1. Passport: Effective 1 Jan 06 for entry back into States)

2. Photocopy passport: Make 5 or 6 for wallet, suitcases, money belt, etc.

3. Electronic Spanish/English dictionary/translator: $20 and up...very useful unless you speak Spanish well.

4. Money: Avoid carrying $50s & $100s...hard to change-out. $20s are typically the biggest bills used in Panama. Be sure to bring lots of $5s...cabbies can normally break a $5 with no problem. Minimally $200...or as much as you are comfortable carrying. Do not exceed $10K or you will be hassled with paperwork and suspicion.

5. Telephone numbers: Print a copy of the massage parlor and escort agencies within the Panama Yellow pages. Also, get telephone numbers for the hotel(s) you plan to stay. When in Panama collect telephone numbers from English speaking cab drivers who did a good job, chicas you want to see again, etc. Also, emergency numbers to someone who is capable of saving your ass if you get into trouble...could be local friend, local Embassy or family or friends back in the States...find that number and write it down so you have it before you leave.

6. Pen and paper: You'd be surprised how hard it is to find something to write with when you need it. I bought a collapsable pen that can write when held upside down. Cost me about $9 and when collapsed is maybe 3 inches long...easy to carry in my pocket.

7. Cell phone: I recommend buying one as soon as you get to Panama. Great for storing numbers. Cost $40 and up. Well worth it for peace of mind and convenient communications.

8. Credit cards: Take two diffrent types. Keep one in the hotel lock box as an emergency backup. Carry the other in your money belt or wallet.

9. ATM cards: Screw debit cards. Tell your bank to give you a plain ATM card. Most ATM machines in Panama do not charge ATM fees. Get 2 ATM cards, again...keep one in your lock box as an emergency backup.

10. Money belt: Tan or cream colored. Sell for less than $10 at Wal-Mart or Target. Look in the luggage section.

11. Spare set of ID: For backup in case wallet stolen or lost.

12. Condoms: Your preference. Panama condoms tend to be small. Quality varies. Best to take along the brand that works best for you.

13. Personal Lubrication: I usually take a couple tubes for a 2-week stay. Helps prevent condom breakage...less friction if your chica gets dry.

14. Names, Addresses & Directions: Most cabs can take you to a named bar, massage parlor, or hotel. However, I've seen some drivers scratch their heads and chase me all over town before they admit they do not know where they are going. If you've got an address or directions you can save yourself from this hassle.

15. Luggage Combo Locks: On a 2-week trip I may have 4 or 5 chicas that I frequently see, some for a few days at a time in differing hotels. Each of these chicas think I am only seeing them. I cannot afford to leave notes with phone numbers, a cell phone, my wallet, or other incriminating items for my chica to investigate to figure-out I am a mongerer. So, as I enter my room with a chica I immediately place my wallet, cell phone, address book, any notes, etc., into a double zippered pocket on my shoulder bag and lock it with a 3-digit combo lock. This is easier done than awkwardly carrying all of this stuff with you into the bathroom. (SGs or chicas I don't trust I take to a short-time hotel...then give them the boot when I'm done).

16. Other? I read in a different thread where this guy takes US quality light bulbs with him when he travels (The more durable and bright spiral high efficient type). Yes, some cheaper Panama hotels try to burn dim lights to save on electricity. While you sit in these rooms you get the feeling like you have glaucoma. Good idea, especially if you like to read or write in your room at night.

17. Specialty items: Panama carries a lot of US brand name products, but if you use a certain contact lens cleaner, or OTC brand name medicine...best you take enough with you assuming you cannot buy it in country.

Please add to this list if you have other good suggestions what to bring when you travel to Panama.

AJ

One more idea:

Have a game plan: Know going in the places you want to visit, when to visit, how to get there, etc. Take the time to build an itinerary. I go as far as timing-out my day down to the hour to ensure I give myself re-charge time if I plan to session with 2 or more chicas in one day.

Nothing worse than arriving in Panama and wasting valuable fun-time sitting in your hotel room trying to figure-out whether you are going to get laid first at a MP, get someting to eat, go get a drink, go sightseeing, or whatever.

Do all this before you step on the airplane. Then during your flight down, review your itinerary and fine tune it. Try to keep your itinerary in logical sequence. In other words, don't wait until you have your chica in a cab to determine that you need some vitamin V, condoms, or directions to a good short-time (push button) hotel. You should have taken care of those details before you hired the chica.

Being smart and organized will maximize your fun-time.

AJ

Just picked up 2 convertible travel pants and 4 shirts for my PC trip next month.

The trick.....These travel cloths are Nylon, very lightweight, cool, nice looking, don't retain odor,
can simply wash and dry in 20 minutes.

My last 4 trips have been to tropical weather
places (1x-Sousa, 3x-Saigon) and this clothing
worked for me......

Nylon clothes allow me to go lightweight and will only be packing a carry on backpack for my two week
stay in PC.

Nylon in Panama? Errrrrrrrr ahhhhhhh....I don't know. Even if it is one of those breathable fabrics, Panama gets extremely hot and cotton should be the favorite. I change my briefs 3 times a day! Sorry for that little detail! Really now, I would not wear anything but cotton in Panama and I bring a lot of it.

Not so much....

If you wore the new nylon travel underwear, you would be able to wear the same pair for a couple of days without smelling like an NFL locker room....
and feel cool, less sweaty....can't say that about cotton.

Plus.....women love the feel....

I'm looking forward to my first 'Oh Papi, Oh Papi'.....

Hmmmmmmmm. I'll have to check that out and get rid of my preconceptions about how Nylon makes you privates smell.

Thought I was way ahead of the game for Panama City. Found a used unlocked Cell Phone on Ebay for $14 plus $12 shipping. Panama requires 850 GSM.
It is a Nokia 3595....nice phone, works great.
Picked up a sim card in Panama City for $5 and
got like 40 minutes for $12.

Cell Phone vendors on Ebay are risky.....I found
a lady in Tenn who only sells these 3595's....

Bottom line, I probably could of saved my energy
and just bought a NEW phone in Panama City.
I've seen so many deals for new cell phones costing around $40.