Panama Travel Guide
I think many people associate Panama with just the canal and high finance, but the truth is that the country has so much more to offer and is undoubtedly one of the Central American countries that are really emerging when it comes to tourism.
In just a few days, you can go from ocean to ocean, visit mountains and rainforests, learn about indigenous culture, and enjoy one of the most modern cities on the continent.
Also, for many backpackers setting off on a trip through Central America, it’s the ideal starting or ending point. In this guide, you’ll find lots of useful information and tips to plan your trip as best you can.
Quick menu
- Why visit Panama
- When to visit Panama
- Documents and vaccinations to enter Panama
- What to do and see in Panama
- Suggested Panama itineraries
- How to get around Panama
- Backpacking Panama: costs
- Backpacking Panama: safety
Zapatillas Islands, Bocas del Toro.
Why visit Panama
- The climate. In Panama it’s summer all year round! Of course, there are months when it rains more and the humidity goes up, but the rain is usually concentrated in a few hours in the afternoon. Panama is definitely a country you can visit all year round.
- It’s a tropical paradise. Thanks to its geographical position, it acts as a biological corridor connecting North and South America. Almost completely covered by rainforest, according to the government it’s home to a whopping 10,444 types of plants, 255 of mammals and 972 indigenous species of birds.
- Safe and accessible. Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America and also one of the most easily accessible: its airport is the busiest in Central America and often the cheapest one to fly into.
When to visit Panama
Being located within the tropics, Panama has a classic tropical climate with two distinct seasons.
The dry season runs from late December to late April. During this period, blue skies characterize most days, especially along the coast facing the Pacific. This period, which also coincides with the Christmas holidays, is the most expensive of the year for flights and hotels.
The rainy season, which runs from May to December, is more pronounced in the mountainous regions and on the Caribbean coast, while along the Pacific coast, rainfall, although frequent and intense, rarely lasts more than a few hours.
Along the Caribbean coast, the two seasons are less pronounced, and it can be rainy throughout the year. Here, from December to mid-February, trade winds make the sea rough, and some islands far from the coast become inaccessible. The driest months, on the other hand, are March and October.
Basically, the best time to go to Panama is February and March, when rainfall is scarce throughout the country and prices are lower than in December and January. That said, I was there in June during the rainy season and still had lots of sunny days.
Barú volcano summit.
Documents and vaccinations to enter Panama
With an Italian passport, you get a 180-day tourist visa when you enter the country (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours).
You can renew the visa for another 180 days simply by leaving the country, even for just one day, the so-called “visa run.”
This is the official Panamanian immigration website.
Officially, Panama requires proof of exit within the limits of your visa. This isn’t a problem for anyone with a return flight or a flight to another country (even a bus ticket is fine), but it could be for those who have a one-way ticket and plan to leave the country by land or sea without a set date or booked tickets.
Checks are at the discretion of the border officer and of the airlines at boarding before departure; I wasn’t asked for anything. This is also the experience of lots of other travelers, but reading the various online forums, there are cases of people who were actually asked for proof of exit. My advice is to rent a ticket (a real one, it’s a paid service) on a site like onwardticket or use returnflights.net (free, no frills) to print a fake booking! Check out this article to learn more.
Panama officially requires the yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from an at-risk country. Coming from Brazil (an at-risk country), in my experience the certificate wasn’t asked for by the immigration officer but by the airline agent when I checked in for my flight to Panama. This check also seems to be discretionary, but getting this vaccination is advisable, as are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
For up-to-date information on visas and everything else, I recommend checking your own government’s official travel advice (for example, the UK’s Foreign travel advice).
What to do and see in Panama
In this guide, prices are given in the local currency. Panama’s official currency is called the “Balboa,” but since 1904 its value has been equal to that of the U.S. dollar.
That’s why the U.S. dollar is used in Panama, since only the coins are minted by the Panamanian government. The exchange rate is about 1€ = 1.12$. For the current rate, I suggest you take a look at this page.
N.b. Several times throughout the guide you’ll find links to https://www.alltrails.com/. If you want to use offline navigation directly from the Alltrails app you need to upgrade to the pro version. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the desktop version of the site in “Google Earth KML” format and then uploading them to Organic Maps, which is by far one of my favorite travel apps.
