Thinking about a Bucket List trip to Panama, home of the famous Panama Canal and so much more? These Panama Facts & Travel Tips will make your planning process so much easier. Save this post today!
These Panama facts are key to helping you plan your upcoming trip. It’s all about the big and small details, and knowing these facts will save you time in your travel planning!
With many years of traveling both across the U.S. and abroad, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. So I’m passing along some Kari’s Travel Tips that you may find helpful for your trip.
Use the Table of Contents below to find the pieces of info you’re looking for quickly, or you can take your time scrolling through all the information.
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– Best Lodging site: Booking.com
– Book Day Tours here: Viator.com
– Rent Cars here: RentalCars.com
Currency
In this post, $ refers to the US Dollar or USD.
In Panama, the official currency is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), but it is, by law, equivalent to the US Dollar. For the month that we were in Panama, we never took out any Panamanian money from the ATM. We just used our credit cards and American cash.
Credit and debit cards, including VISA and Mastercard, are accepted at all places. We also were able to use Apple Pay with our phones too in many places. But cash is still needed in some circumstances:
- Some smaller shops, restaurants, and businesses only take cash. If you pay with US dollars, they will give you change in Panamanian money (PAB).
- Independent guides don’t usually have a way to take credit cards so tipping a guide at the end of a tour should always be done in cash.
- In Panama, it is more common to pay for your lodging in cash upon arrival, even when booked on one of the online platforms. Kari’s Travel Tip: Be sure to read the fine print when making a reservation so you aren’t surprised.
Currency Conversion
We always use the Xe app to find the most current exchange rates. But in Panama, it’s not necessary because the PAB is equivalent to the USD. That makes it super easy to shop for products in Panamanian stores or to book things online.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Be sure to notify your bank that you will be using your credit or debit card internationally on these dates so they don’t block you for suspected fraud.
Tipping Culture in Panama
Tipping in Panama is very much appreciated, but is not quite as strong as it is in the US. 10% is usually pretty standard rather than 15-20%. But in areas of heavy expat populations, the Americans are tipping generously like they do in the US, and the workers have become accustomed to receiving those larger tips. It is up to you to decide if and when to tip.
Language
The official language in Panama is Spanish. Many Panamanians, especially those working in the hospitality and tourism sectors, speak at least some level of English. The menus at restaurants are usually in both Spanish and English. Tour and birding Guides usually speak English pretty well. But in Panama, you do run into quite a few people who speak no English.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Learn a few key Spanish phrases. Even if you don’t say them perfectly, the locals will appreciate that you’re trying! Here are some phrases to start with:
- Yes = Si
- No = No
- Please = Por favor
- Thank You = Gracias
- Hello = Hola
- Good morning = Buenos días
- Good evening = Buenas noches
- Bathroom? = ¿Banos?
Our handy Translation Guide gives you dozens of more words, all on one page for easy reference.
Google Translate
For everything else, I rely on Google Translate. I use it often in stores to ask questions like “I’m looking for ham” or “Where are the onions?” I just type or speak it, and then show the translation to the store employee.
The camera feature is amazing! You can snap a picture of a menu, a food label, or cooking instructions, and Google Translate will instantly translate the text for you.
Time Zone
Panama is in the Eastern Time Zone, same as New York, Washington DC and our hometown in Naples, FL. But they do not observe Daylight Savings, so their clocks are consistent all year long. So when we are in Daylight Savings mode in the US (March – October), then Panama is on Central Time, similar to Chicago, Dallas or our other home base, Minneapolis.
Panama is great for American visitors because the jet lag is generally minimal. And it’s easy to connect with friends and family back home because you are usually all awake at the same time (which doesn’t happen when you go to Australia or Southeast Asia).
Are these Panama Facts giving you the clarity you need? Keep reading for more travel tips!
Date Format
The Panamanian date format is DD-MM-YYYY, which is different from the MM-DD-YY format typically used in the US (e.g., 08-12-23 for August 12, 2023). In Panama, that date would be 12-08-2023.
Kari’s Travel Tip: This matters a lot when you’re filling out forms or applications. Pay special attention to the format required for your birthdate, passport issue date, and expiration date. Not putting the information in correctly can have costly outcomes!
International Phone Code
Panama’s country code is +507 (followed by the 8-digit local number).
Kari’s Travel Tip: To get the + symbol, hold down the zero key for a full second while in dialing mode. It will insert the plus sign. After that, just add Panama’s country code (507) and the local number.
In Panama (and in many other countries in Europe, South America and Southeast Asia), WhatsApp is the most common app for calls, texts, and file sharing. They don’t rely on texting or calling like we do in the US. And WhatsApp is FREE!
