Embassy of Panama

Climate and time zone Throughout the year there is a tropical, very hot climate on the coasts and in the plains of Panama (the average temperature at sea level is 29 ° C). Towards the interior, the temperatures are pleasantly fresh due to the increasing altitude. Rainfall is usually high, with differences between the Caribbean side, where there is virtually no dry season, and the Pacific side, where there is a very distinct dry season from December to March. The time zone in Panama is that of the US East Coast (GMT-5) year round. Geographical location The Republic of Panama is located in the center of the Western Hemisphere and borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Republic of Colombia to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south and Costa Rica to the west. Panama forms the link between Central and South America with a width of 80 km at the narrowest point of the isthmus. Territorial division Panama has ten provinces, three indigenous areas at the provincial level and two indigenous areas at the district level. Provinces Bocas del Toro, capital Bocas del Toro Coclé, capital Penonomé Colón, capital Colón Chiriquí, capital David Darién, capital Palma Herrera, capital Chitré Los Santos, capital Las Tablas Panamá, capital Panamá Veraguas, capital Santiago West Panama, capital Chorrera Indigenous areas at the provincial level Emberá-Wounaan, capital Unión Chocó Kuna Yala, capital El Porvenir Ngäbe-Buglé, capital Llano Tugrí Indigenous areas at district level Kuna de Madugandí, capital Akua Yala Kuna de Wargandí, capital Mortí