How to enter Panama stress-free

Panama surprised us. Not because entering was complicated, but because it was so straightforward. We've entered four times now, twice by plane and twice overland at the Sixaola and Paso Canoas border crossings. Every time it followed the same pattern: show passport, show onward ticket, get stamp, move on.

Still, it pays to be prepared. What goes smoothly in 99 percent of cases can become a problem in that remaining one percent. This article summarizes what we've learned and what official sources currently recommend.

The good news first: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourism and can stay in Panama visa-free for up to 180 days. Make sure you get the proper entry stamp in your passport when you arrive, because that stamp is what immigration uses to determine how long you are allowed to stay.

A few important points that apply to any international arrival:

The stamp is what matters. That entry stamp sets your allowed stay. Check it before you leave the immigration area.

How you enter can matter. Flying and crossing at a land border are usually straightforward, but rules can be different if you arrive by sea or at smaller ports.

Check ahead of time. If you do not travel with a U.S. passport, or if you hold dual citizenship, look up the official requirements for the passport you plan to use, because the conditions can be very different depending on your nationality. Here on escaping2earth, that's easy: simply select your passport's issuing country in the small box and our intelligent visa advisor will tell you which rules apply to you.

Also remember that all travelers generally need a passport valid for at least a few months beyond their intended stay, proof of onward travel, and might be asked to show proof of sufficient funds.

The Two Questions That Actually Get Asked

At all our entries, the procedure was surprisingly simple. Border officers wanted to see exactly two things: the passport and a return or onward travel ticket.

Nothing more.

Officially, however, Panama can request much more. Entry regulations allow authorities to ask for proof of accommodation, a contact phone number, and sufficient financial means. The guideline mentions proof of at least 1,000 USD or a credit card.

In practice, we never experienced this. But being prepared doesn't hurt, especially if you want to play it safe.

The Onward Ticket: The Little Screenshot That Makes Everything Smooth

If I had to name one single thing you absolutely need to have ready for entering Panama, it's proof of your onward travel.

Panama can officially require a return ticket to your home country or a valid onward travel ticket. Additionally, they may require that you meet the entry requirements of the country you're traveling to next. This is especially emphasized for those entering overland from Costa Rica.

What has always worked for us: a simple screenshot of the ticket on our phone. I also save the PDF offline in case the airline app has no signal. The important thing is that the name and date are clearly visible.

What exactly counts as onward travel depends on what the airline and border officer accept. A flight ticket is the clearest option. For overland travel, a bus ticket can also work, as long as it looks plausible and fits your route.

If you don't know yet when you'll be moving on: at least have one option ready that you can show if needed. The goal isn't bureaucracy, the goal is a calm check-in and a relaxed moment at the border.

Passport: How Long Does It Need to Be Valid?

This is one of those topics that regularly causes confusion. Different sources phrase things differently, and airlines are often stricter than the entry requirements themselves.

The U.S. State Department advises that your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your arrival date. You'll also need at least one blank page for your entry stamp.

However, other sources recommend six months of validity to be safe. British travel information, for example, mentions six months validity beyond the planned departure date.

My practical recommendation: With six months remaining validity, you're almost always on the safe side in practice. If your passport has less, expect questions, especially at check-in. And check that you still have at least one blank page for the stamp.

Specifics at Land Borders

If you're entering Panama overland from Costa Rica, pay special attention to the stamps. You first need to buy tax stamps from the local administration and then get your entry stamp at a separate counter.

Sounds bureaucratic, but it's important. Without the stamp, things can get really unpleasant later, for example during checks within the country or when leaving.

Forms and Customs Declaration

In many countries, you still get a form handed to you on the plane. In Panama, this is currently shifting toward digital. The authorities now recommend the digital version of the immigration and customs declaration form.

Since March 2025, a customs declaration only needs to be filled out if you're carrying cash, valuables, securities, or goods worth over 10,000 PAB (or equivalent). The form can be accessed online.

A detail that's often overlooked: Panama has strict import rules for food. Fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, and flowers in potting soil are not allowed to be imported.

In short: With normal travel luggage, you'll most likely just be waved through.

Yellow Fever: The Topic That's Easy to Forget

Yellow fever is the classic topic you only think about when it's too late. Yet it can become really relevant at the border.

The rule is simple: When entering directly from the United States, no yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. But if you're entering from a yellow fever area, proof is required for all persons aged one year and older.

This becomes particularly relevant if Colombia or another risk country is part of your route. In this case, you should have the certificate ready, ideally as a photo on your phone plus a paper copy.

Health authorities also recommend yellow fever vaccination for travel to certain regions within Panama, particularly east of the Panama Canal. These include Darién, Kuna Yala, and Emberá.

Panama and Colombia: A Popular Combination

Many travelers plan Panama and Colombia back-to-back. It's a great combination, but it comes with two particularities.

First, the logistics: Between Panama and Colombia lies the Darién region. This is not a normal border crossing like in Europe. Travel advisories explicitly warn against traveling to the east and south of Darién Province, especially in the border area with Colombia. In practice, this means for most people: you change countries by flight or by boat tour, depending on your route.

Second, the yellow fever issue: If you're entering Panama from Colombia, the yellow fever certificate may be required, as Colombia can be classified as a yellow fever area.

One more note: Some official sources warn against extending your stay by briefly exiting to a neighboring country and immediately re-entering. This can cause trouble and in extreme cases lead to problems at the border.

Our Entry Checklist

To keep entry relaxed, we've developed a little routine. Everything that might be asked at the counter is ready to show within ten seconds:

• Passport with at least six months remaining validity
• Return or onward ticket as screenshot plus PDF saved offline
• Address of first accommodation plus phone number (copied from booking confirmation)
• Proof of financial means: sufficient cash or credit card with bank statement
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if entering from a risk area
• A photo of your passport in the cloud as backup in case of loss

Sounds like a lot, but in practice it's: one folder on your phone plus two or three screenshots.

The Bottom Line

Entering Panama is straightforward for most travelers. Passport and onward ticket are the two things that really matter. Everything else can theoretically be asked for, but rarely is in practice.

Still: Official regulations can change and border officers can apply rules more strictly at any time. If you want to be completely sure, check the current advisories from the U.S. State Department or your country's equivalent shortly before departure.

And then: Buen viaje to Panama!