Requirements to travel to Panamá

Information updated July 2025

In Panamá, we are waiting for you with open doors so that you can enjoy a vacation full of adventure. Move between beaches, mountains, and tropical forests. Learn about our natural diversity and rich culture while enjoying our gastronomy. Get ready for the trip and have everything you need ready to make it perfect. 

Everything you need to know before your trip to Panamá can be found here:

A. Required documents.

B. Visa requirements.

C. Requirements for transit travel.

D. Vaccines.

E. Traveler’s affidavit.

F. Travel with pets.

A. Documents required to enter Panamá

1. Valid passport with at least six months of validity.

2. Return ticket to your country of origin or next destination.

3. Minimum economic solvency of US$500,* demonstrated by:

• Cash.

• Credit card.

• Bank reference.

• Employment letter.

• Traveler’s checks.
  * Some nationalities may be required to demonstrate larger amounts. Check with the consulate or your airline.

4. Address of your accommodation and reason for the trip.

5. Tourist visa, if applicable based on your nationality (check in the visa section of the National Migration Service of Panamá).

6. Panamá does not currently have any restrictions due to COVID-19, but check updated information here. In any case, we recommend you always travel with your vaccination card. 

B. Visa requirements to enter Panamá

Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to enter Panamá and can stay for a maximum of 90 days. 

Some countries require special permits such as a stamped visa or authorized visa. These visas must be obtained prior to travel and have different requirements. 

See the full list of visa-exempt countries and those requiring visas at: https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas.

C. Special requirements for transit in Panamá

If you’re only passing through Panamá, check if you need a transit visa.

Check the details for airport transit here.

D. Required Vaccines

While it is advisable to get vaccinated against yellow fever before traveling to Panamá, it is no longer mandatory to present a vaccination card upon entering Panamanian territory.

According to the updated regulations from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), an international vaccination certificate is not required as an entry requirement for the country.

Keep in mind that countries like Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil still record significant cases in jungle areas. For travelers coming from these countries, as well as from the African continent, it is advisable to carry a vaccination card showing that the yellow fever vaccine was administered at least 10 days prior.

Currently, this is the only vaccination regulation for tourists, so you may not find more information about other vaccines as a requirement to enter Panamá.

What vaccines are required to enter Panamá?

The yellow fever vaccine is no longer mandatory to enter Panamá. However, the country remains under surveillance, and reserves the right to request it from anyone entering. We recommend getting vaccinated before traveling, especially if you are coming from the aforementioned destinations.

Is the yellow fever vaccine still necessary in any case?

Within Panamanian territory, it is recommended but not mandatory if you plan to visit areas with greater natural exposure, such as:

• Darien

• Guna Yala

• Panama Este

Vaccination requirements are established according to reports from the World Health Organization. These reports are constantly under evaluation, so we advise you to verify the requirements with the embassy or airline you are traveling with.

For more details, consult Resolution No. 0837 of July 11, 2016.

E. Traveler’s affidavit

To expedite entry into the country, Panamá has simplified customs processes. 

You only need to declare items at customs if you’re entering the country with cash, objects, or documents valued at more than US$10,000. To do this, you must fill out the traveler’s affidavit form on this page and generate the QR code to present at customs. 

If you have nothing to declare, you do not have to fill out any forms, including the affidavit.

F. Travel with pets

If you’re traveling with your pet, make sure all their papers are up to date, you meet all the requirements, and you follow the steps so that your pet can enter without issues. 

• Before starting any procedures, make sure your airline allows you to travel with pets and ask about their requirements. Each airline may have different requests, booking times, costs, and even restrictions on weight or breed. 

• First steps:

  • Make sure your pet is up to date on all of their vaccinations. To enter Panamá, you must have:  

    • For dogs: Rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus.

    • For cats: Rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia.

  • Perform an external and internal deworming of your pet.

  • Ask your veterinarian for a Certificate of Good Health.

• Next steps:

  • Get the Animal Health Export Certificate. This certificate must be obtained from the health authority in the country of origin. 

    • To obtain the export certificate, you must have: vaccinations, certificate of good health, and deworming. 

    • Each country has specific requirements, so we recommend checking the relevant pages. 

  • Go to the Panamanian consulate in your country of origin and get an apostille on the Animal Health Export Certificate.

  • Announce your pet’s entry into the country by filling out and sending the “Home Quarantine Request” form to cam@minsa.gob.pa and camzoonosis@gmail.com.

• Entry into the country:

  • When you arrive at the port of entry, go to the MIDA (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario [Ministry of Agricultural Development]) offices so the veterinarian can perform the required inspection of the documents and your pet.

  • Make the official payment at the office.

• Enjoy your vacation with your pet. 

Depending on the country you’re in, the documents or vaccinations your pet needs may vary. For more information on how to travel to Panamá with your pet, visit the MIDA website.

Find more information and useful links:

• Panamá’s National Migration Service: see here.

• Traveler’s affidavit: see here.

• Things to do in Panamá: explore here.

• Stopover program: more information.

Ready for your trip? Prepare your documents and enjoy Panamá!

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