Panama City: Know Before You Go
Panama City: Know Before You Go
The practical details that actually change a Panama City trip, sorted by what you’ll need before you land versus what you’ll figure out once you’re here.
Money
Panama uses the US dollar as its everyday cash currency. The balboa, the official unit, is pegged 1:1 to the dollar but exists only as coins, there are no balboa banknotes, so there’s no exchange rate to work out and no currency to buy before you arrive. Cards are widely accepted in the city; carry some cash for fondas, markets, and taxis regardless. Tipping around 10% is standard at sit-down restaurants; taxi drivers aren’t customarily tipped unless service was exceptional.
Entry and documents
Most nationalities, including the UK, EU, and Australia, get 90 days visa-free; US and Canadian passport holders get 180 days. Airlines generally enforce a 6-month passport validity requirement even though the legal minimum is shorter, so check your passport date before booking. Entry is through Tocumen International (PTY); there’s no tourist e-visa to apply for in advance, just a passport stamp on arrival.
Getting around
The official taxi desk at Tocumen, past customs in Arrivals, charges a fixed $30-40 into the city with no meter and no haggling. Uber runs $15-25 for the same trip and is the more transparent option, but it can’t collect you at the arrivals curb, walk to the signposted rideshare zone across from the terminal instead. Inside the city, Uber beats a street taxi on price and hassle nearly every time. The Metro covers Lines 1 and 2 for downtown and Albrook; Line 3 remains under construction and won’t carry passengers in 2026, so don’t plan around it. The old “Diablo Rojo” painted buses are gone, replaced years ago by the modern Metrobús system.
Safety
Casco Viejo’s core is heavily policed and safe day and night; opportunistic pickpocketing in crowded areas is the real risk, not violent crime. El Chorrillo, which borders Casco Viejo directly, and San Miguelito are neighborhoods to avoid, especially after dark, it’s an easy wrong turn walking between districts, so take the short Uber instead. Colón city itself is best skipped or done only with a guided tour; the Agua Clara and Portobelo sights nearby are fine on their own.
Health
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City, unusual for the region and worth knowing before paying for bottled water out of habit. Dengue is present nationwide, so pack repellent regardless of season; malaria is a risk only in the Darién and Guna Yala regions, not the standard Panama City circuit.
Culture and etiquette
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely used in tourism and business. A handshake is the standard greeting; closer physical contact follows once you know someone better. Ask before photographing people, particularly in indigenous communities you might visit on a day trip. Our things worth doing in Panama City guide covers the sights these tips support.