Panama City
Panama City is the most modern city not only in the country but in all of Central America, so much so that it was recently given the title of the Dubai of Latin America. Honestly, it isn’t one of my favorite cities, but it’s worth stopping for a day or two.
What to do and see in Panama City
The Panama Canal
In my opinion, you can’t leave Panama City without visiting the famous canal. The Miraflores Visitor Center (Google Maps) is modern and well organized. Inside, it has a movie theater showing a short and interesting documentary on the history of the canal, a museum, and an observation platform from where you can watch passing ships from just a few meters away. Admission includes access to all the facilities I just mentioned and costs $17, which you can also pay by card.
The cheapest way to get to the Miraflores Visitor Center is to take a bus from the Albrook bus terminal (Google Maps) bound for “Esclusas Miraflores” ($0.25). The visitor center is at the last stop and is impossible to miss. The bus station is also well connected to the metro network. Alternatively, a taxi from the center should cost about $6. I strongly recommend going early in the morning before 8:30 or after 14:00, because most ships cross the canal during these time slots.
The Panama Canal.
Amador Causeway
The Amador Causeway (Google Maps) connects the three islets facing the city to the mainland. From here, there’s a great view of the city and the Puente de las Americas. The causeway is also popular with locals, who use it for jogging, cycling, or just walking. You can rent a bicycle for about $3.50 per hour. At the beginning of the causeway, you can visit the Biomuseo (Google Maps), a new museum dedicated to biodiversity.
Casco Viejo and Ancon Hill
Casco Viejo (Google Maps) is the old part of town, with numerous buildings dating back to colonial times, and all in all a nice neighborhood to explore on foot, although definitely not on the level of other colonial cities in Latin America. From Casco Viejo, I recommend climbing nearby Ancon Hill (Google Maps): the walk is short, pleasant, and almost completely shaded. Once you get to the top, you have a beautiful view of the city on one side and the port on the other – on the way up, I even saw monkeys!
Panama City seen from Ancon Hill.
Where to sleep in Panama City?
Zebulo Hostel is a great budget hostel in the new part of the city, a stone’s throw from the metro station: air conditioning in the dorms, nice and spacious common area, relaxed atmosphere, recommended. Another popular option is Hostal Panama Experience.
How to get to Panama City?
From Tocumen Airport, the cheapest way to get downtown is obviously to take a bus, but unfortunately the city buses only work with a prepaid card (not sold at the airport or on the bus, June 2017). You could ask someone to pay for you and give them cash, or do what I did: once you reach the bus stop (just follow the signs outside the airport), cross the traffic circle in front of you and take one of the buses that pass on the other side of the road. These are “private” buses that can be paid in cash. Either way, the cost is $1.25 versus $25-30 for a taxi.
Update: a reader told me (May 2023) that you can buy the prepaid card from the people at the airport who have the SIM card stand. If you ask them explicitly, they’ll sell you the city transit card (tarjeta) for $5, with $2 of credit.
N.b. From Colombia it’s not possible to cross the border by land: the quickest and cheapest way is to take a flight from Cartagena or Bogotá or, as many people do, join a boat tour through the San Blas Islands, which is undoubtedly the most expensive option. Here you’ll find a great article with all the options for crossing the border besides the ones I just mentioned, and some are really adventurous!
Portobelo
The small town of Portobelo was a key port during colonial times from where the Spanish exported Peruvian silver. Pirates subsequently raided it, and it later came under British control. In 1980, the ruins of the fortifications and the nearby fort of San Lorenzo became a UNESCO site.
What to do and see in Portobelo
Portobelo is a decidedly un-touristy, sleepy town with not much to do except visit the fort ruins (Google Maps). The atmosphere, though, is really relaxed, and if you’re looking for a place to unplug for a few days, it’s probably not bad at all. From Portobelo, you can also arrange your boat transfer to Colombia via the San Blas Islands, probably saving something compared to the prices offered in Panama City, or reach Carti by land from where boats leave for Puerto Obaldia (on the border with Colombia).
Fuerte San Rolando, Portobelo.
