Panama travel guide
Panama is a narrow country with a surprising range of experiences. In one trip you can watch ships pass through the locks of the Panama Canal, drink coffee grown on the slopes of Volcán Barú, dive among the reefs of Coiba and sleep on a palm-fringed Guna Yala island. It joins two oceans and two continents, and the landscape reflects that. The highlands around Boquete and El Valle de Antón offer cool air, cloud forest and waterfalls, while the Pacific coast has surf and diving at Santa Catalina. On the Caribbean side, Colón and Portobelo bring the canal and Spanish colonial forts, and the islands of Guna Yala show indigenous culture at its most distinctive. The dry season from December to April is the most popular time to visit, with plenty of green and rain for the rest of the year. Panama suits nature lovers, divers and travellers who like variety, and you can plan the itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Panama City.
Before you go to Panama
- Currency
- USD $
- Emergency number
- 911 / 104
- Plug type
- Type A, B
- Tap water
- Tap water: mostly safe
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express (limited)
- ATM fees
- About USD 5.25 per withdrawal plus your home-bank fee - withdraw larger amounts less often
Cities in Panama
- Panama City Panama's cosmopolitan capital on the Pacific, home to the Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks), the UNESCO old town of Casco Viejo, the Biomuseo…
- Bocas del Toro Caribbean archipelago of turquoise water, rainforest islands and stilted wooden towns; a hub for snorkelling, surfing and island-hopping.
- Boquete Cool highland town in Chiriqui famous for its coffee estates, the Volcan Baru trail, cloud-forest quetzal watching and waterfalls.
- El Valle de Anton Mountain town set inside a lush extinct volcanic crater, popular for waterfalls, the India Dormida hike, a handicraft market and hot…
- Santa Catalina Laid-back Pacific fishing and surf village in Veraguas, the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park and its world-class…
- Guna Yala (San Blas) Autonomous Guna indigenous comarca of some 365 palm-fringed Caribbean islands, reached by 4x4 and boat, known for molas, coral cays and…
- Portobelo Small Caribbean coastal town in Colón Province, Panama, built around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Spanish colonial fortifications…
- Colón Caribbean port city at the Atlantic mouth of the Panama Canal, home to the Gatún and Agua Clara Locks and the historic Panama Canal Railway…
Frequently asked questions about Panama
- What currency is used in Panama?
- The currency in Panama is the US Dollar ($). $1 is about ₹95.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Panama?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (limited). Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Panama?
- Tipping in Panama: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Panama?
- Tap water: mostly safe.
- What plug type does Panama use?
- Panama uses Type A, B plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Panama?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 104. Ambulance: 911.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Panama?
- SIM and eSIM available in Panama.
- What is the capital of Panama?
- The capital of Panama is Panama City. Time there: IST - 10 h 30 min.