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Social Profile
Food &Drink: French, Spanish and American food is available in all restaurants and hotels in Panama City and Colón. There is a huge selection of excellent restaurants in Panama City, as well as other main cities. There are also several Oriental restaurants. Native cooking is reminiscent of creole cuisine, hot and spicy. Dishes include ceviche (fish marinated in lime juice, onions and peppers), patacones de plátano (fried plantain), sancocho (Panamanian stew with chicken, meat and vegetables), tamales (seasoned pie wrapped in banana leaves), carimañolas and empanadas (turnovers filled with meat, chicken or cheese). Waiter service is the norm. The choice and availability of wines, spirits and beers in hotels, restaurants and bars is unlimited.
Nightlife: Panama City, in particular, has a wide range of nightlife from nightclubs and casinos to folk, ballet, belly dancing and classical theatre. Dancing and entertainment are available in all the big hotels, as well as many clubs. Other large towns and resorts have music, dancing, casinos and cinemas. Further details can be found in local papers.
Shopping: Panama is a duty-free haven and luxury goods from all over the world can be bought at a saving of at least one-third. Local items include leatherware, patterned, beaded necklaces made by Guaymí Indians, native costumes, handicrafts of carved wood, ceramics, papier mâché artefacts, macraméand mahogany bowls. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1800.
Special Events: For further information contact the Instituto Panameño de Turismo.The following is a selection of festivals and events held throughout Panama in 2001:
Jan 2001 Festival of San Sebastián, Ocú. Feb Mardi Gras (Carnaval), Panama City and Las Tablas. Mid-Feb Las Balserías (Guaymí Indian celebration -see Resorts &Excursions), Chiriquí Province. Apr-May Azuero Fair. Mid-Jun San Juan Bautista, Isla Grande, Chitré. Jul Boat Races, Taboga Island. Sep Agricultural Fair, Bocas Del Toro. Oct Black Christ Celebration, Portobelo.
Social Conventions: Handshaking is the normal form of greeting and dress is generally casual. The culture is a vibrant mixture of Spanish and American lifestyles. The Mestizo majority, which is largely rural, shares many of the characteristics of Mestizo culture found throughout Central America. Only three indigenous tribes have retained their individuality and traditional lifestyles as a result of withdrawing into virtually inaccessible areas. Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is customary in hotels and restaurants. Taxi drivers do not expect tips and rates should be arranged before the trip.
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