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When we ask people about Panama as a destination for learning Spanish, the most common response is, “Well, I don’t know much about Panama. Is it safe?”

In contrast to Costa Rica, which has established itself as a premier ecotourism destination, Panama remains surprisingly unknown to many. Our primary goal is to introduce you to modern Panama, the road less traveled.

In addition to ILISA’s facility in Panama—see ‘why ILISA‘ for more details—here are ten compelling reasons why Panama is a prime destination for language travel:

1. Safety – Panama City will make you feel safe and at home!
2. Panama City – a three in one experience including colonial heitage, the frist Spanish settlement on the Pacific ocean and a sophisticated state-of-the-art city.
3. Multiculturalism and authenticity – Panama houses seven indigenous tribes and a trading history that has resulted in the richest blend of cultures in Latin America.
4. The Panama Canal – The seventh wonder of the world, without a doubt. This remarkable engineering achievement leaves a lasting impression on everyone, serving as a stunning testament to human ingenuity.
5. Natural diversity that equals that of Costa Rica – Panama offers dense jungles, 1518 islands , more bird species than in all of North America and sea turtles on both coasts.
6. Panama’s fascinating history – from its pre-Columbian days through its separation from Colombia and the creation of the Canal, Panama’s history unfolds like a novel. Your language studies will be enriched by this living history.
7. The climate – Welcome to the tropics! As a city at sea level, you can expect warm days and nights year-round—another great reason to take a break from reality for language study in Panama.
8. Language and Leisure – Want to go SCUBA diving? Play golf and study Spanish? Enjoy lunch at the beach followed by a dive after your morning class or try kite surfing? All of this is absolutely no problem in Panama!
9. Standard of living – Panama has excellent roads and many cheap and safe taxis. The tapwater is safe to drink and there is air conditioning in every building. Its infrastructure is by far the most advanced amongst the Countries in Central America.
10. Easily reachable and well-connected – Panama and Costa Rica are similarly distanced from major U.S. gateways and served by all major airlines. Additionally, it’s just a one-hour flight from San Jose to Panama City, making it ideal for multi-country programs.

Additionally Panama uses the US Dollar, which keeps payments simple and straight-forward.