馃殺 Panama

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Recent disaster alerts (UN/EU GDACS)

Updated 4 Nov 2026. Alerts change quickly: check GDACS and your government's advice before you travel.

Costs

Prices here are about 45% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Whether a visa is needed depends on your passport, so consult the official site below. Where one is required, the application goes through a Panamanian embassy. According to official rules, the visa requirement is said to be waived for anyone holding a residence permit, or a valid visa, from certain countries (the United States is one example); which countries, and on what conditions, is something to confirm, ahead of booking, with an embassy or with Panama's immigration service. The usual paperwork is a return ticket, hotel details, proof of funds and a passport that stays valid for 6 months. Anyone arriving from a risk country needs a yellow fever certificate.

Culture and safety - take note

Payments are easy because Panama uses the US dollar next to its own balboa coins. The climate is hot and humid all year, and the rainy season runs from about May to December. Locals are polite, and a handshake with a 'buenos dias' is the normal greeting. When in Panama City, avoid showing valuables, travel by official taxi or ride-hailing app, and steer clear of some neighbourhoods after dark. Near the Colombian border lies the Darien Gap, an extremely dangerous area where many governments advise against every kind of travel; do not go. Visits to Indigenous communities like the Guna or Embera should be made only on organised tours, and photos need permission first. Choose beaches with lifeguards, since rip currents are common. Tipping is about 10%. Halal options are limited.

Emergency

911 for police, ambulance and fire.

Good to know

Dollar bills and cash machines

The balboa is used interchangeably with the US dollar, says Canadian advice. It warns of counterfeit high-value dollar bills and advises carrying only small bills, which also suit taxis because fares are not metered. It reports express kidnappings in which victims are forced to withdraw cash, and advises using cash machines in public areas or inside a bank or business.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, smoking, ID and curfews

UK advice says even a small amount of any drug can lead to a prison sentence, and that smoking and e-cigarettes are banned in public places. Canadian advice says Panamanian law requires official ID at all times and that a person unable to show it can be jailed and fined, while UK advice says police usually accept a printed passport copy. Local authorities sometimes impose night-time curfews. Canadian advice says to ask permission before photographing people.

Taxis and scams

Taxis and rideshare apps

Registered yellow taxis wait at taxi stands, have no meter and charge by the zones crossed, so agree the fare before departure; drivers may pick up other passengers, Canadian travel advice says. Rideshare apps are commonly used, and it advises verifying who the driver is and checking the licence plate before getting in. UK advice recommends ride-hailing apps or transport arranged by the hotel.

Counterfeit US dollar bills

Counterfeit US dollar bills have caused problems in Panama, according to Canadian travel advice, which recommends carrying only small US dollar bills.

Who can help

local government

Autoridad de Turismo de Panam谩 (ATP)

Helps with: Panama's national tourism authority. Its website lists a central phone line and email, plus regional offices and airport information centres, for tourism information.

Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Panama or planning a trip there.

Phone: +507 526-7000

Email: [email protected]

Address: Edificio BICSA, Financial Center, Piso 29, Ave. Balboa y Aquilino De La Guardia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Panama

Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Panama office, in Ciudad del Saber, works on migration matters in Panama; its contact page lists a phone, email and address.

Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Panama. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +507 305 3350

Email: [email protected]

Address: Calle Vicente Bonilla, Edificio 110, Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, 0819-00017 Panam谩

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)

Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 911

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Police emergency number 104

Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 104

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Ambulance and fire emergency number 103

Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 103

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Panamanian Red Cross

Helps with: The ICRC supports the society's humanitarian work, including family unity and restoring contact between family members. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.

Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It describes the society as an auxiliary to the State, with volunteers.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Panama City Panama CityModern towers stand next to the historic Casco Viejo quarter in this main gateway, which also has shopping, dining and nightlife.Photo: JAVR2020, CC BY-SA 4.0 Panama Canal Panama CanalVisitors can watch large vessels go through the Miraflores Locks on the well-known canal between the Atlantic and Pacific.Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 Bocas del Toro Bocas del ToroRelaxed beaches, snorkelling, starfish and dolphins draw people to this Caribbean island group, which also has a lively backpacker scene.Photo: Panapro, CC BY-SA 4.0 Boquete BoqueteUp in the cool highlands, a town of coffee farms, hikes to waterfalls and a climb of Volc谩n Bar煤.Photo: Desi burgos, Public domain San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)Sailing trips and simple beach stays suit these tiny islands, which are covered in palms and managed by Indigenous Guna people.Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 Coiba National Park Coiba National ParkOn the Pacific side, this UNESCO marine park draws divers with rich coral reefs, sharks and turtles.Photo: Seibert, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Panama tourism authority materials, Lonely Planet and established travel guides, UNESCO listings.

Festivals and events

culture

Fiestas Patrias (November)

around Nov 2026 路 Panama City

Parades accompany several national holidays that fall in November.

festival

Panama Carnival

5-9 Feb 2027 路 Panama City

Carnival runs four days, with Las Tablas a big centre of it.

culture

Fiestas Patrias (November)

around Nov 2027 路 Panama City

Parades accompany several national holidays that fall in November.