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Panama Entry Requirements

Panamanian entry requirements can be difficult to pin down. Government officials may say something different from the government website, and some rules seem to be in constant flux. That said, the website for Panama’s immigration and naturalization office usually has the most up-to-date information. Before you travel to Panama, check it for visa and other entry requirements.

It’s not difficult for tourists to enter Panama, especially those coming on flights from North America or Australia. All foreign nationals need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Tourists must also be able to prove that they have at least US$500—a bank statement, travelers checks, or a credit card usually works. Finally, all travelers entering Panama must have a return or onward ticket out of the country.

Panama divides tourists into two groups – those that need a tourist visa, and those that only need a passport.

Citizens of the following countries only need a passport to enter Panama: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States. It is important to note, however, that this list can change. Check with your home embassy for the current requirements before traveling.

There are two types of visas for Panama, “stamped visas” and “authorized visas.”

The so-called “stamped visas” let some travelers enter Panama several times throughout the year. This type of visa is only available through a Panamanian embassy or consulate, and the Panamanian authorities decide the length of the stay, which is usually 30 days per visit. Anyone who is eligible to visit Panama on a tourist card can apply for a stamped visa instead, although citizens of some countries are required to have a stamped visa. These countries include the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. As with other things in Panamanian officialdom, this list is subject to change.

Citizens of some countries are required to have an “authorized visa,” the most restrictive type of tourist visa. Like the stamped visa, this kind is only available through a Panamanian consulate or embassy. The officials will choose to either approve to decline the visa application, and will determine the length of stay. The majority of countries on this list are in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, or eastern Europe. These include Bangladesh, Cuba, Haiti, India, Pakistan, China, and South Africa, although the list is subject to change. The requirements can vary by consulate, so it’s a good idea to check with one before beginning the application process. It’s recommended to begin the application process at least a month before the start of travel.

Applicants for “authorized visas” will need to present the following documents:

A completed application form

A valid passport

A copy of the passport (including the pages that show entry and exit stamps)

A letter from a local Panamanian sponsor. The sponsor must also present a recent bank statement and utility bill. This letter can come from a Panamanian guide company or tour operator.

A copy of your ID or residence card from your home country

A copy of your most recent Panama visa, if applicable

Two passport-size photographs

Some consulates will require you to have proof of a round-trip as well. Considering this, it’s recommended to have a refundable ticket in case the application is declined.

Arrival Airports

Most visitors get to Panama by air. Panama’s main international airport is the Tocumen International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen), which is 25 kilometers (15 mi) east of Panama City . The airport recently underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion that has made it pleasant, modern and easy to navigate. It has good restaurants and a nice scattering of stores for shopping. Its airport code is PTY.

There is a domestic terminal that may be increasingly used by international travelers to make direct connections to destinations in western Panama. Some flights, however, do require travelers to make a land transfer from the Tocumen International Airport to the country’s main domestic airport at Albrook, some 31 kilometers (19 mi) away.

The Tocumen International Airport has a branch of Panama’s national bank (Banco Nacional de Panamá) as well as several ATMS. There is also a Cable and Wireless office that sells phone cards and has internet, fax, and long-distance calling services.

The airport of David in western Panama is in the process of expanding its runway and may soon have international flights. However, as of 2013, few international flights were stopping here. This airport’s official name is Aeropuerto Internacional de David “Enrique Malek,” and its code is DAV.

Finally, a few flights run between Costa Rica and Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro . Its airport code is BOC.

Border Crossings

There are three border crossings between Panama and Costa Rica via road: at Paso Canoa along the Pacific side, Sixaola-Guabito on the Caribbean side, and at Río Sereno in the highlands. Paso Canoas is along the Interamericana and is the most common crossing. The Sixaola-Guabito crossing is generally used by travelers coming to and from Bocas del Toro. The Río Sereno crossing is used infrequently and sometimes does not allow foreigners to cross.

There are no roads linking Panama and Colombia. The Interamericana ends at the town of Yaviza in eastern Panama, some 80 km (50 mi) from the border—it is here that the infamous Darién Gap begins. Flying is undoubtedly the safest and easiest way to travel between Panama and Colombia.

When crossing a border, be prepared to show immigration officials both an onward ticket out of Panama and proof of having at least US$500. Oftentimes these are not asked for, but it’s good to have them handy anyway.

The borders are open every day and are generally easier to get through during regular business hours. Travelers will have to walk across the border, and those that are traveling on bus are often expected to hand-carry their luggage to the other side. It usually takes about an hour to cross.

Extended Stays

The length of time that one can stay in Panama is not straightforward. Tourists can generally always stay for at least 30 days; 90 days tends to be the limit, although this can be flexible depending on the immigration official you talk when you enter the country. If you think you will want to stay longer than 30 days, let the official know and hope that he or she agrees. If they do approve, they will write the length of your stay on the entry stamp.

Tourists that end up wanting to stay longer than they initially planned will need to apply for a tourist extension called a prórroga de turista . This can be done at an immigration office. Who is eligible for an extension, however, is also debatable. It’s also a hassle to get an extension.

Travel with confidence in Panama

An Anywhere agent can assure you of all your questions and concerns if you are considering Panama to be your next vacation destination.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Panama set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Panama.

Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave Panama.

If you live in Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Your passport must have at least one blank page.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure immigration officials properly stamp your passport with the date you arrived the country.

At Panamanian border control, you may need to:

give the address of your accommodation and a contact telephone number
show a return or onward ticket – particularly if you arrive by land from Costa Rica and are not a legal resident of Costa Rica
prove you have at least 1000 US dollars (or the same amount in other currencies) or a credit card

Visa requirements

You can visit Panama for up to 3 months without a visa if you arrive by land or air. There are different visa requirements for sea arrivals.

You cannot normally extend your stay, unless you apply to change your immigration status (for example, for business purposes or marriage) within the 3 months.

If you try to extend your stay by visiting a neighbouring country and returning to Panama, immigration officials may detain you. The British Embassy cannot intervene in decisions made by Panama’s immigration officials.

If you arrive by sea

If you arrive on a vessel that is not a cruise ship, you must have a visa to enter Panama. You must pay a fee of 100 US dollars, plus 5 US dollars registration, for each passenger or crew member. There may be other fees, for example for cruising permits.

If you arrive on a cruise ship or are travelling through the Panama Canal, you do not need a visa unless you are staying in Panama for more than 3 months. Immigration authorities will stamp your passport if you leave the ship. They do not board cruise ships travelling through the Canal to check passports.

Applying for a visa

If you need a visa, apply through the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK . They can give you more information on entry requirements.

For information on extending your stay, check with the Panama National Migration Service (in Spanish).

Airport tax

There is a charge of 40 US dollars on departure. This is usually included in your airline ticket fare. Check with your airline.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Panama guide .

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Panama. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

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A land radiating with life, perfectly imperfect, and full of authenticity. Where Northern and Southern worlds connect, old and new worlds coexist, and cosmopolitan landscapes live in harmony with wild, untamed rainforests.

A country for those who seek beyond expectations, that dares you to see more. Taste more. Connect more. Feel more. A place for those who long more stimulation, connection and transformation. Panamá is not the destination, but the journey to discover more of what truly matters.

Make more lasting memories through an explosion of inspiration and purpose. And let the spirit of Panamá unlock a sense of belonging.

Panamá. Live for More.

Panamá's unique location provides the experience of a lifetime. We are gifted with having a wide range of rainforests, a desert, and breathtaking beaches on both coastlines, the Caribbean and the Pacific, all within driving distance of a cosmopolitan city. Ready to start exploring?

March to October

Best swell for surfing, june 3rd to 18th, corpus christi festival, june to november, best time for river rafting, march to august, tuna fishing season, birdwatching, hiking & waterfalls, visit indigenous communities, places to visit, panama city.

Panama City is much more than the country's capital. Here you can pedal in front of a skyline with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, enjoy the Pacific breeze as you ride along the Bay of Panama, walk among archaeological sites and trails, and see how colonial history and the night come alive in the same place. Panama City is a high-contrast destination where greenery, indigenous peoples and vibrant city life are waiting for you.

Bocas Del Toro

Bocas del Toro is one of the favorite destinations among Panamanians and visitors. Just a 45-minute flight from Panama City brings you to the north-westernmost province of the country. Immerse yourself in its cultures, cross forest-covered mountains, sail through mangroves, swim among reefs, surf the perfect wave and discover the good vibes of Bocas.

Boquete is a colorful, wooded valley surrounded by the mountains of Chiriquí, in northwestern Panamá. The valley of dreams? Maybe so. This is a recurring destination for those who dream of trails with waterfalls and exotic animals, climbing natural rock formations, tasting the best coffee and enjoying excellent seasonal meals. Discover this unique place where peace and adrenaline converge.

Tierras Altas

The Tierras Altas region is a quite different place from the rest of Panamá. It is a mountainous district located in the extreme west of the country, in the province of Chiriquí. Take in its peaks, forests, rivers, and set out on an adventure among agriculture and culinary activities it has in store for you. Can you fathom how it feels to see both oceans at the same time? Well, in Tierras Altas, you can!

Riviera Pacifica

The Riviera Pacifica extends along the Pan-American Highway, a 25 mile (40 km) stretch of road dotted with beaches and mountains. On your way out of Panama City, just 50 miles (80 km), on your left, you’ll see a number of beaches where you can enjoy the best plans in the Pacific. And on your right, mountainous areas await that are brimming with trails, waterfalls and adventures in a cooler climate. Which one sounds best to you?

Pedasí & Tonosí

The province of Los Santos, located in the south of Panamá, is the cradle of folklore. At the end, towards the Pacific, there are two unique points: Pedasi and Tonosi. Here you will enjoy natural beauties such as the migration of humpback whales from July to October. You can also visit Isla Iguana to dive over the oldest and largest coral reef in the Gulf of Panama and see many of the birds and iguanas that live there.

Pacific Coast of Veraguas

The province of Veraguas in central Panamá is an exciting destination full of epic adventures. Its Pacific coast is a true jewel where lovers of the sea and wildlife coexist to enjoy the beauties of the region.

In the province of Colón, facing the Caribbean Sea, you'll find Portobelo. Legend has it that Columbus named Portobelo as soon as he saw it. The color of its deep blue sea, the white of its beaches, along with the intense green of its forests and mangroves, deserve no other name: it is a beautiful port. Come and discover it for yourself!

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Panama travel advice

Latest updates: Safety and security – updated information on petty crime

Last updated: April 24, 2024 14:10 ET

Colón and some areas of Panama City - Exercise a high degree of caution

This advisory for Panama City includes the following areas:

Curundú
El Chorrillo
Panama Viejo
Amelia Denis de Icaza
Belisario Porras
Belisario Frias
Arnulfo Arias
24 de Diciembre

Areas south of Metetí - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to to areas south of Metetí in Darién Province to the border with Colombia due to extremely high levels of violent crime.

Mosquito Gulf - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte, due to the high level of illegal activity such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Region between Metetí and the Colombian border

Avoid all travel between Metetí and the Colombian border.

Organized crime groups, including human and drug traffickers, are active in this area. The level of violent crime is extremely high, with numerous reports of:

sexual asssault
kidnappings
armed robberies
disappearances

If you choose to visit this region despite the advisory:

be extremely vigilant at all times
review your security situation regularly
leave a detailed itinerary with family or friends

Mosquito Gulf

Avoid all travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte.

This is a very remote part of the country with limited road access. There are high levels of illegal activity such as drug smuggling and human trafficking along the coast.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs.

Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
Avoid displaying signs of affluence or carrying large sums of cash
Use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
Don’t walk alone after dark
Remain vigilant in all public places, especially at airports and bus terminals

In Panama City, high-crime areas include bus stations and shopping areas on Avenida Central as well as the following areas:

San Miguelito, especially the following areas:

Theft from hotel rooms occurs in both urban and resort areas.

Residential break-ins and robberies also occur. They are more likely to happen when no one is home. Criminals may also try to gain your trust before entering your home.

Stay in busy, reputable and well-protected hotels
Always verify the identity of a visitor before opening your door
Ensure that windows and doors are secure and locked in both private and commercial accommodations

Violent crime

Violent crime is not frequent, but does occur. There have been violent crimes committed in the cities of Colón and David, as well as in some beach communities.

Express kidnappings have also occurred. Criminals abduct victims, usually for a few hours, and force them to withdraw money from ATMs in exchange for their release.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occasionally occur. They can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Police may use tear gas and other methods to disperse crowds.

Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
Follow the instructions of local authorities
Monitor local and social media for information on ongoing demonstrations
Check your route before travelling and be prepared to modify your plans in case of disturbances and roadblocks

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees have been implicated.

Avoid walking after dark, especially alone
Avoid deserted or under-populated areas
Exercise caution when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances
Don’t accept invitations or rides from strangers or recent acquaintances

If you are a victim of a sexual assault or other crime, you should report it immediately to the police and the Embassy of Canada.

Advice for women travellers

Water activities

Lifeguards don’t usually supervise beaches. Tidal changes can cause powerful currents, and riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards.

Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities

Tour operators may not adhere to international standards.