Where to sleep in Portobelo?
Hostal Portobelo isn’t the best when it comes to facilities, but the atmosphere is great and the owner is more than willing to give you all the information you need to continue your trip to Colombia and, if needed, organize it.
How to reach Portobelo?
From the Albrook terminal in Panama City, take a bus to Colon (45 minutes, $2.50) and get off at Sabanitas in front of the Rey supermarket. From here, there are buses running every 20 to 30 minutes to Portobelo (1 hour, $1.30).
San Blas Islands
The San Blas Islands are among the most spectacular and pristine in all of Central America. Populated and ruled by the indigenous Kuna people, the islands are independent of Panama in some respects.
I haven’t personally visited the archipelago, since it’s too expensive for my budget, but I’ve met lots of people who did the classic boat tour from Panama to Colombia through the islands, and they described them as a real paradise. There are lots of options, but the two most common are:
Sailboat or catamaran: according to many, this is the best option. You sleep on board the boat, and the price is around $500-550 all-inclusive for a 5-day tour. I recommend taking a look at ColombiaPanamaSailing.com and reading the reviews. Some boats are considered “party boats,” while others have a more relaxed atmosphere.
Speedboat: you travel on motorboats and sleep on the islands. The cost is about $595 all-inclusive for a 5-day tour (updated October 2026), so these days the price is more or less the same as the sailboat. Unlike the sailboats, which arrive directly in Cartagena, these boats stop in Sapzurro, just inside the Colombian border. The most popular company offering this service is San Blas Adventures.
For both options, it’s better to book in advance, but you can also arrange everything once you’re in Panama City. If you choose this option, be prepared to wait a few days for the right boat to leave.
You can also visit the islands on a day trip, but given the costs, which aren’t exactly modest, I honestly don’t think it’s worth it.
Here’s some information a reader shared with me in May 2023: “For our visit to San Blas, we went through San Blas Dreams, which offers different options to visit one or more islands on a day trip from Panama, or staying overnight. A day trip isn’t worth it, both because of the time (it takes about 4 hours to get there from Panama City) and the cost (from $120 per person, when for two nights + an excursion we spent $200). They picked us up at our hostel in Panama City (if you stay overnight, they ask you to bring reduced luggage, so I recommend checking that your hostel in Panama City offers luggage storage for the nights you spend outside the city). The drive to the port of Cartì takes about 3 hours, with the border where passports are checked. In high season, you risk losing a lot of time at this stage. We stayed on Yani Island, and it took about 45 minutes by boat to get there. As they also remind you when you book, bring water/beers and snacks, because they’re very expensive on the island and there are no stores. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, on the other hand, are included in the price.”
One of the many islands in the archipelago.
El Valle de Antón
El Valle de Antón is a small mountainous town surrounded by lush forest. The village is positioned within the crater of an ancient volcano, one of the largest on the American continent.
What to do and see in El Valle de Antón
The small town, called simply El Valle by the locals, has no major attractions but there are many waterfalls (El Macho is the most famous) and trails nearby. I recommend the one that leads to the top of Cerro Cara Iguana, about an hour from the town center (All Trails).
There’s also a serpentarium (Google Maps), an “El Nispero” zoo (Google Maps) and an orchid nursery (Google Maps) where more than 100 species are kept, many of them native to Panama. Admission costs $2 and includes a guided mini-tour of about 20 minutes.
The Valle de Anton market.
Where to sleep in El Valle de Antón?
Bodhi Hostel at $15 a night is slightly expensive by the country’s standards, but breakfast is included and the place is new and really well done, a great hostel.
How to reach El Valle de Antón?
There are frequent departures from the Albrook terminal in Panama City, $4.75, about 3 hours.
Santa Catalina
Along Panama’s western coast there are lots of surfer towns, like Playa Venao, Pedasi and Santa Catalina, which is probably the most popular. This tiny town, with a population of just 350 people, is known for its “surf breaks” and is also the perfect place from which to reach nearby Coiba Island.
The island, which lies within the national park of the same name (a UNESCO World Heritage site), is rich in unspoiled nature, both in and out of the water. Here you’ll find some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the country.
