Panama General Information

Official Name: Republic of Panama
Capital: Panama City
Nationality: Panamanian

Depending on your nationality, you may be required to have a valid passport and a visa or a $5.00 tourist card. Tourist cards may be bought at the airline counter at the time of departure.

Light clothes are recommended. Business clothing is formal. A light jacket for men and a tailored suit or a two-piece pants suit for women is recommended. A wide-brim hat and sunglasses are necessary if you go to the shore or inland.

The Balboa, the Panamanian monetary unit, is par valued with the U.S. Dollar. Prices can be expressed in Balboas (B/.) or in Dollars ($). Traveler checks and credit cards are widely accepted.

The International departure duty is US$20.00, payable in the airport.

The hotel tax is 10%.

The added tax value to products and services, with the exception of food and medicines is 5%.

The Pan American Highway, also known as Inter-American Highway, joins Panamanian cities with Costa Rica. A tour by car along the Transisthmian Highway joins Panama City with Colon. Taxis work with a tariff system and most car-rental companies are represented in Panama. The minimum age for driving is 18 years, and foreign licenses are valid for 90 days.

United States and Canadian citizens need only a valid passport and tourist card to visit Panama. Tourist cards cost about five dollars and are available both on your arrival in Panama from the immigration authorities and through most airlines. A tourist card gives you an automatic 30-day stay, and is extendable for another 60 days. Travelers from other countries should consult with the Panamanian consulate or embassy in that country to obtain the latest information on entry requirements. When entering the country, you may only bring up to one carton of cigarettes and three bottles of liquor. Like other countries, you may be fined and charged for leaving Panama with products made from endangered species.

No vaccines or pills are necessary prior to visiting Panama. Remember, the tropical sun can be strong; so it’s wise to take protective sunglasses and sunscreen with you. Although Panama is indeed a tropical country, mosquito control is effective. Panama is one of the few countries in Latin America where you can drink water straight from the tap.

Panama was given the highest ranking (along with the United States) for tourist safety from the Pinkerton Intelligence Agency.

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