不知為何，對巴拿馬有著一點點成見，老是覺得它是個悶蛋國家，基本上除了巴拿馬運河，好像再沒有其他東西吸引我去遊覽。大概是因為看得多巴拿馬城的照片，那個海旁長堤，那些高樓大廈，令我記起了前年在Doha那個百無了賴的炎熱下午；又或者從霏山浪遊記那裡看到他們被無禮對待，先入為主，對此地有了壞印象。
又或者，我們之前在中美洲看到的東西，感覺開始重複。無數的殖民小鎮，椰樹和海灘，雨林和火山，國家公園。這大概是叫旅遊疲勞，開始很想快點跳到下一章的南美洲，多看一些新奇的人與物。
好消息是，我們出發往巴拿馬城之前，已經訂好了一月十號出發往哥倫比亞的sail boat trip。距離出發尚有6天，我們就嘗試在這6天內看看巴拿馬到底是不是如我預期一樣差。
不爭氣的是，他們在邊境就先敗了一著。
等待拿入境章的人龍
且慢，好戲在後頭。
原以為拿了入境章便可以跳回巴士離開，原來還要拿行理去海關檢查。之後全車50人把行李托進一個圓形的房內。工作人員把行李放在中央排成兩排，然後所有人貼牆企，相當嚴肅。正當大家以為要逐件行李檢查時，有位全身穿軍服的軍人進來，還帶了緝毒犬。那狗狗在兩排行李裡傻頭傻腦的走來走去（不像我們平時見到的那些很「英」的緝毒犬）牠還對一個正在吃薯片的乘客特別照顧…，那個畫面很好笑，有幾個乘客忍不住爆笑了出來。
然後工作人員吩咐大家拿回自己的行李，分別放到兩張大檯上去，逐件逐件打開人手檢查。50人有近百件行李，由2個海關人員檢查。他們也相當仔細，真的把你背包裡的東西翻出來看過究竟。但是每邊就有25人圍著看人家的行李中所有物品，拖鞋，內衣褲，髒衣服，書，化妝品…需知道我們花了很大的力氣才把東西塞進背包中啊，他轉眼便把我們的東西全翻出來，他們檢查好像很認真的，但為什麼又不搜身呢？我要是走私的話肯定不會藏在行李裡啦！那刻我真的很想爆粗。這個到底是什麼國家啊？有著世界上最偉大的超級運河工程，卻沒錢買一台X光機？！
我們全車人就在這裡呆了2小時15分，終於放行。然後5分鐘車程後，又有人上車檢查護照…
給巴拿馬邊境，你們是「傻的嗎？」
你好！我打算從歐洲用單程票飛巴拿馬，“return ticket“ 用ONLINE BUS BOOKING 可以嗎？請問你是用BNO 定 特區入去？可以用BNO免簽入嗎？謝謝幫忙！
回覆刪除As long as you got any ticket getting away from Panama they would consider it's a return ticket. And yes we use BNO. Officially BNO need visa but they thought it's a British passport and we get into Panama without problem. FYI, we also have HKSAR passport with US visa on it. In case BNO get something wrong, we still can get into Panama with this US visa.
刪除Thanks very much for your practical information! I'm still thinking which country to start with my central & south american trip. In your experience, which country do you think is better to start with? Costa Rica or Panama, if I'll go down to the south & do a circle until heading back to central america? Thanks for your help and have a good day!
回覆刪除It greatly depends on your interest and more importantly, your time. For us, Mexico is one of our favorite place and a great starting point. Guatemala feels like typical "Central America" that you could imagine, Honduras is a hidden gem, Nicaragua is a surprise, Costa Rica is expensive but great for natural lover, and then Panama is not as impressive to me after traveling thought all the above...
刪除It you would do a loop in S.A, why don't you consider to start directly at S.A?
Actually never really thought about time, just hope I can minimise my cost to travel as long as possible. Hope I can make it a year or two. Costa Rica and Panama are roughly the same for the flight cost. Costa Rica is expensive as you've told me, so Panama is more like the choice, just a bit risky to go in Panama by BNO without visa, and not too sure if i can get the US visa.
回覆刪除The flight to S.A is more expensive, I want to get in central America first, then go all the way down by bus to save me some money.
i know I'm just so undecided. But really thanks so much for your information. You are really helpful & I love to read your blog so much! Have fun!
1) Where do you transfer? Most of the flight to C.A. will stopover in US, which you need a US visa even it's just a transition.
刪除2) You CANNOT go to South America by bus from Panama. Sailing boat or flying is the only option. If you add this cost into your expense, flying to C.A. may not save as much money as you may imagine. Of coz if you want to travel C.A that's another story.
Once again, did you read my story of the sailing boat from Panama?
Thanks for telling me that, it's very important to know! I thought sailing is only an option, didn't realise its the only option. Yes, I read your sailing story but not thinking to do it, not becoz of the poor condition of the bost but I just don't like sailing at all.
回覆刪除Actually I'd love to travel C.A too, but I'd prefer to see S.A first and spend the rest of my money (if any left) to do it. So now I'll revise my plan, & will be flying to Colombia from Germany.
Thank you so much!!!