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
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.
- 1Immigration: 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.
- 2Customs: 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.
- 3Visa-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.
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.
Get a local driver waiting
Land, walk out, and find your name on a sign. Book a local Panama driver to Panama City, Casco Viejo or Coronado before you fly, with fixed prices and no airport haggling.
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.
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 amEarly breakfastFresh fruit, coffee and a pastry before the heat.
- 8:00 amCasco ViejoWalk the narrow streets, see the Cathedral and the President's Palace on a guided walking tour.
- 10:30 amCanal visitGatún or Miraflores Locks tour, or a catamaran on Gatún Lake to watch ships transit.
- 1:00 pmLunchFresh ceviche, grilled fish, or cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew) in a local spot.
- 3:00 pm
Where to stay, best areas in Panama
Panama City dominates. Choose your neighborhood based on what you want to do:
Casco Viejo
Colonial architecture, walkable streets, restaurants and galleries. Best for culture, food and atmosphere (can be pricey).
Panama City (Punta Pacífica, San Francisco)
Modern high-rises, malls, international restaurants and nightlife. Best for amenities, shopping and international cuisine.
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)
