Do I need a customs form for Panama?

Not for ordinary baggage. Panama has no general arrival customs form. You only file a declaration if you are carrying cash, monetary instruments, valuables or documents worth US$10,000 or more, which is done through a free traveler's affidavit that generates a QR code, or if you carry goods beyond the personal-use allowance. Nothing to declare means no form.

Do I need a visa or tourist card for Panama?

Most travelers don't. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and most of Latin America enter visa-free on a passport stamp, with no tourist card to buy. A tourist card or stamped visa only applies to specific nationalities that don't qualify for visa-free entry; sort those out at a Panamanian consulate before you fly. Ignore sites selling a "Panama tourist card" fee to visa-free travelers.

Do I need to fill out an immigration form for Panama?

No paper or online immigration arrival form is required for visa-free visitors. You simply present your passport to an immigration officer at Tocumén (PTY) or your port of entry, answer a few questions about your stay, and receive an entry stamp with your authorized number of days. Some airlines distribute a short declaration card on the plane, but Panama does not run a mandatory electronic arrival system like some Caribbean neighbors.

Can I complete the required documentation on arrival?

Yes. Because there is no advance immigration form, everything happens on arrival at the immigration desk. The only thing to prepare in advance is your supporting documents, a valid passport, proof of onward travel and proof of funds, plus a stamped visa beforehand if your nationality requires one. The US$10,000 customs affidavit, if it applies to you, is also completed at the airport.

Do I need proof of onward travel?

Yes, and this is the requirement most likely to trip you up. Panama wants proof you intend to leave, and airlines check it at check-in because they pay to fly you back if you're refused entry. A return flight, an onward flight to a third country, or a dated bus ticket out all work. If your plans are loose, use a refundable or short-term reservation.

Do I need a passport to visit Panama?

Yes, a full passport book valid for at least three months beyond your entry date, which is Panama's official minimum. A US passport card is not accepted for air travel. Many airlines and sources still recommend six months' validity, so carry six-plus months when you can.

What is the customs / duty-free situation?

You only file a customs declaration if you're carrying cash, valuables or documents worth US$10,000 or more, via a free traveler's affidavit that generates a QR code. Nothing to declare? No form. Alcohol and tobacco have a personal-use allowance for adults 18+, but exact limits vary, so confirm with Panama Customs (aduanas.gob.pa).

Do children and infants need their own documentation?

Every traveler, including children and infants, needs their own valid passport, and the same visa-free rules and onward-travel expectations apply to them. Minors travelling without one or both parents may be asked for a notarized authorization or supporting documents, so check requirements with a Panamanian consulate if a child is travelling alone or with only one parent.

What about transit and connecting passengers at Tocumén (PTY)?

If you are only connecting through Tocumén to another international flight and stay airside, you generally do not clear Panamanian immigration or customs. If you leave the airport, even for a long layover, you enter Panama and the normal visa-free rules and stamp apply. Confirm your itinerary, as Tocumén is a major regional hub and many travelers connect rather than enter.

What currency does Panama use?

Panama uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency, alongside the Balboa at parity (rarely seen). Your US dollars work everywhere, making Panama one of the easiest countries for American travelers.

What is the best time to visit Panama?

December to April is the dry season, warmest, sunniest and most expensive. May to November is the green season with frequent afternoon showers, lush forests and lower prices.

Panama · Central America (the bridge between two oceans)

Panama Entry Requirements, Customs & Travel Guide

Few countries make arrival as painless as Panama. There is no online arrival system to wrestle with, no tourist card to buy, and for most travelers no customs form at all. A glass-and-steel skyline rises straight out of the Pacific; an hour away, ships the size of city blocks step down through the locks of one of the world's great engineering feats. Between them sits Casco Viejo, all crumbling balconies and rooftop bars, and beyond, the white cays of San Blas and the rainforest of Soberanía. But ease at the border is not the same as no rules. Panama still expects a valid passport, proof that you intend to leave, and evidence you can fund your stay, and it draws a hard line at US$10,000 in cash. Here is exactly what you need for 2026, and what you can safely ignore.

Capital: Panama City
Main airport: Tocumén International (PTY)
Currency: US Dollar (USD = Balboa)
Language: Spanish
Time zone: Eastern (UTC-5, no DST)
Best time: Dec to Apr (dry season)
Power: 110–120V · Type A & B (US-style)
Entry form: None for most · US$10k customs only

Planning your Panama trip?Lock in your Tocumén (PTY) airport pickup and the country's best experiences before you fly.

