What you need to know before you arrive. Currency, language, entry requirements and the essentials that shape a well-planned visit to Panama.
Panama uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency — known locally as the Balboa. No currency exchange is needed for travellers arriving from the United States. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and premium retailers. ATMs are readily available in Panama City and at Tocumen International Airport.
Spanish is the official language of Panama. English is widely spoken in Panama City — particularly in financial, hotel and tourism contexts — and throughout the Canal Zone. In rural areas, indigenous languages including Ngäbere and Kuna are spoken alongside Spanish. Your PLE contact communicates in English throughout.
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia do not require a visa to enter Panama, a valid passport and onward travel documentation are sufficient. Entry is typically granted for 90 to 180 days. No vaccinations are required for entry, though yellow fever certification may be required if arriving from certain countries.
Panama operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) year-round — UTC−5. Panama does not observe daylight saving time. This means that in summer months, Panama City is the same time as New York and aligned with London minus 5 hours. For European travellers, Panama City is 6 hours behind Central European Time.
Panama observes 12 public holidays each year. Key dates include Independence Day (3 November), Separation from Colombia (28 November) and Martyrs' Day (9 January). Carnival — held in the four days before Ash Wednesday — is a significant national celebration and brings large crowds to. Panama City. Plan travel around these dates accordingly.
Panama City is a safe, modern destination with good medical infrastructure. The city has several private hospitals meeting international standards. Travel to jungle or remote island areas requires standard tropical precautions, insect repellent, sun protection and hydration. Your PLE itinerary includes relevant health notes for each experience.
Panama's festival calendar is one of the richest in Central America, rooted in indigenous, Spanish colonial and Afro-Caribbean traditions. Some dates affect availability and bookings significantly. We plan around them so you don't have to.
A day of national reflection with solemn
ceremonies marking the 1964 student uprising.
Kicks off the national festival season in the highlandtown of Boquete.
A world-class cultural event held in Panama City atthe City of Knowledge.
Las Tablas, Chitré and Penonomé — noted for itsaquatic parade. Book well ahead; accommodationfills months in advance.
Deep religious traditions in Pesé and La Villa de LosSantos. Good Friday carries a nationwide dry law.
The largest trade and agriculture fair in the country.
A day of national reflection with solemn
ceremonies marking the 1964 student uprising.
National public holiday.
La Villa de Los Santos. The Diablicos Sucios dancesand intricate flower carpets on the streets — ajewel of Panamanian cultural heritage.
Las Tablas. The country's largest display of thePollera — Panama's national dress. An extraordinaryvisual spectacle.
Anniversary of the founding of the original Spanishcity in 1519. Fairs and parades around the historicruins.
Guararé. The most important folkloric event inPanama — traditional music, dance and costumerooted in Azuerense culture.
Portobelo, Colón. Thousands of pilgrims walkthrough the night to the Church of San Felipe —one of the largest displays of faith in Panama.
Parades with drum and bugle corps nationwide.
An early independence declaration from theinterior of the country.
As significant as Christmas in Panama. Restaurantsare fully booked weeks in advance — reservationsarranged through PLE well ahead of arrival.
The dry season (December to April) offers the most reliable sunshine and the lowest humidity, ideal for island travel, canal viewing and outdoor experiences. The green season (May to November) brings afternoon rain, lush landscapes and significantly fewer visitors.
The Pacific and Caribbean coasts experience opposite wet and dry periods, meaning a carefully planned itinerary can access good weather on both sides regardless of when you travel.
Select what matters to you, a single service, a combination, or everything. There is no minimum and no fixed package. Your dedicated contact will confirm, arrange and handle every detail before you arrive in Panama.
Panama City and the Pacific coast experience the most clearly defined seasons. The dry season (December to April) is characterised by strong trade winds, low humidity and reliable sunshine. Temperatures sit between 28–32°C. This is the most comfortable period for outdoor activity and island travel.
The wet season brings afternoon downpours rarely all-day rain and a lush green landscape. Temperatures remain consistently warm. Humidity rises but evenings remain pleasant. Visitor numbers drop significantly, with the benefit of lower prices and quieter experiences.
The Caribbean coast operates on an inverse seasonal pattern to the Pacific. The driest periods on the Caribbean side fall in February–March and September–October when the Pacific is at its wettest. The islands of Bocas del Toro receive over 3,000mm of rain annually, though the majority falls at night and in concentrated afternoon showers.
Sea temperatures on the Caribbean side average 27°C year-round. Visibility for diving and snorkelling is typically excellent from September to November. A well-planned itinerary can use the coast divide to ensure good conditions on both sides.
