Before you visit Panama, know that it uses the US dollar, US citizens don’t need a visa for stays of up to 180 days, and you’ll need a passport valid for at least 3 months, a return or onward ticket and proof of at least $500 in funds. Uber works well in Panama City, the tap water in the capital is treated and generally safe to drink, plugs and voltage are the same as in the US, and the dry season runs from about mid-December to April. The rest of this list covers the practical details that make a first trip easier.
Entry and documents
1. Entry requirements for US citizens
As of 2026, US tourists don’t need a visa for stays of up to 180 days. To enter you need:
- A passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your arrival date (some airlines ask for 6, so check with yours)
- A return or onward ticket. This is strictly enforced, and airlines may ask for it at check-in.
- Proof of at least $500 in funds (cash, a credit card or a bank statement)
Immigration may also ask where you’re staying, and they take fingerprints and a photo on arrival. Make sure you get an entry stamp. Rules change, so check the State Department’s Panama page before you fly. Citizens of other countries may have different rules.
2. Carry ID
Police can ask for identification. Carry a photocopy (or a phone photo) of your passport photo page and your entry stamp, and keep the original somewhere safe. You do need the original passport for some trips, like San Blas, where there’s a checkpoint.
3. Get travel insurance
Panama City has excellent private hospitals, but they’re not cheap, and US health plans often don’t cover you abroad. A travel medical policy is worth it, especially if you’ll be hiking, diving or surfing. Read our guide to travel insurance and hospitals in Panama.
4. Vaccines
There’s no special vaccine requirement for travelers from the US. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you’re arriving from a country where the disease is present. Check the CDC’s Panama page and talk to your doctor, especially if you plan to visit the Darién or remote jungle areas.
Money
5. Panama uses the US dollar
The official currency is the balboa, but it’s pegged 1:1 to the dollar, and Panama doesn’t print balboa bills. All paper money is US dollars. You’ll get Panamanian coins in your change; they’re the same size and value as US coins, and you can use both. You don’t need to exchange money before you go.
6. Cards, ATMs and cash
Credit cards are widely accepted in Panama City, hotels, malls and larger restaurants. Outside the city, in small towns, markets, fondas, taxis and islands like San Blas, it’s cash only. ATMs are common in cities and charge a fee per withdrawal, often a few dollars, on top of your bank’s fee. Bring small bills; many places can’t break a $50 or $100.
7. Tipping
In restaurants, about 10% is normal. Check the bill first: some places add a 10% service charge (servicio) automatically. Tip tour guides and drivers if you’re happy with the service. Taxi drivers usually aren’t tipped.
8. What things cost
Panama City isn’t a cheap destination, but you can travel on a budget. As a rough guide:
- A set lunch at a local fonda: about $5 to $8
- A meal at a mid-range restaurant: about $15 to $30
- A hostel dorm bed: from about $15 to $25
- A mid-range hotel room: often about $60 to $150, more in Casco Viejo and at the beach in high season
- A Metro ride: $0.35 (Line 1) or $0.50 (Line 2) as of 2026
Getting around
9. From Tocumen airport to the city
Most international flights land at Tocumen (PTY), about 30 to 45 minutes from downtown without traffic. Your options are Uber or another ride app, an official airport taxi (agree on the price first), or the Metro: Line 2 has a branch to the airport, which is cheap but slow if you have luggage and need to transfer.
10. Panama City has two airports
Domestic flights, including flights to Bocas del Toro and some to Guna Yala, leave from Albrook airport (PAC), on the other side of the city from Tocumen. Leave plenty of time to get between them.
11. Uber is usually easier than a taxi
Uber and other ride apps are widely used in Panama City. You see the price up front and the driver uses GPS. Taxis don’t have meters, so agree on the price before you get in. Taxis waiting outside hotels often charge more; walking a block or two and hailing one on the street, or using an app, is usually cheaper.
12. Buses go everywhere
Long-distance buses are cheap and reach almost every part of the country. Most leave from the big Albrook bus terminal, next to Albrook Mall. Bring a sweater: air conditioning is set to arctic.
13. You can drive on your US license
Tourists can usually drive with a valid foreign license for up to 90 days. Roads in the city are busy and aggressive; outside the city, the main highways are good. Read our guide to renting a car in Panama before you book.
14. You don’t need to change hotels every night
Many top sights, including the Canal, Gamboa, Portobelo, Taboga and the Pacific beaches, are day trips from Panama City. For places farther away, like Boquete, Bocas del Toro, the Pearl Islands or San Blas, it’s better to stay there. See our Panama itinerary for routes.
Practical details
15. Plugs and voltage are the same as in the US
Panama uses Type A and B plugs and 110-120 volts, like the US and Canada. You don’t need an adapter.
16. Tap water
Tap water in Panama City is treated and chlorinated and is generally considered safe to drink. In rural areas, on islands and in Bocas del Toro, drink bottled or filtered water.
17. Phones and internet
Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés. For data, buy a local prepaid SIM at the airport or in a mall (the main carriers are Más Móvil and Tigo), use an eSIM, or check your US plan’s international options. Coverage is good in cities and along the main highways, and patchy in the mountains and on islands.
18. How much Spanish you need
Spanish is the official language. In Panama City’s tourist areas, many people speak some English, and English is common in Bocas del Toro and parts of Colón, where many families are of West Indian descent. In the interior, you’ll need Spanish, or a translation app. A few phrases go a long way. Start with our list of Panamanian Spanish phrases and slang.
19. Weather and seasons
It’s hot and humid all year in the lowlands. The dry season runs from about mid-December to April, and the rainy season from May to November, with the heaviest rain in October and November. Panama is outside the main hurricane belt. The highlands (Boquete, El Valle) are cooler, so pack a light jacket. See our month-by-month guide.
Culture and safety
20. Slow down at meals
In restaurants, nobody will rush you, and the bill won’t come until you ask for it (“la cuenta, por favor“). Lunch is the main meal of the day. Things in general move at a relaxed pace, so allow extra time and keep your patience. Dress is casual, but Panamanians tend to dress neatly in the city; beachwear is for the beach.
21. Safety basics
Most visits to Panama are trouble-free, and the main tourist areas are generally safe with normal precautions. As of its August 2026 update, the US State Department rates Panama Level 2, “exercise increased caution,” because of crime, and says not to travel to parts of the Darién and the Mosquito Gulf area. Petty theft is the most common problem. Use ride apps at night, don’t flash valuables, and avoid certain neighborhoods next to Casco Viejo and parts of the city of Colón. Our full guide: Is Panama safe for tourists?
Bonus: Panamanian coffee is world class
Coffee lovers are in luck. The highlands around Boquete grow some of the best coffee in the world, including Geisha, a variety that sets auction records. Try it in Panama City’s specialty cafés or on a farm tour in Boquete.
FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit Panama from the US?
No, not for tourist stays of up to 180 days. You do need a valid passport, an onward ticket and proof of funds.
Is Panama expensive?
Panama City is pricier than most of Central America, especially for hotels. Food at local fondas, buses and the Metro are cheap.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not in the main tourist areas, but basic Spanish helps a lot, especially outside Panama City.
Can I use my phone in Panama?
Yes. Check your carrier’s international plan, or buy a local SIM or an eSIM for cheaper data.