What is asked for at Tocumen
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Minimum three months’ validity on entry (six for some nationalities) |
| Onward ticket | By air, land or sea, dated within the permitted stay |
| Proof of funds | 500 dollars in cash, card or bank statement; may be requested at random |
| Yellow fever vaccine | Only if arriving from a country with a risk of transmission |
| Health insurance | Not mandatory for tourists; required for some residency visas |
| Customs declaration | Digital or paper form; cash above 10,000 dollars must be declared |
Yellow fever: when it is mandatory
The Ministry of Health requires the international yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from countries with a risk of transmission according to the World Health Organization, including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and most of sub-Saharan Africa. The list is updated and should be checked before travelling. The vaccine must be given at least ten days before entry and a single dose is valid for life.
Anyone living in Panama and travelling to one of those countries can be vaccinated at MINSA centres. The vaccine is free; the international certificate costs 20 balboas for nationals and residents and 100 for foreigners.
Recommended, not required, vaccines
- Routine schedule up to date: tetanus, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A and B.
- Typhoid if visiting rural areas or indigenous comarcas.
- Malaria: no vaccine; low risk in Darién, Guna Yala and parts of Bocas del Toro. Repellent is advised and, depending on destination, prophylaxis.
- Dengue: present throughout the country. Prevention is avoiding bites.
How long a tourist can stay
Most nationalities enter without a visa and can stay up to 90 days, extendable by the National Immigration Service. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union and much of Latin America are on that list. Other countries need a stamped or authorised visa, and some nationalities have stays of 30 or 180 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a vaccine to enter Panama?
No, except the yellow fever certificate for travellers arriving from a country with a risk of transmission. From the United States, Europe or Central America no vaccine is required.
Does Panama require health insurance to enter?
Not for tourists. Some residency visas do require it, such as the remote worker visa. Travelling insured is advisable because private care is paid per service.
How much money must you show when entering Panama?
Immigration may ask for proof of funds of 500 dollars, in cash, credit card or bank statement, plus an onward ticket.
Related articles
Sources
- Ministry of Health of Panama, yellow fever vaccine requirements for travellers.
- National Immigration Service, entry requirements.
- World Health Organization, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
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