Panama

Republic of Panama is the southernmost country of Central America and, in turn, North America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It has an estimated population of 3,300,000. Its capital is Panama City. Panama has a tropical climate. Temperatures are uniformly high—as is the relative humidity—and there is little seasonal variation. Panama has its own coinage but uses U.S. dollars for all its paper currency. Unfettered by tourist crowds, Panama’s natural gifts shine. The country’s highlights are still very much off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for nearly 80% of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, tourism, and medical and healthcare. Panama has the highest GDP per capita in Central America. Panama is one of the world’s most visitor-friendly countries. It received the highest rating for tourist safety from the prestigious Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. Many airlines offer daily non-stop flights between US and Europe and Panama City.