How to Plan a Trip to Panama

Plan 7-10 days and budget $50-70 per day. Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead, arrange your visa (most nationalities get 180 days on arrival), and decide between Panama City, the San Blas Islands, and Bocas del Toro based on what you want to do.

  1. Decide what you want to do. Panama isn't one thing. Panama City is urban exploration and the canal. San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) is Caribbean island culture and snorkeling. Bocas del Toro is Caribbean beach town vibes. The Darien Gap and Boquete highlands appeal to adventure travelers. Spend 30 minutes reading recent trip reports on Reddit (r/Panama) or travel blogs to see which speaks to you, then build your itinerary around that anchor.
  2. Check your passport and visa situation. Your passport needs 6 months of validity beyond your travel dates. Most nationalities (US, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) get 180 days on arrival with no visa. If you're not sure about your country, check panama.migracion.gob.pa. There's no visa to arrange in advance unless you're staying longer than 180 days. If you are, apply at a Panamanian embassy 4-6 weeks before travel.
  3. Decide your trip length. 7 days minimum: 3 days Panama City, 2-3 days one island destination. 10 days: Add a second region (Boquete, Bocas del Toro). 14+ days: You can do multiple destinations without rushing. Less than 5 days isn't worth the flight time from North America.
  4. Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead. Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. From the US East Coast, expect $300-500 roundtrip. West Coast, $400-650. Most routes connect through Houston, Miami, or Atlanta. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner and set price alerts. Tuesday-Thursday departures are typically $50-100 cheaper than weekends. If visiting San Blas or Bocas, you'll add a domestic flight ($60-120) from Panama City; book these after your international flights are confirmed.
  5. Book accommodation 4-6 weeks ahead. For Panama City, book a hostel ($18-30/night) or mid-range hotel ($60-90/night) in Casco Viejo or San Blas neighborhood. For islands, book direct with the lodge or through Airbnb. San Blas guesthouses run $40-80/night. Bocas del Toro has backpacker options ($20-35/night) and mid-range hotels ($50-100/night). Book the first and last nights in Panama City; the middle nights depend on your route.
  6. Arrange domestic transportation. Domestic flights: Book Air Panama or Seaplane Services 3-4 weeks ahead. Bus between cities: Use Davidstour or Autobuses Unidos; book 1-2 weeks ahead or buy tickets at the terminal the day before. Within cities: Uber works in Panama City and Bocas del Toro ($2-6 rides). San Blas is boat-only once you arrive. Expect $200-300 total for 7-10 days of ground transport.
  7. Plan your daily itinerary. Sketch out your days roughly: Day 1-2 Panama City (arrive, rest, see Casco Viejo, visit the Canal), Days 3-5 your main destination (island time or highlands), Days 6-7 back in the city or a second region, Day 8-10 return to Panama City, depart. Don't overpack. One region well-explored beats three regions rushed.
  8. Arrange travel insurance. Get coverage that includes trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and emergency dental. Cost is $40-80 for 10 days. Providers like SafetyWing, Allianz, or World Nomads are straightforward. If you're doing water activities (diving, boating), confirm that's covered. Book when you book your flights.
  9. Get money sorted before you leave. Panama's currency is the Panamanian Balboa, but the US dollar is legal tender everywhere and what everyone uses. Bring a mix: $200-300 cash (get this from your bank before departure; most ATMs in Panama charge $5+ per withdrawal), plus access to a credit card. ATMs work in cities but not islands. Let your bank know you're traveling to avoid fraud holds.
  10. Download offline maps and reserve activities. Download Google Maps offline for Panama City, Bocas, and Boquete. Reserve specific tours 1-2 weeks ahead: Canal tours ($25-50), Guna Yala snorkeling tours ($70-120 per day), coffee plantation tours ($20-35). Hostel staff will also arrange tours on arrival, but booking ahead guarantees better prices and schedules. Don't over-plan; leave 2-3 days flexible for meeting locals and exploring.
  11. Check health requirements. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended (not required unless you're coming from a yellow fever endemic country). Malaria pills aren't usually needed in main tourist areas but ask your doctor if you're going to Darien or spending time in the interior. Tap water is safe in cities. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent; dengue is present, so avoiding mosquito bites matters.
Is Panama City safe?
Yes, for tourists. Casco Viejo and Amador Causeway (where tourists stay and spend time) are well-patrolled and safe. Avoid El Chorrillo, Colón City, and walking alone very late at night. Use common sense—don't flash expensive gear, don't accept drinks from strangers, travel in groups at night. Crime against tourists is rare; petty theft happens. Thousands of tourists move through annually without incident.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Many Panamanians speak at least basic English. In rural areas and with older locals, Spanish helps. Download Google Translate or Duolingo and you'll be fine. Learning a few phrases (hola, gracias, donde está) gets you goodwill.
What's the best way to see the Panama Canal?
Take a transit tour ($25-50, 1 hour) where you ride a boat through the locks and see the canal operation up close. It's genuinely impressive—the engineering is wild. Book through your hotel or a tour operator the day before. The Panama Canal Museum ($15) is good context if you want backstory. Most people do both.
Should I visit San Blas or Bocas del Toro?
San Blas (Guna Yala) is Indigenous-controlled, untouched islands, clear water, and snorkeling. It's more expensive ($70-120/day tours) and less developed. Bocas del Toro is a Caribbean town with backpacker vibes, cheaper, and better for a party scene. Pick San Blas if you want remote island peace. Pick Bocas if you want a town with a scene. Both are worth 3-4 days.
Do I need vaccinations?
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended but not required (unless you're arriving from another yellow fever country). Routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus) should be up to date. Malaria medication is recommended if you're going inland; for main tourist areas, it's optional. Ask your doctor 4-6 weeks before departure.
What currency should I bring?
Bring US dollars. Panama uses the Panamanian Balboa officially, but USD is accepted everywhere and preferred. Bring $200-300 cash plus access to a credit/debit card. ATMs exist but charge $5+ fees. Credit cards work in cities; cash is essential on islands.
When should I book my trip?
Book 6-8 weeks ahead if you can, especially for flights and domestic travel. The dry season (Dec-April) is busiest; if you're going then, book 8+ weeks out. May-August and October-November are slower and slightly cheaper. September is the wettest month—doable but wet.
How many days in Panama City?
2-3 days. Day 1: arrive, rest, walk Casco Viejo. Day 2: Canal tour and museums. Day 3: Amador Causeway or day trip to San Blas. More than 3 days unless you really like cities. Most time is better spent in islands or highlands.