Flying to Panama

Panama's main airports

• Tocumen International (PTY), east of Panama City, handles almost all international flights.
• Albrook (PAC), in the city, is the main domestic airport, with flights to David, Bocas del Toro, Changuinola and Chitré.
• Río Hato (RIH), near the Pacific beaches, gets seasonal winter flights from Toronto and Montréal, mostly for beach resorts. It's handy for Coronado and the beaches if the dates work.
• David (DAV) serves Boquete and the rest of Chiriquí.

Direct flights

Copa flies nonstop to Panama City from a long list of US cities, and US airlines add more. From Canada there are direct flights from Toronto and Montréal, with seasonal winter service from Calgary. From the UK and Europe you'll usually connect, either through a US hub or on a direct flight from cities such as Madrid or Amsterdam. Because Tocumen is a hub, Panama is also easy to reach from most of Latin America.

To compare fares across airlines and booking sites in one search, try a flight search engine such as Aviasales (affiliate link). Check the final price and baggage rules on the booking page before you pay, and consider booking direct with the airline if the price is close, as changes and refunds are usually simpler.

Entry rules

Canadian, US and UK citizens don't need a visa for a tourist visit. Bring a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay and a return or onward ticket, and be ready to show you can support yourself during your visit. The length of stay you're allowed is set by immigration on arrival, so check your entry stamp. If you're bringing a pet, see Moving.

Getting from Tocumen into the city

• Official airport taxis charge a fixed fare agreed before you set off, usually around $30 to $40 to the centre.
• Uber is usually cheaper. Pickups are from a designated area, not the arrivals door, and you'll need data, so set up your eSIM before you fly.
• A pre-booked transfer costs more than Uber but a driver meets you in arrivals at a fixed price, which helps after a late flight or with lots of luggage. Kiwitaxi (affiliate link) takes bookings from Tocumen to Panama City and beyond.
• The metro has an airport branch on Line 2. It's by far the cheapest option but slow, with a transfer, and awkward with big bags.
• Rental cars can be collected at the airport. See Renting a car.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled

Depending on the airline and route, passenger rules in Canada, the EU and the UK can entitle you to compensation for long delays, cancellations or being bumped from an overbooked flight, sometimes years after the trip. You can claim from the airline yourself for free. A claims service such as AirHelp (affiliate link) checks whether you qualify and handles the claim for a share of any payout.

Reaching the regions

Getting from Panama City to the main regions

Region	Best way
Pacific beaches (Coronado)	Drive or bus along the Pan-American Highway, roughly an hour or so depending on traffic
El Valle de Antón	Drive or bus, about two hours
Boquete	Fly to David, then drive or bus up to Boquete; or drive the whole way in about seven hours
Pedasí and the Azuero	Drive, about five hours; Chitré has domestic flights
Bocas del Toro	Fly from Albrook to Isla Colón

Common questions

Which airport do I fly into for Panama?

Most international flights land at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) outside Panama City. Domestic flights to David and Bocas del Toro leave from Albrook, the city's domestic airport.

Are there direct flights from Canada to Panama?

Yes. There are direct flights from Toronto and Montréal to Panama City, seasonal winter flights from Calgary, and seasonal flights from Toronto and Montréal to Río Hato near the Pacific beaches.

Do I need a visa to visit Panama?

Canadian, US and UK citizens don't need a visa for a tourist visit. Bring a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket, and check the length of stay on your entry stamp.