Mail and Telecommunications
Other than in remote areas, communications in Panama are good. Most small towns have a post office and telephone office, so keeping in touch with home is fairly easy. Letters posted with the Correo Nacional (COTEL) cost US$0.35 to the US and US$0.45 to Europe. They should reach either destination within a week or two, though have been known to take far longer - it's best to post them in Panama City. Most post offices have an Entrega General (Poste Restante, General Delivery) where you can receive mail - in Panama City your correspondent must specify the post office zone: the most central is Zone 5, on Av Central/Via Espana. Post office opening hours are generally from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm on Saturday. Panama's recently privatized telephone company is owned by Cable and Wireless (C&W). Local phone calls are cheap, and there's a wide network of modern payphones that take phonecards sold in shops and street stalls. You can make international collect calls from these via the international operator (dial 106), and both AT&T (dial 109) and MCI (dial 108) can place collect or credit-card calls to the US. Otherwise, C&W offices are the best place to make international calls or send faxes . Hotels tend to overcharge for phone calls. Panama's country code is 507; there are no regional codes for internal calls. As elsewhere, there's a growing number of Internet cafes in the main towns.
boat or ferries in Colonandrea says "Hello I wish to go in Colombia ( Cartagena) by boat or ferry from Colon (Panama). You could send me by mail the addresses of maritime companies or ferry operating in this zone (complete addresses and internet addresses) I thank you in advance.
Andrea.eric@mls.nc" ferries Colon to cartagena (Colombia)andrea says "Hello I wish to go in Colombia ( Cartagena) by boat or ferry from Colon (Panama). You could send me by mail the addresses of maritime companies or ferries operating in this zone (complete addresses and internet addresses) I thank you in advance.
andrea.eric@mls.nc" Backpackers Hostel In David Panamamike charles says "Just Opened with an in ground pool international travelers and backpackers are welcomed, lots of live music and good barbecues and pool parties as well as clean cheap dorms a well informed staff and a 9000 square foot garden with fruit trees!
located at calle virgincita in san mateo abajo, david panama about 5 minute or 1-2 dollar taxi ride from bus station phone 507-730-2961" bambu hostel david panamamike charles says "sorry forgot to add the name it is bambuhostel.com"
Your Tip for Panama
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Panama - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Panama - visit the main Panama forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Panama webguide section below! Thanks.
|