Panama

Panama is a narrow isthmus connecting Central and South America, best known for the Panama Canal — one of the world's most important waterways linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This strategic position has made Panama a major international transit hub, particularly for air travel throughout the Americas.

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) serves as the headquarters of Copa Airlines, which has built one of the most efficient connecting hubs in the Americas. Copa's hub-and-spoke model makes Panama City a convenient layover point for flights between North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The country uses the US Dollar as its primary currency alongside the local Balboa (PAB), which is pegged 1:1 to the dollar.

Panama's compact size and modern infrastructure make it easy to navigate. The country operates on a single timezone (UTC-5) year-round, with no daylight saving time adjustments.

International Gateway

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
PTY	Panama City	Primary hub, Americas connecting point	Copa Airlines
DAV	David	Regional, western Panama	Copa, Air Panama
BLB	Panama Pacifico	Secondary, cargo/charter	Limited passenger

Primary Hub

Tocumen International Airport (PTY) — Panama's main international airport and Copa Airlines' global hub. Located 24 km east of Panama City, Tocumen handles over 16 million passengers annually. The airport underwent significant expansion with Terminal 2 opening in 2019, dramatically increasing capacity. Copa's efficient hub operation offers connections throughout the Americas with short layover times, making PTY a preferred transit point for routes that might otherwise require longer connections through Miami or Houston.

Terminal 1 handles most Copa international flights and some foreign carriers. Terminal 2 serves additional Copa flights and international arrivals. Both terminals are connected by a shuttle train.

Regional Airports

• David Enrique Malek Airport (DAV) — Gateway to western Panama's Chiriqui province, coffee region, and Boquete highlands
• Bocas del Toro (BOC) — Small airport serving the Caribbean archipelago tourist destination
• Colon Enrique A. Jimenez Airport (ONX) — Limited service near the Panama Canal Atlantic entrance

City Airport

Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC/Albrook) — Located within Panama City, handles domestic flights and some regional routes. Air Panama operates scheduled service to Bocas del Toro, David, and other domestic destinations. Convenient for travelers staying in the city center.

Flag Carrier

Copa Airlines (CM) — Panama's flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Copa operates one of Latin America's most efficient hub-and-spoke networks from Panama City, connecting 80+ destinations across North, Central, and South America plus the Caribbean. The airline is known for its punctuality and short connection times at PTY. Fleet consists primarily of Boeing 737 MAX and 737-800 aircraft. Copa Holdings also operates Copa Colombia for regional South American routes.

Domestic Carrier

Air Panama — Small regional airline operating domestic routes to Bocas del Toro, David, the San Blas Islands, and other destinations using turboprop aircraft. Useful for reaching remote areas not served by roads or where driving would take significantly longer.

International Carriers

Major foreign airlines serving Panama:

• US carriers: American, United, Delta, Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier
• Latin American: Avianca, LATAM, Wingo, Volaris
• European: Iberia, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines
• Caribbean: Caribbean Airlines

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of approximately 100 countries can enter Panama visa-free for tourism, including:

• United States, Canada (up to 180 days)
• European Union countries, United Kingdom (up to 90 days)
• Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea
• Most Latin American countries

Duration varies by nationality — most Western passport holders receive 90-180 days.

Entry Requirements

• Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity, 6 months recommended)
• Proof of onward/return travel (commonly checked)
• Proof of sufficient funds ($500+ or equivalent)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from certain countries

Tourist Card

Most visitors receive a tourist card (tarjeta de turismo) upon entry. This is typically included in the airline ticket price or issued free at immigration.

Passport Requirements

• Valid passport required for all visitors
• Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond entry date
• Some nationalities may require additional documentation

Official information: Migracion Panama

Domestic Flights

For a small country, Panama's terrain (jungle, mountains) makes flying practical for certain routes:

Route	Carrier	Duration
PTY ↔ DAV	Copa, Air Panama	45 min
PTY ↔ BOC	Air Panama	1 hour
PAC ↔ BOC	Air Panama	1 hour

Air Panama operates most domestic routes using small aircraft. Flights to the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) offer the only practical access to this indigenous territory.

Buses

Panama has reliable intercity bus service:

• Panama City to David: 6-8 hours (vs. 45 min flight)
• Panama City to Bocas del Toro: 10-12 hours (vs. 1 hour flight)
• Albrook Terminal — Main bus station in Panama City, adjacent to Albrook Airport

Premium buses with AC and WiFi available on major routes.

