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Panama draws visitors with the Panama Canal, its beaches, lively nightlife and a rich cultural heritage.
How many tourists visit Panama each year?
Panama received a record 3.00 million international visitors in 2025 (preliminary)1. From January to August 2026, arrivals reached 2.32 million, up 18.9% on the same months of 2025.2
- Panama recorded 2.52 million international visitors in 2018 and 2.51 million in 2019.1
- The COVID-19 pandemic cut arrivals to 675,000 in 2020, and they recovered 20% to 809,000 in 2021.1
- Arrivals climbed to 1.95 million in 20221, then rose 29% to 2.51 million in 2023.
- Growth continued in 2024, with arrivals up 10.6% to 2.78 million.1 In 2025, they rose a further 8.2% to 3.00 million, 20% above the pre-pandemic level of 2019.
How many people visited Panama in 2026?
From January to August 2026, Panama received 2.32 million international visitors (preliminary), an 18.9% increase from 1.95 million in the same months of 2025.2
- January was the busiest month so far with 371,161 visitors, followed by March with 334,197.2
- Visitors spent a total of $5.10 billion USD from January to August, 15.5% more than in the same period of 2025.2
Note: Figures are preliminary and cover January to August 2026, the latest data available.
How many people visited Panama in 2025?
In 2025, Panama received a record 3.00 million international visitors (preliminary), an 8.2% increase from 2.78 million in 2024.3
- December was the busiest month with 347,564 visitors, followed by January with 324,191.3
How many people visited Panama in 2024?
In 2024, Panama received a total of 2.78 million international visitors4, a 10.6% increase from 2.51 million in 2023.
- This total includes 2.10 million overnight tourists, 309,000 cruise passengers and 366,000 other same-day visitors.4
How much do visitors spend in Panama each year?
International visitors spent a record $6.58 billion in Panama in 20251, money that supports Panama’s hotels, restaurants, transport and leisure businesses.
- International visitors spent $4.52 billion in 2019.1 The pandemic then cut spending by about 75%, to $1.13 billion in 2020.
- Spending recovered to $4.72 billion in 2022.1
- Visitors spent $6.00 billion in 2024, up 10% from $5.45 billion in 2023.1
- In 2025, spending rose 9.7% to $6.58 billion (preliminary).1 All figures exclude international transport fares.
How much did tourists spend in Panama in 2025?
In 2025, international visitors spent a total of $6.58 billion USD in Panama, a 9.7% increase from $6.00 billion in 2024.3
- Monthly spending peaked at $609 million in January and $602 million in December, and never fell below $499 million (September).3
Note: 2025 figures are preliminary and subject to revision.
How much do tourists spend per day in Panama?
International visitors spend an average of $275 USD per day in Panama and about $2,199 USD per trip, over an average stay of roughly 8 days (excluding international flights).2
How much does it cost to visit Panama?
Beyond the official average, what a trip costs depends on your travel style:
- Budget travelers typically spend around $700 to $900 USD for a 7-day trip, including basic accommodations, public transport, and low-cost meals.
- Mid-range travelers can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 USD, covering hotels, guided tours, domestic flights, and dining out.
- Luxury travelers may spend $2,000 USD or more per trip, with premium hotels, private transfers, and high-end experiences.
Where do visitors to Panama come from?
In 2025, the leading sources of international visitors arriving through Tocumen International Airport were the USA, followed by Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Costa Rica.1
- The USA remained the top source market, with 494,685 visits, or about 22% of arrivals through Tocumen airport.1
- Colombia ranked second with 343,432 visitors.1
- Ecuador followed with 114,847 visits, ahead of Mexico with 89,652 and Costa Rica with 85,298.1
- Other top markets included Argentina (82,748), Brazil (77,827), Spain (77,421), Guatemala (62,631) and Venezuela (61,502), just ahead of Peru (59,120).1
- From January to August 2026, the USA (379,511) and Colombia (267,391) remained the top two markets, with Mexico (+38.7%), Ecuador (+37.9%) and Argentina (+34.6%) among the fastest-growing.2
How long do tourists stay in Panama?
International visitors stay an average of 8 days in Panama.1
How many cruise passengers and day visitors come to Panama?
Panama’s visitors fall into three groups: overnight tourists, cruise passengers and other same-day visitors.