If you undertake adventure sports, such as diving:

choose a well-established and reputable company that has insurance
ensure that your travel insurance covers the recreational activities you choose

If in doubt concerning the safety of the facilities or equipment, don’t use them.

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

If you engage in adventure tourism:

never do so alone
always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
ensure that you’re properly equipped
ensure that you’re well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country.

Drivers often drive dangerously.

Night construction on the Pan-American Highway is frequent, and the highway is not well-lit.

Keep car windows closed and doors locked at all times
Be prepared for possible roadblocks

Public transportation

Public transportation has improved in the recent years but may be unreliable.

Local buses within Panama City don’t always follow a regular route. Due to the risk of theft, when travelling by bus:

be aware of your surroundings
protect your belongings

Taxis and ridesharing

Registered yellow taxis are generally safe if located at a taxi stand, which are usually found at malls, hotels and main transport hubs.

They are not metered. Fares are calculated according to the number of zones crossed to get to a destination. It's preferable to have small bills available to pay taxi fares.

When using a taxi:.

agree to a fare before departure
tell the driver you don’t want to share a taxi, since they may attempt to pick up additional passengers
always sit in the back of the vehicle

Rideshare apps are commonly used throughout the country.

If you use a trusted ridesharing app, confirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the car.

The following areas are known as transportation corridors for narcotics:

the southeastern coast of Comarca Kuna Yala

Coiba Island

the Mosquito Gulf
the entire length of the Pacific coast

These areas are especially dangerous at night. Boaters should be wary of vessels that may be involved in smuggling.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Panamanian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Panama.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

Foreign Representatives in Canada
Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 180 days Business visa: required Student visa: required

Length of stay

If you wish to stay in the country for more than 180 days, you must change your residency status.

To renew your stay as a tourist, you must exit Panama for at least 30 days. Immigration authorities may deny you re-entry if you try to renew your stay in Panama by travelling out of the country for a short period of time and returning as a tourist.

Panama National Immigration Service (in Spanish)

You need a permit from Panama’s National Authority for the Environment to access Coiba National Park. Contact your tour operator to obtain it.

Criminal record

You may be refused entry to Panama, even for transit purposes, if you have a criminal record.

Other requirements

Entry stamp.

You must obtain an entry stamp from immigration officials upon entry into Panama. You may be fined US$1,000 if you fail to do so.

Exit or onward ticket

Immigration officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

You must register your biometrics (fingerprints and facial scan) at the port of entry.

Cash or credit card

You are required to have the equivalent of US$500 or a credit card when entering Panama.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
Dengue: Advice for travellers - 8 April, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from a country where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.
Contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes. There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination.

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving. Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin. • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area. • Wear permethrin-treated clothing. If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living.

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination.

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals).

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus. Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.

The flu occurs worldwide.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to April.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and October.
In the tropics, there is flu activity year round.

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
Minimize exposure to insects
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The risk may vary between regions of a country. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

In this country, dengue is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country.

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel.

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

washing your hands often
avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is available in private hospitals and clinics in Panama City. Quality of care varies greatly in public hospitals throughout the country, which are limited outside Panama City.

You may have to pay in advance, in cash, to obtain medical services.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Panama’s legal system is complex. Reporting a crime differs greatly from reporting a crime in Canada and may vary among Panama’s provinces. Local authorities generally do not speak English or French. Therefore, you may require a translator or legal representation.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and long jail sentences.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

Panamanian law requires all individuals to carry official identification documents at all times. Authorities may jail and fine you if you fail to produce identification upon request.

There may be curfews for minors (under 18 years old) in Panama City.

Police may arrest minors who are outside alone late at night in Panama City if the police believe they’re involved in suspicious activities. Police may detain minors until they can contact the parents, who may receive a fine.

Photography

Indigenous persons may ask you for a small fee if you take picture of them.

Ask permission before taking photographs of individuals, particularly of children and women.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Panamanian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

You can drive in Panama with your Canadian driver’s licence for a period of up to 90 days.

Although vehicle insurance is mandatory, many Panamanians drive without it. In the event of an accident:

call the police
don’t move the vehicle until a police officer tells you to do so

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Investments

If you plan on buying property or making other investments in Panama, seek legal advice in Canada and in Panama. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Panama.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Panama, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Panama.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Panama, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Panamanian court.

If you are in this situation:

act as quickly as you can
contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
consult a lawyer in Canada and in Panama to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
Travelling with children
The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
Emergency Watch and Response Centre

The currency in Panama is the balboa (PAB).

It is used interchangeably with the U.S. dollar (USD).

There have been issues with counterfeit US$50 and US$100 bills. Carry only small bills of U.S. dollars.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
Large-scale emergencies abroad
Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings - United States’ National Hurricane Center

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from April to December. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Western Panama is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis can occur.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

In the event of a natural disaster, follow the advice of the local authorities.

Earthquakes - What to Do?
Tsunami alerts - U.S. Tsunami Warning System
Latest earthquakes - U.S. Geological Survey

Local services

Emergency services exist but may be limited. In case of emergency, dial:

police: 104
medical assistance: 911
firefighters: 103

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Panama, in Panama City, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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Panama Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Panama. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

Dengue in the Americas April 18, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.), Uruguay

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

Chickenpox (Varicella)
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
Flu (influenza)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Panama.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Panama. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Panama.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Panama take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find country-specific information about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Panama.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Panama. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Panama, rabies treatment is often available.

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Panama.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Recommended for travelers ≥9 months old going to all mainland areas east of the Canal Zone including Darién Province, the indigenous provinces (comarcas indígena) of Emberá and Kuna Yala (also spelled Guna Yala), and areas of the provinces of Colón and Panamá, east of the Canal Zone. Not recommended for travel limited to the Canal Zone; areas west of the Canal Zone; Panama City (the capital); Balboa district (Pearl Islands) of Panamá Province; or the San Blas Islands of Kuna Yala Province.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

Sand fly bite
An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
Bite from an infected rodent
Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
Avoid rodents and areas where they live
Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Panama, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Panama. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
2-undecanone
Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Panama include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
Do not dive into shallow water.
Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
Go to a doctor right away.
Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

Use latex condoms correctly.
Do not inject drugs.
Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Panama’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Panama. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

Wear a seatbelt at all times.
Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Panama may be poor.
Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
If you choose to drive a vehicle in Panama, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Panama, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Panama .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
Follow all local laws and social customs.
Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Panama for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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What is the Panama Travel Passport and how to get it?

Apr 4, 2023 | Residency & Citizenship by Investment

Most people have never heard of the Panama travel passport, which is different from the normal Panama passport. What is it and how do people obtain it?