Kari’s Travel Tip: I suggest downloading WhatsApp before your trip and getting comfortable with it. It’s invaluable for staying connected with drivers, guides, hosts, and others you meet along the way.
We use WhatsApp to stay in touch with family while we’re traveling. As long as I’m on Wi-Fi or using my Airalo eSim for data, I avoid extra international roaming charges.
WhatsApp works with your US number, but only allows communication with other WhatsApp users. If you share your number with someone in Panama, don’t forget to include the +1 before your area code.
Airalo eSim
I use an Airalo eSim to stay connected while traveling abroad.
They offer a specific eSim for Panama, or a Latin America Regional eSim that covers 17 countries across Central and South America, including Mexico.
The Regional one is a little more expensive, but it’s useful if you will be visiting more than one country during your travels.
It’s easy to install, activate, and use. You can decide which apps have access to your eSim data. I typically turn off apps I won’t use, like local weather or apps from back home.
Kari’s Travel Tip: In Panama, Airalo doesn’t notify you if you are getting close to using up your data. There are easy steps you can take to check, but the notification is not automated like it is in other countries.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Install your eSim before leaving home, but don’t activate it until you’re connected to Wi-Fi at the airport upon arrival. That way, you’ll have data when you leave the airport and head to your first destination.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Be sure your phone is set up for international roaming and that it’s unlocked to use the eSim.
Driving & Getting Around Panama
Just like we do in the US, Panamanians drive on the right side of the road. The main roads are paved and in generally pretty good condition. Driving in Panama City is crazy, just like any other major city. But once you get outside of the city, it’s pretty smooth sailing.
The road signs are all in Spanish, but they are the same shapes and colors as in the US.
A few roads in Panama have toll booths, mostly around Panama City. We got a transponder with our rental car so we could sail on through without stopping.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Panamanians recommend that you use Waze for navigation instead of Google Maps, because it apparently works better if you can’t get a signal. I find Waze pretty clunky to use – it often sends us in circles with frequent re-routing. So we use Google Maps most of the time by entering the address and hitting Start before we leave our accommodation.
Kari’s Travel Tip: If you have two people, it really helps to have one drive while the other navigates. Even with Waze or Google Maps, the roads curve and veer so often, that you have to stay on top of it or you might miss a turn.
Kari’s Travel Tip: When booking a car rental, be sure to ask for details about what the total cost will be with all the fees and insurance. Sometimes, you are quoted just the rental price, only to be surprised by a MUCH higher due to fees and insurance when you go to pick up the car.
Other Transportation Options
If you choose to travel without renting a car, there is an excellent transit system of buses that you can use to get around town or from town to town. Try the Rome2Rio app or Google Maps to check your options.
Uber is very inexpensive to use in Panama – it’s helpful because the price is set before the ride starts. We used it when we stayed in Casco Viejo to go to the Metropolitan Park, the Panama Canal and to the airport when it was time to leave.
There are also taxis everywhere, all wanting to take you somewhere. We hear it’s very important to negotiate and agree on the price BEFORE you get into the taxi.
Lastly, there are tons of private drivers who can take you from town to town. You’ll find lots of them available on Viator or Trip Advisor.
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Plug Adapter
Good News for Americans! Panama uses Type A & B plugs and the same electrical currency we do. So you can plug in your electronics and appliances just fine without needing a plug adaptor.
I did pack my Ceptiks Universal Travel Adapter Kit in case there were limited outlets available in our accommodations. I like it because I can plug multiple things into it at once. I highly recommend this kit for your international travel – it has worked fantastic for me, in multiple countries around the world.
I hope these valuable Panama Facts are making your trip planning process flow nice and smooth!
Can I drink the water?
It really depends where you are. When we arrived in Bocas del Toro, we weren’t sure so I asked our host. She said, no, it is not safe to drink tap water in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro island due to the more fragile septic systems. So we bought bottled water for drinking and cooking during our time there. But if I hadn’t thought to ask, we might have gotten really sick! ☹
Everywhere else, I made sure to ask in advance and they all said it was safe to drink water out of the tap. Kari’s Travel Tip – ALWAYS ask and verify whether the water is safe to drink!!
Toilet Things to Know
Most of Panama operates on a Septic system which means you cannot safely put toilet paper into the toilet. Wastebaskets are provided right next to the toilet to place your paper in. In some cases, there is a sign telling you this, but not always. You should never assume that you can flush the toilet paper.
