10 words you will hear in Panama, but may not find in your dictionary

Here are some words that you are sure to hear during your visit to Panama, but may not find in your dictionary.

Balboa: (ball-bo-a) Several things bear the name Balboa in Panama, in honor of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a Spanish explorer who crossed Panama in 1513 to become the first recorded European to see the Pacific Ocean from the New World. If you hear this word while trying to make a purchase, it is most likely in reference to the Panamanian currency. Panama utilizes the US dollar (although they have their own printed coins that are interchangeable with US coins), but calls the paper money the ‘Balboa’. Instead of writing a price with the $ sign on price tags, they may write 'B./' to indicate ‘Balboas’. Cashiers will announce your total in ‘dolares’ or ‘Balboas’. Balboa also is the name of a beer served in many restaurants and bars in Panama.

Interior: (in-tear-e-or) The areas of Panama between Panama City and Chiriqui (near the Costa Rican border). This term may be used in general conversation to reference the poor, rural areas of western Panama.

Chiva: (che-va) Most often used as the name for the small van-like buses and, in rural areas, for pick-up trucks with the bed covered and equipped with benches for passengers. Chivas travel locally between towns throughout Panama. They will stop to pick up passengers between the two designations, but usually do not travel more than two hours each direction.

Typical chiva in Panama (photo by Melissa Miller)

Diablo Rojo: (dee-ah-blo row-ho) Old US school buses that provide transportation around Panama City (and in some other cities). The buses are characteristically decorated with dramatic pictures and streamers. The route traveled by each bus is painted on the windshield and often shouted out by the driver or helper. The cost is $0.25 to ride in Panama City, paid when you get off the bus. Diablo Rojos do travel past Tocumen International Airport during daytime hours (leaving from Albrook Bus Terminal; about $1.00 each way). Be ready to exit the bus quickly at your stop as the driver will not wait long.

Diablo Rojo in Panama City (photo by Melissa Miller)

Interamericana: (inter-amer-a-cana) Refers to the Pan-American Highway. In total, the highway extends from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska into the southern parts of South America (the actual ending point is disputed). In Panama the highway runs the length of western part of the country (4-lanes for nearly the whole distance) and is only interrupted by the ‘Darien Gap’ in eastern Panama, where 87 kilometers (55 miles) has not been completed.

Corredor: (core-e-door) A toll road (4-lane) most commonly traveled between Panama City and the Tocumen International Airport by tourists. It heads in both directions, so you will see signs for Corredor Norte and Corredor Sur. If you catch a taxi at the airport, you may be asked if you would like to take the ‘Corredor’ to the city. This option will help avoid potential traffic delays, but you will be charged more to cover the tolls (there are 2 between Panama City and the airport, totaling about $3.00).

Dale: (doll-e)A slang term, at times followed by the word ‘pue’ (translation: then). When on the bus, you will hear the secretary (the person who helps you on the bus) say this to the driver when you are clear to move away from a stop. Taxi drivers may call this out. It also is commonly heard coming from a group playing fútbol (soccer). The literal translation is ‘give it’, but it can mean ‘go ahead’ or ‘move it’.

Fonda: (fon-da) A small restaurant serving traditional Panamanian food. Each normally will offer a limited number of dishes each day. Meals may consist of rice, beans or lentils, and a meat (chicken or beef, at times pork or fish). Soup (chicken, beef, or fish) also may be available and you can ask for a plate of rice to accompany this (noodles are not typical). Prices are usually cheap ($1-$3/meal) and meals are served quickly compared to restaurants where large menus are offered.

Sancocho: (san-co-cho) A traditional soup. It contains meat from a farm-raised hen chicken and vegetables and herbs like yucca, ñame (a type of tuber), onions, oregano, and cilantro. The soup can be served with rice, but does not contain noodles.

Mondungo: (mon-dun-go) A dish made from the intestines of a cow. Very chewy and typically not a favorite of Americans or some Europeans! I personally cannot recommend choosing this from the menu! (Have seen this dish spelled as mundungo in some places in rural Panama).

Print this list of words and tuck it into your dictionary. I would be surprised if you did not hear (and perhaps wonder about) at least one of these words during your trip to Panama!