Panama

Panama City is a fascinating blend of shiny skyscrapers and colonial history. To get around, the Panama Metro is your best friend—clean, air-conditioned, and incredibly affordable at just $0.35 USD per ride. For a more local experience, keep an eye out for the "Diablos Rojos," the brightly painted former school buses that serve as a vibrant part of the city's transport fabric. When heading to the Miraflores Locks to see the Panama Canal in action, you'll want to check the transit schedules online first to ensure you catch the massive container ships. It’s much easier to navigate the bus routes and time your arrival using a Hello eSIM, which you can activate before you even touch down at Tocumen International (PTY). This ensures you have data for GPS and ride-sharing apps like Uber or Cabify immediately upon arrival. If you’re heading further afield to the lush highlands of Boquete, consider the overnight buses from Albrook Terminal; they are comfortable and cost roughly $15.00 to $20.00 USD. Use the Hello trip planning feature to keep your bus departure times and hotel bookings in one organized place while you explore.

Panamanian cuisine is a soulful reflection of its diverse heritage. Start your culinary journey in Casco Viejo, the historic district, where you can find everything from high-end fusion to traditional snacks. You must try Sancocho, a hearty chicken soup flavored with culantro that is widely considered the national dish. For a budget-friendly lunch, head to the Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market) at the end of the Cinta Costera. Here, a fresh cup of sea bass or octopus ceviche will set you back only about $3.00 to $5.00 USD. While Panama uses the US Dollar as its paper currency (locally called the Balboa), it’s easy to lose track of small cash purchases at local stalls. The Hello budget tracking tool is perfect for logging these street food finds in real-time. If you’re dining out with friends at trendy spots like Maito or Lo Que Hay, the Hello expense splitting feature makes it simple to divide the bill without the awkwardness of manual calculations. Don’t leave without trying a Geisha coffee—it’s one of the world's most prized varieties, grown in the volcanic soil of Chiriquí.

Beyond the urban sprawl lie two distinct island paradises: Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side and the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala). Bocas is famous for its vibrant nightlife and surf breaks like Paunch Beach on Isla Colón. In contrast, San Blas offers a rugged, off-grid experience managed by the indigenous Guna people. There are no luxury resorts here—just pristine white sand and turquoise water. Because these areas can be logistically tricky to reach, involving 4x4 transfers and water taxis, using the Hello trip planning feature helps ensure your logistics are seamless. Since Wi-Fi is virtually non-existent in the outer San Blas islands, having a Hello eSIM provides a crucial safety net for connectivity when you return to the mainland or stay in the main towns of Bocas. When booking boat tours or "lanchas" between islands, costs can vary; use the Hello app to track these shared expenses with your travel mates. Whether you're snorkeling at Cayo Coral or hiking to find red frogs, staying organized allows you to focus on the breathtaking scenery.