This little-known program was started in 1987 do encourage foreign investment into Panama. However, very few people have made use of it and it is severely unknown, even in the “offshore industry”.

What is a Panama Travel Passport?

Essentially, it is exactly like a normal passport passport, except that it is for non-citizens. There is an additional line in the passport that mentions your current citizenship (American, Chinese, Egyptian, South African). Having such a passport does not make you a citizen of Panama. It merely gives you the sames travel rights as a Panama citizen.

What can you do with a Panama Travel Passport?

On paper, having a Panama Travel passport gives you the same travel privileges as a Panama citizen. This means you can go to the EU visa-free, to Russia visa-free, and to the whole list of visa-free destinations Panamanians benefit from .

In practice it is a bit of a grey zone. If you are Russian and show up in Wrsaw airport with this Panama travel passport will they let you in? It depends if they actually check, or care. In most countries it would be fine, but again, because it is a unique case that nobody has heard about you would need to understand that you would have to deal with ambiguity. Sure, you could contact embassies ahead of time asking if it’s fine, but even they would struggle to answer.

Australia also has a little-known travel passport for non-citizens , typically recognized refugees, and they can travel on it based on Australian visa-free arrangements. It works.

How to obtain a Panama Travel Passport?

You must deposit enough money in a Panama state bank to receive at least $850 per month of interest. This term deposit is for the duration of the Panama travel passport, namely 5 years.

This deposit give you a specific residency which is the private retiree investor visa, which is an immediate permanent residency.

The total investment depends on interest rates. As they go up, the amount decreases. As things currently stands with term deposit rates of about 4%, you would need to deposit $255,000.

If you were to withdraw the money before the five year deadline, your Panama travel passport would get cancelled immediately.

How fast can you obtain a Panama Travel Passport?

It takes about 15 days to process both the permanent residency and the Panama travel passport. Obtaining this Panama travel passport is an incredibly fast process.

Giovanna and Wi Men can help you obtain a Panama travel passport

They helped me obtain residency in Panama , create a company and obtain bank accounts . They can also help investors obtain the Panama travel passport. Here’s a video I did with them discussing this topic in detail.

Full transcript of “What is the Panama Travel Passport and how to get it?”

LADISLAS MAURICE: Hello, everyone. Ladislas Maurice from thewanderinginvestor.com . So today, I’m in Panama City with my favorite Panamanian couple, Giovanna and Wi Men. How are you?

GIOVANNA: Good.

WI MEN: Yeah, very good.

LADISLAS MAURICE: So Giovanna and Wi Men run a small family office helping people with banking, immigration, company formation, etc. We’ve done a lot of content together. You can see a list of the videos below. And today, I know the title sounds a little bit click-baity, but it’s actually the truth, how to get paid to obtain a Panama travel passport. This is not my passport, by the way, I’m just taking Giovanna’s.

GIOVANNA: [laughs]

Requirements for the Panama Travel Passport

LADISLAS MAURICE: But it’s possible to invest money here in Panama, and to obtain one of these within how many days or weeks?

WI MEN: Like 10 business days like the other residency paperwork.

LADISLAS MAURICE: So you can come to Panama, make an investment, and, 10 days later, you get one of these. So how does it work, and what are the caveats?

GIOVANNA: Well, the Panama travel passport program was born in 1987. What Panama wanted to do is bring investors. So what Panama is looking for is does this investor gains a monthly income of $850. So it will depend on the rates of the local banks. This investment has to be done in local banks, just Panama national banks. We did the math recently, and it’s around $275,000 on local interest rates that we see today. It could be more or less, it moves and goes. But you put the money there, you get $850 monthly, then we start the process, we get a certificate from the bank saying that you have this money as a term deposit. It doesn’t matter your nationality.

The banks in Panama will, as long as it’s for purposes of residency, they will open the account for you, they will let you put the money there, the 275,000. Then you get access to the residency, you get a temporary residency, and once you get a temporary residency, we can go to the passport authorities and you can get your travel passport.

LADISLAS MAURICE: So can the money be deposited in any bank?

WI MEN: No, just the Panamanian government bank, which is National Panama Bank and Caja de Ahorros Bank.

LADISLAS MAURICE: And how long is the term deposit for?

WI MEN: Five years.

Difference between the normal Panama Passport and the Panama Travel Passport

LADISLAS MAURICE: Five years? Okay. Now, can you tell us the difference between a normal Panama passport and a Panama travel passport? Because this is important, when you’re doing this, you’re not getting Panamanian citizenship, you’re just getting the passport and, more specifically, a different type of passport. It still looks this way, but there are a few differences inside the passport. Can you elaborate?

WI MEN: Yes. So basically, the Panamanian passport, as a Panamanian citizen, we can use this paper to travel many countries with our visa. For foreigners acquiring this passport doesn’t mean they’re a citizen, a Panamanian citizen. And the only difference is inside there, so that mention the place of birth of that person, of the applicant, and the citizenship. So this is very important. At the end, that person has the same benefit as a Panamanian traveling in those countries with our visa.

LADISLAS MAURICE: So it’s just really, really unique. So essentially, let’s say, you’re South African, or you’re from Turkey, or you’re from Canada, you essentially get this. There’s your face in there. There’s all of your personal information, where you were born, etc., just as with any normal passport, but then there’s an extra line that says C itizenship , and then there it’s written, South African, Turkish, Canadian , whatever it is you are. This is really interesting.

So for people who come from countries where they don’t necessarily have Schengen access, this is one way to go into Schengen. And then also for Westerners, it’s interesting, for example, you’re a Westerner and you want to go to Russia, and you need a visa, especially in the current situation, then you can just get one of these and, theoretically, you can go into Russia visa free, as well as all over Latin America, etc.

Risks of the Panama Travel Passport

So it’s a unique solution out there. However, it must be said that, sometimes, it can cause problems at borders. The vast majority of Border guards are not aware of this travel document, just as the majority of people selling new passports online, selling Dominican passports, etc., etc., they don’t even know that this option exists. So let’s say you arrive in Belgium. I don’t know why you’d want to go there, but let’s say you go to Belgium, and then you get scanned at Brussels Airport. Maybe the person at customs will suddenly look at this and wonder that why does it say that you’re a South African citizen, and they might cause you problems.

Or, maybe not, maybe they’ll just scan it, they won’t care you’ll go through, they won’t even notice it, they won’t try to look for that sort of information. So there’s a bit of an element of risk in using such a passport because no one knows about it.

