We invite you to RSVP online here or by mailing in the RSVP card sent with the invitation.
Please RSVP no later than May 6th, 2024.
If you are traveling from the USA to Panama, there are two airports that you can fly into. The first one is called Tocumen International Airport Panama (PTY), located in Panama City. It is an eight-hour drive to the venue. We will provide a free shuttle to take you to your hotel. The other airport is called Enrique Malek International Airport - David (DAV), located in Chiriqui. This is only one hour away from where the wedding will be taking place. If you decide to fly into this airport, we will provide free transportation, and our venue also offers shuttles to this airport. Flights are cheaper to Panama City; however, if you prefer convenience, flying to David will be the perfect option for you.
We don't recommend driving in Panama. Traffic in Panama can be a little crazy, especially in the city. If you are considering driving in Panama, please let us know so we can provide information about traffic laws and what not to do. Also, be aware that there are traffic and speed cameras in major cities
Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America, but it is always advised to take a few precautions in Panama City. Pickpocketing is common in crowded areas, as in any other city worldwide. If you are planning to travel to Panama City, please let us know so we can inform you about areas to avoid and also recommend places you must visit before leaving the city. Remember that you are going to be traveling to Boquete, Chiriquí, a small mountain town located in the western region of Panama. This small town is considered one of the safest cities in Panama. The local tourism industry has made every effort to ensure Boquete is a safe place for travelers, including providing information on safety and security and working with local authorities to maintain a safe environment. Our venue is located in a gated community, and we are also including a list of well-known hotels in the area in case you have any concerns. Please let us know if you have any questions.
The venue and hotel are located in Boquete which sits at a high elevation of 3,900 feet in the shadow of Volcan Baru (the highest mount in Panama). As a result, it is much cooler than the rest of Panama. You can expect temperatures to range from 58° F (14° C) to 71° F (21° C). It also frequently rains or mists so taking a light jacket and a rain jacket is recommended. If you land in Panama City it will be much hotter with highs of 87° F (30° C) and humid. If you are just taking our provided shuttle, you will be in AC for most of the trip to Boquete.
It is not mandatory to get vaccinated before traveling to Panama. However, it is recommended to get vaccinated for Dengue, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B (for kids), Malaria, DTP, flu, chicken pox, and Yellow fever. It is recommended to bring and use bug spray to keep away mosquitos to reduce the chance of picking up any tropical illness. More information available here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/panama
We will be providing an open bar for our guests starting with a happy hour immediately following the ceremony.
If you are staying at the resort where the wedding is located, there is a restaurant at the hotel. There are also several excellent restaurants in town, such as: 1. RetroGusto 2. Donde Giselle 3. Butcher Chophouse 4. The Rock 5. Otto Gastronomia Italiana 6. La Taberna Española These are some of our favorite restaurants, but you can always search for different restaurants.
Yes, your passport should have at least three months of validity, be in good condition, and have at least two blank pages. Additionally, a new law implemented this year allows immigration officers to ask visitors to provide evidence of funds. You must prove you can support your stay in the country, and this can be done with bank statements, cash, or a credit card. The amount must be at least $1000.00. Very importantly, people traveling with minors should be able to establish their relationships with the children using official documents (a birth certificate or some other notarized document that says you are the parent preferably translated to Spanish).
Although this is a destination wedding for our friends and family in the US, it is not a destination wedding for most of Iby's friends and family that live nearby in Panama. Additionally, because the US requires visa's for travel from Panama to the US, it would not be possible for her family to travel to a wedding in the US. It is also a great opportunity to enjoy the amazing coffee, food, views, and culture of Panama.
The water in Panama is safe to drink. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, we recommend drinking bottled water. The resort for the wedding provides reverse osmosis water in your room and for the restaurants and for the reception which is very safe to drink.
It's advisable to make reservations in advance for popular restaurants in Boquete, Panama, especially during peak tourist seasons or on weekends. Boquete is a well-known tourist destination, and certain restaurants may experience high demand, particularly in the evenings. To ensure you have a table at your preferred restaurant and to avoid potential wait times, it's a good idea to call the restaurant directly or check their online reservation system, if available. Keep in mind that the popularity of restaurants can vary, so making reservations is a proactive way to enhance your dining experience.
There are a couple of options for using your phone while in Panama. You can buy a data plan and SIM card at the airport, which will cost you about $30.00 for unlimited data for seven days. We recommend using Tigo as your provider because it offers the best coverage throughout the country. You can find a Tigo stand in the shopping area of the Panama City airport in the area immediately after deplaning. However, if you do not plan to use your phone and the internet extensively, you can purchase a SIM card outside the airport and activate a data plan for seven days, costing only $8.00. Please note that the data speed will be slower than purchasing the package at the airport. It is very important that you download WhatsApp (from the App Store or Google Play). This is an app that will allow you to communicate with your family through texts, calls, and video calls. We recommend this app because it is widely used internationally and it is relatively easy to use. WhatsApp will facilitate communication with your family and with us while you are in Panama, as using your phone will cost you $10.00 per day, and you will only be able to use 2GB per day. Nevertheless, if money is not a concern, your phone will work perfectly fine with Verizon.