Enter Panama with the right documents for tourism, transit, or the Canal Zone. Covers visa-free entry, required documents, the Friendly Nations visa, border crossing to Colombia, and tips for visiting Panama City.
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Entry Requirements
Check your visa-free stay allowance by nationality
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most Latin American countries enter Panama visa-free for 90-180 days depending on nationality. US, Canadian, and EU citizens receive 180 days. Most other visa-exempt nationalities receive 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from entry. The Panama Immigration website lists all nationalities and their allowances.
Carry proof of sufficient funds: 500 USD or equivalent
Panama requires tourists to show proof of at least 500 USD in funds upon entry. This can be cash, a bank card, bank statement on your phone, or credit card. Immigration officers check this inconsistently but the requirement is enforced more strictly for travelers from certain nationalities. Having a credit card visible usually satisfies the check.
Show proof of a return or onward ticket
Airlines and Panama immigration require proof that you will leave Panama within your permitted stay. A return flight, onward ticket to any country, or even a bus ticket to Costa Rica or Colombia works. One-way ticket holders are regularly denied boarding at the origin airport. A refundable ticket or cheap bus booking solves this.
Arrival in Panama
Clear immigration at Tocumen International Airport
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is the main international gateway and a major transit hub for the Americas. Immigration lines take 20-60 minutes. Automated passport control kiosks are available for US and EU passport holders to speed processing. Have your return ticket and accommodation details accessible.
Fill out the customs declaration form
The customs form is distributed on the flight or available before the customs area. Declare goods above 2,000 USD in value, more than 10,000 USD in cash, and any food products. Panama is strict about agricultural imports. Fresh fruit, meat, and dairy products are confiscated. Processed packaged food is permitted.
Get from the airport to Panama City via taxi, metro, or Uber
The Panama Metro Line 2 connects Tocumen Airport to the city center for 0.35 USD. Official airport taxis to the city center cost 30-35 USD. Uber operates at the airport and is cheaper at 15-25 USD. The metro runs from 5 AM to 11 PM. For late arrivals, taxis and Uber are the only options.
During Your Stay
Track your authorized stay and avoid overstaying
Immigration stamps your passport with the number of authorized days. Check this immediately. Overstaying incurs a fine of 50 USD plus 5 USD per day, payable at the immigration office before departure. Extended overstays can result in detention and deportation. Fines must be paid in cash at a Banco Nacional branch before going to the airport.
Exit to Costa Rica or Colombia for a border reset if needed
Leaving Panama and re-entering resets your visa-free period. The Costa Rica border at Paso Canoas is a 7-hour bus ride from Panama City (18-25 USD). There is no road to Colombia. The Darien Gap is a jungle with no crossing. Reach Colombia by short flight (Panama City to Medellin or Cartagena) or the San Blas Islands sailboat route (5 days, 400-600 USD).
Consider the Friendly Nations Visa if you want to live in Panama
Panama's Friendly Nations Visa offers a path to residency for citizens of 50 countries including the US, UK, Canada, and most EU nations. It requires a Panamanian bank account with a 5,000 USD deposit, economic ties to Panama (employment or business), and a clean criminal record. The visa grants permanent residency. Processing through an immigration lawyer takes 3-6 months.
Practical Tips
Use US dollars for all transactions in Panama
Panama uses the US dollar as its official currency (called the balboa locally). Panamanian coins circulate alongside US coins and are identical in size and value. ATMs dispense US dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted in Panama City, malls, and tourist areas. Carry cash for buses, taxis, markets, and the San Blas islands.
Get a local SIM card from Claro, Tigo, or Digicel
Prepaid SIM cards cost 2-5 USD at phone shops and convenience stores. Data packages with 5-15 GB cost 5-15 USD for 30 days. Registration requires your passport. Coverage is excellent in Panama City, the Canal Zone, and major towns. Remote areas including the San Blas islands and Bocas del Toro's outer islands have limited coverage.
Visit the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks visitor center
The Miraflores Locks visitor center is 15 minutes from downtown Panama City. Entry costs 20 USD for adults and 10 USD for children. Ship transits are most frequent in the morning. The center includes a museum, observation deck, and IMAX theater. The new Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side offer a different perspective of the expanded canal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Panama?
US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 180 days. Entry is visa-free with a valid passport (3 months minimum validity), proof of funds (500 USD), and a return or onward ticket. No advance application is required. The 180-day stay is among the most generous in Latin America.
What currency does Panama use?
Panama uses the US dollar (called the balboa locally). Panamanian coins are minted in the same denominations and sizes as US coins and circulate interchangeably. ATMs dispense US dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. There is no need to exchange currency when arriving from the US.
Can I cross from Panama to Colombia by land?
There is no road crossing between Panama and Colombia. The Darien Gap is a dense jungle wilderness that separates the two countries. Reaching Colombia requires a short flight (Panama City to Cartagena or Medellin, starting at 80-150 USD) or the San Blas Islands sailboat route (5 days, 400-600 USD including meals). The sailboat route stops at the San Blas islands before arriving in Cartagena.
Is Panama City safe for tourists?
Panama City's main tourist areas including Casco Viejo, the Canal Zone, and the banking district are generally safe during the day. Standard urban precautions apply at night. The city has some high-crime neighborhoods (Curundu, El Chorrillo) that tourists should avoid. Use registered taxis, Uber, or the metro for transportation. The rest of Panama including Bocas del Toro and the highlands is safe for tourists.