If you’re thinking about a trip to Panama and are looking for information to help you plan, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll try to introduce you to this small country located in Central America. I’ll talk about what you should know before going, how to prepare, and the best time to visit. I’ll start with the latter because I believe it’s a key topic.
Table of Contents
What should you know about Panama?
Before traveling to Panama, there are a few things you should be aware of. Although Panama has its own currency (the Balboa), payments are made in US dollars (USD). The exchange rate is simple: 1 dollar equals 1 Balboa. Interestingly, the dollar has been used as the local currency since 1904, while the Balboa only exists as coins. Panama also shares some similarities with the United States. For example, you’ll need an adapter (the outlets are the same as in the USA, type A), and temperatures are given in Fahrenheit. The official language is Spanish, and while you can get by with English, it won’t be everywhere. Even if someone didn’t speak English and I didn’t know Spanish, we always managed to understand each other. Make sure to buy insurance—this is really important.
When to fly to Panama? Weather and climate in Panama
Although my trip to Panama took place at the end of September and beginning of October, this won’t be the ideal time for everyone. Why? There are two seasons in Panama: dry from December to April and rainy from May to November. The dry season, as the name suggests, is supposed to be dry and sunny.
And what about the rainy season? It doesn’t rain constantly, but it can happen. To put it into perspective, while the highest monthly rainfall in Poland is 84 liters/m², in Panama it can reach up to 245 liters/m². Rainfall levels of around 200 persist throughout the rainy season. During my trip, it rained heavily for the first two days, though it was still warm (25-30 degrees). The next 10 days were dry, with only a brief drizzle. Besides the rain, the air is also very humid. Regardless of the time of year, a strong sunscreen is essential, even on cloudy days.
A definite advantage of visiting during the rainy season is the bird migrations, especially birds of prey, that pass over Panama. In Panama City, they even count the birds, as birds of prey fly close to the coast.
Electricity in Panama
It’s good to know that Panama uses American-type outlets (type A in most places), so bring an adapter if your devices have different plugs.
Flight to Panama and time difference
The time difference is -7/8 hours, so if you have a busy trip planned, it’s worth considering an extra day to adjust. Currently, there are no direct flights from Poland to Panama, and to be honest, my body struggled a bit, not only due to the time change but also the long transfer. It took 11 hours to fly from Amsterdam to Panama City, plus an earlier flight from Wrocław, which with the layover took 7 hours. In total, I traveled for 22 hours, and when I arrived at my hotel at 6 PM Panama time, I slept until 6 AM. In terms of convenient connections, my quickest option was KLM, but the return was less lucky, as I had a 10-hour layover. A flight to Kraków would have been faster, but I found out after I had already booked the tickets. If you, like me, have a long layover in Amsterdam, I recommend getting access to the KLM Crown Lounge—time flies better there than at the airport.
Visa to Panama
You’ll need a passport to travel to Panama. Fortunately, there is a visa-free agreement between Poland and Panama. There’s no entry fee, but you’ll go through passport control upon arrival, where I was asked where I’d be staying and how many days I’d be in Panama. I only knew two hotels, as I had several locations planned, but I gave one address and that was fine. You’ll also need to fill out a customs form (either online or on paper, which is distributed on the plane).
Internet in Panama
What surprised me upon arriving in Panama was the lack of signal. I could call or text using my original SIM card, but the internet was weak in some places. Since I traveled to more remote areas, there were times when I had no internet at all.
Although many Polish operators have introduced cheaper internet rates outside the EU, including mine, I chose to buy an esim card in Panama. Why? Not only because of the cost but also because of how data usage is calculated. When I use my operator’s internet, the data gets used up very quickly, but with an esim card, it lasts up to twice as long. This time I chose GoMoWorld, as it was affordable, and during the whole trip, I used about 8 GB (I also used WiFi at hotels).
Accommodation in Panama
You can easily book accommodation in Panama through booking.com, and Airbnb also works. The cost depends on the location. Hotels in Panama City start at $80/night with breakfast. I stayed at three places in the capital, which I’ll link below. I also traveled around the country, visiting islands, indigenous communities, and beautiful natural spots. I’ll share my travel itinerary in the next post, along with recommended accommodations I tried and liked.
Hotels in Panama City
– Westin Playa Bonita – I recommend this for the beautiful view and beach, though it’s far from the city (20 minutes outside peak hours, much longer during rush hours)
– Crowne Plaza Panama Airport, IHG Hotel – close to the airport, perfect if you need a place to rest before/after your flight
– Hotel El Panama By Faranda – great location for the airport, from which we flew to Chitré.
Transport in Panama
When planning your trip around the city, you can use public transport (including the metro), take taxis, or use Uber. I used Uber several times in Panama City, and the quality was just fine. As for prices, rides can cost $8, but keep in mind that during traffic, the price can go up significantly. So, my trips ranged from $10 to $25 for similar routes, depending on rush hour.
For travel around Panama, you can rent a car (a popular option used by my friends), rely on buses, or fly (there are many small airports in Panama, so you can reach several destinations by air). Flights are much faster than driving. For example, the flight from Panama City to Chitré took about 40 minutes, while the same route by land would take around 4 hours. I recommend booking tours with local travel agencies if you want competent service. I traveled with Balaena for 6 days and learned a lot about Panama (in English, though they also speak Spanish).
What to pack for Panama?
The temperature in Panama stays nearly the same year-round. The only difference is the dry and rainy seasons, as mentioned earlier. During the rainy season, which I experienced, the humidity was very high. Even if the temperature was 25°C, it felt much hotter. Clothes suitable for 25°C in Europe weren’t ideal for Panama. Only lightweight and airy clothing worked, though it was still very hot. Hiking in the rainforest and climbing the lookout tower felt like entering a steam sauna. It was quite an interesting experience, to be honest.
Panama – what should you know?
If you’re looking for breathtaking beaches, colorful islands, or untouched nature, then Panama is definitely for you. It is a country worth discovering and exploring in depth. In my next posts, I’ll share more details about where I traveled and some personal recommendations on what to do and where to stay during your visit. Stay tuned!
Honestly, my two weeks flew by like a single day, and as I was leaving for Poland, I wondered if I would ever return. My trip was so wonderful that I personally envy anyone who gets to experience it for themselves.
A heartfelt thank you to the Panama Tourism Authority & Adventure Travel Trade Association for the invitation to Panama.
See also: Isla Iguana – Panama’s Tropical Oasis
