Free insurance for all tourists visiting Panama

Starting January 15, 2011, all visitors arriving at Tocumen International Airport in Panama will be covered by a state-appointed health insurance policy for 30 days. This measure is expected to increase Panama's competitiveness as a destination.

Each visitor will be given a pamphlet containing an identification card for beneficiaries. This card needs to be presented together with a passport in order to get medical care. If the visitor is injured while consuming drugs or under the influence of alcohol then the coverage is voided.

The benefits will cover accidental diseases within 30 days of your stay in Panama, hospitalization and medical expenses arising as a result of injuries from an accident, medical transportation (including rental or air ambulance if required), hotel expenses (maximum 10 days), pharmaceutical costs, accidental death and repatriation of the body to the country of origin, legal and administrative assistance after an accident, including documented loss of documents, translations, etc.

The policy covers medical expenditures up to $7,000 and if the visitor needs to be transferred to another medical center, overseas transportation up to $40,000 will be provided. The insurance also contains $20,000 in coverage if a visitor dies while in Panama.

Panama Viejo

Panama Viejo, or Old Panama, is the ruins of the first settlement in Panama City. It was destroyed by the Pirate Henry Morgan in the late 1600's. Morgan decided on Panama instead of Cartagena de Indias or Veracruz (which was also considered for pillaging) because of its riches from being a commercial center between the oceans. Most of the city was destroyed during a pirate raid in 1671, but the ruins remain today. Definitely a good place to stop by during your visit.

Today, visitors can stop in Panama Viejo to see the museum and tour the remains of the "first" Panama City. The museum includes a viewing of the archaeological collection which has been recovered at this site. The pieces record the presence of Europeans, Indians and the first Panamanians all living together in the city.

A couple of Panamanian women pose and take pictures wearing their 'polleras,' Panama's typical or traditional dress which can be seen throughout the country at various celebrations during the year. These dresses can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, and can take up to a year or more to make. These young ladies are pictured in front of the old ruins.

The Panama Canal

Controversial. Revolutionary. Amazing. The Panama Canal has been called "The Eighth Wonder of the World." And with good reason! It took 250,000 people from all corners of the globe more than 10 years to build, and it stands as a monument of mankind's ingenuity and power of conviction.

The Panama Canal is a unique experience which can't be reproduced anywhere else in the world. See 5,000,000-ton vessels rise and drop more than 50 feet as they make their way over Panama from one ocean to another, and learn about the history and future of this marvel of modern engineering.

Panama City "must do" is a visit to the new Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal. The state-of-the art visitor center has 4 exhibition halls: Canal History, Water the Source of Life; The Canal in Action and the Canal of the World. The exhibitions include historical objects of Canal operations, interactive modules, video presentations, and models of the Panama Canal. There is also a snack bar and a restaurant with stunning Canal-side views. Visitors may view ships passing through the Canal from the Visitors Center terrace free of charge.

A Day in Panama City

Casco Viejo is preserved as the conquistadors left it, Casco Viejo vies with Old Havana and Old San Juan in authenticity - but it is beginning to leave the others behind with the restored beautify of its courtyards, tiles and marble that line the cafes, restaurants that occupy these historic structures. Panama City across the bay is transforming itself into a totally unexpected, skyscraper-packed Hong Kong, Casco Viejo is in the process of being restored into the most tastefully attractive are of the city.

Plaza Mayor: also known as Parque Catedral or Plaza de la Independencia, is the main square of Casco Viejo. There is a mix of Spanish and French architecture.

Panamanian independence was declared on this plaza on November 3, 1903 and many important buildings such as the Canal Museum, Municipal Palace, Cathedral Church, and the religious ruins of the Jesuit Church, fringe the plaza.

Compania de Jesus Convent: The Jesuit Convent and its church were built in 1673, before the Spanish banished the Jesuits from the Colonies. In 1781 the complex burned down and was never rebuilt. The site also housed the first university and synagogue of the city.

La Plaza de Francia: The southern tip of Casco Viejo Peninsula is the Plaza de Francia and is home to a large obelisk in honor of the ill-fated Frenchmen, who, under Ferdinand De Lesseps, started the arduous task of building a sea level Canal in 1880.

Surrounding the obelisk is an arcade of marble plaques ornately carved with the story of the valiant French effort. This is also the current location of the French Embassy, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura and the Las Bovedas Restaurant.

