Organize your stay Panama

Money Panama

Panama's official currency is the balboa (named after the conquistador who discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513), which has had a fixed parity with the US dollar since 1904. For convenience, we have chosen the dollar sign (US$) and not the balboa sign (PAB or B/) as a reference throughout this guide. The country does not issue banknotes, and the paper currency used is the US dollar in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20. US$50 and US$100 bills are rarely accepted, except in major hotels, service stations and supermarkets (where you may be required to show proof of identity). Large bills can be exchanged at banks in Panamá City. Panamá manufactures its own coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 balboa, of the same size and alloy as American cents, with the exception of the balboa and medio balboa (50 cents). Balboa and dollar cents are used without distinction. Panamanians often use the terms real, cuarra and peso to describe 5-, 25- and 50-cent coins respectively. The 1 balboa coin is nicknamed the "Martinelli" after the former president who decided to create it!

It's a good idea to carry small denominations with you at all times, especially in the countryside, but also in town, especially when paying for cab fares (you'll always get big eyes when you see a US$50 bill!).

Exchange rates (July 2023): €1 = US$1.09; US$1 = €0.91.

Budget & Tips Panama

Life in Panama remains relatively affordable for Europeans and North Americans, even if prices have risen considerably in recent years. The biggest items in the travel budget are hotels, restaurants, domestic flights and guided excursions.

If you eat locally and travel by bus, you can live on between US$30 and US$60 per person per day. With a little more comfort, US$60 to US$100. There's no limit to luxury... The euro/dollar exchange rate will significantly vary the cost of a stay for a European, as will the tourist season (hotel rates can double between the low and very high seasons). Permanent resident foreigners, aged 55 and over for women and 60 and over for men, enjoy the same benefits as Panamanian retirees: 25% discount in restaurants (excluding fast food); 25% discount on air travel, 30% discount on bus or boat travel; 50% discount in hotels from Monday to Thursday (30% from Friday to Sunday), etc.

Tip (propina). In restaurants, when service is not already included in the bill, it's customary to leave 10% of the bill as a tip. Some bills "suggest" several levels of tip, so it's up to you to leave what you think is fair. In hotels, as everywhere, it's a good idea to tip the people who help you pack your bags, or your guide if you're satisfied with his or her services.

Taxes. Please note that prices displayed in stores do not take into account the 7% tax (ITBMS, Impuesto de transferencia de bienes, muebles y servicios), applied to all purchases (except certain basic foodstuffs and medicines). Similarly, many hotels do not include the 10% tourist tax in their advertised rates. As for restaurants, many do not indicate the 7% tax or the 10% tip.

Haggling. This is not very common in Panama. If you speak a little Spanish, you can ask for a discount in low season at certain hotels or tourist markets, but avoid doing so with artisans who sell their products directly, unless you are buying a large quantity.

Passport and visas Panama

No visa is required for a stay of less than 90 days in Panama. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of return, and a return (or onward) air ticket is usually required by the migration service and/or the airline you are traveling with. On arrival, immigration officials may ask you to prove that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay (a simple credit card will usually do). You will also be asked for the name and address of your hotel. You'll also need to register your biometric data (fingerprints and facial impressions) on arrival. When you leave immigration, make sure you have an entry stamp on your passport, otherwise you will be in breach of the law and liable to a heavy fine.

For those transiting through the USA, don't forget to fill in the obligatory ESTA form (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov), for which a fee of US$21 is charged.

Long stays: for stays of more than 90 days, French tourists can request an extension to their residence permit from the capital's Office des Migrations et Naturalisation (Migration and Naturalization Office), on presentation of supporting documents (return air ticket, and/or sufficient resources, and/or references from a resident acting as guarantor). To avoid having to go through these formalities when the 90-day "tourist" period is about to expire, some travellers spend a few days in Costa Rica or Colombia, to receive a new entry stamp and thus a new right to stay for 3 months without a visa. It's worth checking locally, however, as the Panamanian authorities may one day require a minimum stay outside the country before granting this new right of residence...

Driver's license Panama

French, Belgian, Swiss or Canadian driver's licenses are valid for driving in Panama. An international driver's license is not necessary. It is valid for a maximum of 90 days, so the police may ask you to present your passport to verify your date of entry into the country.

Health Panama

The health situation is generally good in Panama. But as in most tropical regions, one must beware of diseases transmitted by insects, mosquitoes in particular. Dengue fever is present, especially in densely populated urban areas, due to stagnant water. The symptoms are similar to those of the flu. In case of high fever, joint pains and headaches, it is necessary to consult a doctor quickly to clarify the diagnosis. Management is based on taking paracetamol-based painkillers and rest. It is imperative to avoid taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. Cases of chikungunya and Zika are much rarer, as is malaria. Malaria is only present in certain very isolated areas (mainly certain areas of Darien and the mainland of Guna Yala). Therefore, there is no need to take pills for a conventional tourist trip, as their side effects could spoil your trip. If you are planning an expedition off the beaten track in the middle of the jungle, consult your doctor to find out about a possible preventive treatment. Preventing bites is the rule of thumb, with the use of protective clothing, repellents and mosquito nets in infected areas.

