panama

Panama Travel Guide

Trek Zone
hola
(o-la • Spanish)
Say hello
87°F
Sunday
85°F
Monday

Tourist season

Are December and January good months to visit Panama?

12

December

Semi-high
season

1

January

High
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Panama for tourism.

Visa not required

A visa is not required.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 35 to 47 USD

Tourist's budget
from 113 to 143 USD

Did you know?

The surface area of Panama is 29.1 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 120 in terms of the area in the world.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Panama City (PA) and Washington D.C. (US) is 2072 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Panama City click here

Panama City
Panama City
David
Las Cumbres
San Miguelito
Tocumen
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
2072
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Panama to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Panama on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

1

Level 1 • Exercise normal safety precautions (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

20 December 2024• National Mourning Day

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

Currency

US Dollar (USD) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 USD
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.9522
1.0502
GBP
0.79217
1.26235
Update: 14 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Panama

Map
Distance matrix
MilesPanama CityColonDavidSantiago de VeraguasDarien National ParkPortobeloBocas del ToroBoquete
Panama City-3620111614940186198
Colon36-18411418422159177
David201184-1023262046424
Santiago de Veraguas116114102-225135122110
Darien National Park149184326225-180328331
Portobelo4022204135180-177197
Bocas del Toro18615964122328177-41
Boquete1981772411033119741-

Best Ways to Experience Panama

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 35 to 47 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 113 to 143 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Panama via the Prices link

Currency

More

US Dollar (USD)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 14 December 2024
US DollarUS DollarUS DollarUS DollarUS DollarUS Dollar

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Panama.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Panama

Niskie

Areas with malaria

Present in the provinces of Darien, Kuna Yala (also spelled Guna Yala), Ngäbe-Buglé, and eastern Panama province. None in Panama Oeste, the Canal Zone, and Panama City

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagPanama for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa not required

A visa is not required.

  • Allowed stay: 180 days
  • Denial of entry or transit to any person who has a criminal conviction.

Electricity

120V (60 Hz)

In Panama the standard voltage is 120V and the frequency is 60 Hz. Type A, B sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket AType A
socket BType B

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

126 / 231
Ranking
4 314 767
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Area

120 / 230
Ranking
29.1 thous. mi²

Life expectancy

46 / 196
Ranking
79.5
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 76.7women 82.4

Median age

73 / 157
Ranking
30.1
Average age of population expressed in years.men 29.6women 30.5

Population growth

77 / 172
Ranking
1.16%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

40 / 131
Ranking
95.7%
Ability to read, write and count.men 98.8%women 95.4%

GDP

56 / 194
Ranking
26 773 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Costa Rica, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder