Panama

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Attention:  This information is to be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements.  Before you travel, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities for your destination country.

PANAMA IMPORT RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

1) Rabies Vaccination & Certificate: All pets must have an original Rabies Certificate and this certificate must state the microchip number, the date of inoculation and the validity of the particular vaccination you obtain – some are good for two years, others are only good for one.  This vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine.

2) Vet Health Certificate (Form 7001):  This is the standard Health Certificate to be filled out by your USDA accredited Veterinarian.   Must be issued within 10 days of the flight.

3) Home Quarantine Documentation: In order to set up the home quarantine, Panama authorities will need the following-

1. The owner’s pet name
2. Passport number
3. Pet’s name
4. Sex
5. Breed
6. Type of pet
7. Weight
8. Color
9. Last Address
10. Arrival Address/Information

4) USDA Endorsement:  The above referenced forms:

• Rabies Certificate
• Vet Health Certificate

Must be sent to your local USDA for their stamp of approval.  Please contact your local representative on the best way of handling this.

Veterinarians

Animals and Pets Calle Miguel Brostella Edificio Dorasol Dr. Tania Santos 0823-05109 Zona 7, Panama, Panama Phone: 236-4900/5960

Lodging

La Cresta de Orowww.lacrestadeoro.com

Geography

It is located in Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica .The Geographical coordinates are  9 00 N, 80 00 W .It has the total area of 78,200 sq km including land area of 75,990 sq km and water of: 2,210 sq km .Border countries are: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km .

Capital    Panama City

Languages  Spanish, Buglere, Chinese, Hakka,     

Currency     Balboa, U.S. Dollar (PAB, USD)

Climate

By Seasons Days are warm to hot, nights much cooler; temperatures range from 32C (90F) during the daytime to 21C (70F) in the evening practically year-round. Humidity is always high at about 80 percent. The rainy season takes place between October and November, and the best months to visit are mid-December and late March. Temperatures vary according to geography. The climate is less tropical at higher elevations. In mountain areas the average annual temperature ranges from 10C to 19C (50-66F) at various mountain elevations.

In Pacific Region Characterized by abundant precipitation, from moderate to intense rains, often accompanied by lightening storms in the afternoon hours. The Rainy Season begins in May and continues until November, with the heaviest rains occurring in the months of September and October. During this Season, usually between July and August, there is a short respite from the rains with a dry period commonly referred to as the Little Summer. The heaviest rains in the region are generally associated with well-organized atmospheric systems like tropical waves and cyclones (tropical depressions and storms, hurricanes), and the Inter tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The Dry Season occurs during the months of December through April.

In central region the rains usually come in the afternoons, provoked by the strong airflows from either the Caribbean or Pacific. Rain intensity may be moderate to strong accompanied by electrical activity and strong winds. This is the most continental region of the country and as such thermic contrasts and mountainous conditions all play their part in affecting the weather.

It rains almost year-round in atlantic region. The heaviest rains fall between the months of December and February due to the incursions of the Northern Hemisphere's frontal systems into the tropical latitudes. Throughout the rest of the year the rains are associated with tropical atmospheric systems that travel from the Caribbean Watershed carried by the marine breeze and attracted by the daily warming of the mainland.

Want to be added to our listings?  Contact us!

Americans in Panama, groups.yahoo.com/group/americans_in_panama, is an online discussion group to provide support and information for English speaking expatriates in Panama.

InternationalLiving.com has a great resource page for Panama: http://www.internationalliving.com/panama/ Superintendencia de Bancos (Superintendency of Banks), www.superbancos.gob.pa, provides information on the regulations and laws regarding Panama's banking system. (Limited English version available at www.superbancos.gob.pa/english/index.asp)