What to Pack for Panama – A Complete Guide 

After spending six weeks backpacking through Panama, from the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro to the cloud forests of Boquete and the busy streets of Panama City, we quickly learnt that packing for Panama isn’t as straightforward as throwing swimsuits into a backpack.

One day you’ll be hiking through humid rainforest, the next you’ll be catching boats between islands or wearing a jumper in the mountains. This guide covers exactly what we packed, what we actually used and what we’d leave at home next time.

What to Pack for Panama (Quick Summary)

If you only have time for one section, here’s what you actually need for Panama:

Essentials for Panama:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Swimwear (you’ll live in it in places like Bocas del Toro)
• Waterproof jacket or poncho
• Comfortable walking shoes/trainers
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Dry bag (very useful for boat travel)
• Insect repellent (strongly recommended)
• Sunscreen (reef-safe)
• Reusable water bottle
• Power bank + travel adapter

Things to think about when packing for Panama

Climate in Panama 

Panama is located just above the equator and has a tropical climate, meaning it is hot and humid pretty much all year round. The temperature tends not to vary too much throughout the year and sits around 25-30C/77-86F.

Rainy season in Panama 

April to December is what’s known as winter or wet season in Panama. This period is when there is the most rainfall, and it will rain almost daily. 

Don’t let the rain put you off visiting in the wet season though; showers typically only last for half an hour and are then usually followed by bright sunshine. 

If you’re trying to avoid showers, November is the worst month to visit Panama as it has the highest amount of rainfall. 

The wet season is actually an ideal time to visit Panama if you are looking to get more for your money. For example, hotels and tours tend to be heavily discounted, and the crowds will be a lot more manageable. 

Backpacking, holiday, or cruise? 

Panama attracts a huge range of tourists all for different reasons. In our experience, there were a lot of people from the US on vacation due to its close proximity and it being a great location for a holiday. 

The Panama Canal is extremely popular for its Panama Canal Cruise, which is very high on our bucket list! The Panama Canal Cruise looks absolutely stunning, but you might not need to opt for a backpack and hiking boots.

We personally backpacked some of Panama and met a lot of like-minded people. Many were also travelling around not just Panama but also around the rest of Central America and down to South America.   

If you are planning a trip to Panama soon, why not check out our things to know before backpacking Panama!

Documents you need for Panama 

• Passport
• Visa – check here for visa requirements 
• International driving licence – Officially, as long as your home driver’s license is written in Roman letters, you can use it to drive in Panama. However, we always recommend having an international driver’s license with you when you travel.
• Vaccine certification – definitely needed, and look into yellow fever requirements 
• Copies of passport – needed to cross borders and visa extension 
• Passport photos
• Travel Insurance
• Bank statement – needed for crossing borders 

Choosing the right bag for Panama 

Backpack 

If you are just visiting one area in Panama or going on a cruise, you might opt for just a suitcase. Alternatively, if you are planning on doing a few stops in Panama, you are going to need a sturdy backpack.

Roads and pathways in Panama are not always the smoothest, and you will really, really struggle to wheel a suitcase around. Trust us, we tried! 

We’d recommend picking a lightweight backpack that opens like a suitcase. This makes it easy to pack, unpack and to see exactly what you have in there without rifling everything out. 

Panama can be a bit unpredictable with its weather, so we would recommend also buying a waterproof cover for your backpack to be extra safe! 

We are huge Osprey fans so would definitely recommend picking one of the backpacks linked below, but any backpack should do the job. Be sure not to take too big of a rucksack though as you will have to lug it around.

Suitcase

If you are on vacation or on a cruise, a large suitcase will likely be ideal for carrying your belongings as you won’t need to move them as much. 

We found that taxi drivers and buses tended to fling our backpacks around (much to our horror) whereas you’ll find with a suitcase, people are more careful. 

We recommend these hard-shelled lockable cases for the most amount of protection. Try not to overpack as it is likely there will still be times when you have to lift your case. 

Day Bag

A day bag is very important for your trip to Panama, so do not forget one! They are so useful for day trips, hiking and even going to the beach. 

There are a few things to consider when picking your day bag, and these are size, security and personal style. 

Alex tends to carry all the important stuff and is a bit stronger than me, so he opts for the Osprey backpack attachment as his day bag. This bag is lockable and has a laptop sleeve, making it ideal to carry our valuables and some of our heavier day items. 

I prefer to carry a tote bag around with me as I find backpacks quite bulky and annoying for day-to-day use. Tote bags aren’t very secure, so definitely don’t put anything valuable in them, but for heading to the beach or into town, it was ideal for carrying some water, a towel and a book. 

Packing Cubes 

I’m not sure how I ever used to pack my bags before I discovered packing cubes! Whether you are taking a suitcase or a backpack to Panama, we definitely recommend taking some packing cubes. 

Packing comes in all shapes and sizes, so definitely have a shop around and pick the amount and the sizes that will suit you! We personally have used these Amazon packing cubes and highly recommend them. 

