Thread: Knowledge about Panama in the rest of the world

People's reactions depend much on their reason for coming and expectations of course.

If tourists come for the All-Inclusive booze fogged experience, they probably don't care in the least about Panamanians and their culture/country. Their "reports" can be read on a number of tourism sites.

If someone comes with the idea of a place to settle in or as ecotourists, they will likely do some research about Panama. There is a vast amount of information about Panama available on the internet. Overload in fact.

As with most information-gathering, you will have to read it, analyse it and decide which of the information seems valid/useful.

Forums like this one are useful but even here you will find a variety of ideas and opinions so you have to weigh them too.

My suggestion is a 'policy' I've always tried to follow in every country and city I've lived in. Go there. Look for the good things and enjoy them. Notice the unpleasant things and try to work around them. Be flexible. Laugh and don't dwell on the bad things you will inevitably find. Panama the country and Panamanians are the same as countries and people everywhere. Good, bad and ugly

On a global scale, Panama is not what one would call a high profile country. Aside from the canal, not much is known or associated with it. In fact, I've actually met people who thought it was only a canal. Reason for which there are tourism slogans declaring that "Panama is much more than a canal."

It is actually famous (Roberto Duran) and infamous (Manuel Noriega) people who have drawn most of the curiosity about Panama. Co-workers with whom I've shared facts about Panama, have walked away with their jaws dragging on the floor...