From Santa Catalina, you can reach the island by boat in about an hour, and on the way you can spot dolphins, turtles and even whales (in the right season). The price is around $50 per person (plus $20 for the national park entrance) for a day tour that includes time to briefly explore the island, hang out on the beach and go snorkeling.
I didn’t go to Santa Catalina myself: I’m not a surfer and the national park didn’t seem appealing to me. On this page you’ll find a detailed guide that covers all the possible things to do in and around Santa Catalina.
Santa Catalina beach.
Where to sleep in Santa Catalina?
Bodhi Santa Catalina is a good hostel that isn’t too expensive.
How to reach Santa Catalina?
From Panama City take a bus to Sona, about a 5-hour trip, 5–6 daily departures. From Sona there are fairly frequent connections to Santa Catalina; in any case, I recommend leaving early in the morning to avoid getting stuck in Sona.
From Boquete or Bocas del Toro take a bus to David first. From there take a bus to Santiago, getting off at the terminal near Los Tucanes, a restaurant from which you reach the Terminal de Transporte de Santiago (a 10-minute walk, or take a taxi), the departure point for buses to Sona.
N.b. There are direct tourist shuttles, bookable from any hostel, going to Boquete, one departure per day (5 hours) and to Bocas del Toro (8 hours). Obviously, public transportation is much cheaper.
Planning your trip? If you still need travel insurance, you can find my guide to the best travel insurance here. Purchasing through the links in the guide supports this site at no additional cost to you.
Boquete
Boquete is a really quiet town surrounded by rainforest, located at the foot of Barú Volcano—the highest mountain in Panama at 3,475 meters. The relaxed atmosphere, combined with a pleasant year-round microclimate (at 1,200 meters above sea level), has led to strong immigration since the early 2000s, especially by retired Americans, or people simply looking for a quiet and cheap place to move to.
What to do and see in Boquete
Boquete is a popular destination to visit the many coffee plantations in the area, go trekking and do lots of other outdoor activities: rafting, horseback riding and zip-lining. Personally, I only did a few trails, climbed Barú Volcano and visited the hot springs, but if you want, there’s really a lot to do.
Trekking in Boquete
As I already said, there are numerous trails in the surrounding area. Some of the most popular are the one to the Tres Cascadas (All Trails), a nice, well-marked trail that takes you to see three different waterfalls in the forest. Access to the trail costs $10 while the minibus that leaves at the side of the main plaza costs $2.50 one way; to get back, you just have to wait for the first minibus back to Boquete, which runs every half hour or so.
Another really nice trail to do is the so-called “pipeline trail” (All Trails). As the name says, it follows a pipeline and ends at the foot of yet another waterfall. Entry costs $3 and the trail is easy to follow. Here too, there are minibuses that serve the area and drop you where the trail starts, $2 one way.
Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to do the Quetzal Trail (All Trails), where they say there’s a good chance of spotting the beautiful and rare resplendent quetzal. I was there during the rainy season, when the trail is very muddy. Update: the trail seems to be closed at the moment.
There are many other trails of varying length in the area. The hostel I stayed at (and I think almost all accommodations do the same) provides information on the various trails and minibus schedules, no guide required. You can also just take a look at All Trails.
Resplendent quetzal.
Caldera Hot Springs
They’re certainly not the most beautiful hot springs (Google Maps) I’ve ever been to, but they’re undoubtedly the most authentic. The tour to visit them should cost about $30-40, but they can also be reached by public transportation and by walking a short distance, which I obviously did.
Buses to Caldera leave about every hour (it’s best to ask at your hostel/hotel) and cost $2. Even though the driver will figure out where you’re headed, it’s always better to tell him. You’ll be dropped off at the start of a dirt road that you have to follow for about 40 minutes. There are signs here and there, but to be on the safe side you can always download Organic Maps. Once you get there, there are a couple of natural pools to soak in and the river right next to them, where you can take a dip and cool down. The whole thing is really very basic, and entry costs $3.
Barú Volcano
As I already said, the volcano is the highest mountain in the country, and its summit is the only place in the world where, on a clear day, you can see both oceans. You can go up by jeep, but it costs a fortune ($150 per person), or on foot, like I did. Either way, the hike is done at dawn, when the chances of clear skies, and therefore of seeing both oceans, are highest.