Panama Airport Transfers Request a Quote

A note on accuracy. Panama is an independent republic and sets its own entry and customs rules, and figures such as the proof-of-funds amount, the visa-free stay length and duty-free allowances can change. Everything here was checked against the National Immigration Service (migracion.gob.pa) and the National Customs Authority (aduanas.gob.pa), but confirm current requirements through the official links below before you fly.

Do I need a customs or immigration form for Panama?

This is the question most travelers arrive with, and the answer is refreshingly short. For ordinary tourism, no. Panama does not run a mandatory electronic arrival system, there is no online immigration form to file in advance, and there is no tourist card to buy at the airport. You clear immigration with your passport and a few questions, and you walk through customs without paperwork, unless one specific thing applies to you.

1
Immigration: a passport stamp, not a form
Present your passport to an immigration officer at Tocumén (PTY) or your port of entry. They confirm your visa-free status, may ask about onward travel and funds, and stamp your authorized stay. There is nothing to fill out online beforehand.
2
Customs: only if you carry US$10,000+
There is no customs form for normal baggage. A declaration is required only if you carry cash, monetary instruments, valuables or documents worth US$10,000 or more, completed as a free traveler's affidavit that generates a QR code, or if you bring goods beyond the personal-use allowance.
3
Visa-required nationalities: sort it out first
If your nationality does not qualify for visa-free entry, apply for a stamped or authorized visa at a Panamanian consulate before you travel. Do not rely on buying anything at the airport.

Entry requirements

Have these ready before you reach immigration at Tocumén (PTY):

A valid passportA full passport book valid at least 3 months beyond entry (Panama's official minimum); carry 6+ months when you can. A US passport card is not valid for air travel.
Proof of onward travelA return or onward ticket out of Panama. Airlines check this at check-in, and it is the most common reason travelers are delayed or refused.
Proof of sufficient fundsEvidence of at least US$500 for your stay, by cash, card or bank statement. Rarely demanded but technically required.
A visa, only if requiredMost nationalities are visa-free. If yours is not, obtain a stamped or authorized visa at a Panamanian consulate before you fly.

Do I need a visa for Panama? Visa-free limits and length of stay

Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and most of Latin America enter visa-free on a passport stamp. Admission is the immigration officer's decision, so confirm your nationality's status before traveling.

Who you are	Visa status (tourism)	Typical stay
USA & Canada	Visa free (passport stamp)	Up to 180 days
United Kingdom	Visa free (passport stamp)	Up to 90 days
EU / EEA	Visa free (passport stamp)	Up to 90 days
Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore	Visa free (passport stamp)	Up to 90 days
Most Latin American countries	Visa free (passport stamp)	Up to 90 days
Visa-required nationalities	Stamped / authorized visa in advance	As granted by the consulate

How long can I stay in Panama?

US and Canadian citizens are commonly admitted for up to 180 days; most other visa-free nationalities get up to 90 days. Always check the days the officer writes on your stamp, as that figure governs your stay. Overstaying means a fine on departure, payable at the airport, so confirm the current rate and your authorized days before leaving the immigration desk.

Proof of onward travel, the rule that actually trips people up

Of every Panama entry requirement, this is the one that catches travelers out. Panama wants proof you intend to leave, and crucially the airline checks it at check-in, because under international rules the carrier pays to fly you back if you are refused entry. Turn up with a one-way ticket and no onward plan and you may be stopped before you even board.

A return flight, an onward flight to a third country, or even a dated cross-border bus ticket out of Panama all satisfy it. If your plans are genuinely open, a refundable or short-term onward reservation is the standard workaround. Don't leave it to chance at the gate.

Proof of funds, how much money do I need to show?

Officially, Panama can ask for proof of at least US$500 to cover your stay, shown by cash, a bank statement or a credit card. In practice it is rarely demanded, especially of travelers arriving from North America or Europe, but it is technically required and comes up more often for younger travelers or those on one-way tickets. Keep a card and a recent statement within reach and you will never have a problem.

Customs & duty-free allowances

For personal, non-commercial use. There is no routine customs form, but the personal-use allowances and the US$10,000 declaration threshold still apply. When in doubt, declare.

Category	What to know
Alcohol & tobacco	Personal-use allowance for adults 18+; confirm exact limits with aduanas.gob.pa
Personal effects	Your camera, laptop, phone and clothing pass as personal baggage, free of duty
New / boxed goods	Multiple new boxed items may be treated as imports and taxed; carry receipts
Cash & monetary instruments	Declare US$10,000 or more (cash, instruments, valuables) via the free traveler's affidavit
Currency itself	No limit on the amount you may bring, but amounts of US$10,000+ must be declared

Allowances are per person and not transferable between travelers. Confirm exact alcohol, tobacco and goods limits with the National Customs Authority (aduanas.gob.pa) before relying on them.