So you know, you can do all the research you want, you can contact the Belgian embassy here in Panama City, ask them, can I travel to Belgium with it? They’ll tell you Yes, or No. But then, once you get to customs, it’ll be a different story. So you just need to understand that you’re going to be dealing with it with a level of ambiguity. But it’s a very interesting solution, because essentially, it really doesn’t cost you anything. So instead of having your money sitting, 250K sitting in a bank, somewhere, giving you low interest rates, you can bring the money to a government bank here in Panama. You get the full interest, which is higher than in most countries in the world, because their government banks, it’s implied that they are safer.

Again, do your own due diligence. I don’t know what’s sitting on their balance sheets. And then, out of this whole process of getting your interest, you can get one of these for yourself and your family as well. Correct?

GIOVANNA: That’s correct.

WI MEN: That’s correct.

Dependents applying for Panama Travel Passport

LADISLAS MAURICE: So then it’s the spouse and the underage children can claim this as well.

WI MEN: Yes.

GIOVANNA: Yes.

Obtain residency in Panama at the same time

LADISLAS MAURICE: So when I see this, I’m already thinking of quite a few countries that, you know, for them, it’s not easy to always travel around, this is a very interesting solution. So by depositing this amount of money, which the amount changes on a regular basis, depending on interest rates, as interest rates go up, the amount of money you need to deposit goes down, you can also get residency as well for yourself and your family, correct?

LADISLAS MAURICE: So for everyone out there that is sitting on $280,000, or whatever, in a bank account, that just want to have cash and want to get interest, there is absolutely no reason to be keeping that money elsewhere in the world other than Panama, when you can come here, get residency for yourself and your family, which then eventually turns into permanent residency, and if you want to obtain a Panama travel passport in the process.

So in a world of heightened geopolitical tensions, in a world of increased risk, generally, we also saw the whole situation with the medical problems where people were getting shut out of countries just based on their passports, this, again, is a unique proposition. So what I encourage you to do is to get in touch with Giovanna and Wi Men, there is a contact form below and their email, and just ask them for the brochure. And there it explains what the process is, the fees, etc. All right.

GIOVANNA: Right.

LADISLAS MAURICE: So Giovanna and Wi Men, thank you very much.

GIOVANNA: You’re welcome.

WI MEN: You’re welcome.

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i am Vietnam citizen, so do i need interview or proof money deposit to bank is legal or not to take Panama Traveler Passport? Thank you.

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Exercise a high degree of caution in Panama overall due to the threat of violent crime.

Higher levels apply in some areas.

Panama (PDF 725.47 KB)

Americas (PDF 3.25 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 911, or go to the hospital.

Call 104, or go to the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Exercise a high degree of caution in Panama.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Panama overall due to the threat of violent crime.

Do not travel to the Darien Gap, beyond Yaviza.

Do not travel to the Darien Gap, beyond Yaviza, due to the threat of violent crime.

See Safety

Protests are causing significant disruption to essential services, including transport and food. Avoid protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Monitor local media and follow advice of local authorities.
Panama has high crime rates. Petty crime is more common than violent crime. Take care of your belongings, especially in transport hubs. Violent crime includes armed robbery and muggings. Avoid high-crime areas of Panama City. Only use ATMs in banks or shopping centres. Don't go out alone.
Colombian guerrilla groups and drug traffickers are active in the Darien Gap, near the Colombian border. Violent crime is common. Do not travel to this area.
Popular protest areas include the University of Panama, the National Assembly, the Presidential Palace, and main roads. Protests can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
The hurricane season is from June to November, but storms can happen year-round. They can cause flooding and landslides and disrupt services. Know your hotel or cruise ship's evacuation plan. Find your nearest shelter.
Panama experiences earthquakes. Tsunamis can also happen. Know the tsunami warning signs and move immediately to high ground. Don't wait for official alerts.

Full travel advice: Safety

Yellow fever is widespread. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria is a year-round risk in Bocas del Toro, Darien and San Blas. It's not a risk in Panama City. Consider taking anti-malarial medication. Other insect-borne diseases include Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
HIV/AIDS is common. Take precautions if you're taking part in high-risk activities.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases include hantavirus, hepatitis, tuberculosis, rabies and brucellosis. Drink boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food. If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get immediate medical help.
Some private hospitals and clinics are good. Facilities outside Panama City are limited. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation to the United States. Ensure your travel insurance covers this.

Full travel advice: Health

Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences. Officials may also arrest you if you're with someone who's using drugs.
Always carry photo identification, such as a certified copy of your passport.
If you're under 18, abide by all curfews in Panama City. Police can detain you if you're out past the curfew time without a permit.
Understand and follow local laws. It's illegal to take photos of official buildings. If you're in a traffic accident, you must wait with your vehicle until traffic police arrive.
Ask for permission before photographing anyone, especially women, children and Indigenous people.
Same-sex relationships are legal, but they aren't socially accepted in all areas. Consider avoiding public displays of affection.

Full travel advice: Local laws

Ongoing protests are causing significant disruption to transport services. Your travel plans may be disrupted. Check with your airline or travel provider.

If you arrive by air or land, you won't need a visa. You'll be granted an initial stay of 180 days when you arrive.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Panama for the latest details or check with your airline or travel provider.
You must obtain an entry stamp from immigration officials upon entry into Panama. You may be fined up to USD1,000 if you don't do this.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has a Consulate in Panama City. The Consulate doesn't issue Australian passports.
You can get full consular help from the Australian Embassy in Mexico.
To stay up to date with local information, follow the embassy’s social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Crime levels are high in Panama.

Petty crime

Petty crime is common, mainly pickpocketing and bag-snatching. You're most at risk in Panama City and Colon.

Take extra care of your valuables in:

bus terminals
public transport

To prevent petty crime:

be alert after dark
avoid being on the streets alone
pay attention in crowded areas

Violent crime

Armed robbery and muggings occur in Panama. Violent crime is less common than petty crime.

Hotspots for crime in Panama City include:

San Miguelito
El Chorrillo
Veracruz Beach
Parque Soberania
Panama Viejo
Casco Viejo
shopping areas on Avenida Central

Armed criminals may target you at Madden Dam, a tourist site in the Chagres National Park.

' Express kidnappings ' also happen, where criminals force you to withdraw money from ATMs.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

avoid high-crime areas in Panama City
travel with others
only use ATMs in controlled areas, such as banks or shopping centres
pay close attention to your personal security

Scams and fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occur.

House break-ins and robbery scams also happen. Criminals may gain your trust and then rob your house.

Be aware of your surroundings. Always keep your credit card secure.

Colombian guerrilla groups and drug traffickers are active in the Darien Gap, near the Colombian border.

Violent crime is common, including:

murder, including of foreigners
armed robbery
disappearances

The danger zone starts at the end of the Pan American highway at Yaviza and extends to the Colombian border. This area includes the Darien National Park and privately owned nature reserves, and tourist resorts.