To get to the top of Barú Volcano, there’s a shuttle that leaves from Mamallena Hostel every night around 23:30 and arrives at the park entrance around midnight; alternatively, you can take a taxi (more expensive). (Update: the hostel has closed, but you should still be able to easily organize a shared taxi at any hostel.) From the entrance, where the ranger station is, it’s about 13 km with 1,700 meters of elevation gain (All Trails): not exactly a light stroll, but not something impossible either. There’s an actual dirt road leading to the top of the volcano, so it’s extremely easy to follow, and a guide is absolutely not necessary.
I recommend going up slowly, because if you walk too fast you risk reaching the top while it’s still completely dark, and at 3,475 meters it can get pretty cold. Check what time sunrise is and adjust your pace accordingly. Depending on your pace, the ascent takes 4 to 7 hours, while coming down took us 3 hours at a decidedly brisk pace. Once you’re back at the park entrance, the ranger will be there to collect the entrance fee ($5); with us, he was also kind enough to call us a taxi back to Boquete.
This was without a doubt the best experience of my trip to Panama, an unforgettable sunrise, highly recommended.
Barú volcano summit.
Where to sleep in Boquete?
Mostly out of laziness, I stayed at the Mamallena hostel (it recently closed), which is in the main square, a stone’s throw from the stop for the bus from David and from the minibus station. The hostel is nice and I recommend it but La Jungla Experience slightly out of town has been recommended to me by numerous travelers as well as Bambuda Castle, a truly luxurious castle for the price of a hostel, winner of the best hostel in Panama award on Hostelworld.
How to reach Boquete?
By public transportation, you must always go through David, which has direct buses to all major cities in Panama. From David, there are frequent connections to Boquete, departing about every 45 minutes, with the journey taking approximately an hour.
Boquete is also served by the tourist shuttle service I mentioned earlier from Bocas del Toro and Santa Catalina. Obviously, public transportation is much cheaper.
The Lost and Found Hostel
A quick aside: along the road from David to Almirante (Bocas del Toro), there’s this hostel that’s literally in the middle of nowhere, deep in the rainforest of the Fortuna nature reserve, with a view of Barú Volcano (official website). Unfortunately, I didn’t stay there, but I’ve heard stories from lots of travelers and, looking at photos and reviews, it really seems like a spectacular place where they organize lots of group activities, excursions and games.
To reach the hostel, you have to walk for about 15 minutes through the forest, but it says that the family who owns the small fruit and vegetable shop near the start of the trail can help with your luggage in exchange for a few dollars. Anyway, I’ll leave the link here. The only thing I’d add is that the food at the hostel restaurant isn’t super cheap, so if you’re on a tight budget, maybe consider bringing some food with you.
Lost & Found Hostel.
Bocas del Toro
This Caribbean archipelago near the Costa Rican border is undoubtedly one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Bocas Town, located on the main island, is by far the largest settlement in the archipelago. Here, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options, supermarkets, banks, various stores, and even an airport.
However, Bocas Town is only a tiny part of the archipelago, since there are other islands easily reachable by water taxi, like Isla Bastimentos, home to the famous “Playa Rana Roja” (Google Maps) and Isla Solarte, which is almost completely uninhabited except for a few lodges, including the famous Bambuda Lodge Hostel, winner of the award for the best hostel in the country in 2016 (book well in advance!). Basically, I recommend the main island for activities/tours and, if you’re looking for nightlife, Bastimentos and Solarte. For a more relaxed atmosphere, on the other hand, many people decide to spend a few days on one side and a few on the other.
Zapatillas Islands tour.
What to do and see in Bocas del Toro
There are lots of activities to do, and the agencies in Bocas Town offer various tours. I took a great $20 tour offered by the hostel I was staying at, which included Dolphin Bay, where it’s practically impossible not to spot them, the fantastic Zapatillas Islands (two uninhabited atolls that perfectly match the ideal of paradise islands), an island inhabited by sloths, and some snorkeling. The tour was fantastic and I highly recommend it; I think the itinerary is fairly standard and therefore offered by many agencies/accommodations. I’ve been told that the official price for this tour is now $30, but if you walk along the main street in the morning around 9:30, when they need to fill the boat (they all leave around 10), you can easily get it down to $25.