Prohibited & restricted items

Violations can mean seizure, fines or prosecution. When in doubt, declare. A few of these surprise visitors:

ProhibitedIllegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia, counterfeit goods and currency, and obscene material. Panama enforces drug laws strictly, with severe penalties.
Agriculture & foodFresh produce, meats, plants and seeds are restricted to protect Panama's agriculture; undeclared food can be confiscated. Declare anything organic.
Permit or permission requiredFirearms and ammunition, and items covered by CITES (certain plants, animals and their products, including some marine souvenirs), need permits or written permission.
PetsCats and dogs need a veterinary health certificate and rabies vaccination, plus an import permit; arrange home quarantine paperwork in advance with the airline.
Prescription medicationCarry it in original packaging with the prescription, and declare large quantities.

At Tocumén International Airport (PTY), arrival

Most international visitors land at Tocumén International (PTY), about 24 km (30–45 minutes) east of Panama City and one of Latin America's busiest hubs. After landing:

1 · ImmigrationPresent your passport. Answer brief questions on your stay; have onward travel and funds ready. The officer stamps your authorized days.
2 · Baggage claimCollect your checked luggage.
3 · CustomsWalk through with nothing to declare, or file the affidavit if you carry US$10,000+ or goods over the allowance.
4 · Arrivals hallPre-booked transfers, taxis, ride-share, rental desks and the Metro Línea 2 connection are just outside.

Heads up: Tocumén is a major connecting hub. If you are only transiting airside to another international flight, you generally do not clear Panamanian immigration or customs. Leave the airport and you formally enter Panama.

Get a verified driver waiting

Land, walk out, and find your name on a sign. Book a licensed Panama driver to Panama City, Casco Viejo or Coronado before you fly, with fixed prices and no airport haggling.

Panama Airport Transfers Request a Quote

Money matters in Panama

Panama uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency, alongside the Balboa at parity (1:1, rarely seen as coins). Your US dollars work everywhere, which makes Panama one of the easiest countries for American travelers, no exchange, no conversion math.

Feature	Details
Currency	USD (US Dollar); 1 USD = 1 Balboa, though the Balboa is rarely used
Entry fees	Nothing for visa-free travelers; no tourist card or entry fee to pay
Cards & ATMs	Widely accepted in cities; ATMs at the airport and throughout Panama City
Tipping	Service charges are often added to bills; 10% extra is customary for good service
Departure tax	Usually included in your airfare; if not, approximately US$20 payable at the airport
Currency declaration	Declare cash of US$10,000 or more on arrival and departure
Overstay	Fine on departure if you exceed your authorized days; confirm the current rate
Electricity	110–120V, Type A & B plugs; UK/EU travelers need an adapter
Driving	On the right; most rentals accept a valid home license, an International Driving Permit is recommended

Best time to visit Panama

Tropical and warm year-round near sea level. The big variable is rain, which splits the year into two clear seasons.

Season	Months	What to expect
Dry / summer	Dec to Apr	Sunniest, lowest rainfall, busiest and most expensive; book early
Green / rainy	May to Nov	Frequent afternoon showers, lush rainforest, fewer tourists, lower prices

Top things to do in Panama

A world-famous canal, a UNESCO old town, indigenous island cays and rainforest birding, all within easy reach of the capital. Here's where to start.

Panama Canal

Watch ships lock through from Gatún or Miraflores, hike the canal path, or take a catamaran across Gatún Lake. One of the world's engineering marvels, and it shapes everything about Panama.

Casco Viejo

The old city: narrow, hilly streets, UNESCO-listed colonial architecture, boutique hotels, galleries, and some of Panama's best restaurants, all within walking distance. Go at dawn to beat the heat and crowds.

San Blas Islands

A semi-autonomous region of the indigenous Guna people: white-sand cays, transparent water, coconut palms and hammocks. Overnight trips from Panama City are popular and surprisingly affordable.

Bocas del Toro

Caribbean island town on the northwest coast: scuba diving, snorkeling, mangroves, and a laid-back village vibe with reggae and fresh seafood.

Rainforest canopy along Pipeline Road in Soberanía National Park, Panama

Soberanía National Park & Pipeline Road

One of the world's best bird-watching trails, an hour from Panama City. Howler monkeys, sloths, toucans and 500+ bird species in a tropical rainforest that straddles the Canal.