Drinking water. Although tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and in most of the country (mainly outside the Caribbean coast), it is recommended to drink bottled water, at least for the first few days, alternating with tap water. On the other hand, there is no problem to drink fresh fruit juices in restaurants and cafes. In the street, be more wary, even if in principle street vendors want to keep their customers and use treated water.

Sunburn. Be careful and avoid excessive exposure. Use effective sunscreens and don't be afraid to cover up with light canvas clothing and wide-brimmed hats. Light-skinned children are especially vulnerable.

Mandatory vaccination Panama

Although no vaccinations are required to enter Panama, it is strongly recommended to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as hepatitis A and B. For children, all vaccinations to be done in France must be done before departure. Concerning yellow fever, the last case recorded in Panama dates back to 1974. It is not mandatory to be vaccinated against yellow fever to enter Panama, unless you are coming from an infected region, especially in some South American countries.

Covid-19: entry measures have been lifted for all persons regardless of their vaccination status. Masks must still be worn in transportation and health care facilities. As local authorities may adapt these restrictions, it is recommended to follow the news and consult the website of the French Embassy in Panama.

Security Panama

Panama is a very safe country, the safest in Central America. The hard-to-reach border with Colombia is very sensitive (illegal trafficking, incursions by Colombian armed groups), but the rest of the province of Darién presents no real risk. However, you will need authorization from the border police (SENAFRONT - www.senafront.gob.pa) to go there alone (if you go with an agency, they will take care of everything a priori).

In Panamá City, avoid the working-class districts bordering or close to the Casco Antiguo tourist district (parts of Calidonia, El Chorrillo, Curundú) and the towns around Panamá (Cristobal, San Miguelito, Pedregal, Tocumen, Arraiján and La Chorrera). The city of Colón suffers from a high level of insecurity, but the rest of the province of the same name presents no particular risk. In Bocas del Toro, it is advisable to be cautious when returning home late after a drunken evening, and not to take valuables with you on the secluded paths and deserted beaches, as robberies and serious assaults have occurred against tourists, particularly on the island of Bastimentos.

For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/panama. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the country's actual situation.

Time difference Panama

Time zone GMT - 5 hours. There are no seasonal time changes in Panama.

Compared withFrance: - 7 hours from late March to late October. - 6 hours from the end of October to the end of March (in December, when it's 10am in Panama, it's 4pm in France). Same time as Quebec in winter (- 1 hour in summer). Same time as Colombia, but +1 hour ahead of Costa Rica and the rest of Central America.

Spoken languages Panama

The official language is Spanish. Other languages spoken are those of the seven Amerindian ethnic groups, and Guari-Guari, an Anglo-Jamaican Creole in the Bocas del Toro area. English is spoken by a large number of inhabitants, especially in tourist areas. French is very little spoken.

Communication Panama

Telephone and Internet coverage is generally good in large cities, less so in remote villages. Most hotels and cafes offer free Wi-Fi. You can also connect for free in some public places (bus stations, airports, etc.), but the network is generally slow. To activate a local chip, see the Inspiring/Practical section of this guide.

Electricity and measurements Panama

Electricity. General current 110 Volts, 60 Hz (sometimes 220 V in larger hotels). Bring a transformer if necessary (your 220 V epilator will work at 110 V without a transformer, but perhaps not fast enough...). Please note that the plugs have flat pins, so you'll also need an adaptor(inexpensive ones can be found locally in hardware stores and supermarkets).

Measurements. The metric system is the country's legal measurement, but following the American presence of the last century, American measurements are often used: 1 mile = 1.6 km; 1 yard (yd) = 90 cm; 1 foot (ft) = 30 cm; 1 inch = 2.54 cm: 1 acre = 0.4 hectare.

Weight is expressed in pounds rather than kilos: 1 libra (lb) = 0.45 kg; 1 ounce (oz) = 28 g. The unit of volume is the liter or US gallon : 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters.

Luggage Panama

Don't take on too much - leave plenty of room for souvenirs!

Clothing : because of the heat and humidity, pack light, loose-fitting clothes that dry easily. If you've forgotten your bathing suit or flip-flops, don't panic - you'll be spoilt for choice, at rock-bottom prices, in the boutiques on Avenida Central in Panamá Ciudad! But don't forget your sweater, as you'll need it in the air-conditioned buses or during evenings at altitude. Finally, you should know that Panamanians attach great importance to dress code, especially when going out in the evening (avoid shorts and flip-flops outside the islands and seaside resorts).

Sun protection: high factor sun cream and sunglasses. As for hats, you'll find some great ones on the spot!

Against insects: use repellents(repelente), if possible local ones, as they are often more effective. A mosquito net is not essential if you're not planning an isolated night in the jungle (your guide will provide one anyway).

For your electrical appliances: adapter and transformer (110 V current and flat-plug sockets).

And last but not least, a few ever-useful accessories: first-aid kit, headlamp, meat bag, earplugs® (not to mention ear muffs!), Swiss Army knife, padlock, sewing kit, rope, waterproof cover for electronic devices, SD cards and USB sticks to store your photos as the trip progresses, mask and snorkel, binoculars, lightweight hiking hammock...