Before you go to Panama: what to know
Must know
- Check route conditions, demonstrations and current regional travel warnings.
Entry and visas
British visitors arriving by land or air can normally stay visa-free for up to 3 months; sea arrivals have separate rules. Keep onward travel, accommodation and financial evidence ready, and obtain an entry stamp.
Passport validity: UK guidance for visitors: 6 months beyond departure and one blank page. US guidance differs; confirm nationality-specific rules.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, transito.gob.pa ↗
Money
Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.
Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data
- Both balboa and US dollars are official currencies. Cards are common in cities; carry cash for rural areas and some resorts.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗, transito.gob.pa ↗
Rules and bans
Laws visitors break unknowingly
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited in public places.
- Do not bring cannabis or CBD products across the border.
- Carry identification; police usually accept a printed passport copy.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, transito.gob.pa ↗
Culture and clothing
Religion: Ask before entering a place of worship; respect services and local customs.
Clothing: Choose clothing appropriate to the venue and activity.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, transito.gob.pa ↗
Climate
Warm year-round. The tourism authority describes a dry season from December to April and a wetter green season during the rest of the year; conditions vary by region.
Month by month
- January: Jan: generally drier; check local conditions
- February: Feb: generally drier; check local conditions
- March: Mar: generally drier; check local conditions
- April: Apr: generally drier; check local conditions
- May: May: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- June: Jun: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- July: Jul: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- August: Aug: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- September: Sep: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- October: Oct: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- November: Nov: wetter green season; check road and trail conditions
- December: Dec: generally drier; check local conditions
Best season: December-April is generally drier; regional and mountain conditions vary.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: tourismpanama.com ↗
What to pack
- Travel documents and insurance details
- Medicines in original packaging
- A backup payment method
Do not bring / prohibited to import
- Carrying packages for strangers
Practical
Plugs: Ask your accommodation about sockets and voltage before packing an adapter.
Water: Use sealed drinking water if the local supply is uncertain.
Traffic: drives on the right
Insurance: Arrange cover for medical care, evacuation and planned activities.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, transito.gob.pa ↗
Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.