I got my diving certification a few months later in Honduras, so I didn’t have the pleasure of diving in Bocas del Toro, but I’ve been told it’s really worth it and the prices aren’t bad at all, $70 for two dives.
Another popular activity is taking a boat ride ($1) to Carenero Island, just across from Bocas Town, where the beaches are more beautiful and perfect for swimming. While there, I recommend visiting Acqua Lounge Bar, a waterfront venue that features a pool, trampolines, swings, and more.
Dolphin Bay.
Where to sleep in Bocas del Toro?
I stayed at Spanish by the Sea, which besides being a hostel is also a Spanish school! Relaxed atmosphere, large and spacious kitchen; in short, I had a fantastic stay, especially thanks to the other people, students and non-students alike, who were there at the time. There are definitely nicer places by the sea.
How to reach Bocas del Toro?
From Boquete or Santa Catalina you must first reach David. From here, departures to Almirante are frequent ($8.30, 4-5 hours). Once you arrive at the Almirante terminal, you can walk to the port (10-15 minutes on foot) or take a taxi ($1). From the port there are boats that shuttle to Bocas Town for $6 one way or $10 round trip.
From Panama City there’s a company that offers direct buses even at night for about $30; tickets are sold by some agencies on the island or at the Albrook terminal in Panama City.
From Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica take the bus to Sixaola (border town with Panama). Once you’ve crossed the border, you can take the bus to Changuinola ($1) and then change buses to Almirante ($1.50). There are also many taxis waiting at the border: if shared, it isn’t much more expensive than the two buses and it’s much faster.
N.B. There are direct tourist shuttles bookable from any hostel to and from Boquete ($30) and Santa Catalina (8 hours, $60). Obviously, public transportation is much cheaper.
Suggested Panama itineraries
Below I list possible itineraries of 10 days, 2 and 3 weeks. Obviously there’s no perfect itinerary for a given amount of time, so considering what you’ve read so far, take what follows as inspiration and adjust the itinerary to your interests/budget!
10-day itinerary in Panama
Ten days isn’t a lot, so I recommend focusing on only 3 destinations so that you can make the most of your already tight time without constantly moving around. If your budget allows, consider visiting the more expensive San Blas archipelago instead of Bocas del Toro.
Panama City (2 nights)
Day 1:
Recover from jet lag, explore the city center.
Day 2:
Visit the Panama Canal in the morning, Casco Viejo and Ancon Hill in the afternoon.
Where to sleep: Zebulo Hostel
Boquete (4 nights)
Day 3:
Transfer to Boquete.
Day 4-5-6:
As described in the What to do and see in Boquete section, there are lots of activities available. Among the many things, I strongly recommend the climb up Barú Volcano, but if you’re not interested, you can choose shorter treks, visit some coffee plantations or whatever interests you.
Where to sleep: Bambuda Castle
Bocas del Toro (4 nights)
Day 7:
Transfer to Bocas del Toro.
Day 8-9-10:
Again, it depends a lot on your interests. Something that in my opinion you absolutely cannot miss is a boat tour that includes the beautiful Zapatillas Islands. On the last day take the overnight bus to Panama City.
2- or 3-week itinerary in Panama
With a couple of extra days available, you can definitely consider other destinations besides the ones already mentioned in the two-week itinerary. As I already said, if your budget allows, you could include San Blas, maybe passing through Portobelo, or stop in Valle de Antón / Santa Catalina before reaching Boquete. A few days at the Lost and Found hostel before going to Bocas del Toro.
Some people, with 2-3 weeks available, might think about including Costa Rica too. Honestly, I’m not a fan of forcing things like this and I advise against it, since you’d risk spending a lot of time on buses without really enjoying your trip, but of course it’s your call!
