Panama travel guide

Getting there

Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is a major hub with flights across the Americas and Europe. Land borders connect to Costa Rica, while sailboats run trips between San Blas and Colombia.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry season on the Pacific side.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Panama City, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – but October-November is the wettest period in many areas.

Weather by month in Panama City

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• 32°M
• 32°A●
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• 31°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Panama. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 116 of 198 other passports can enter Panama without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 82 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Panama (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-19). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Panama are based around Panama City, Panama Canal or San Blas (Guna Yala). Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$40–60 for a backpacker and US$100–180 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +507.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Panama City (Pacific · capital): A skyline of towers beside colonial Casco Viejo and the canal.
• Panama Canal (Central · engineering wonder): One of the world's great engineering feats, with visitor centres at the locks.
• San Blas (Guna Yala) (Caribbean · islands): Hundreds of islands governed by the Indigenous Guna people.
• Bocas del Toro (Caribbean · archipelago): Laid-back islands with beaches, diving and nightlife.
• Boquete (Chiriquí highlands · coffee): Cool mountain town for hiking, coffee and Volcán Barú.
• Portobelo (Caribbean coast · history): UNESCO-listed colonial forts in a quiet bay.
• Pearl Islands (Pacific · islands): Beautiful islands with whale-watching in season.
• Coiba National Park (Pacific · marine park): A UNESCO marine reserve with superb diving and wildlife.

Things to do

• Watch ships at Miraflores Locks. See giant vessels raised and lowered through the Panama Canal.
• Explore Casco Viejo. Stroll the restored colonial quarter of plazas, churches and rooftop bars.
• Sail the San Blas Islands. Visit Guna Yala's palm-dotted islands and learn about Guna culture.
• Surf and party in Bocas del Toro. Hop between islands, beaches and reefs on the Caribbean coast.
• Hike Volcán Barú. Climb Panama's highest peak to glimpse both oceans on a clear day.
• Tour coffee farms in Boquete. Taste the prized Geisha coffee in the cool highlands.
• Spot wildlife in Soberanía National Park. Look for toucans, sloths and monkeys along the famous Pipeline Road.
• Visit Panamá Viejo. Walk the ruins of the original city destroyed in 1671.

Eat and drink

• Sancocho – chicken soup with yam and herbs
• Ceviche – fresh fish cured in lime
• Patacones – twice-fried green plantains
• Arroz con pollo – rice with chicken

Money and safety

Currency: Panamanian balboa (used with the US dollar) (PAB). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10% in restaurants.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• Panama uses the US dollar alongside its own balboa coins.
• ATMs and cards are widely available in cities; carry cash for islands and rural areas.
• Panama is generally safe, but take care in some Panama City and Colón neighbourhoods.
• The Darién region bordering Colombia is dangerous – check your government's latest travel advice.