Panama
Traveling to · Panama
Weather right now
26°C
Sat
32° / 25°
Sun
31° / 26°
Mon
30° / 24°
Tue
29° / 24°
Country facts
Capital
Panama City
Language
es · es
Currency
PAB B/.
Emergency
911 all
Tipping
10% at restaurants; small tips for taxis/porters.
Plug & power
Type A/B · 110V · 60Hz (same as US/CA)
When to visit
December–March (drier season). May–November is rainy season — afternoon showers daily.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
high season
low season
Typical costs (USD)
Hotel · budget
$20-50
per night
Hotel · midrange
$60-130
per night
Meal
$4-15
restaurant, typical
Transit
$1-4
single trip
Excellent value. Tourist-zone prices higher; off-the-beaten-path very affordable.
Essential phrases
Hello
Hola
Thank you
Gracias
Please
Por favor
Excuse me
Disculpe
Sorry
Lo siento
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
Help!
¡Ayuda!
The check please
Me trae la cuenta
I don't understand
No entiendo
Water
Agua
Coffee
Café
Translate any phrase →
Open the full translation grid — your phrase will appear in 65 languages with audio and a cross-check verdict on each card.
Numbers
0
0
Cero
Zero
1
1
Uno
One
2
2
Dos
Two
3
3
Tres
Three
4
4
cuatro
Four
5
5
Cinco
Five
6
6
Seis
Six
7
7
Siete
Seven
8
8
Ocho
Eight
9
9
Nueve
Nine
10
10
Diez
Ten
20
20
Veinte
Twenty
50
50
Cincuenta
Fifty
100
100
Centenar
Hundred
1000
1000
Mil
Thousand
What to pack
- Lightweight quick-dry clothing
- Strong SPF + sun hat
- Modest cover-up for religious sites
- Mosquito repellent (DEET)
- Bottled water for drinking + teeth
- Stomach prep (probiotic, Imodium)
- Sandals + closed shoes
Cultural notes
- USD circulates alongside balboa at 1:1 ratio — no exchange needed
- Panama Canal is the main attraction; book Miraflores Locks tour in advance
- Caribbean side (San Blas) vs Pacific side — different cultures + climates
- Tap water safe in cities; bottled in rural areas
- Hot + humid year-round; rainy season May-Nov
Universal courtesies
Apply everywhere, every country — respect travels with you.
- Try a greeting in the local language even if it's the only word you know — it's appreciated everywhere.
- Match local dress norms when entering religious sites, government buildings, or rural areas.
- Ask before photographing people, especially children or in religious settings.
- Tipping customs vary — never assume your home country's expectation applies.
- Remove shoes when entering homes if your host does; watch their cue.
- Keep voices lower than at home in temples, mosques, museums, public transport.
- Hands and gestures mean different things across cultures — observe before reaching out.
- Cash + cards: rural areas often need cash; major cities take cards. Carry small notes.
- Don't compare countries to each other in front of locals — every culture stands on its own.
- If you don't know the etiquette, watching for 30 seconds usually teaches it.