Panama

If you’re travelling to Panama our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Overview
Safety and security
Local laws and customs
Health
Entry requirements

Overview

Security status

We advise Irish citizens in Panama to exercise a high degree of caution.

Latest travel alert

There is currently an outbreak of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Irish Citizens are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Emergency assistance

There is no Irish Embassy in Panama, we’re limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Honorary Consulate in Panama or the Irish Embassy in Mexico.

Other EU embassies

You can also contact the Embassies or Consulates of other EU countries for emergency consular assistance, advice and support.

Our tips for safe travels

Purchase comprehensive travel insurance which covers all your intended activities
Add an alert for your destination within the Travelwise App.
Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly in an emergency, such as a natural disaster or a family emergency
Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates
Read our Topical ‘Know Before You Go’ guide

Safety and security

Hurricane season

The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from July to October. You should pay close attention to local and international weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Always monitor local and international weather updates for the region by accessing, for example, the Weather Channel, or the US National Hurricane Centre website.

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Health

Vaccinations

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for this country.

Entry requirements

Visa/Passport

If you are unsure of the entry requirements for this country, including visa and other immigration information, ask your travel agent or contact the country’s nearest Embassy or Consulate.

You can also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.