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Frequently Asked Questions

BEFORE YOU GO

  • Select "Registration" on the drop-down menu at the top of page. As questions on the form are specific to you and your guest (if applicable), we ask that each participant register through the group website. We cannot accept emails as a form of registering. 

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    PLEASE USE THE NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT WHEN REGISTERING FOR THE TRIP. This information will be used to book your airline flights. 

    • A valid US Passport, with three (3) months of validity past the date of your arrival, is required for travel to Panama

    • A VISA is NOT required for US citizens

    • Proof of vaccination is NOT required if arriving from the USA

  • When your flights are booked, an airline reservation is made and a confirmation # for the reservation is issued. You will use this airline confirmation # (along with your passport) to check-in for your flights, up to 24 hours prior to departure. 

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    PLEASE USE THE NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR THE TRIP.  This information will be used to book your airline flights. Because a passport is required for all international travel, your passport MUST MATCH EXACTLY the name on your airline reservation. If the names don't match exactly you may be denied boarding your flight. 

  • Once you complete your registration form, look for trip emailers (sent to the email address provided on your registration form) approximately 45, 30, and 7 days prior to departure. These trip emailers contain important trip reminders, helpful links, and the most up-to-date details about your trip. 

  • Approximately 30 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, Travel Documents will be sent by Fed Ex to the mailing address provided on your registration form. Your Travel documents will include: your flight itinerary along with the airline confirmation # (highlighted in yellow), custom bag tags, a welcome booklet with an overview of trip details, and any other pertinent trip information as needed before you go. 

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    Please bring all Travel Documents with you on the trip, along with your valid passport. 

TRIP DETAILS

  • Your trip inclusions: round-trip airfare between destination airport and hotel, airport meet & greet, round-trip transfers between destination airport and hotel (group arrival/departure days only), hotel accommodations for five (5) nights, baggage handling at hotel, arrival evening cocktail reception, inclusive premium food & beverage package*, a city tour including the Panama Canal Museum, final evening farewell cocktails and dinner, and a private group hospitality desk manned daily. Taxes and gratuities in conjunction with these planned events are also included. 

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    *not included: lobster, champagne, high-end wine and spirits.

  • Items such as airline baggage fees, pay-for airline seats, meals & drinks outside the hotel included premium food & beverage package*, optional tours, telephone calls, gift shop purchases, spa services, golf, and any other items not specifically mentioned as included  as part of trip inclusions, will be at your own expense.

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    * not included: lobster, champaign, high-end wines & spirits, and 24-hour room service.

  • For your convenience, Wick Buildings has purchased 360° Group POST DEPARTURE travel protection plan, provided by Travelex Insurance Services, on your behalf. This plan includes coverage for trip interruption (Return Air Only coverage up to $1,000), travel delay, baggage & personal effects, baggage delay, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death & dismemberment.

     

    Travel Insurance is offered on behalf of and under the direction of Travelex Insurance Services. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company; NAIC #16535. To view/download the policy, visit: https://policy.travelexinsurance.com/GCZ-1023

  • There are many optional tours available while in Panama. A list of tours will be included in your travel packet.

  • Please refer to the welcome booklet in your Travel Documents for further details on where to locate your transfers once in Panama. Also, anyone arriving prior to or staying beyond the official group trip dates will be responsible for their own transfers.

HOTEL INFO

  • Hotel check-in time is 3:00pm. Upon arrival at the hotel please proceed to the check-in area. Every effort will be made to have your rooms ready upon your arrival, however, it cannot be guaranteed. The hotel will set up and maintain an incidental account for any miscellaneous charges you authorize that are not part of your included trip package. To open your account, please present  a major credit card at check-in. 

     

    Pre-tipped bellmen will deliver your baggage directly to your rooms when they are ready. 

  • All guest rooms include: Heavenly® mattress, Heavenly® showers, hair dryer, robes, alarm clock, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, desk, USB outlets, TV, complimentary bottled water, and coffee/tea maker. 

  • Wi-Fi is included throughout the hotel property and in your hotel room. 

  • The Westin Playa Bonita has a gift shop with souvenirs and sundries available for purchase. 

  • A qualified physician* is on call 24 hours/day for emergencies. If you have any prior medical history, medication that is needed, or present illness the hotel should be aware of, please notify them prior to your arrival. 

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    * for an additional charge. 

  • Tipping is included on each item in your Trip Inclusions. Additional gratuities are at the discretion of the individual. For those instances which you've requested personal services, a customary gesture of a gratuity is always appreciated. 

WHILE IN PANAMA

  • Credit cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express) are widely accepted in hotels, better restaurants, and major stores. US Dollars are also accepted at most all shops. Before you travel, call the 800 number on the back of your credit card and tell them where you are going and the dates you will be gone. This will protect you from card declines due to suspected fraud.

  • The official currency of Panama is the balboa (PAB), and the rate of exchange is tied to the US dollar (1:1); one dollar equals one balboa. However, Panama doesn’t print its paper currency. Instead, it uses the US dollar as a legal tender. Panamanian coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50-cent, are the same size, weight, and color as the US coins, and are used interchangeably. When shopping, you’ll likely see prices with either a “B/” or “$” on them. They have the same value and you choose how you will pay.

  • Electricity in Panama is the same as the US. The hotel furnishes a hair dryer and there are USB outlets in each room,

  • The climate in Panama is tropical. During the day, think Resort Casual; shorts or jeans, t–shirts or polo shirts, sundresses. Swimwear must be covered and footwear is required inside the hotel. 

     

    In the evenings a more elegant dress is suitable, think Resort Elegant; elegant dress shorts, dress pants or jeans, long or short-sleeve dress shirts (with or without collar) for men, sundress or capris with blouse for ladies, and dress shoes or sandals. No sleeveless shirts, wet clothes or flip flops.

  • Panama is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (UTC -5), and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. So in March when it's 1:00pm CDT in Chicago, it is 1:00pm EST in Panama City, Panama. 

  • The climate in Panama is tropical and lies close to the equator. Temperatures in March, during its dry season, reach typical highs in the 80's (°F) during the day and lows in the 70's (°F) at night.

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