We will be visiting Panama City Panama in mid May. Gonna be hot.........shorts, cotton tops,hat and sandals OK for day or tour wear......how about dining and perhaps a club?
Safe to be out and about at night. Be staying at the Bay Front Towers........
Sams
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Yeah, those other two got it right. Only tourists wear shorts. It's kind of a cultural thing in Panama. You can do it if you want to but it will mark you as a tourist and probably American. Conform a bit. If you want to fit in culturally and not look so much like a tourist--jeans are ok (no holes please) and wear a shirt with a collar--polo or short-sleeved dress shirt. The panamanians will wear a casual shoe (or even a dress shoe) with this but rarely sandals or running shoes. Even many white collar workers wear jeans through the day.
If you are a woman and you wear shorts, it is seen that you are inviting a certain type of attention from the opposite sex. And then many American tourists get upset about it. Who's really to blame?
But it will be hot and humid. The rainy season is just getting back under way and you should be prepared to get wet. Mornings are usually dry with the rain starting up in the afternoon. I think it's OK to dress a little more touristy at the beach or when at some of the touristy sites. But for the sake of safety and to receive more respect from the locals--try to fit in.
momofhay
I just got back from a two week stay in Panama City and I am going back Monday for two more weeks. We are traveling with work, but did some tours while we were there. We wore ankle length pants and flip flops for the tours... but for restaurants some require full length pants and no flip flops. I did not see many men in shorts, but there were some women in them. Most people wear overly tight jeans(ouch!!) Except for out hotel restaurant (The Bristol) we did not have any problems getting turned down because of our dress and we were a pretty casual bunch.
Anonymous
I just completed a trip to Panama City and the old town this July 2014. The locals wear mostly jeans and polo or sports shirts. Having said that shorts are worn by everyone there. I wore nice cotton shorts knee length and either short sleeve plain Ts or polo shirts. Evenings and to a good restaurant wear good jeans or dress pants with either long sleeve dress shirt or polo. All government, bank or church you must wear long pants. All shoe types are worn. Its very humid so be conservative yet respectfully comfortable. Younger locals dress western and very tight clothes. Your only seen as a Gringo if you act like one. Wonderful people nice trip. In old town walk only parts with new bricked streets, it can be dicey, they are in a gentrification process there.
Fedele
It's all just a matter of personal preference. I actually have short hair and guys such as it. And i prefer a person with short hair over a guy with long hair because long tresses tends to make guys look as well girly.
duke D
Panama City is hotter than Hades. and they do NOT wear shorts-ever.