How to get around Panama
Buses in Panama
Buses are by far the cheapest and most popular way to travel within the country. Along the Panamericana and between the main cities, buses are comfortable and modern: two types are often offered, the regular one and the express one, which is faster because it stops less often. For short distances, the famous “chicken buses” are still used, which for us are the American school buses we’re used to seeing in old movies! Less comfortable and sometimes overcrowded.
To see bus schedules I recommend this site.
Some popular tourist destinations are covered by minibuses that work exclusively with tourists. Definitely faster, they pick you up directly at your accommodation and don’t make intermediate stops, but they’re much more expensive. They definitely cover the Santa Catalina – Boquete and Boquete – Bocas del Toro routes.
In Panama, for some strange reason, you can’t buy bus tickets online, but departures are frequent and you just have to show up at the terminal early to secure a seat, or at worst wait for the next one.
For departures from Panama City, you can always go to the terminal the day before to secure a seat for the next day. By metro the trip is quick and cheap. Or you can buy tickets online on panamabusticket.com: the service costs $7 and, in short, they send someone to the terminal to buy the tickets, which will be handed to you at the terminal (I haven’t tried it, but it seems reliable; it says they email you instructions on how to collect the ticket before departure). You can find some buses listed on this page.
N.b. At the Albrook terminal, there’s a $0.10 transit fee that must be paid before boarding the bus. This fee can only be paid with a public transportation card, but, for some strange reason, it must be the one purchased at the terminal and not the one bought at the metro station, which works for all other occasions (including buses). I politely asked someone else to pay it for me by offering cash.
Chicken Bus.
Taxis in Panama
Taxis don’t use meters, and I strongly recommend negotiating the price before getting in to avoid surprises. Perhaps ask your hostel/hotel for the right price for a particular route. In Panama City use Uber, which is cheaper and more efficient than regular taxis.
Domestic flights in Panama
AirPanama offers several domestic flights to David, Bocas del Toro and other destinations within the country; however, buses are far cheaper. CopaAirlines offers only Panama City – David flights.
Hitchhiking in Panama
Hitchhiking seems to work more easily in rural areas than in busy ones, where it’s advisable to wait at gas stations and talk directly to truck drivers.
Backpacking Panama: costs
How much does a trip to Panama cost? After Costa Rica, Panama is probably the most expensive country in Central America, but still cheap by European standards. The good news is that it often has the cheapest flights in the region: a flight from Europe to Panama City costs on average around €500 round trip. I suggest you read my guide on how to find the best deals and use the various flight search engines.
Cost of transportation in Panama
Road transportation is really cheap especially along the main roads where on average you pay $1-2 per hour of travel. Domestic flights, on the other hand, are really expensive: the Panama City-David route costs about $100 versus $15 by bus.
Cost of accommodation in Panama
A bed in a dorm costs on average between $10 and $15, while for a double room expect to pay about $30. Hostels often include breakfast too. For a room in a cheap hotel, expect to pay about $20; if you want something more luxurious, at least $40.
Bambuda Castle Hostel.
Cost of food in Panama
Eating the typical dishes, which almost always include chicken, rice and beans, in makeshift eateries costs very little, $2-4. For a slightly more serious restaurant, expect to pay at least $10.
To sum up, although Panama is among the most expensive countries in Central America, a budget of 30-40 euros a day should be more than enough for most independent travelers, as long as you sleep in hostels or at least in inexpensive accommodations and cook a few meals. In my opinion, the only thing that can deeply affect the budget of a trip to Panama is a tour to the San Blas Islands.
To reduce exchange and withdrawal fees, see my guide to the best cards for traveling.
Backpacking Panama: safety
Is Panama safe? Yes! As mentioned at the beginning of this guide, Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America. Aside from a few neighborhoods in Panama City, you should have no problems whatsoever. The rural areas are extremely safe, and the people are friendly and curious. Remember to get travel insurance to cover the unexpected things that can happen anywhere, and you’ll see that everything will be fine.
In any case, I recommend you check out my article with tips and tricks for traveling safely.
Are you planning a trip to Panama? Check out these posts:
List of things to bring on your trip
Which travel backpack to choose
Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!
Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your travel insurance through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend True Traveller. For everyone else, I recommend HeyMondo, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!
For donations/virtual pizzas and beers 🙂
Did you like the post? Pin it!
