Expert: Lorena Mlns - 2/14/2009

Question
Hi Lorena,
?Como estas?  My friend and I are recent college grads and want to go to Panama for at least a month, maybe two in the summer.  We want to travel somewhere between June 1-July 31 and would like to rent an apartment while we are there to save money.  Can you tell me where to look for apartments and what type of transportation we will need when we are there as well as the best city to stay in.  Also, will we need a visa?  We are going to experience the culture, food and language but hope to be able to line up some biological research while we are there or some sort of medical experience as we plan to go to med school.

Thanks,
Cecelia

Answer
Dear Cecelia,
Summer in Panama is now until probably April... (global warming you know :)
In order to recommend where to look I would need to have a budget... do you have anything in mind ?
In regards to the city, it would be nice to know what you are looking for. Beach, Mountains and also what you would like to see while here be ruins or discos.
In regards to the visa, when you enter the country (I assume you are a US citizen) you must fill out a form and that is all you will need + pay a small fee.
About your research, check out the STRI website, they have the only "out of the US" research going on here.. (STRI= Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute).
Hope this helps,
Lorena