- In 2025, Panama recorded around 2.33 million overnight tourists across all ports of entry, 344,000 cruise passengers, and 329,000 other same-day visitors1 (mainly travelers in transit at Tocumen airport or crossing land borders).
- Most visitors fly in and stay overnight, helped by the wide range of flights through Tocumen International Airport.
- From January to August 2026, cruise passenger arrivals rose 25.2% to 252,593.2
When is the peak season in Panama?
Panama’s peak tourist season falls in the dry months, from December to March.
When is the best time to visit Panama?
The best time to visit Panama is during the dry season, which runs from December to March.
- Expect the most pleasant weather of the year, with sunny skies and lower humidity — ideal for beach trips, outdoor activities and cultural events.
- The rainy season (May to November) brings fewer crowds, lush landscapes and off-season travel deals.5
How popular is Panama as a tourist destination?
- Panama City was named Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America for the fifth consecutive year in Global Traveler magazine’s 2026 Leisure Lifestyle Awards.6
- In Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards, Nayara Bocas del Toro was named one of the world’s top Once-in-a-Lifetime Hotels.7
Car Rental in Panama and Nearby
Is Panama safe as a tourist destination?
Panama is generally safe for tourists, though some areas call for extra care.
- Panama’s crime index stands at 42.4 (Numbeo, mid-2026), lower than Costa Rica (54.2) and Colombia (61.3).8
- Common incidents include robbery, pickpocketing, and vehicle theft.
- Take extra care in these higher-crime areas:
- Colón Province
- San Miguelito District
- Certain areas in Panama City, such as Calidonia, El Chorrillo, and Santa Ana9
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What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Panama?
- The Panama Canal is the best-known and most visited attraction in Panama, drawing more than 1 million visitors in fiscal year 2025.10 Linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it is one of the world’s great feats of engineering.
How many people visit the Panama Canal?
The canal’s visitor centers now draw more than a million visitors a year.10
- In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025), they passed 1 million visitors for the first time.10
- That was up from nearly 800,000 in fiscal year 2024.11
How much does it cost to visit the Panama Canal?
Entry to the Panama Canal Visitor Center costs $17.22 USD for non-resident adults and $7.22 USD for children aged 6–12.12
When is the best time to visit the Panama Canal?
The best time to visit the Panama Canal is during the dry season (December to March) for clear views and comfortable weather.
- Go in the morning or early afternoon, when ships are passing through the locks.
What are the best places to visit in Panama?
From island beaches and cloud forests to a modern capital and a colonial old town, Panama has something for most travelers.
- Panama Canal: Watch ships pass through the locks from the visitor centers at Miraflores and Agua Clara.12
- Casco Viejo: Panama City’s historic quarter features colonial architecture, rooftop bars, and UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
- San Blas Islands: More than 300 islands managed by the Guna people, known for quiet beaches and a strong Indigenous culture.
- Bocas del Toro: A Caribbean island chain known for its laid-back vibe, surf spots, and snorkeling reefs.
- Boquete: A highland town in Chiriquí perfect for coffee tours, cloud forests, and hiking to Volcán Barú, the country’s highest peak.
References
- Indicadores de turismo de la República de Panamá, años 2015-2025 (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá) · atp.gob.pa ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q
- Informe estadístico enero a agosto 2025 vs 2026 (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá) · atp.gob.pa ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w
- Informe estadístico enero a diciembre 2024 vs 2025 (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá) · atp.gob.pa ↑ b c d e f
- Informe estadístico enero a diciembre 2023 vs 2024 (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá) · atp.gob.pa ↑ b
- Panama climate: temperature, rain, when to go (Climates to Travel) · climatestotravel.com ↑
- Global Traveler Announces 14th Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards · globaltravelerusa.com ↑
- Tripadvisor Announces Its 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels Winners · tripadvisor.mediaroom.com ↑
- Crime Index by Country 2026 Mid-Year (Numbeo) · numbeo.com ↑
- Panama travel advice and advisories (Government of Canada) · travel.gc.ca ↑
- Canal de Panamá avanza con modernización del Centro de Visitantes de Miraflores (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá) · pancanal.com ↑ b c
- Discover the Panama Canal in an Easier and Faster Way! (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá) · pancanal.com ↑
- Miraflores Visitor Center (Visit Canal de Panamá, Autoridad del Canal de Panamá) · visitcanaldepanama.com ↑ b