What to Pack for Panama 

Women’s Clothing

• 3-4 T-shirts 
• 2 vest tops 
• 1 light fleece (it gets cold in the evening)
• Rain jacket 
• Leggings 
• Cycling shorts
• Denim shorts 
• Swimwear 
• 2 summer dresses 
• 1 week of underwear
• 1 week of socks including some thick ones 
• 1 pair of trainers
• 1 pair of sandals 

Men’s Clothing 

• 4-5 T-shirts
• 1 shirt 
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 1 pair of jeans
• 2 pairs of swim shorts
• 1 hoodie
• 1 waterproof jacket
• 1 hat
• Trainers 
• Flipflops 

Dry bag 

We actually bought a dry bag during our travels but wish we had bought one before. If you are planning on doing any water activities during your trip, a dry bag is ideal! 

We also used our dry bag to take to the beach with us as it’s great at keeping the sand off of your belongings. It was super handy when we visited Starfish Beach in Bocas del Toro as we could take it snorkelling with us and didn’t have to leave our valuables unattended.  

Filtered water bottle 

You might be wondering whether you can drink tap water in Panama. Apparently, Panama actually has a great water treatment system and tap water is safe to drink in most of the country. 

We travelled around a lot of the world in one trip, so decided not to drink tap water in some places, just to be safe! 

Take a filtered water bottle with you, and it will take all the worry away. You will be safe to drink water straight from the source, without contributing to the amount of plastic waste in the country. 

Rain jacket 

Even though we visited Panama in the dry season, we got caught in quite a few showers! Having either a lightweight rain jacket or a rain poncho is a great item to pack with you. 

Travel Adapters 

If you are coming from the US you won’t need any adapters for Panama. However, we have UK appliances and found these adapters perfect for our trip! 

Hiking Shoes 

We actually didn’t take hiking shoes to Panama, and at the time we probably wished we did, but looking back we are glad we didn’t. If you’re an avid hiker and are used to wearing hiking boots on hikes, then definitely bring some along.

Whether you do also depends on your future travel plans, as if you’re city-hopping for the majority, it may be more of a hindrance.In addition, hiking boots are quite bulky to carry around, and if you haven’t broken them in, they are likely to be quite uncomfortable for your hike. 

We personally both took comfortable trainers and wore them for hikes and long walks, and they worked for us perfectly. 

Money belt

Unfortunately, petty theft is prevalent in some areas of Panama, so it is vital you protect your belongings. We would recommend having an underclothes money belt on you when exploring to protect your valuables. 

This money pouch that clips to your bra strap also looks ideal, and I will definitely be purchasing it for my next trip! 

Towel 

A lightweight, fast-drying towel is ideally what you would want for your trip to Panama. While your items will dry quickly in the sun, normal towels are heavy and take up a lot of space. 

These microfibre towels fold up really small, dry quickly and make a great make-shift curtain in hostels. 

Waterproof phone case

Absolutely vital for taking photos at Starfish beach! We loved having our waterproof phone case in Panama. We were a bit wary at first, but once we trusted them it was great being able to take photos while snorkelling and on boats, especially in Bocas del Toro. 

Toiletries needed for Panama 

We found certain toiletries quite tricky to find or insanely expensive in Panama. Locals don’t tend to use sunscreen, so definitely get enough to last you before you go, or you’ll be paying around $30 a bottle! 

• Suncream, SPF and SPF lip balm 
• Aloe Vera
• Dental products
• All the makeup you are going to need
• A spare hairbrush – mine got stolen, and it took me ages to find a new one! 
• Tampons / sanitary towels / menstrual cup if you can 
• Face tan – I love this one! 
• Bite cream 
• Insect repellent 

First aid kit

• Painkillers
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets 
• Plasters 
• Bandages
• Aloe vera 
• Tweezers 
• Antiseptic wipes 

These are some items we found that we needed during our travel, but we also would recommend buying a lightweight medical kit. It won’t take up too much space, and you never know when you will need it! 

Laundry in Panama 

We found that most of the hostels we stayed in had laundry facilities, which was very handy when attempting to do washing.

On the rare occasions we stayed in hotels, we actually found nearby laundromats to do our washing, which often worked out cheaper.

Cash or Card in Panama? 

Getting cash out in Panama 

It is possible to get cash out in Panama and often better as it means you don’t have to carry around large amounts of cash with you. 

It is always best to go to the larger banks to withdraw cash rather than the ATMs on the street. The larger banks usually have an air-conditioned room with a few ATMs in and that is likely to be your best bet. 

Getting cash out wasn’t always smooth sailing for us, and sometimes it simply didn’t work, and we had to try a different bank or go speak to customer services. 

What cards we used in Panama 

We primarily use Monzo when we are travelling, and 90% of the time our Monzo cards worked fine in the ATMs in Panama. If you are planning on using Monzo, just make sure you switch on your MAG strip in the Monzo app settings. 

We also used our Lloyds credit card in Panama, and it worked fine but did have a lot more fees than the Monzo account. 