Panama City skyline and the Amador Causeway over the bay

Panama City skyline & Amador Causeway

A modern Pan-Pacific skyline, the Amador Causeway park with views of the bay and the Bridge of the Americas, and a growing food and nightlife scene.

A sample day in Panama

Built around Panama City, Casco Viejo and a Canal excursion. Start early to beat the heat, walk the colonial streets, watch the Canal's modern engineering, and finish with fresh seafood at sunset.

7:00 am
Early breakfastFresh fruit, coffee and a pastry before the heat.
8:00 am
Casco ViejoWalk the narrow streets, see the Cathedral and the President's Palace on a guided walking tour.
10:30 am
Canal visitGatún or Miraflores Locks tour, or a catamaran on Gatún Lake to watch ships transit.
1:00 pm
LunchFresh ceviche, grilled fish, or cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew) in a local spot.
3:00 pm
Rest or museumSiesta time, or the Museo del Canal Interoceánico to understand the Canal's history.
6:30 pm
Sunset & dinnerA drink on the Amador Causeway or in Casco Viejo, then dinner overlooking the bay.

More time? Day trip to San Blas, or overnight in Bocas del Toro.

Where to stay, best areas in Panama

Panama City dominates. Choose your neighborhood based on what you want to do:

Historic

Casco Viejo

Colonial architecture, walkable streets, restaurants and galleries. Best for culture, food and atmosphere (can be pricey).

Modern

Panama City (Punta Pacífica, San Francisco)

Modern high-rises, malls, international restaurants and nightlife. Best for amenities, shopping and international cuisine.

Islands

San Blas Islands or Bocas del Toro

Overnight island trips, palm-fringed cays and beaches. Best for relaxation, snorkeling and getting away.

Rainforest lodge and wildlife near Gamboa and Soberanía National Park, Panama

Nature

Soberanía National Park & Gamboa

Rainforest lodges, bird-watching and wildlife. Best for nature lovers, bird-watchers and hikers.

Official Panama resources

This is an independent travel guide by CustomsBreeze. Confirm current requirements with the official sources below before you travel:

migracion.gob.paServicio Nacional de Migración (immigration, visas & length of stay)
ana.gob.paAutoridad Nacional de Aduanas (customs, duty-free & the US$10,000 declaration)
visitpanama.comPanama Tourism Authority (official travel information)
tocumenpanama.aeroTocumén International Airport (PTY) arrivals & terminals

Panama · Central America (the bridge between two oceans)

Panama Entry Requirements, Customs & Travel Guide

Capital: Panama City
Main airport: Tocumén International (PTY)
Currency: US Dollar (USD = Balboa)
Language: Spanish
Time zone: Eastern (UTC-5, no DST)
Best time: Dec to Apr (dry season)
Power: 110–120V · Type A & B (US-style)
Entry form: None for most · US$10k customs only

Planning your Panama trip?Lock in your Tocumén (PTY) airport pickup and the country's best experiences before you fly.

Panama Airport Transfers Request a Quote

Do I need a customs or immigration form for Panama?

1
Immigration: a passport stamp, not a form
Present your passport to an immigration officer at Tocumén (PTY) or your port of entry. They confirm your visa-free status, may ask about onward travel and funds, and stamp your authorized stay. There is nothing to fill out online beforehand.
2
Customs: only if you carry US$10,000+
There is no customs form for normal baggage. A declaration is required only if you carry cash, monetary instruments, valuables or documents worth US$10,000 or more, completed as a free traveler's affidavit that generates a QR code, or if you bring goods beyond the personal-use allowance.
3
Visa-required nationalities: sort it out first
If your nationality does not qualify for visa-free entry, apply for a stamped or authorized visa at a Panamanian consulate before you travel. Do not rely on buying anything at the airport.

Entry requirements

Have these ready before you reach immigration at Tocumén (PTY):

A valid passportA full passport book valid at least 3 months beyond entry (Panama's official minimum); carry 6+ months when you can. A US passport card is not valid for air travel.
Proof of onward travelA return or onward ticket out of Panama. Airlines check this at check-in, and it is the most common reason travelers are delayed or refused.
Proof of sufficient fundsEvidence of at least US$500 for your stay, by cash, card or bank statement. Rarely demanded but technically required.
A visa, only if requiredMost nationalities are visa-free. If yours is not, obtain a stamped or authorized visa at a Panamanian consulate before you fly.