reads Panamas’
slogan: “Pro Mundi Beneficio”. Over the eagle
there are nine stars which represent the nine provinces
of the Republic of Panama.
National Anthem
The words of our National Anthem were composed by Mr. Jeronimo
de la Ossa and the lyrics by Mr. Santos Jorge.
A
tourist card permits you a stay for 30 days, and the same
can be extended for other 60 days. Travelers proceeding from
other countries should ask in the Panamanian Consulate or
Embassy of their country to obtain recent information about
entry requirements. At the moment of entry, you can only bring
one carton of cigarettes and 3 bottles of liquor. As in other
countries, you can be penalized and also charged for trying
to leave Panama with products made of species in danger of
extinction.
Valid Passport. Every tourist shall carry
a valid passport valid for 6 months to the date of entrance.
Return ticket and documents to enter the other country
of destiny.
Economic Solvency
Visa or a tourist card.
Tourist Visa: It can
be obtained in Panamanian consulates abroad; it has a
cost of 10.00 dollars. The citizens of the United States,
Mexico and Colombia can obtain it without cost.
Tourist Card: It is
valid for 30 days, that can be extended for other 60 days
(through the Immigration
and Naturalization Directorate of Panama, located
at Avenida Cuba and Calle 29 Este, telephone number: 507-207-1800)
petitioning it seven days before the 30 days expire. Normally
your airline will sell it when you check in at the airport
of departure. If they forget to sell it, you can buy it
to the Immigration authorities at the airport in Panama;
it just has a cost of 5.00 dollars.
The citizens of the United State and Canada just need a valid
passport and a tourist card to visit Panama.
Countries that need an authorized visa to enter Panama:
The citizens of the following countries do
not need tourist visa to enter Panama: Denmark,
Paraguay, The Vatican, Colombia, Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt,
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Spain, France, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras,
Hungry, Israel, Italy, Luxemburg, Nicaragua, Poland,
Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and North
Ireland, Greece (Hellenic Republic), Singapore, Switzerland,
Uruguay.
Those coming from Antigua and Barbuda,
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil,
Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Granada Guyan, Jamaica. Mexico,
Peru, Venezuela, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia. St.
Vincent and Grenadines, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago,
can enter Panama with a tourist card or a stamped visa.
The
city of Panama is completely cosmopolitan and modern mixed
with an historic past as Panama “La Vieja and the “Casco
Antiguo” are, it is located over the Isthmus of Panama,
just in the middle of the country. The City of Panama was
established in the 16th Century, and was looted and destroyed
by the pirate Henry Morgan in the year 1671. The ethnic diversity
of the country is reflected in traditional products, such
as carved wood, the ceremonial masks and pottery, also in
its architecture, cuisine and festivals. You can find a great
variety of monuments, historic museums and cultural centers
of importance to the country, also excellent restaurants for
every taste, and a fascinating night life.
Shopping
(Malls): In Panama you can find all types of products
(clothing, electronics, jewelry, crafts, amongst others) and
international and national services like in any part of the
world, with an excellent price. The doors of the Shopping
Centers are open normally from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. form
Monday to Sunday. Following is a list of all most important
Shopping Centers of the country:
Mall
Multiplaza Pacific: Has a great location, at
“Punta Pacifica” and “Via Israel”.
It is a modern shopping center that has everything you
need in one place, including movie theatres, shops, restaurants,
bars and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. Business hours:
Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday
from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Telephone: 507-302-5380/5381.
Multicentro Shopping Center:
Located at “Avenida Balboa” with a variety
of restaurants, a casino, food court, movie theatres,
bars and the Raddison Decapolis Hotel. This shopping center
has 4 levels, 3,100 parking spaces under roof and to this
date has 117 international and national shops. Business
hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Telephones:
507-208-2500.
Albrook Mall: Located
nearby Albrook Bus Station Terminal. Has a variety of
shops of every type, 5,000 parking spaces, fast food restaurants,
8 movie theatres (the most modern of Central America,
with comfortable seats and modern projection and sound
equipment), also a modern ice skating ring with a capacity
for 300 persons skating at the same time, unique in Central
America. Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m.
to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Telephones;
507-303-6255/207-8844.
Los Pueblos: Located
at “Via Domingo Diaz”, on the way to Tocumen
Airport, with more than 40 commercial premises. In this
popular shopping center you can find a variety of stores
with excellent prices.
Flamenco Shopping Center (Amador):
This tourist commercial center is located at the end of
Flamenco Island in the entry of the Canal, over the Pacific
Ocean; in the past a fort used for the defense of the
Canal was located there. Telephone: 507-314-0932.
El Dorado: Located
at “Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro” (“El
Dorado”), the entire mall has air condition. Its
a shopping center were you can find a variety of shops
and a food court (4,000 square meters, bars, movie theatres
among others). Telephone: 507-236-0646.
Plaza Concordia:
Located at “Via España”, a very commercial
street with a variety of shops and commercial premises.
In this shopping center you can find a premise of the
Municipality of Panama and the Transportation Authority
of Panama.
Chiriquí Mall:
Located in the Province of Chiriqui, at the “Via
Interamericana”. Has a great variety of commercial
premises, movie theaters and restaurants. Telephone: 507-774-5648.
Plaza El Terrenal:
Located at the entrance of the city of David, at the intersection
of the “Panamericana” with the principal road
to Boquete, just one hour and a half from the border with
Costa Rica. You can find the following stores: Do It Center,
Audiofoto, Famacias Arrocha, Supermercado El Rey, Furniture
City, etc.
MILLENNIUM Plaza:
Located in the Province of Colon, just in front of the
highway that gets to Colon and Zona Libre, less than 1km
from the “cuatro altos” (four stops) and diagonal
to the future Bus Station Terminal. This complex has an
area of 45000 meters, which will have 110 commercial premises,
720 parking spaces, a 5 stars Four Points Sheraton Hotel,
casino, restaurants, entertainment areas, movie theatres
and 24 hour security. Telephone: 507-447-1000/2000.
A
tourist card permits you a stay for 30 days, and the same
can be extended for other 60 days. Travelers proceeding from
other countries should ask in the Panamanian Consulate or
Embassy of their country to obtain recent information about
entry requirements. At the moment of entry, you can only bring
one carton of cigarettes and 3 bottles of liquor. As in other
countries, you can be penalized and also charged for trying
to leave Panama with products made of species in danger of
extinction.
The
city of Panama is completely cosmopolitan and modern mixed
with an historic past as Panama “La Vieja and the “Casco
Antiguo” are, it is located over the Isthmus of Panama,
just in the middle of the country. The City of Panama was
established in the 16th Century, and was looted and destroyed
by the pirate Henry Morgan in the year 1671. The ethnic diversity
of the country is reflected in traditional products, such
as carved wood, the ceremonial masks and pottery, also in
its architecture, cuisine and festivals. You can find a great
variety of monuments, historic museums and cultural centers
of importance to the country, also excellent restaurants for
every taste, and a fascinating night life.
Shopping
(Malls): In Panama you can find all types of products
(clothing, electronics, jewelry, crafts, amongst others) and
international and national services like in any part of the
world, with an excellent price. The doors of the Shopping
Centers are open normally from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. form
Monday to Sunday. Following is a list of all most important
Shopping Centers of the country:
Mall
Multiplaza Pacific: Has a great location, at
“Punta Pacifica” and “Via Israel”.
It is a modern shopping center that has everything you
need in one place, including movie theatres, shops, restaurants,
bars and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. Business hours:
Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday
from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Telephone: 507-302-5380/5381.