It can be really hard for Americans to remember because we automatically put the paper in the toilet at without thinking about it. But by the time we finished up our travels to Costa Rica and Panama, I was remembering about 98% of the time!
Visa Requirements
According to the US State Department, US citizens do not need a tourist visa to travel to Panama as long as your stay is less than 180 days. You must have 3 months of validity left on your US passport and one blank page available to be stamped upon arrival.
Upon arrival at Immigration, you may be asked to tell them where you will be staying in Panama (first stay only) so have the hotel name or Airbnb address ready.
Kari’s Travel Tip: You may also be asked to show your return ticket or proof of onward travel to prove you will not stay in Panama more than 180 days. So have that opened on your phone or printed out on paper to show in case they ask.
Kari’s Travel Tip: In Panama, always carry your passport on your person. A police officer can stop you at any time and ask to see it. And there is a very visible police and military presence everywhere we went in Panama.
A local advised us to have a $20 bill tucked into your passport, in theory to reduce the chances of getting a ticket. We were never stopped so I’m not sure if it would have made a difference or not.
Safety
I highly suggest checking out the US State Department website when traveling internationally. They offer vital info on safety, crime, and other important considerations. They even rank all countries by their level of risk: Level 1 (travel with normal precautions), Level 2 (travel with increased caution), Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Level 4 (Do not travel).
Their STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) lets you register where you’re staying and for how long. This allows them to send alerts about emergencies, protests, or changes to embassy services. We’ve been alerted to protests near us, helping us steer clear of trouble.
Embassy Assistance for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy Panama
Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas,
Building No.783
Clayton, Panama
Telephone: +(507) 317-5000
Emergency: +(507) 317-5000
Fax: +(507) 317-5278
Email: Panama-ACS@state.gov
Website: https://pa.usembassy.gov/
Are you getting excited yet? I hope these Panama Facts are helping you get ready for your trip!
Vaccine Requirements
No vaccines are currently required for those arriving from the US. If you are coming from a country with active Yellow Fever, you may need a vaccination for that. I always recommend talking with your personal doctor before doing any international travel.
Metric System Conversions
Panama uses the metric system, like most of the world, for measurements like distance (meters and kilometers), temperature (Celsius), weight (grams and kilograms), and volume (liters and milliliters).
Kari’s Travel Tip: I’ve saved a couple of helpful conversion guides in a note on my iPhone for easy reference.
Temperature: Celsius to Fahrenheit
- 0 C = 32 F
- 10 C = 50 F
- 15 C = 59 F
- 20 C = 68 F
- 25 C = 77 F
- 27 C = 80 F
- 30 C = 86 F
- 40 C = 104 F
- 45 C = 113 F
- Formula for calculating: C x 1.8 + 32 = F
Weight: Kilograms to Pounds
This is especially useful for checked and carry-on luggage limits on different airlines. Internationally, the limits are often quite a bit smaller than on US Airlines so it’s important to check. And they do tend to weigh the carry-ons sometimes.
- 7 kg = 15.4 pounds
- 10 kg = 22 pounds
- 15 kg = 33 pounds
- 20 kg = 44 pounds
- 25 kg = 55 pounds
- 30 kg = 66 pounds
- 32 kg = 70 pounds
- 35 kg = 77 pounds
- Formula: kg x 2.2 = Pounds
Area: Square Meters to Square Feet
This is helpful when you are looking for accommodations to know how big the space is. A standard hotel room in the US is about 300-350 square feet.
- 20 square meters = 215 square feet
- 25 square meters = 269 square feet
- 30 square meters = 323 square feet
- 40 square meters = 430 square feet
- 70 square meters = 753 square feet
Distance: Kilometers to Miles
At first, we were constantly trying to convert all the kilometers over to miles. But after a while, we just adapted to thinking in terms of kilometers.
- Precise calculation: km x 0.621371 = miles
- Rough calculation: km x .6 = miles or km x 2/3 = miles
- 100 meters = roughly a football field length
Conclusion: Panama Facts
I hope these Panama Facts and Travel Tips have helped you feel more prepared and excited for your upcoming Bucket List adventure!
If you think of any other Panama facts that should be included, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
More Info on Panama
Here are some more posts about Panama, including some that I’m still working on. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.
- Panama Travel Facts & Tips – What you need to know
- Exploring Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City
- Bocas Del Toro, Panama – A Contrast of Grit and Paradise
- The Finca Lerida Coffee Plantation – An Unexpected Surprise & Delight
- Colorful Birds in Panama – A Bird-watcher’s Dream Come True!
- 8 Reasons Why Panama is Perfect for Your First International Trip
- Coming Soon: The Panama Canal