Gadgets we took to Panama 

Power bank 

We take a few power banks with us whenever we travel. Getting caught out with no phone battery isn’t ideal, especially if, like us, you use Google Maps to get around. 

We love our Anker power banks, and we have a couple of different-sized ones. All of them hold their charge really well and are pretty quick! 

Wireless headphones 

Pre-travel, we were both Beats Solo fans, but we realised quite quickly that in-ear headphones were definitely the way forward for travel. 

We had a few long bus rides in Panama, and music kept us going through a lot of them. 

AirPods are now our go-to, but we have heard that these Bluetooth earphones are another great alternative. 

GoPro 

We didn’t have a GoPro when we went to Panama, but we really wish we did! As you can imagine, it’s great for water sports, mountain climbing and documenting your adventures. This GoPro is great for beginners and won’t break the bank. 

Apple Air Tag 

With airports currently being as they are, we were so worried we were going to lose our backpacks during our travels and during our flight from New York. We both bought an Apple Air Tag each, and it really helped to put our minds at ease. 

Simply connect up with your phone and keep the Air Tag in your main bag, and you will be able to track your luggage wherever it goes. 

Miscellaneous things to pack

• Mosquito repellent 
• Mosquito net 
• blanket/pillow combo 
• Clip things 
• Padlocks 
• A pen
• A sarong! – I swear by a sarong, it’s the perfect cover-up, picnic blanket and curtain. 
• Snorkel – you can buy them out there, but if you have a favourite, definitely take it. 
• Sleeping bag liner – trust me 

What you don’t need to pack for Panama

Sleeping bag

We stayed in some quite remote places and never actually needed a sleeping bag. Unless you are high in the mountains, it doesn’t get too cold at night, and they take up quite a lot of room in your bag. 

We took sleeping bag liners, which are perfect to sleep in if you aren’t a fan of your accommodation’s bedding and take up a lot less room! 

Heavy items 

We saw a lot of people struggling with their bags because they either packed too much or too many heavy items. 

Set out what you want to take with you and then half it, and then half it again! You really won’t need as much as you think and anything you take, you will have to carry.

Books

We recommend taking an Amazon Kindle if you have one, as carrying books will really add to your bag weight. Some of the hostels we went to had a few books you could take for free, so if you do want to take a book, just take one and swap it along the way. 

Expensive Items

Unless you are cruising or staying in fancy hotels, we really recommend leaving your expensive watches and jewellery at home. Flashing expensive items tends to attract the wrong attention, and it really just isn’t necessary during your trip. 

On buses, we had a lot of locals looking really impressed at just our iPhones, and we were a lot more careful with where we even used our phones after that, so definitely just be extra careful. 

Panama packing tips 

Dress like the locals 

Unfortunately, it is likely that you will stand out as a gringo (yes, they will call you that even if you are English)! However, not standing out as a foreigner will help you blend in a bit more during your trip to Panama. 

Panamanians tend to dress pretty casually, and a dead giveaway for a foreigner is wearing shorts! If you are hanging out on a beach in Bocas, you can definitely wear shorts and flip-flops; you might stand out a bit in Panama City. 

Check out this article for more info on how the locals in Panama dress. 

Don’t bring a hat 

Panama hats are pretty famous, and you will find them absolutely everywhere! Definitely don’t bother trying to bring one from home and treat yourself to one in Panama. 

What to pack for Panama in the rainy season

If you’re visiting during the rainy season, don’t panic; it doesn’t mean it rains all day. It usually comes in heavy bursts, often in the afternoon, followed by sunshine again.

We actually found the rain more predictable than expected, but it definitely changes what you need to pack.

A few things that made a big difference for us:

• A lightweight waterproof jacket (not a heavy coat)
• Quick-dry clothing; cotton takes forever to dry in humidity
• A waterproof backpack cover or liner
• Zip-lock bags for electronics and documents
• A small umbrella (useful in cities like Panama City, but less practical on islands)
• Sandals or shoes you don’t mind getting soaked

One thing we’d avoid is packing anything heavy or thick “just in case”. Even when it rains, it’s still warm, so layers aren’t really necessary outside of places like Boquete.

If you are planning a trip to Panama or the rest of Central America, here are some other posts you might find useful:

• The Best Restaurants in Boquete, Panama
• The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Costa Rica
• A Visitor’s Guide to Manuel Antonio

FAQs for what to pack for Panama

Final Thoughts

Packing for Panama is one of those things that feels more complicated than it actually is. You’re dealing with beaches, rainforests, islands and mountain towns all in one trip, but in reality you don’t need a huge amount of gear to make it work.

For us, the key was keeping things simple. Lightweight clothes, swimwear, something waterproof, and practical shoes covered most situations, whether we were in Bocas del Toro, exploring Panama City, or heading into the hills around Boquete.

If anything, we probably overpacked rather than underpacked. Panama has a very relaxed, backpacker-friendly feel, and you can pick up most essentials locally if you forget something small.

The main takeaway is this: pack for heat, humidity and sudden rain, not for extremes. If you get that balance right, travelling around Panama is easy, comfortable and a lot more enjoyable.

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