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Panama Carnival: Dates, Holidays and Main Parades

In short: Panama's 2027 Carnival covers the four days before Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 10: Saturday, February 6, through Tuesday, February 9, 2027. Only Tuesday, February 9, is a public holiday by law under article 46 of the Labor Code, and anyone who works that day earns a 150 percent surcharge. Monday, February 8, is a normal working day in the private sector unless the employer agrees otherwise. As of this note, checked on October 13, 2026, neither the Tourism Authority nor local organizing committees have published the 2027 program. In this guide The four days Holiday and…

Cyber Monday in Panama: When It Is and How to Shop Safely

Oct

Cyber Monday in Panama: When It Is and How to Shop Safely

In short: Cyber Monday 2026 falls on Monday, November 30, three days after Black Friday on Friday, November 27. It is the online sales day and, as of October 13, 2026, there is no nationwide announcement with official dates. Online purchases fall under the same rules of Law 45 of 2007 on advertising, price, invoices and warranty, but there is no general right to return something just because the buyer changed their mind. In this guide When Cyber Monday is in Panama How it differs from Black Friday Which Panamanian stores announce it How to shop online safely Consumer rights…

New Year’s Eve in Panama: Plans, Events and What Is Open

Oct

New Year’s Eve in Panama: Plans, Events and What Is Open

In short: as of 13 October 2026, the only year-end plan confirmed in Panama is the New Year's Eve party on 31 December listed in the Panama City Mayor's Office Christmas agenda, with no venue or program published yet. Hotel parties, concerts that night, Metro hours and traffic measures have no announcement for this year. Fireworks rules exist on paper, but there is no new national measure for 2026. Contents of this guide What is confirmed, with dates Fireworks: what the rules and firefighters say Hotels, dinners and concerts on 31 December What opens, what closes and how to get…

Christmas in Panama: Parades, Lights and Events With Dates

Oct

Christmas in Panama: Parades, Lights and Events With Dates

In short: Panama City's Christmas season officially opens on Sunday, December 6, 2026, with the tree lighting at Mirador Pacífico on the Cinta Costera, and the Christmas parade follows on Saturday, December 12, along the same waterfront rather than on Calle 50. The Panama City Mayor's Office announced both on October 7, 2026, as part of the City of Star 2026 International Christmas Festival. Checked on October 13, 2026; start times have not been published. What this guide covers The confirmed dates The festival calendar in one table Where the lights go on The parade on the Cinta Costera Outside…

Panama School Calendar: Terms, Breaks and Holidays

Oct

Guides, Professional Services & Technology

Panama School Calendar: Terms, Breaks and Holidays

In short: updated on 13 October 2026. According to Executive Decree No. 49 of 2025, published in the Official Gazette, Panama's 2026 school year ends with classes on Friday 11 December and closes with a balance and graduation week from 14 to 18 December. The calendar applies to public and private schools, runs 42 weeks and is split into three terms with two one-week breaks. For 2027, La Estrella reported that Executive Decree No. 43 set the start of classes for Monday 1 March. Contents of this guide 2026 school calendar dates End of the school year and year-end break…

Panama December Holidays: Dates, Long Weekends and What Closes

Oct

Panama December Holidays: Dates, Long Weekends and What Closes

In short: December 2026 has four mandatory rest days in Panama: Tuesday the 8th (Mother's Day), Sunday the 20th (national mourning), Monday the 21st (the 20th carried over because it falls on a Sunday) and Friday the 25th (Christmas). The 24th and the 31st, both Thursdays, are not holidays. The long weekends that come automatically run from Saturday the 19th to Monday the 21st and from Friday the 25th to Sunday the 27th. As of October 13, 2026, no decree makes Monday the 7th a day off and turns the 8th into a bridge. Updated in October 2026. Contents of…

Thirteenth-Month Pay in Panama: Dates, Rules and Calculation

Oct

Thirteenth-Month Pay in Panama: Dates, Rules and Calculation

In short: Thirteenth-month pay is a bonus that every private-sector employer in Panama must pay in three installments, due by April 15, August 15 and December 15 each year. The third installment of 2026 falls due on Tuesday, December 15. In practice each installment equals one third of a month's pay, calculated on what the worker earned in the period. Checked on October 13, 2026. Contents of this guide What it is and who receives it The three installments and their dates How it is calculated, with an example Public and private sector If the employer does not pay Frequently…

University in Panama with a Foreign High School Diploma: Requirements

Oct

University in Panama with a Foreign High School Diploma: Requirements

In short: a high school graduate from abroad who wants to enter a university in Panama needs, besides ID, the secondary diploma and transcripts apostilled, the Certificate of Revalidation from the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) and, if the documents are not in Spanish, a translation by an authorized public translator. That is what the Universidad Latina de Panamá website details. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide Which documents are asked for In what order they are processed What MEDUCA revalidation is Apostille and translation Extra requirements for health programs Mistakes that delay admission Frequently asked questions Sources Which…

Overtime in Panama: Day, Night and Mixed-Shift Surcharges Explained

Oct

Overtime in Panama: Day, Night and Mixed-Shift Surcharges Explained

In short: Panama's Labor Code sets three surcharges for overtime: 25 percent when the extra hour falls in the daytime period, 50 percent in the nighttime period or when it extends a mixed shift that began by day, and 75 percent when it extends a night shift or a mixed shift that began at night. The cap is three overtime hours a day and nine a week. The surcharges are in article 33. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide The three surcharges in article 33 Day, night and mixed shifts How many overtime hours are allowed How pay…

Travel Insurance for Older Adults: Age Limit and Pre-existing Illness

Oct

Guides, Professional Services & Technology

Travel Insurance for Older Adults: Age Limit and Pre-existing Illness

In short: according to the ASSA Travel website, the travel insurance accepts insured people from 6 months to 80 years old; from 71 to 80 a surcharge applies and the medical expense coverage drops to 50% of the plan amount. The general conditions define a pre-existing condition with a 2-year window for treatment and symptoms and a 5-year window for hospitalizations or surgery. The US CDC recommends that people over 75 start looking for specialized policies early. Updated October 2026. Contents of this guide Maximum age and what changes from 71 Table by age bracket How much is left in…

Selling a Car in Panama Without Intermediaries: Documents and Contract

Oct