Car Rental

Useful for:

• Exploring the Pan-American Highway
• Visiting the Chiriqui highlands and coffee region
• Beach destinations on the Pacific coast
• Day trips from Panama City

Notes:

• Drive on the right
• Roads generally in good condition on main routes
• Rental cars available at PTY and in Panama City
• International license recommended but not always required

Ride-hailing

• Uber — Operates in Panama City
• inDriver — Popular alternative
• DiDi — Available

Yellow taxis widely available — negotiate fare before boarding or use a taxi app.

Dry Season (December-April)

Peak tourist season with the best weather:

• Little to no rainfall
• Clear skies ideal for outdoor activities
• Highest prices around Christmas, New Year, Carnival (February)
• Panama Canal views clearest

Rainy Season (May-November)

Green season with daily afternoon showers:

• Mornings often sunny and clear
• Lower prices and fewer crowds
• Lush, green landscapes
• Rain typically comes in short, heavy bursts

Regional Variations

Region	Best Time	Notes
Panama City	Dec-Apr	Year-round warm, tropical climate
Bocas del Toro	Feb-Apr, Sep-Oct	Caribbean side has different rain pattern
Boquete/Chiriqui	Dec-Apr	Cool highlands, excellent for coffee tours
San Blas Islands	Dec-Apr	Calmest seas, best sailing conditions

Major Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Panama City	PTY, PAC	Skyline, Casco Viejo, canal, nightlife
David	DAV	Gateway to Boquete, Chiriqui highlands
Colon	ONX	Atlantic canal entrance, Zona Libre

Beach & Nature Destinations

Destination	Access	Known For
San Blas Islands	Flight from PAC	Indigenous Guna Yala, pristine islands
Bocas del Toro	BOC airport	Caribbean archipelago, surfing, diving
Pearl Islands	Boat/ferry from Panama City	Pacific beaches, luxury resorts
Santa Catalina	Drive from Panama City (5hr)	Surfing, Coiba National Park diving
Boquete	DAV then drive	Coffee farms, cloud forest, hiking

Key Attractions

• Panama Canal — Miraflores Locks visitor center, canal transit tours
• Casco Viejo — UNESCO World Heritage colonial quarter in Panama City
• Coiba National Park — UNESCO World Heritage marine reserve
• Darien National Park — Wilderness on the Colombian border (permit required)
• Embera Indigenous Villages — Day trips from Panama City via the Chagres River

Money

• Currency: US Dollar (USD) and Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
• Note: PAB is pegged 1:1 to USD; both currencies circulate freely
• Coins: Panama issues its own coins (same size/value as US coins)
• Bills: Only US dollar bills are used
• Cards: Widely accepted in cities and tourist areas
• ATMs: Dispense US dollars; widely available
• Tipping: 10% service charge often included; additional 5-10% for good service

Electrical

• Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
• Plug type: Type A/B (same as US/Canada)
• Adapters: Travelers from US/Canada need no adapter; Europeans/UK/Australians need adapter

Connectivity

• Mobile carriers: Movistar, Claro, Digicel
• eSIM: Supported — Airalo, Holafly work well
• SIM cards: Purchase at PTY airport or phone shops with passport
• WiFi: Good coverage in hotels, cafes, and restaurants in cities

Safety

Panama is generally safe for tourists but standard precautions apply:

• Use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged transport at night
• Avoid displaying expensive items
• Be cautious in Colon city outside of cruise port areas
• Darien region near Colombian border requires special precautions
• Emergency: 104 (police), 103 (fire/ambulance)

Health

• No required vaccinations for most travelers
• Yellow fever certificate needed if arriving from endemic areas
• Mosquito protection recommended, especially in jungle/coastal areas
• Tap water safe to drink in Panama City; bottled water recommended elsewhere

Language

Spanish is the official language. English spoken in:

• Major hotels and resorts
• Panama City business district
• Canal Zone and tourist areas
• Airport and airlines

Basic Spanish helpful outside tourist areas.

• Tourism: Visit Panama
• Immigration: Migracion Panama
• Panama Canal: Panama Canal Authority
• US Travel Advisory: travel.state.gov/panama
• UK Travel Advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama