This Panamanian will be rooted at her roots for the holidays. With all the lockdown shenanigans, the family decided it was better to be locked down in Panama than freeze in our freedom in North Carolina. So happy to finish out the year here. This will be a December to remember.
January, however. Oh January.
You don’t need to know me for more than a day and a half to find out that I pretty much hate the month of January. It’s long. It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s gloomy. There aren’t any crazy fun holidays. To top it off, my daughter’s gymnastics schedule ramps up and sends my anxiety sky high.
I try and do all the little things to lessen my January misery. Spa. Mental health. Physical health. I totally immerse myself in Raleigh Restaurant Week and I watch all the Oscar nominated movies. It helps…but still… January.
Two years ago, the brilliant idea of vacationing during January came to me. It was a combination of celebrating the earning my master’s, escaping from the cold, and taking some of my besties to Panama. The trip was so awesome that the following year, I planned another January Panama trip with my amazing bestie, Cathy! These jaunts really got me through the height of my January Seasonal Anxiety Disorder.
One thing I enjoyed doing on both occasions was meeting up and going through the “Panama Must Have” list.
You know. TSA Number. Frequent Flyer Number. Global Entry Card. Passport. License. Now add-Covid test. Emotional Support Documents. Affidavit. All the boring stuff. Then there are the…
Travel Ninja’s Panama Must Haves
*Skyroam Hotspot. Now this is a new addition to my list. Usually, I pay for an international day pass from my cellular provider. It cost $10 a day and $5 for additional lines. Being in Panama for a month this time, I didn’t want to spend the $10 a day. I bought this hotspot and paid $50 for an unlimited one month global WiFi subscription. I love it! It took me a while to get it working with my codes, but once it was set up, it is now my number one favorite traveling necessity. Up to 10 devices can sign on. It has a camera, charger, and help assistant.
*Sunblockers. This seems like a no brainer. However, I used to pride my little Panamanian self on how I didn’t need sunblock… in the USA… that is! I am not a burner…but when you are in Panama, every Panamanian will tell you, “El sol, es muy fuerte!” The intensity is no joke. So, listen to me! Lather it up, you will not regret it. Drink more water than normal and definitely wear the hat and sunglasses too!
*Chacos Sandals and/or Water shoes. I do both. Confession: I have major shoe issues. It is always a scandal when it comes to packing. I like my feet to be happy! I absolutely abhor allowing my feet to get too hot, too cold…or the worst…letting my feet touch something unknown. I have found that my Vibrams work amazing as water shoes. The only reason I have jumped off cliffs, to swim into mysterious waters… is all credit to my Vibrams. They give me an extra layer of protection from slimy rocks and weird water creatures. My Chacos have been around for 14 years strong and they are my go-to adventure sandal. Chacos are so comfortable for everyday wear and also sturdy for hiking and such.
*Swimsuit and Pants (Long skirt or Capris will do). Obviously it is 943 degrees in Panama, so you will need a swim suit or 3 at the beaches and pools. When you are going out and about, it is wise to wear pants or a long skirt…not shorts. Ok. So you CAN NOT wear shorts in government buildings. You will be turned away. It is frowned upon if you wear shorts to stores and other public venues. In the last few years, Panama has been getting more relaxed with the shorts etiquette, however, if you want to avoid a million honking trucks from the highway or standing out as a tourist, don’t show leg.
*Technology and Apps. If you are a drone kinda person, Panama has such wonderful scenic landscapes to use a drone. Bring your drone, if not, at least your camera. For the cameras, having a water shield is also helpful. Specially during rainy season, sudden downpours could put your devices in a bind. I highly recommend using the WhatsApp. It is how everyone communicates in Panama. If you are into food, DeGusta is the Panamanian version of Yelp. I use this a lot because I am visual person when it comes to my food. Gotta see those pictures. Waze is much better than Google Maps when it comes to live traffic updates. You want to avoid a tranque at all cost. Ain’t nothing like a Panamanian tranque… traffic jam.
And now you are ready for your Panama trip. I’d like to add that having cash on hand for bus riding and taxi hopping is an absolute necessity. IF you have wild and unruly hair like me, protein packs and deep conditioner helps a ton. There are spots in Panama where it is cooler, so keep in mind that a hoodie or rain jacket (definitely during rainy season) should be thrown into your bag.
Most importantly, adopt some “Panamanian Patience”… things take longer here and plans change randomly. But it is totally ok, because you will be enjoying Panama weather in perfect Panama time.
Travel Ninja 