Money and payments
Cards and cash
) Restaurants, supermarkets, and department stores in major cities will also usually take credit and debit cards.
//
Americas · Central AmericaOutline guideCountry in Central America
Photo: Gualberto107, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Panama is a country at the southern end of Central America. The country is known as the "Crossroads of the Americas" due to its location between North and South America. Its name, given by Indigenous peoples, means "abundance of fish," reflecting the country's status as a paradise for water sports lovers and eco-tourists.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Panama.
Cards and cash
) Restaurants, supermarkets, and department stores in major cities will also usually take credit and debit cards.
Spanish
By far the most commonly spoken language in Panama is Spanish. A small minority on the Caribbean Coast speaks an English derived Creole which is not all that dissimilar from Jamaican Patois.
Tap water is safe in virtually all cities and towns, with the exception of Bocas del Toro, where bottled water is recommended.
Panama is well known for its excellent medical care, making it a hot spot for medical vacations.
Panama is a diverse country, with a mix of cultures, ethnicities, and lifestyles that coexist in relative harmony.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
The locks are a good place to view the ships rising and falling as they pass through the Panama Canal.
Balboa is separated from Panama City by the Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill), one of Panama City's skyline landmarks.
Boquete is a cozy mountain river town in Chiriqui province, in the Pacific West of Panama. It is famous for its coffee plantations and the world famous geisha coffee—so wake up and smell the coffee.
Boca Chica is a village in the Pacific West of Panama.
Colón is a city in Central Panama. It's the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal.
David is the capital city for Chiriqui province in the Pacific West of Panama.
Gamboa is a town in the Colón province of Panama, known for its proximity to the Panama Canal and its surrounding tropical rainforest. It was built to house canal workers and is now a tourist destination focused on ecotourism and nature-based activities.
Portobelo is a port city in Central Panama. It is located on the northern part of the Isthmus of Panama.
Coiba National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Coiba) is a park in the Gulf of Chiriqui in the Pacific West of Panama that is frequently called the "Galapagos Islands of Central America" for its abundance of rare species in the water and on land. Coiba is known for its superior diving.
La Amistad International Park (Spanish: Parque Internacional La Amistad, or PILA) is one of the largest and most biodiverse protected areas in Central America. Spanning both sides of the Costa Rica–Panama border, it covers more than 400,000 hectares of tropical forest, cloud forest, and highland páramo.
Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí) is a national park in the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific West of Panama.
El Valle de Antón is a town in Cocle province, Central Panama. Because of its small size, and relative isolation from Panama City, El Valle is a stunning example of the cultural, environmental and culinary bounty of Old Panama.
The Pearl Islands (Spanish: Archipielago de las Perlas) are a region in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Panama. Made famous as the site for three seasons of the reality television show Survivor, the archipelago is a combination of beautiful islands with pristine virgin forest and sandy white beaches.
The San Blas Islands is a group of islands just off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama. The indigenous Kuna Yala tribe have self-governing authority over the islands.
Taboga is an island in Central Panama. It is one of the favorite escapes for residents of Panama City, who enjoy the beach, hiking, nature, fishing, and boat charters.
Volcan Baru is an active stratovolcano located in the province of Chiriquí, in the Pacific West region of Panama. It is also the westernmost point in the country.
Places in Panama on the World Heritage List.
Coiba
Listed 2005
Darién National Park
Listed 1981
fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
Listed 1980
The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá
Listed 2025
Coiba
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves
Listed 1983
Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá
Listed 1997
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Panama City plus Colon and Cocle Provinces.
Bocas del Toro province and Ngöbe-Buglé Province as well as the northern portion of Veruguas Province.
Many of Panama's major attractions in Chiriqui Province plus all of Herrera and Los Santos Provinces, and the southern portion of Veraguas Province.
The forests and swamps of Darien Province, some of Panama Province, Kuna Yala and the San Blas Islands.
Public transport and paid services in Panama.
By metro
Inaugurated in 2014, the Metro de Panama is now one of the major means of transportation for many locals.
By train
The Panama Canal Railway suspended its regular passenger services during the Covid-19 pandemic and has not since resumed them. It only operates occasional special trips.
By taxi
If your destination is far off the bus route, or if you just want to be lazy, taxis are also a decent way to get around in Panama. Taxi rates are negotiated and vary depending on location.
By car
Panama can easily be discovered independently. The road system of Panama is in very good condition (for Central and South American standards).
By plane
Local airlines serve many airports in Panama.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Panama.
Finding apps for Panama…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tocumen · International · PTY
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Panama City
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 29° |
| Avg. low | 24° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 20 | 9 | 18 | 107 | 245 | 253 | 204 | 220 | 245 | 260 | 248 | 108 |
| Humidity | 79% | 74% | 70% | 73% | 81% | 84% | 85% | 85% | 84% | 85% | 85% | 83% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$50
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$145
Per person, per day
Luxury
$370
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $80 | $215 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $30 | $70 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $30 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Panama due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory. U.S. government employees working in Panama need special authorization to travel to the Mosquito Gulf and the Darién Region due to safety risks. The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas. Crime Crime occurs in Panama, including theft and residential break-ins. Crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen in tourist areas. The U.S. embassy receives occasional reports of residential break-ins, especially during the holiday season. Unrest Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services. Do not travel to: The Mosquito Gulf due to crime. Parts of the Darién Region due to crime.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Earthquake On 9 October 2026, a strong earthquake of preliminary magnitude 7.6 struck Panama. According to the Instituto de Geociencias de la Universidad de Panamá, the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, approximately 39 kilometres west of Tonosí. The tremor was felt across much of the country and authorities are assessing damage. If you are affected and need assistance from the UK government, call: • From Panama: +507 297 6550 • From the UK: +44 (0) 20 7008 5000 Initial tsunami warnings have been lifted. Individuals in coastal areas should remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities, and move away from the shoreline if advised to do so. Be aware of the possibility of aftershocks and continue to follow local safety advice. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update this message as more information becomes available. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Panama.
Nature & adventurePanama has 16 national parks conserving a wide range of plant and animal species across several types of ecosystems including both Caribbean and Pacific beaches, coastal wetlands, mountainous rainforests, and rugged…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesInterstate 5 (I-5) is a United States interstate highway that starts at the border with Mexico in San Ysidro, California and runs 1381 miles (2223 km) north through the states of California, Oregon and Washington to the…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Oregon Trail is a 2,200 mi (3,500 km) National Historic Trail across the United States, traditionally beginning in Independence, Missouri and crossing the states of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho before ending near…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe main air hubs of South America are Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Santiago, and Lima, so many flights to other parts of South America will connect in one of these hubs.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsChicken Buses can be primarily found in Central American countries — Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
