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Panama travel guide
The famous canal, island paradises and cloud-forest coffee.
Panama connects Central and South America and is home to the world-famous Panama Canal. Its capital mixes a modern skyline with the historic Casco Viejo, while islands like Bocas del Toro and San Blas offer Caribbean beaches.
Travel tools
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.
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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- 31°F
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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.
Source and more: Panama travel facts on RoamSun
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.
Source: RoamSun Panama page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +507.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
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.
Source: full Panama guide on RoamSun
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
Source: RoamSun Panama guide
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.
Source: RoamSun Panama facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Panama?
Dec–Apr – dry season on the Pacific side. Hot and humid all year, with a long rainy season from May to November.
What time zone is Panama in?
Panama uses America/Panama.
Do I need a visa for Panama?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 116 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 82 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Panama use?
Panama uses plug type A, B at 120 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Panama?
The international calling code for Panama is +507.
Do you tip in Panama?
10% in restaurants.
What is the emergency number in Panama?
911 police, fire & ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Panama?
Traffic drives on the right.