Be aware of landmines in the area.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests.

Protests and demonstrations can happen:

on campus at the University of Panama
at the National Assembly
at the Presidential Palace in Panama City
on main streets and highways

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

avoid demonstrations, protests and public gatherings
monitor the media for reports of potential unrest
avoid affected areas
follow instructions from local authorities

If you encounter a protest, leave as soon as it is safe.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Swimming safety

Panama doesn't have many lifeguards. Rescue equipment at public beaches is limited.

Strong currents and rips can make swimming dangerous.

The Bay of Panama is polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste.

If you decide to go swimming:

check conditions with your hotel or local authorities before entering the water
never swim alone

Climate and natural disasters

Panama experiences natural disasters and severe weather , including:

earthquakes
volcanic activity

In the event of a natural disaster:

secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
monitor local media and other sources
follow the advice of local authorities
keep in touch with your friends and family

To get alerts and advice, register with:

Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency

Hurricanes and severe weather

Severe weather can happen, including:

Severe weather may affect:

access to ports
road travel
essential services, such as communication, water and electricity

The hurricane season is from June to November. Storms and hurricanes can happen in other months.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

you may get stuck in the area
flights could be delayed or suspended
available flights may fill quickly
adequate shelter may not be available

If a hurricane is approaching:

know the evacuation plan for your hotel or cruise ship
identify your local shelter
monitor alerts and advice from the National Hurricane and Tropical Prediction Center

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Panama experiences earthquakes . Tsunamis can also happen.

Get to know the earthquake safety measures for each place you stay and visit.

To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System .

If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by authorities, or if you:

feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

General health advice
Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Medication with pseudoephedrine is banned in Panama.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Panama. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:

what the medication is
your required dosage
that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Yellow fever is widespread in Panama. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.

Zika virus is also widespread. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care recommends that you:

discuss travel plans with your doctor
consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

Malaria is a risk throughout the year in Bocas del Toro, Darien and San Blas. It's not a risk in Panama City.

Outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya also happen.

To protect yourself from disease:

make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash, bleeding nose or gums, or a severe headache.

HIV/AIDS is common in Panama.

Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

Many hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases are reported in Los Santos province.

To protect yourself:

don't touch live or dead rodents, burrows or nests
avoid activities that stir up dust, such as sweeping or vacuuming

For outdoor activities:

choose a campsite that's open and dry
don't rest in tall grass or haystacks
remove any food that may attract rodents

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common, including:

tuberculosis
brucellosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

Infectious diseases

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Some private hospitals and clinics are good. Facilities outside Panama City are limited.

Many doctors and hospitals need cash payment before treating you, even in an emergency.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be moved to the US or another country with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Treatment in the US can be extremely expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include lengthy prison sentences in local jails.

Authorities may arrest you for illegal drugs if you're either:

carrying even a very small amount of drugs, or
with someone who's using them
Carrying or using drugs

Proof of identity

You must always carry an ID, such as a certified copy of your passport.

If you're aged under 18, curfews may apply in Panama City.

To be out after curfew, you'll need a special permit.

Police can detain you for violating the curfew. A guardian will need to collect you from the police station.

In Panama, it's illegal to:

take photos of an official building
fail to wait with your vehicle after an accident until traffic police arrive

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Panama recognises dual citizenship.

Dual nationals

Local customs

Get permission before photographing anyone, especially women, children and Indigenous people.

LGBTI information

Same-sex relationships are legal, but not socially acceptable.

Consider the risks of public displays of affection.

Advice for LGBTI people

Visas and Border Measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.

Visa-free travel for short stays

To enter, you'll need to show proof of:

the equivalent of $US500 or a credit card
a return or onward travel ticket

If you're transiting on a cruise ship and Panama is a port of call, you won't need a visa. An immigration official will stamp your passport, and you'll be granted a stay of up to 90 days.

If you arrive by another type of boat, you'll need a visa.

You must obtain an entry stamp from immigration officials upon entry into Panama. You may be fined up to USD 1,000 if you don't do this.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the nearest Panamanian embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Entry into Panama

Travel via the united states.

If you're travelling through the US , ensure you meet all US entry or transit requirements, even if you are transiting through Hawaii.

Travel advice for the US

Travel via Canada

If you're travelling via Canada, you'll need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for Canada.

Canada travel advice

Travel via Chile

If you’re travelling via Chile, ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.

Travel advice for Chile

Yellow fever vaccination

You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Panama. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever .

Airport requirements

You'll need to pay a departure tax at the Tocumen Airport in Panama City. Check if your airline ticket already includes this cost.

If you're travelling to the US, you'll need evidence of an onward or return ticket. This applies even if you can enter the US under its visa waiver program.

Travel with children

Children who are Panamanian dual nationals or residents require additional documents to leave Panama without both parents.

Documents include:

their original birth certificate
notarised consent from non-travelling parents

If these documents are from outside Panama, you must have them verified with an apostille stamp .

Advice for people travelling with children

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

LGBTI travellers

The local coin currency is the Panama Balboa (PAB).

The banknote currency is the US Dollar (USD).

Beware of counterfeit currency, especially $US50 and $US100 notes.

Access to money

Only exchange money at official banks and exchange services.

ATMs and credit card facilities are widely available. Check with your bank to make sure your cards will work.

Local travel

Driving permit.

You can drive with:

an International Driving Permit (IDP)
an Australian driver's licence

You must get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

Driving hazards in Panama include:

poor road conditions
inadequate street lighting
poor vehicle maintenance

Driving at night is dangerous. There are often night roadworks on the Pan-American Highway. There may not be signage for these roadworks.

Don't move your vehicle if you're in a motor vehicle accident. By law, you must remain at the scene until the traffic police arrive.

If you plan to travel by road:

check your travel insurance covers it
learn local traffic laws and practices
lock doors and keep car windows up, even when moving
avoid travel at night
Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Make sure your travel insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Only use registered taxis. It's best to arrange them at your hotel.

To reduce your risks if using taxis:

don't hail taxis on the street
never share taxis with strangers
always sit in the back seat

Public transport

Avoid public transport. Local buses don't follow set routes and are poorly maintained.

Many international cruise liners visit Panama.

The Pacific and Caribbean coastlines are transport routes for illegal drugs. Consider this security risk before deciding to travel by sea.

Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Panama's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Coiba Island

If you plan to visit the National Park on Coiba Island, you'll need a special permit.

Contact the National Authority for the Environment (ANAM in Spanish) or your tour operator.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider

Call 911 or go to the hospital.

