Airport Arrival, Transportation, Visas and Immigration

US and Canadian citizens only need a valid passport and a tourist card. The tourist card costs $5 and is usually sold to you by your airline when you check in. You can purchase your card on your arrival in Panama from the immigration authorities.

Citizens of other countries should consult with the Panamanian consulate or embassy in their home country to obtain the latest information on entry requirements. In some cases, no tourist card is necessary and in other cases, you will need a visa.

The tourism card will give you 90 days in Panama. If you want to extend your stay beyond 90 days, you should go to Immigracion and Naturalization a few days before the 90 days is up. ( See below on extending your visa).

Arriving in Panama

There is an official taxi stand in the exit area after you pass through customs. It costs $25 for the 15 minute taxi ride into Panama City. The taxis are safe and reliable.

Getting around Panama City

Taxis are inexpensive and easy to get. You can go anywhere in Panama City for $5 or less.

Private Taxi Service: If your Spanish is not great or you just want to relax and leave everything in capable hands, we recommend you contact Judy of Easy Travel Panama which specializes in “personalized” ground transportation and sight-seeing service by private taxi. From the minute you touch Panamanian soil, you will have a knowledgeable and English-speaking driver/guide at the Tocumen International airport to receive and assist you. Their rates are very reasonable- for example $15 an hour for your private taxi with an English speaking, knowledgeable guide. Easy Travel offers transportation throughout Panama City and other nearby popular destinations. Contact Judy at
Web: www.easytravelpanama.net
Email: easytravel@cwpanama.net
Tel: 507.6617-4122

Leaving Panama

There is a $50 departure tax on leaving from the airport, however this is most likely included in your plane ticket.

Extending your tourist visa

Go to the Migracion offices on Avenida Cuba at Calle 29 Este (there are also offices in David, Chitre, Changuinola and Santiago). You'll need: your passport, $10, a photocopy of your passport page containing your personal information and the page showing the stamp of your most recent entry into Panamá, return ticket and a letter requesting the extension ( which you can write on the spot.) In Panama City, when you arrive at Immigration, pull a number and when attended, ask for a "prorroga de turista" which is the form you have to fill out.

There is nearly always a wait of a least half an hour to be attended and the whole process often takes two hours.

You can get the photocopies of your passport pages at a kiosk just outside the Immigration offices.