Panama City Panama ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Key information about Panama City

Population

880,691

Country
Panama
Money
Currency
PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.00 PAB
ATM fees

5 PAB (plus your own bank's fees)

Credit cards

Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.

Tipping

10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere

Airport
Main airport

Tocumen International Airport (PTY)

Airport to city center

Metro Bus (0.25 PAB with prepaid card - buy inside airport), Free Shuttle (FREE, with boarding pass), Uber (30 PAB), Taxi (14.28 PAB)

Other options

Gelabert Albrook International Airport (PAC) - serves national routes as well as flights to Colombia and Costa Rica

Transportation
Taxi apps

Uber, Tu Chofer

Public transportation

Metro Bus: 0.25 PAB single ride with MetroBus Card
Metro: 0.35 PAB single ride with MetroBus card

Getting around

Buy a MetroBus Card at any station for 2 PAB in order to ride buses and the metro.

SIM card
Best options

Claro, Movistar

Expected cost

20 PAB for 5GB of Data valid for 1 month

How to buy

At mall stands, an authorized operator branch or the main airports. Make sure to have your passport.

Language
Official language(s)

Spanish

Level of English

Low

Food
Tap water

Not drinkable

Overall cuisine

Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.

Local food specialities

Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja

Eat like a local

Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks

Vegetarian / vegan options

7 options on HappyCow

Food delivery apps

Appetito24, UberEats

Supermarkets

Super 99: Lots of stores across Panama City, this supermarket chain always holds a good variety of local and imported goods. Prices tend to be the cheapest, with quality of goods varying.
Supermercados Rey: Easily found across the city, these supermarkets have a great variety of fresh produce, baked goods and a reasonable spread of imported goods. It is an American-style grocery store, with aisles dedicated to special dietary requirements. Prices are mid-range.
Riba Smith: Panama's premier supermarket chain is a favorite among locals and expats for its impressive variety of local and imported goods, as well as selections of wine, baked and fresh goods. Prices here will be higher. Stores are found across the city.
Specialty Stores: These stores focus on dietary requirements and hold lots of organic goods and supplements. Super Gourmet and Grand Deli Gourmet are favorites in this range.
Local Markets: Mercado de Abastos is great for bulk purchases of fresh produce and meats, with Mercado de Mariscos providing great prepared meals and lots of fresh fish options.