Call 104 or go to the nearest police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Panama City, headed by an Honorary Consul. The consulate provides limited consular assistance to Australians in Panama. The Consulate can conduct passport interviews and provide provisional travel documents for emergency travel to the nearest Australian embassy. The Consulate can’t issue Australian passports. You can get full consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.

Australian Consulate, Panama

PH Midtown, 10th floor, office 10-4 San Francisco Panama City, Panama

Phone: +507 6325 3852 Email: [email protected]

Australian Embassy, Mexico City

Ruben Dario 55 Corner of Campos Eliseos, Polanco Colonia Bosque de Chapultepec 11580 CDMX Mexico

Phone: +52 55 1101 2200 Website: mexico.embassy.gov.au Email: [email protected] Facebook: @AusEmbMex Twitter: @AusEmbMex

See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Panama?

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Per Diem Lookup

FY 2024 Per Diem Rates Now Available

Please note! The FY 2024 rates are NOT the default rates until October 1, 2023.

You must follow these instructions to view the FY 2024 rates. Select FY 2024 from the drop-down box above the “Search By City, State, or ZIP Code” or “Search by State" map. Otherwise, the search box only returns current FY 2023 rates.

Rates are set by fiscal year, effective Oct. 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States, or CONUS rates, by searching below with city and state or ZIP code, or by clicking on the map, or use the new per diem tool to calculate trip allowances .

Search by city, state, or ZIP code

Required fields are marked with an asterisk ( * ).

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Have travel policy questions? Use our ' Have a Question? ' site

Have a question about per diem and your taxes? Please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov. GSA cannot answer tax-related questions or provide tax advice.

Need a state tax exemption form?

Per OMB Circular A-123, federal travelers "...must provide a tax exemption certificate to lodging vendors, when applicable, to exclude state and local taxes from their hotel bills." GSA's SmartPay team maintains the most current state tax information , including any applicable forms.

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

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Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

Canada issued travel advisories for these 8 popular tourist spots and here's what to know

P lanning a trip? Before you jet off to Europe or South America, you may want to take note of the Government of Canada's latest travel advisories.

Canada has issued travel advisories for several popular vacation spots, advising travellers of security risks, new visa requirements , natural disasters and more.

Knowing what to expect can make all the difference on your trip, and the travel advice may even impact your plans.

Before you get going, here are eight travel advisories issued by the government that you'll want to know.

Siraphat | Dreamstime

Volcanoes in Indonesia.

Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution

Details: The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Indonesia with information about a recent eruption.

According to the advisory, since April 16, 2024, Ruang Volcano in the North Sulawesi province has erupted multiple times.

The government warns that further eruptions may occur and tsunami warnings could be issued, and that transportation and access to essential services are disrupted in the affected area.

Those travelling in affected areas are advised to take official warnings seriously and respect exclusion zones, monitor local media to stay up-to-date on developments and volcanic activity levels, and follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders.

Government of Canada website

United Arab Emirates

Ashraf Jandali | Dreamstime

The Dubai marina in Dubai.

Details: On April 16, 2024, heavy rainfall and strong winds caused severe flooding in the UAE, resulting in significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

According to the Associated Press , the desert nation experienced the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai’s international airport.

Canada's travel advisory for the UAE warns that there may be disruptions to services including transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care.

Those near the affected areas are advised to exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, contact their airline or tour operator to check the status travel plans, and follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.

Photo by Julian Yu | Unsplash

The Taj Mahal in India.

Details: The Government of Canada has updated its travel advisory for India amid general elections in the country.

"General elections are scheduled to take place between April 19 and June 1, 2024. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections," says the advisory.

Polls opened on April 19, according to CNN , in the first and largest phase of India’s election, which will be the biggest in the world.

The travel advisory warns that disruptions to traffic and public transportation may occur, and curfews may be imposed without notice.

Those travelling to India during this time are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities, and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.

Andres Garcia | Unsplash

Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

Details: The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for Hong Kong with information on new national security laws recently passed in the country.

According to the advisory, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the 2020 National Security Law have broadened the range of national security offences in Hong Kong.

A statement from Global Affairs Canada issued last month expressed concern about the new law and its impacts on human rights, saying that its "broad definitions of national security offences and national security threats raise concerns about the potential for enforcement overreach."

According to the government, under the new law, national security offences could include activities that are not considered illegal in Canada and that occurred outside of Hong Kong, and could include social media posts.

"If you are suspected of endangering national security, you could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a legal representative for up to 48 hours," says the advisory .

Canadians travelling or even transiting through Hong Kong are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the country due to "the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws."

Renato Machado | Dreamstime

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Details: Canada recently updated its Brazil travel advisory to include new information for Canadians about the country's entry requirements.

As of April 10, 2025, Canadian passport holders will be required to obtain a visa for tourist visits to Brazil.

Currently, tourist visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days in the country. Previously, the visa requirement was set to be implemented on April 10, 2024, after being postponed in January .

Once the visa comes into effect, Canadians looking to travel to the country will have to request an electronic visa from Brazil's e-visa website and pay a fee of US$80.90 (CA$110.64) to visit the country as a tourist.

The Government of Canada's travel advisory for the country warns Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high crime rates and regular incidents of gang-related and other violence.

The advisory warns that crime rates are highest in urban centres, particularly in areas adjacent to the neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Recife and Salvador.

Those travelling in the country should exercise a high degree of caution at all times, avoid travelling alone, especially at night, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Brian Kairuz | Unsplash

Petra, Jordan.

Details: Canadians travelling to Jordan are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism, civil unrest and demonstrations.

According to the Canadian government, since October 13, 2023, protests related to the ongoing conflict in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been taking place regularly at various locations across Jordan.

Major gathering places have included places of worship, especially certain mosques in Aman.

While most protests have been peaceful and contained by security forces, the government says that "isolated incidents of minor clashes with security forces" have been reported.

The government warns that authorities in Jordan may employ enhanced measures to respond to demonstrations, including deploying additional security forces, using crowd dispersal methods and establishing checkpoints and roadblocks.

Those in or near affected areas are advised to expect heightened security measures, avoid demonstrations and gatherings, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Bogdan Lazar | Dreamstime

Paris, France.

Details: Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to France due to the elevated threat of terrorism in the country.

Paris will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games from July to September 2024. According to the government, public events will take place across France starting on May 8 and will continue until the opening ceremony.

Canadians are advised to plan their travel accordingly, and should expect major disruptions to traffic and movement, large crowds and public gatherings.

They should also expect to see an increased presence of security forces during this time. Earlier this year, France activated its " Vigipirate plan ," a set of measures established by the French government to prepare and protect the population, infrastructure and institutions in the event of a terrorist attack.

According to the advisory, terrorists may target government buildings, exhibition galleries, museums, concert halls and theatres, or public areas such as tourist attractions.

The government advises travellers to always be aware of their surroundings when in public places and be particularly alert during public gatherings and demonstrations.

Niels van Altena | Unsplash

A beach in San Blas, Panama.

Risk Level: Take normal security precautions

Details: The Government of Canada has updated its travel advisory for Panama to include regional risk information for the country.

While Canadians are advised to take normal security precautions in Panama in general, they'll want to "exercise a high degree of caution" when travelling in Colón and some areas of Panama City due to "high levels of crime."

The advisory for Panama City includes the areas of Calidonia, Curundú, El Chorrillo, Panama Viejo, Rio Abajo, San Miguelito, Santa Ana, Veracruz and 24 de Diciembre.

Canadians are also advised to avoid all travel to areas south of Metetí in Darién Province to the border with Colombia due to "extremely high levels of violent crime."

"Organized crime groups, including human and drug traffickers, are active in this area," says the government.

They should also avoid all travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte, due to the "high level of illegal activity such as drug smuggling and human trafficking."

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

Canada issued travel advisories for these 8 popular tourist spots and here's what to know

Panama recalls its ambassador to Nicaragua for talks over Martinelli

Medium Text

Nicaragua grants asylum to Panama's ex-President Martinelli

Reporting by Elida Moreno; Editing by Richard Chang

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad attends an interview with Reuters

A ceremony to install a stalled presidential transition council in Haiti will take place Thursday morning on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince, the office of outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced in a statement on Wednesday.

A Boeing 737 airplane of Brazilian airlines GOL Linhas Aereas prepares to land at Santos Dumont airport in Rio de Janeiro

World Chevron

Thousands mark Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand

Thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Thursday at Anzac Day services to commemorate those who fought and died in major conflicts in the nations' history.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken visits China

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IMAGES

The Panama Travel Handbook 2019-2020
Government of Panama accepts IATA Travel Pass
Panama Government and Politics in 2020
A Closer Look at the Panama Government and How it Works
PANAMA IS CERTIFIED AS A SAFE DESTINATION TO TRAVEL.
The Presidential Palace Of The Republic Of Panama Panama City, Panama

COMMENTS

Panama International Travel Information
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
Travel Advisory for Panama
Travelers to Panama may experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within Panama due to COVID-19. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Panama. Do not travel to: Parts of the Mosquito Gulf due to crime.
Panamá Travel & Entry Requirements
Requirements to Travel to Panamá. Proof of economic solvency of at least five hundred dollars (USD $500.00) in cash, credit card, bank reference, work letter, or traveler's checks. Some nationalities must present a higher amount. We recommend validating this information with the consulate of Panamá in your country or with your airline.
Entry into Panama from "High Risk" countries, including the United
Visit the Department of Homeland Security's website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue Clayton, Panama +507 317-5000 [email protected] https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444
Travel in Panama
Additional Assitance. State Department, Consular Affairs - 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444. Panama Country Information. Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Travel in Panama. U.S. Citizen Services.
Panama travel advice
FCDO travel advice for Panama. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences. ... Government activity Departments. Departments, agencies and public bodies. News ...
Panama Entry Requirements for Visitors
Government officials may say something different from the government website, and some rules seem to be in constant flux. That said, the website for Panama's immigration and naturalization office usually has the most up-to-date information. Before you travel to Panama, check it for visa and other entry requirements.
Travel Advisories
Panama Travel Advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution: July 17, 2023: Paraguay Travel Advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions: July 17, 2023: ... entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as the U.S. Department of State or U.S. government endorsement of the entity, its views, the products or ...
Travel Preparation Hub
Travel requirements are subject to change at any time and without prior notice due to ever-changing government regulations and restrictions. We recommend you to check your travel requirements periodically to be aware of any changes or new requirements that may impact your trip.
Safety and security
Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts. Children aged 4 and under must travel in the back in fitted child seats. Drink-driving is a serious offence in Panama. If you are tested and ...
Visas
EMBASSY OF PANAMA IN THE UNITED STATES, 2862 McGILL TERRACE N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008 Tel: +1 (202) 483-1407 email: [email protected]
Entry requirements
Visa requirements. You can visit Panama for up to 3 months without a visa if you arrive by land or air. There are different visa requirements for sea arrivals. You cannot normally extend your stay ...
Welcome to Panamá
Panama City. Panama City is much more than the country's capital. Here you can pedal in front of a skyline with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, enjoy the Pacific breeze as you ride along the Bay of Panama, walk among archaeological sites and trails, and see how colonial history and the night come alive in the same place.
Travel advice and advisories for Panama
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Panama. Passport for official travel. Different entry rules may apply. ... The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at ...
Panama
Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Panama may be poor. Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries). Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas. If you choose to drive a vehicle in Panama, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
What is the Panama Travel Passport and how to get it?
You must deposit enough money in a Panama state bank to receive at least $850 per month of interest. This term deposit is for the duration of the Panama travel passport, namely 5 years. This deposit give you a specific residency which is the private retiree investor visa, which is an immediate permanent residency.
Panama Travel Advice & Safety
Monitor local media and follow advice of local authorities. Panama has high crime rates. Petty crime is more common than violent crime. Take care of your belongings, especially in transport hubs. Violent crime includes armed robbery and muggings. Avoid high-crime areas of Panama City. Only use ATMs in banks or shopping centres.
Travel Advisory for Panama
On October 26, the State Department changed its Travel Advisory for Panama from Level 4: Do Not Travel to Level 3: Reconsider Travel. The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to read the full travel advisory at travel.state.gov or on the Embassy webpage at pa.usembassy.gov . The decision to change the Travel Advisory reflects several recent ...
Per diem rates
Per diem rates. Rates are set by fiscal year, effective Oct. 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States, or CONUS rates, by searching below with city and state or ZIP code, or by clicking on the map, or use the new per diem tool to calculate trip allowances.
Canada issued travel advisories for these 8 popular tourist spots and
Volcanoes in Indonesia. Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution. Details: The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Indonesia with information about a recent eruption ...
Panama recalls ambassador to Nicaragua for consultations
Panama recalled its ambassador to Nicaragua on Monday for consultations, citing the government's "energetic protest" against what it called the illegal protection afforded to a former Panamanian ...
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Mari Carmen Aponte. U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. Mari Carmen Aponte is a distinguished lawyer, civic leader, and the first female Puerto Rican Ambassador. She was confirmed as Ambassador to Panama by the U.S. Senate on September 29, 2022. Biography.

Panama Entry Requirements

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Update April 12, 2024

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