InsidePanama
FRENES

Daily life · 6 min · EN

Your first 72 hours in Panama City: step-by-step checklist

Landing at Tocumen with two suitcases and an Airbnb booking is easy. Doing the right things in the next 72 hours, so you don't waste 2 weeks struggling, is what decides your first month.

Inside Panama2026-05-09✓ field-verified

Cobblestone street in Casco Viejo Panama City
Cobblestone street in Casco Viejo Panama City

Disclaimer — This article is a practical checklist, to print or open on your phone at the airport. For heavier processes (visa, banking, schools), see the dedicated Inside Panama guides.

Before leaving — small things to do the morning of your flight

H+0 → H+2: getting off the plane

At Tocumen (PTY)

  1. Immigration — line up for non-residents. Show passport + Airbnb address. The officer asks the duration of your stay (“30 days” or “60 days”, no more for the first time) and the purpose (“tourism”). 90-day stamp on your passport.

  2. Baggage claim — carousel toward “International arrivals”. Plan 15-25 min.

  3. Customs — go through “Nothing to declare” unless you’re carrying more than $10,000 cash, goods to declare, or your dog (see the dog import guide).

  4. Exit + ATM or currency kiosk:

    • Banco General ATM right after customs (fees ~$5/withdrawal, max $200-500 depending on your card)
    • Exchange kiosks: rate 5-10% worse than an ATM. Avoid.

  5. +Movil or Más Móvil kiosk: buy a prepaid SIM. “30 días” plan at ~$15-20 USD (8-10 GB data + national calls). Activate on the spot with their help (5 min).

H+2 → H+4: transport to your Airbnb

Avoid these mistakes

❌ Airport taxis: inflated prices ($60-80 to Costa del Este vs $35 via Uber)

❌ “Hello amigo” touts: unless you already know the person

❌ Unofficial collective vans

Do this

✅ Uber or inDrive from your phone (the Panamanian SIM lets you receive the OTP code). Typical fares May 2026:

Trip 30-45 min depending on traffic. AC works in 95% of Ubers.

H+4 → H+12: check-in + sleep

On arrival at the Airbnb:

Jet lag tip: warm shower + 30-45 min walk in the neighborhood (just to move), back, light dinner, bed at 9-10pm local time. You’ll sync by morning.

Day 1 (H+24): groceries + light immersion

First outing — supermarket

Go to the closest Rey or Super 99 (typical 800m radius). Basic first basket for 5-7 days:

Item Typical price May 2026
Eggs (12) $3-4
Milk 1L $1.50-2
Bread (bolillo or baguette) $1.50-3
Local coffee 250g $4-6
Bottled water 6L $4-5
Fresh fruit (mango, banana, papaya) $5-8
Mixed vegetables $8-12
Chicken 1 kg $5-8
Rice 1 kg $1.50
Total first-week basket ~$50-80

Worth knowing: Panama City tap water is technically drinkable but many expats prefer bottled the first weeks (stomach adjusting).

First restaurant — local fonda

Try a popular fonda near you for lunch. “Comida corriente” plate: meat/chicken + rice + beans + plantain + salad for $5-8 USD. First contact with Panamanian cuisine.

Evening — neighborhood walk

Walk your neighborhood early evening (5-7pm, cooler). Note:

⚠️ Reflex to unlearn if you come from Europe — Panama traffic lights follow the American convention: they sit after the crosswalk (on the far side of the intersection), not before like in Europe. As a pedestrian: look UP and ACROSS the intersection to see if the light is red, not at the curb level. As a driver: stop at the white line BEFORE the crosswalk, not at the light itself. First reflex to reprogram.

Day 2 (H+48): concrete steps

Lawyer appointment (if visa already signed)

If you arrived with a pre-arranged Friendly Nations Visa, this is the moment to meet your lawyer (usually scheduled before departure). First in-person meeting for:

Bank — first appointment

If you haven’t yet opened a Tower Bank or Banco General account, schedule the appointment now. Plan 2-3 visits over 1-2 weeks before the account is functional. See Tower Bank vs Banco General.

Doctor — local test (if visa)

For Friendly Nations / Pensionado processes, a local Panamanian medical test is required. Approved clinic by your lawyer, around $80 USD, blood + urine + chest X-ray. Results in 2-3 days.

Day 3 (H+72): social + first adjustments

First expat meet-up

Sign up for an InterNations meet-up (monthly afterwork at Costa del Este, ~150 attendees). First IRL meet with other expats on the ground.

Useful sign-ups

First adjustment

You’ll probably notice:

Don’t change everything at once. Give yourself 2-3 weeks to soak in the rhythm before making real decisions (neighborhood, school, car).

Classic mistakes to avoid in the 72h

  1. Buying a car on day 2 — wait 2-3 months without one to validate you actually need it (Uber is very cheap).
  2. Signing a long lease before testing 4 neighborhoods — Airbnb 30-60 days first.
  3. Putting all your eggs in a single Panamanian account — keep Wise active in parallel for 6 months minimum.
  4. Letting one French/English-speaking expat “guide” you on everything — multiple sources, cross-check.
  5. Drinking tap water on day 1 — your stomach adjusts but over 1-2 weeks, not a day. Bottled or filter.

The week-1 survival kit (buy in the first week)

Going further

— Inside Panama editorial team, from Bella Vista, Panama City

Questions & answers

What readers ask us

Do I need a visa to enter Panama as a US/EU citizen?

No, just a passport valid ≥ 6 months and a return or onward ticket. On arrival, the immigration officer stamps you 90 days tourist (extendable to 180). Have your Airbnb address and your travel purpose ready (say 'tourism' for the first arrival — not 'business' or 'relocation').

Which SIM card to buy on arrival?

+Movil or Más Móvil prepaid at the airport (kiosks after customs). Basic 30-day plan: ~$15-20 USD for 8 GB + national calls. You can also pre-order an Airalo eSIM before departure for the first 48h.

Which taxi to take from Tocumen?

Avoid airport taxis (touts, inflated prices). Best: Uber or inDrive on your phone. Plan $30-45 USD to Costa del Este / Marbella, $25-35 to El Cangrejo. Trip is 30-45 min depending on traffic.

How much cash to bring?

$200-400 USD in small bills for the first 48 hours (taxi + restaurants + groceries if your card isn't activated). PriceSmart and Riba Smith accept foreign cards. Many small shops are cash only.

How to handle jet lag (UTC-5)?

Paris-Panama flight: 11-13h, typically arriving late afternoon. Trick: don't sleep on the plane except late in the flight (Panama time). On arrival, force yourself to stay up until 9-10pm Panama time. Day 2 is OK, day 3 you're synced.