What health and safety information should travellers know before visiting Panama?

Before you leave for any of the destinations of Panama, make sure to visit your local health practitioner to get all the routine vaccinations. Pregnant women should consider avoiding travelling to Panama, due to the risk of Zika (transmitted through mosquito bites and sexual contact). Additionally, you may need to guard against the following diseases: Hepatitis A (spread through contaminated food and water) Typhoid (spread through contaminated food and water) Hepatitis B (spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products) Rabies (spread through the bites of infected mammals, such as dogs and bats) Yellow Fever (spread through the bites of mosquitos) Malaria (spread through the bites of mosquitos) Panama enjoys a high level of safety, though take note to avoid certain areas. These include: The border between Panama and Colombia El Marañón (Soná) Curundú (Panama City) El Chorrillo (Panama City) In Colón, it is best to explore with a guide. There is a considerable crime problem in this city, so you are advised not to go anywhere alone. During the day, San Felipe is perfectly safe. During the evenings in Panama City, the main streets, plazas, and district of bars and restaurants are also quite safe, but be careful when heading north along Avenida Central towards El Chorrillo.

What is the cost of travelling in Panama?

Item Cape Town Johannesburg Panama City Meal, inexpensive restaurant R100.00 R100.00 R128.99 Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) R25.00 R25.00 R20.96 Cappuccino (regular) R23.32 R22.34 R35.81 Taxi 1km (normal tarriff) R10.00 R10.00 R25.80 Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) R39.50 R37.50 R64.49

Cheap Flights To Panama: Compare All Flights

Popular flights to Panama

Prices observed in the past 7 days start from N/A one-way and R12019 round trip. Fares and availability may change at any time, and additional terms may apply.

United Airlines

17 Sep - 30 Sep

CPT

Cape Town

Round-Trip

PTY

Panama City

R21889

United Airlines

14 Sep - 21 Sep

JNB

Johannesburg

Round-Trip

PTY

Panama City

R21979

VRG Lineas Aereas

29 Dec - 05 Jan

SAO

Sao Paulo

Round-Trip

PTY

Panama City

R12019

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Popular airlines to Panama

Copa Airlines

KLM Airlines

United Airlines

Copa Airlines

KLM Airlines

United Airlines

Why visit Panama

Beaches

As a nation set on the isthmus that is Central America, Panama offer you a coast on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Refresh your senses at many coastal hotspots, such as Coronado, Gorgona, Las Tablas and Puerto Armuelles.

Architecture

With the Panama Canal being this nation’s most outstanding achievement, you’ll have a good idea of what other architectural wonders you will discover. These include the iconic Trump Ocean Club, the incredible Biomuseo and F&F Tower.

Wildlife

It may surprise you to find out that 218 mammal species, 226 reptile species and 164 amphibian species call Panama home. Explore the scenic landscapes and prepare to meet creatures like white-faced capuchins and Panama’s national bird: the harpy eagle.

About Panama

Situated on the isthmus that connects Central and South America is the gorgeous coastal nation of Panama. This charming country, home to approximately 4 million residents, is famed for the amazing Panama Canal. Panama offers you scenic beaches, breath-taking nature and a vibrant nightlife. Attractions include Casco Viejo (Panama City), Gatún Locks (Colón) and Parc de Cervantes (David).

Get ready for a wonderful holiday experience in Central America, because cheap flights to Panama are now available for a limited time!
The capital, Panama City, is home to Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is a 20-minute drive or a scenic 75-minute bus ride from the city centre. Tocumen International Airport serves many airlines, including Copa Airlines, KLM and United Airlines. Direct flights from South Africa to Panama City are unavailable, but connecting flights depart from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

General Information

Essential details you need to know before your trip

Country

Currency

Panama

Panamanian Balboa

LANGUAGE

Exchange Rate

Spanish / English

1 ZAR = 0.061 PAB

AIRLINE

TIME ZONE

Copa Airlines

GMT -5

HUB AIRPORT

Tocumen International Airport (PTY)

Destination Review

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Weather In Panama

Low

High °C

Rain-mm

Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month

Frequently asked questions

Overview

Panama is an exceptional destination for a holiday experience. This southernmost nation of Central America boasts the amazing Panama Canal, its most prominent landmark. This stunning product of human engineering links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, creating a vital shipping route. Additionally, Panama offers you contemporary skyscrapers in the capital, Panama City (like the F&F Tower and Ocean Two), and picturesque beaches (such as Las Tablas and Puerto Armuelles).

Panama City’s modernism is further accentuated with its energetic nightlife, thanks to a variety of casinos and nightclubs. This creates a contrast with colonial structures like the Plaza de la Independencia and the historic district of Casco Viejo. Other major attractions include the Natural Metropolitan Park, Biomuseuo and Panama City Beach.

North of the capital is Colón, which is where you will find the northern gateway of the Panama Canal. The most famous attraction of this destination is the Colón Free Zone, a huge shopping zone where you can peruse the wares of various wholesalers, retailers, as well as the general public store. Explore this city’s history by visiting the well-reserved colonial military structure of Fort San Lorenzo or soak up the sun at Isla Grande.

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Best time to visit Panama

The climate of Panama is broken into two seasons: the dry season (mid-December – mid-April) and the wet season (mid-April – early-December). The dry season is by far the most popular time to enjoy the attractions of Panama. With the rain volumes at their lowest, crowds descend on the nation’s resorts, festival towns and beaches. The hub of activity increases around the November festivals, as well as around Christmas, New Year and Easter. If you choose to visit during these months, take note that accommodation costs are usually double the normal rate. To save on accommodation rates and enjoy Panama’s sights at your own pace, visit during the wet season. Check the regional climate guides for more information, as the rain is intermittent, guaranteeing that you can still enjoy the destinations of this Central American country.

Visa & Customs

Travellers in possession of a South African passport will not need a tourist visa to enter Panama for a maximum of 180 days. Make sure that your passport’s validity is six months following your departure date, and that it has two blank pages for stamps.

The South African Honorary Consulate’s contact details are:

Calle 50 y 69, Edif. Plaza Guadalupe 4* Piso 404, San Francisco, Panama City, Panama

Phone: 507 302 2750

Health & Safety

Before you leave for any of the destinations of Panama, make sure to visit your local health practitioner to get all the routine vaccinations. Pregnant women should consider avoiding travelling to Panama, due to the risk of Zika (transmitted through mosquito bites and sexual contact). Additionally, you may need to guard against the following diseases:

Hepatitis A (spread through contaminated food and water)
Typhoid (spread through contaminated food and water)
Hepatitis B (spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products)
Rabies (spread through the bites of infected mammals, such as dogs and bats)
Yellow Fever (spread through the bites of mosquitos)
Malaria (spread through the bites of mosquitos)

Panama enjoys a high level of safety, though take note to avoid certain areas. These include:

The border between Panama and Colombia
El Marañón (Soná)
Curundú (Panama City)
El Chorrillo (Panama City)

In Colón, it is best to explore with a guide. There is a considerable crime problem in this city, so you are advised not to go anywhere alone.

During the day, San Felipe is perfectly safe.

During the evenings in Panama City, the main streets, plazas, and district of bars and restaurants are also quite safe, but be careful when heading north along Avenida Central towards El Chorrillo.