'Dress Code' Life

ReeseW from USA (Contact Member) -

My friend told me that I should not wear shorts and sandals because it will make me look like a tourist. I know when I have visit places in the states that what most people wear. I don't understand why wearing shorts in a place with a climate like Panama would label you as a tourist. Do Panama have a dress code? Also, what other clothing items are off limits?

Comment #1 Copeland from USA (Contact Member) -

There are different cultural norms of dress code that are acceptable or unacceptable. The dress code varies depending on the part of world. For example, unless at the beach or at a resort, the only people that you will see wearing shorts are probably teenagers and tourists.

Jeans are fine but women tend to typically wear them with dressier shirts. Sandals are perfectly fine but be aware that people there don't use Birkenstock's or those beachy sandals with Velcros. White socks with sandals is a definitely NO for both men and women.

Because of the humidity, wearing light weight fabrics is key. Personally, unless I know that I will be in air conditioning like for 90% of the time, I also avoid clothes that have lining. If you go to a restaurant or a club in the evening, people tend to dress more casual.

Personally, it's really your choice to make on how to dress for the trip.

Comment #2 DaConciousChick (1) from USA (Contact Member) -

The dress code not very strict in Panama. It's just that some clothes or actions may label you as a tourists. You will not be single out or ridicule for wearing certain clothes. Panama city is a large cosmopolitan city, where people are used to seeing all kinds of people and clothing

Comment #3 Stephanie from Arizona (Contact Member) -

Personally I wouldn't care what I wear when I'm on vacation. If people think that I'm a tourist just by what I'm wearing, then so be it. It doesn't bother me in the least.

Comment #4 MsBeth2U from Deep South, Ga (Contact Member) -

No, it really don't matter to me neither. I really don't like flashing my camera.

Comment #5 Copeland from USA (Contact Member) -

Well, I wear alot of t-shirts and jeans during the warm months. I will dress a little more dressy for dinner. So when I'm on vacation I usually wear shorts and t-shirts.

Comment #6 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

"it doesn't bother me in the least". Unfortunately tourists are easy targets for crime and "overcharging" in many places. The more you blend in the better [if your still having fun].

Comment #7 rowena105 from Hogstown, The Universe (Contact Member) -

May I ask why you would be worried to be labelled as a tourist if that's what you are going to be? I mean if you are a tourist why do you feel you need to look different.

I live in a large cosmopolitan city and I see tourists downtown all the time. I don't look down on them I like to see them enjoying my city and I will quite often talk to them to find out where they are from and point out some of the places that they should see while they are visiting.

Comment #8 Jules from Vegas, baby (Contact Member) -

When I travel, all that matters to me is comfort. If people see me as a tourist, well, that's what I am! Obviously I would like to blend in as much as possible because I wouldn't want to be an easy target for crime but personally I just want to be able to wear whatever I wanted.

Comment #9 Karen from Texas (Contact Member) -

I'll be honest, I do try to find out how the locals dress wherever I'm traveling and try to pack accordingly. Even here in the U.S., there are states that you can be very casual and wear a T-shirt and jeans no problem to a restaurant, other places you do need to dress it up a little. So, if I can find out what the "dress code" is beforehand I'll try to adhere to it.

Comment #10 Tracy from Canada (Contact Member) -

I'm with Karen. In the United States East Coasters dress very differently from West Coasters. Californians dress very differently from Washingtonians. It really all does depend on region how conservative or casual the dress is and then climate from there.

Comment #11 gabriela arosemena (200.46.107.67) -

wear whatever you want. being a tourist will make people be friendlier and help you out. also in panama most of us speak english, but don't be afraid to practice your spanish with us, we will enjoy it.

wear whatever you want, just make sure to HAGGLE ALL THE TIME, because people will try to take advantage of you.

Comment #12 hector (63.176.159.27) -

why change the way you want to dress so other people will accept you.. dont worry about anybody and just go to have fun..

Comment #13 Todd (63.176.159.35) -

You want to dress to blend in so you are not a target of tourist crime.

Comment #14 Sammy (63.176.159.195) -

No matter how you dress locals would be able to spot a tourist.

Comment #15 Martin (63.176.159.125) -

Surely, they will see you as a foreigner... but better they think you are an expat than a tourist!

Comment #16 Billy (63.176.159.33) -

I can't wait to go on my trip to Panama. Will someone tell me again what type of clothes I should remember?

Comment #17 Gabby (167.80.246.204) -

Billy

We go to Panama all the time. It depends on where in Panama you are going. If you are staying on beach or in P City casual attire is fine. Average temp in the City is 80-85. It can get up as high as 90. If you are going into mountains, it is a lot cooler. 70-80. If you are going to the Boquete area, you will need a sweater at night. Outside of Panama City jeans or shorts are OK. If you are going to dinner in the City, Casual business attire great. Don't worry too much about dress, they are very nice. The women down there wear heels a lot. (Not Me) Just do your best. You'll be fine.

Comment #18 Blue (63.176.159.233) -

Its very true though, shorts and sandals could define you as a tourist. How many tv shows have you seen with any sort of tourist in them? Always depicted as a short sleeve button up with shorts, sandals and sometimes a goofy hat. Maybe its just a stereotype.

Comment #19 cwemoy (63.176.159.93) -

I wonder what harm there is in being labeled a tourist in Panama. Unless there is a different treatment accorded to them, that should not bother you at all. You do not dress to impress anyone and therefore if I am not attending a special occasion, I will wear what I feel comfortable in.

Society places us into boxes and stipulates the dos and dont's. Rules were made to be abided to and broken too

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