Paseo Las Bovedas: wrapping around the French Plaza and the Institute of Culture is Paseo Las Bovedas (Promenade of Vaults) that offers couples and tourists a charming stroll on top of the Old Spanish seawall. An excellent view of the Panama City skyline, the ships cued for their turn through the Canal, and the Bridge of the Americas can be seen on this walkway.

Arco Chato: Built in 1678, Arco Chato (The Flat Arch) played a deciding factor in Panama's history and the construction of the Panama Canal. Spanning some 50 ft, Arco Chato was an architectural marvel for the fact that it resisted earthquakes and storms with no support other than its terminal arches. Logic reasoned that if the brick could withstand nearly 200 years with no visible means of support, then there was no real threat to constructing a lock-style canal. Ironically enough, in 2003, fireworks celebrating Panama's Centennial brought down most of what was left of the then 300 plus - year old arch.

Presidential Palace: Constructed in the old Customs Building, the structure was restored in 1922. Herons live inside the lobby of the entrance and contribute to its name, Palace of the Herons.

Plaza Santa Ana: Santa Ana at mid-morning is the heart of popular commerce; there is life in every corner where almost everything imaginable is for sale: cell phones, fruits, grains, incense, bottles of medicinal medicine that promise "to make you rich," inflatable toys and religious paraphernalia. Cafe Coca Cola, which dates from the early Canal days, is a great local restaurant on the south side of the park that is still a favorite among locals and tourists alike, especially for breakfast.

Amador Causeway, the Outstretched Arm of Panama City

On your way to the Causeway there is the striking architecture of the Figali Convention Center. It was built as the primary venue for the Miss Universe Pageant in 2003. It is now used mostly for concerts and sporting events such as boxing or ice skating. The Figali seating capacity is 10, 275. It is known to be one of the largest and most well equipped convention centers in Central America.

As you drive down the Causeway you will find well maintained lawns, benches and walking space. You might even run into a functioning carriage horse which transports people along a portion of the Causeway. Panama City, Panama embraces an international population of about one million persons. Panama is a country the size of South Carolina, with a populace of over three million. The city now includes over 250 high-rise office buildings, as well as condominiums and hotel towers, with another 280 or so high rises under construction. The Causeway is a wonderful part of Panama City, that is getting a lot of attention right now.

Continuing down the Causeway you will then be on Perico Island, on the left side, facing the Bay of Panama. Between Perico and Flamenco Islands there are many private motor and sailboats at anchor at the Flamenco Yacht Club and Fuerte Amador Resort and Marina. There are shops, restaurants and bars. On Flamenco Islands, the Southern tip of the Amador Causeway there are more restaurants and the cruise ships docks called Port Amador. That modern terminal is designed to comfortably receive passengers and offers them Immigration and Customs services, internet cafe, call center and several duty free shops.

The Amador Causeway connects four small islands: Noas, Culebra, Perico and Flamenco; with the mainland near the foot of the Bridge of the Americas in the Panama Canal. All of the islands were part of Fort Grant, which was established in 1913 as a fortification for the Panamanians and Americans to protect Panama canal access during the two world wars. Many of the fortifications and massive underground bomb proof structures still exist. The most distant of the islands - Isla Flamenco, was a US military Command Post in 1942 and on Isla Perico - part of the Fuerte Amador Shopping Center is built over an old underground military sanctuary.

The first island is Noas Island, when you make a right there you will find the home of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's Laboratories (STRI). The scientists have been working on Punta Culebra since early in the last century, accomplishing enormous amounts of research and analysis. It offers visitors an open-air museum focusing mainly on marine science and education, conservation and interpretations of marine coastal environments. Within walking distance is their Marine Exhibition Center which offers a number of interesting exhibits, explained both in English and Spanish. Some of these are: Panama: abundance of fish; Sea Turtles: mysterious navigators; Sea Aquarium; Marine invertebrates touching pool; Marine Physical process; Rise of the Isthmus: Panama's People and Oceans; Ocean Pollution; From the Reef. The most demanding entertainment available might be the use of their free telescope to view the ships passing on their way North and South in the Panama Canal.

Ancon Hill

No matter where you are in Panama City you cannot miss the huge Panama flag atop a very prominent landmark - Ancon Hill, about 650 feet high. It is definitely a challenge to find the road that leads up there and actually getting all the way to the top. You start by finding your way to Balboa which was originally a Canal Zone town and Quarry Heights, where the US Southern Command is located. You start driving up you arrive at a parking area and once you get out of your car you will find some of the most amazing views of Panama City, the Canal and all the areas surrounding it.

When you are up there you must admit it is the most spectacular view! Fabulous photo ops ever! It certainly makes your day!