FAQs
PANAMA CULTURE AND CARIBBEAN PARADISE
1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flights from Houston to Panama City take approximately 4 hours. Students transferring from Costa Rica to Panama, will take a short 40 minutes flight from San Jose, Costa Rica on Tuesday.
2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Panama City and the USA will have a flight leader starting in Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Houston. Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Peru flight to Panama WILL NOT have a flight leader. Students will be flying on their own. All students will be picked up at the airport in Panama for a Rustic Pathways guide.
3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be issued a tourist visa upon entry into Panama, students will have to purchase this visa on the Continental Counter, and it has a cost of $5. Students from other countries should check with their consulate.
4 – What Panamanian province(s) does this program pass through?
4A- During the Panama Cultures and Caribbean Paradise program, students will spend time in Panama City, Chagres National Park and the San Blas Islands in the north east Caribbean side of the Country.
5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
5A – There are no mandatory requirements for Yellow Fiver immunization to Panama for American and Canadian tourists. However the Panamanian Government recommends to all travelers to the KUNA YALA province to have a YELLOW FEVER SHOT at least 10 days prior to their departure. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for Panama for more information about Yellow Fever, Malaria and other vaccinations you should discuss with your physician or travel doctor. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationPanama.aspx. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Costa Rica from Panama, if you have traveled to some international destinations including Peru prior to your trip to Panama and Costa Rica. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.
6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – Students connecting to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic or Peru will have a final lunch with their group on Tuesday afternoon, and will visit few souvenir stores before heading to the airport. They will then take a short flight to either San Jose, Costa Rica, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic or Lima, Peru, to connect with their new program.
7 – How long are the drives involved on this program?
7A—Students will be traveling through a variety of different locations. One hour to the Embera Village, the longest trip will be the 3-4 hour jeep ride from Panama City to the port where students embark for the Kuna Yala Islands.
8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A— Students will visit a variety of different locations but most of the time, students should be prepared for “very” hot, humid weather in the 90’s and 100’s during the day with rain showers.
9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A— While there is no formal Spanish instruction on this program, students will be working and living with the Embera and Kuna people who speak both Spanish and their indigenous language Embera and Kuna. Local children are especially eager to speak with our students and allow them to practice their conversational Spanish skill.
10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A-. Rustic Pathways works with the local tribal councils to identify and prioritize the needs of the Embera and Kuna Yala community. Students will work on small scale construction projects that will help improve community and school infrastructure. Students will also facilitate educational and cultural projects with local children and youth such as “day camp”. All projects must be approved by the tribal leaders.
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Panama Cultures and Caribbean Paradise program is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared to engage in service work that may involve some manual labor.
12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A- The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy souvenirs or additional snacks or sodas from the local grocery stores. Students should bring extra money if they choose to participate in optional activities that are not included in the trip costs.
13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-
Traditional fishing class: $8 (approximately)
River Tubing: $7 (approximately)
Kipara temporary Embera Tatoos: $2 (approximately)
Kuna sailing trip: $5 (approximately)
Kuna Snorkeling: $8 (approximately)
Please note that optional activities are subject to change. Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience. Optional activities may also be canceled.
14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A— While in Panama students will be eating at local Panamanian and International restaurants. When they are in the Embera Village they will be eating traditional food such as fish, plantains, rice and in the Kuna Yala Islandswill be almost EVERYDAY FISH!, sea food coconut rice, yucca, salads/vegetables, different types of fish, and shell fish.
15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Vegetarian diets can be accommodated; however vegan and other seafood allergy diet will be very difficult to cater. Please contact panama@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.
16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—The guides will provide potable drinking water to students whenever necessary in Panama. Additional bottled water may also be purchased at local convenience stores.
17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
17A— While in Panama City Students will be staying in a family hotel during their first and last night. On the Embera Village and the Kuna Yala islands, students should be prepared for more rustic conditions as they will be staying in very basic, traditional housing. Students will sleep in hammocks. The housing is very simple with wooden walls and thatched roofs. Please notice NO ELECTRICITY and NO RUNNING WATER, we expect all students to be open minded and ready to live a unique experience in a unique place.
18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Hotels in Panama City all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and hot showers. On the Embera Village and Kuna Yala islands there is no running water, no American style toilets, or showers. Students will shower in the nearby river in the Embera Village and take bucket showers with fresh water stored in a rain basin in Kuna Yala.
19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between boys and girls however the exact numbers will vary from week to week.
20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check. There will be 3 guides every session.
21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A- Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.
22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Students should pack reasonably for this program. Laundry will not be available unless students are coming from Costa Rica or Peru.
23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited access to internet during their program when they are in Panama City. There is no internet available on the Embera village and the Kuna Yala islands. Students will be able to purchase international minutes from the guides.
Native Life
Sunken Ships and Swaying Hammocks
From the Panama City, you will head to the turquoise waters of the San Blas Islands. Here you'll live in a thatched-roof hut on tiny Carti Yantupu Island. After spending your morning to help refurbish the local elementary school, you'll have the opportunity relax and take a load off on one of the many islands of this picturesque archipelago. 