This page answers the most common questions that tourists may have regarding the climate, weather, location and people of Panama. If you cannot find what you are looking for, why not check out the rest of the FAQ section or visit the discussion forum.

Where is Panama Located?

Panama is the southern-most country of Central America. It borders Costa Rica to the North-West, Colombia to the South-East, with the Pacific Ocean to the South and Caribbean Sea to the North.

How big is Panama?

Panama covers 75,517km² of land, which is similar in size countries such as Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. The width of the country varies dramatically as you travel along the coast, ranging between 120 miles at the widest, to just 50 miles at its thinnest. This thin point is where the Panama Canal splits the country in to, as it transports ships from one ocean to the other.

How close to the Equator is Panama?

Panama lies roughly 8 degrees North of the equator, meaning that the temperatures here do not tend to vary a huge amount throughout the year.

How hot does it get, and when is the best time to Visit?

With average maximum temperatures ranging from 29C (84F) during the rainy season to 35C (95F) during the dry season, Panama is a very pleasant place to visit all year round. Although during the dry season temperatures can reach higher. The best time to visit is between mid December and April, with clear skies, hot sun and lush green vegetation from the rainy season still about. Although during this time, Panama City will get very hot during the day, and may be uncomfortable around noon. With regards to humidity, it is always relatively high, ranging from high 70's is the dry season to low 90s in the rainy season.

What is the population of Panama, and what religions do they follow?

Panama has an estimated population of 2.8 million, with an average annual population increase of 1.3%. Due to the influx of people used to build the Panama Canal, allot of the population are not actually of Panamanian decent. The population is made up of roughly 65% mestizo or mixed racial decent, 14% African descent, 10% Spanish descent, 10% Indian. This statistic has given Panama the label of the worlds cultural melting pot. In regard to the religious followings of the Panamanian population, there is not actually an officially recognized national religion. However an overwhelming 80% are Roman Catholic.  The next most popular is Protestantism, with about 12% of the population.  The remaining 8% is made up of Islam, Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism.

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