| Changuinola | |
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| — Corregimiento and town — | |
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Changuinola
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Panama |
| Province | Bocas del Toro |
| District | Changuinola |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 25 099 |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | No DST (UTC-5) |
| Website | [1] |
Changuinola is a city in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama. Changuinola is the capital of the Changuinola District and home to 25,099 people.[1] The city attracts tourists as a popular gateway to Bocas del Toro. Almirante and Chiriqui Grande are also gateways to Bocas del Toro. People frequently visit Almirante and Changuinola while traveling between Bocas del Toro and Costa Rica.[2] Tourism and agriculture are major industries. Changuinola and the surrounding area have numerous banana plantations.
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Changuinola is a coastal location with a tropical climate. The area does not have a predictable dry season. The driest times are late August to mid-October, February, and March.[3] Changuinola is humid. Thundershowers and heavy rain are common.[2] Normal temperatures are consistent all year (Hi: 80°-84°F, low: 71°-75°F).[3] Due to its low latitude, sunrise is around 6 AM, and sunset is around 6 PM local time. These times vary slightly during the year. Weather data is collected at Captain Manuel Nino International Airport.[3]
| Climate data for Changuinola, Panama | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
80 (27) |
82 (28) |
83 (28) |
83 (28) |
83 (28) |
82 (28) |
82 (28) |
84 (29) |
83 (28) |
81 (27) |
80 (27) |
82 (27.7) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 71 (22) |
71 (22) |
72 (22) |
73 (23) |
75 (24) |
75 (24) |
74 (23) |
74 (23) |
75 (24) |
75 (24) |
73 (23) |
72 (22) |
73.3 (23.0) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 12.56 (319) |
7.90 (200.7) |
7.61 (193.3) |
11.30 (287) |
11.08 (281.4) |
10.87 (276.1) |
16.06 (407.9) |
11.37 (288.8) |
6.42 (163.1) |
7.80 (198.1) |
14.45 (367) |
15.81 (401.6) |
133.23 (3,384) |
| Source: Weather Underground [3] | |||||||||||||
Changuinola is accessible by air, land, or sea. Visitors can fly into Captain Manuel Nino International Airport from Panama City and Bocas del Toro. Direct flights from the United States, Canada, and Mexico are not available. Airlines may include Aeroperlas Regional, Aeroplas, Air Panama, and Nature Air. Flights can be delayed due to frequent thunderstorms and heavy rains.
Ferries connect Changuinola to Bocas del Toro. The ferry from travels through a canal built to serve local banana plantations. Buses run between Changuinola, David, Almirante, and the Costa Rican border. When traveling by land, tourists coming from or going to Costa Rica must clear both Costa Rican customs in Sixaola and Panamanian customs in Guabito. Buses and ferries are more reliable in bad weather.[2]
Except for Isla Colon, islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago are accessible only by private boat or water taxi. Many small communities line the string of islands, and very few have roads. Many companies provide boat service to various islands and diving spots.[2]
Changuinola's transportation infrastructure includes a small international airport, ferry and water taxi docks, and local roads.[4] Local roads may be paved, gravel, or dirt. Visitors should inquire locally about current road conditions.
Changuinola has a well develop infrastructure. The community has all the facilities included . The town has a very good water filtration.[5]
Health care is available, but facilities are limited. The closest hospitals are located in David and Panama City.[2] Some shops and hotels sell over-the-counter medications, first aid supplies, sunblock, and insect repellent. Visitors should bring enough prescription medications and supplies (blood glucose strips and lancets, blood pressure monitors, etc.) for their entire vacation.
Common medical problems include food and waterborne diseases, insect bites, sunburns, heat stress/stroke, and dehydration. Visitors are advised to take reasonable precautions common to tropical destinations. Choose clean lodging and eating establishments. Use insect repellent and sunblock. Limit mid-day sun exposure. Drink plenty of bottled water (at least 3 liters/day).
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