Panama City Starter Pack

Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), the main hub for Central America

Taxi from airport: Official taxis at the exit. ~$30-35 USD to downtown.

Uber: Works from the airport. Often cheaper than taxis, ~$15-25 USD.

Metro Bus: Cheapest option. Take the Metro Bus to Albrook, then Metro or bus.

Hotel shuttles: Many hotels offer airport pickup. Arrange in advance.

Car rental: Available at the airport. Good roads make driving easy.

Tip: Panama is a major hub. Many flights connect through PTY to South America.

Tourist visa: Most nationalities get 90-180 days on arrival. Check requirements for your country.

Border runs: Many go to Costa Rica to renew tourist visas.

Friendly Nations Visa: Fast-track residency for citizens of 50+ countries.

Pensionado Visa: Famous retiree visa with great benefits. $1,000/month income required.

Self-Economic Solvency: Residency through investment or income proof.

Immigration office: Main office in Panama City handles residency applications.

Panama is known for having expat-friendly visa programs.

Dry season (mid-Dec to April): Less rain, sunny. Best time to visit. Called "verano."

Rainy season (May to mid-Dec): Daily afternoon thunderstorms. Mornings usually clear.

Tropical climate: Hot and humid year-round. 85-95°F typical.

No hurricanes: Panama is south of the hurricane belt - major advantage!

AC is essential: Most buildings, malls, and restaurants are heavily air-conditioned.

Carry an umbrella: Even in dry season, brief showers can happen.

Tip: Rainy season downpours are intense but brief. Plan outdoor activities for mornings.

Emergency Services

Police

Fire Department

Hospital Punta Pacifica (private, affiliated with Johns Hopkins)

Hospital Nacional

US Embassy

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Metro: Modern, clean, air-conditioned. Connects key areas. $0.35 USD per ride!

MetroBus: Extensive bus network. $0.25 USD. Use a Metro card.

Uber: The preferred ride option. Reliable, affordable, widely used.

Taxis: Yellow cabs without meters. Agree on price first or use app-based rides.

Walking: Possible in some neighborhoods but sidewalks can be poor. Hot and humid!

Driving: Fairly easy outside rush hour. Traffic can be intense 7-9am, 5-8pm.

Cinta Costera: The waterfront promenade is great for walking, running, and biking.

Tip: Get a Metro card even if you mostly Uber. The Metro is excellent for certain routes.

Major carriers: Movistar, Claro, Digicel, and +movil. All have good coverage.

Buy SIM at malls or carrier stores: Bring passport for registration.

Home internet: Cable & Wireless (CWP), Claro, and others offer fiber in most areas.

Excellent connectivity: Panama has great internet infrastructure.

Coworking: Selina, Regus, and many local spaces in the business districts.

Mall WiFi: Major malls have free WiFi. Many cafes cater to remote workers.

Tip: Panama has some of the best internet infrastructure in Central America.

US Dollar: Panama uses the USD! No currency exchange needed.

Opening a bank account: Possible with residency. Some banks work with tourists.

Major banks: Banco General, BAC, Banistmo. Many have English-speaking staff.

ATMs: Abundant throughout the city. Most accept international cards.

Credit cards: Widely accepted at malls, restaurants, hotels.

Cash: Small vendors, buses, and markets prefer cash.

Panama is a major banking center: Many international banks have presence here.

Tip: The USD makes Panama very easy for Americans and other USD-income earners.

Casco Viejo: Historic district, UNESCO site. Trendy restaurants and rooftop bars. Can be noisy.

El Cangrejo: Central, walkable, many restaurants. Popular with expats. Mid-range prices.

Obarrio/Bella Vista: Business districts. Modern high-rises, close to everything.

San Francisco: Trendy, younger crowd, great restaurants and nightlife.

Punta Pacifica: Upscale, near Johns Hopkins hospital and malls. Luxury living.

Costa del Este: Newer suburb east of downtown. Family-friendly, suburban feel.

Clayton/City of Knowledge: Former US military base. Quiet, green, educational institutions.

Rental tip: 1BR apartments start ~$800/month in El Cangrejo, $1500+ in Punta Pacifica.

Mercado de Mariscos: Famous fish market and ceviche. A must-visit!

Casco Viejo: Trendy restaurants and rooftop bars in restored colonial buildings.

Causeway: Restaurant row along the islands connected to the city.

Panamanian food: Try sancocho (chicken soup), arroz con pollo, and patacones.

Diablo Rosso: Art gallery and cafe, great for brunch in Casco Viejo.

Tantalo: Famous rooftop bar with city views.

Groceries: Riba Smith (upscale), Super 99, Rey. Good variety including imported goods.

Coffee: Panama grows excellent coffee. Try Geisha coffee from Boquete.

Food is diverse: Large international population means great variety of cuisines.

Cinta Costera: Waterfront promenade perfect for running, biking, and sunset walks.

Panama Canal: Visit Miraflores Locks to watch ships transit. Incredible engineering!

Metropolitan Natural Park: Rainforest inside the city! Hiking trails and wildlife.

Causeway (Amador): Islands connected by causeway. Biking, restaurants, and marina.

Beaches: City beaches aren't great. Head to Pacific beaches (1-2 hours) for better sand.

Gamboa: Rainforest area near the Canal. Kayaking, wildlife, and nature tours.

San Blas Islands: Paradise islands 1-2 hours away. Day trips or overnight stays.

Panama Canal: Watch ships transit at Miraflores Locks. Iconic experience!

Casco Viejo: Walk the historic district, visit churches, explore rooftop bars.

BioMuseo: Frank Gehry-designed museum about Panama's biodiversity.

Shopping: Multiplaza, Metromall, and Albrook Mall (one of the largest in the Americas).

Nightlife: Calle Uruguay, Casco Viejo, and upscale clubs in Punta Pacifica.

Day trips: San Blas Islands, El Valle de Antón, beaches on the Pacific coast.

Panama Viejo: Ruins of the original Panama City, destroyed by pirates in 1671.

Baseball: Catch a Panamanian professional baseball game during the season.

Running: Cinta Costera is the main running spot. Go early to beat the heat!

Gyms: PowerClub, Gold's Gym, and many boutique fitness studios.

CrossFit: Several boxes throughout the city.

Yoga: Studios in most neighborhoods, especially Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo.

Swimming: Apartment buildings often have pools. Public pools available.

Golf: Several courses including Summit Golf Club and Panama Golf Club.

Biking: Causeway is great for cycling. City biking is challenging due to traffic.

Watersports: Kayaking in Gamboa, surfing on Pacific beaches, island hopping.

USD currency: Major convenience for Americans. Prices can be higher than other Central American countries.

AC everywhere: Bring a light jacket for heavily air-conditioned spaces.

Traffic: Can be brutal during rush hour. Plan around it or use Metro.

Safety: Generally safe but use common sense. Avoid flashy jewelry in certain areas.

Water: Tap water is generally safe in Panama City, but many prefer bottled.

Spanish: Helpful but you can manage with English in business districts.

Humidity: It's intense. Dress light and stay hydrated.

Banking hub: Panama is a major financial center. Good for international banking.