Panama City Acclimation Playbook
4 steps to get settled | 0 of 4 complete
🇵🇦Panama GuidePre-Arrival
Generous visa terms, eSIM, accommodation strategy, and the Pensionado advantage
Visa and entry requirements
US passport holders receive 180 days visa-free on arrival in Panama — one of the most generous tourist allowances in the Americas. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. The 180-day tourist stamp is typically issued automatically at Tocumen International Airport (PTY); if an officer writes fewer than 180 days, politely ask them to correct it at the window. For longer-term stays, Panama offers several residency options highly popular with nomads and retirees. The Friendly Nations Visa (Visa de Países Amigos) grants permanent residency to US citizens (and 50 other nationalities) with either proof of employment with a Panamanian company or a bank deposit of USD 5,000. The Pensionado Visa is available to anyone with a guaranteed pension of USD 1,000/month (not just retirees — foreign income counts) and provides extraordinary discounts: 25% off airline tickets, 50% off hotels on weekdays, 30% off bus/ferry/train fares, and 10-15% off most services. Consult a Panama immigration lawyer (fees typically USD 2,000-4,000) if pursuing residency.
Book short-term accommodation in the right district
Book a furnished apartment for your first 2-3 weeks while you explore Panama City's very different neighborhoods. Marbella and Obarrio (collectively part of what locals call the 'banking district') are the primary nomad hubs — modern high-rises, excellent restaurants, multiple coworking spaces, walkable to each other, and safe at all hours. El Cangrejo is more local and slightly more affordable, with a denser mix of local restaurants, pharmacies, and tiendas — less polished than Marbella but more authentic. Casco Viejo is the colonial old town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site — gentrifying rapidly, extremely atmospheric, with good cafes and restaurants but some areas still transitioning (day-safe, night requires awareness). Punta Pacifica is the most upscale residential tower district, with some of the tallest buildings in Central America and a very quiet, suburban feel.
Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Get an eSIM before departure
Buy a Panama or Latin America eSIM from Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad eSIM before you fly. A Panama plan with 5-10 GB data typically costs USD 10-18 for 30 days. This gives you immediate connectivity at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is 25 km east of downtown Panama City — a Uber or taxi ride of 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Within your first day, pick up a local SIM from Cable & Wireless (now Liberty Panama), Claro Panama, or Tigo Panama. Cable & Wireless has the best overall coverage including on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and on the Isla Taboga ferry.
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Arrange travel insurance and health coverage
Panama City has excellent private hospitals — Hospital Punta Pacifica (affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine) and Hospital Nacional are the top private facilities, with English-speaking staff and standards comparable to the US. A specialist consultation costs USD 60-100 without insurance — very affordable. However, medical evacuation from remote areas (San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro) can be expensive without coverage. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (approximately USD 45/month) covers Panama well and includes evacuation. If you are pursuing Pensionado or Friendly Nations Visa, health insurance documentation may be part of the residency application — check current requirements with an immigration attorney.
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads