What currency is used in Panama City?

Panama City uses the US dollar (USD), used alongside Panamanian balboa (PAB) coins at the same value.

How much does a day in Panama City cost?

Roughly $40-60 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Panama City?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Panama City without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Panama City travel guide

Panama

A skyline of glass towers across the bay from a restored colonial quarter, with one of the world's great feats of engineering on the edge of town. Rainforest begins less than an hour away.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English understood in hotels and the business districts
Currency: US dollar (USD), used alongside Panamanian balboa (PAB) coins at the same value
Plugs: Type A and B, 120 V
Emergency number: 911
Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants, which is sometimes already on the bill; check before adding more.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $40-60, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $110-170, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Panama City

Casco Viejo: the restored old town of plazas, rooftop bars and colonial churches on a small peninsula.
El Cangrejo: a central area of mid-range hotels, restaurants and easy metro access.
Bella Vista: close to the waterfront Cinta Costera, with plenty of places to eat and stay.

Getting around Panama City

The metro is clean and cheap for longer trips, and ride-hailing apps fill most gaps. Taxis are not metered, so agree the fare before you get in.

Best time to visit Panama City

Mid-December to April, the dry season; the rest of the year brings heavy afternoon downpours.

Top things to do in Panama City

Watch ships rise and fall at the Miraflores Locks visitor centre on the Panama Canal
Wander the plazas and churches of Casco Viejo
Walk or cycle the Cinta Costera, the waterfront path along the bay
Climb Cerro Ancón for views over the canal and the skyline
See the ruins of the original 16th-century city at Panamá Viejo

What to eat in Panama City

Sancocho: a chicken soup with yam and the herb culantro, Panama's national dish
Ceviche: fresh fish cured in lime, sold by the cup at the Mercado de Mariscos
Patacones: twice-fried slices of green plantain, served with almost everything
Hojaldras: puffy fried dough, a common breakfast with eggs or cheese

Day trips from Panama City

Isla Taboga: a small island with a quiet beach and village, under an hour by ferry from the Amador Causeway
Soberanía National Park and Gamboa: rainforest trails and birdwatching beside the canal, around 45 minutes away
Portobelo: old Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast, roughly two hours by road

Local etiquette

Panamanians dress neatly in the city, and beachwear or shorts look out of place in banks and government offices. A greeting before any request goes a long way.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from the main networks are sold at the airport and in malls, eSIMs work well, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés, malls and hotels.

Staying safe

Casco Viejo and the main districts are generally fine, but some neighbouring areas are not, so stick to the busy streets and take a taxi at night. Watch for bag snatching in crowds and for heavy traffic when crossing roads.

A local tip

Go to the Miraflores Locks in the afternoon, when large ships are often passing through.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Panama City on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Panama City for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Panama City, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Panama City

What currency is used in Panama City?: Panama City uses the US dollar (USD), used alongside Panamanian balboa (PAB) coins at the same value.
What is the emergency number in Panama City?: In Panama City, call 911.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?: Mid-December to April, the dry season; the rest of the year brings heavy afternoon downpours.
How much does a day in Panama City cost?: Roughly $40-60 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Panama City?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Panama City without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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