Travel Tips for Panama 2026

Visa: No visa required. You only need a passport valid for at least 3 months.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist — the longest stay in the region.

Direct Flights: Copa Airlines flies direct from 17+ US cities, including Miami (3h), Houston (4h), New York (5h), and Los Angeles (6h).

Currency: Panama uses the US dollar as its official currency. No need to exchange money.

Culture: Panama is very US-friendly. There's a large expat community and many familiar American chains.

Visa: No visa required. Free entry with a Colombian passport or national ID.

Length of Stay: Up to 90 days as a tourist, extendable by an additional 90 days.

Direct Flights: Direct flights from Bogota (1h 45min), Medellin (1h 30min), and Cartagena. Copa and Wingo operate multiple daily frequencies.

Currency: Panama uses the US dollar. Exchange your Colombian pesos before traveling or at exchange houses in Panama.

Culture: Large Colombian community in Panama. You'll find Colombian restaurants and a very welcoming atmosphere.

Visa: No visa required. A valid passport or Ecuadorian national ID is sufficient.

Length of Stay: Up to 90 days as a tourist, extendable through Immigration.

Direct Flights: Direct flights from Quito (2h 30min) and Guayaquil (2h). Copa Airlines operates the main route.

Currency: Ecuador and Panama both use the US dollar. No need to exchange money.

Culture: Shared Latin culture. Panama offers a more cosmopolitan dining and nightlife scene than Quito or Guayaquil.

Visa: VISA REQUIRED for Venezuelan citizens. Exception: holders of a valid US or UK visa may enter without a Panamanian visa.

Length of Stay: Up to 30 days with a tourist visa. Check with the Panamanian consulate for extensions.

Direct Flights: Limited direct flights. Most common routes are via Bogota or Santo Domingo. Copa and some charter airlines operate seasonally.

Currency: Panama uses the US dollar. Exchange bolívares before traveling. International credit cards work well.

Culture: The Venezuelan community is the largest in Panama. You'll find areperas, restaurants, and a broad support network.

Visa: No visa required. You only need a valid Mexican passport.

Length of Stay: Up to 90 days as a tourist, extendable through Panamanian Immigration.

Direct Flights: Direct flights from Mexico City (4h), Cancun (3h), and Guadalajara. Copa and Volaris operate frequent routes.

Currency: Panama uses the US dollar. Exchange Mexican pesos before your trip or use credit cards.

Culture: Mexican food is popular in Panama. You'll find taquerias, but also try local cuisine: ceviche, sancocho, and patacones.

Visa: Costa Ricans do not need a visa to enter Panama. Just a valid passport.

Length of Stay: Up to 90 days as a tourist.

Direct Flights: Direct flights from San José (1h15). Copa Airlines operates multiple daily frequencies. You can also arrive by land via Paso Canoas or Sixaola.

Currency: Panama uses US dollars, not colones. Most shops accept cards. Exchange colones before arrival.

Culture: Panama has more urban development than Costa Rica. The Canal, Casco Viejo, and the city's food scene are the big differentiators. Beaches are comparable.

Visa: Germans do not need a visa for Panama. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist (one of the most generous periods for Europeans).

Direct Flights: Direct flights from Frankfurt (11h30) with Condor and Lufthansa. Frequent connections via Madrid, Bogota, or Miami.

Currency: Panama uses US dollars (locally also called "balboa"). Exchange euros at banks or exchange offices — rates are better in the city than at the airport. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in urban areas, but carry cash for markets, taxis, and rural areas.

Culture: There's a historic German community in Panama (since Canal construction). Panamanian beer (Balboa, Atlas) is pilsner-style. Tipping: 10% at restaurants (sometimes included as "service charge"), $1-2 for porters, $2-5/day for hotel housekeeping, 10-15% for tour guides.

Visa: Chileans do not need a visa for Panama. Just a valid passport and return ticket.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist.

Direct Flights: Direct flights from Santiago (7h30) with Copa Airlines and LATAM. Connection hub in Panama City for all of Central America.

Currency: Panama uses US dollars. The Chilean peso to dollar exchange is favorable. International cards work in most shops.

Culture: Panama is more informal than Chile. Punctuality is more relaxed. Panamanian ceviche is different from Chilean — here it's served with soda crackers. Prices are generally lower than Santiago.

Visa: French citizens do not need a visa for Panama. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist.

Direct Flights: No direct flights from France. Best connections via Madrid (Iberia/Air Europa, 2h + 10h30), Bogota (Air France, 10h + 1h15), or Miami (Air France, 10h + 3h).

Currency: Panama uses US dollars. Exchange euros at banks or exchange offices (better rates in the city). Visa and Mastercard work in most shops.

Culture: Panama has a strong historical connection with France through the French Canal attempt (Ferdinand de Lesseps, 1881). The French will appreciate Panamanian gastronomy — ceviche, fresh seafood, and Geisha coffee. Tips are 10% at restaurants (usually included). Golf is excellent with Jack Nicklaus courses.

Visa: Italian citizens do not need a visa for Panama. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist.

Direct Flights: No direct flights from Italy. Best connections via Madrid (2h + 10h30), Bogota, or Miami. Copa Airlines operates from the Panama hub with connections across the Americas.

Currency: Panama uses US dollars. Exchange euros at banks or exchange offices. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Culture: Italians will find familiarity in Panamanian culture: the importance of family, food as a social event, and a relaxed pace of life. Panamanian cuisine has excellent seafood — corvina ceviche is a must-try. Casco Viejo restaurants offer fine dining comparable to Europe. Tips are 10% (usually included).

Visa: Dutch citizens do not need a visa for Panama. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Length of Stay: Up to 180 days as a tourist.

Direct Flights: No direct flights from Amsterdam to Panama. Best connections via Madrid (Iberia/KLM, 2h30 + 10h30) or Bogota (KLM, 11h + 1h15). KLM flies direct to Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire — short hops to Panama from there.

Currency: Panama uses US dollars. Exchange euros at banks or exchange offices. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Culture: The Netherlands has a unique Caribbean connection through the Dutch Antilles (Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire), making the region familiar. Panama is more relaxed about punctuality. Golf is excellent. Tips are 10% (usually included).