Susan, a senior business development representative, just celebrated her 15th travelversary with Transat, and it’s her love for travel and adventure that got her working in the industry. “I discovered my passion for travelling as a young child,” she says. “We went away every single year on vacation as a family and I already knew I was going to be a frequent flyer as part of my job duties.”
The traveller has gone to many destinations for work and play alike, but Susan definitely has a soft spot for Panama, a country she has visited three times now. “My first time was a girls’ trip, I brought my husband along the second time, and felt like I had only touched the surface of exploring, so I went back for a weeklong adventure.”
SUSAN’S 3 TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN PANAMA
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Observe daily life
“We often underestimate just how much we can learn by being aware of our surroundings,” says Susan. One thing the keen traveller loved about the historic district of Casco Viejo for example was that its streets were busy with locals even though the neighbourhood is usually crowded with visitors. “When I saw just how many locals walked into Leon, a street corner Fonda, I knew the place served traditional Panamanian food, and that’s how I decided what I was going to have for lunch,” she explains.
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Mingle even if you don’t speak Spanish
Try making it a point to interact with Panamanians, and don’t be afraid of asking for directions if needed. Susan has always felt welcomed in Panama. “Even if you don’t really speak Spanish, it doesn’t matter, most locals know a little English, especially in Panama City.” Susan says, “Everyone is so warm and accepting that they will try to communicate with you and get by, even if the result is Spanglish gibberish.”
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Slow down
Whether it’s because of the sunny clime or the slow tides, one thing Susan notices about Panama, and that holds for most Caribbean destinations, is how the people “take their time.” And with a size twice as big as the Dominican Republic’s, you may want to consider focusing on exploring a few selected areas little by little, rather than being eager to cover larger grounds and ending up not seeing as much as planned. “Don’t rush through your day to get from point A to point B,” she offers. And “try to slack your attitude towards the clock.”
Cover credit picture: Air Transat
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