Difference between revisions of "Panama"
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'''VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:''' If you plan to ship your vehicle out of Panama, make absolutely certain that everything written on your temporary import permit is correct. A single digit wrong in your VIN number or date of vehicle manufacture '''will''' be a problem later when you try to ship the vehicle. '''DO NOT''' let the customs people convince you it will be OK. It won't. <br /> | '''VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:''' If you plan to ship your vehicle out of Panama, make absolutely certain that everything written on your temporary import permit is correct. A single digit wrong in your VIN number or date of vehicle manufacture '''will''' be a problem later when you try to ship the vehicle. '''DO NOT''' let the customs people convince you it will be OK. It won't. <br /> | ||
| − | '''NOTE:''' You may encounter locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See [[Pan_American_Highway# | + | '''NOTE:''' You may encounter locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See [[Pan_American_Highway#Helpers|Border Crossing Helpers]] for advice. |
==Cost of entry== | ==Cost of entry== | ||
Revision as of 17:41, 25 November 2011
Currency to display:
Contents
At the border
Correct as of: March 2010
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
- Drivers license of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
- Vehicle registration (original and 1 copy).
Process at border
- The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (migración), including a stamp in their Passport.
- Insurance for the vehicle must be purchased. (see below)
- The owner must show the new passport stamp, drivers license, the original vehicle registration and vehicle insurance to customs (aduana).
- The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to ship your vehicle out of Panama, make absolutely certain that everything written on your temporary import permit is correct. A single digit wrong in your VIN number or date of vehicle manufacture will be a problem later when you try to ship the vehicle. DO NOT let the customs people convince you it will be OK. It won't.
NOTE: You may encounter locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See Border Crossing Helpers for advice.
Cost of entry
Free.
Permitted length of stay
90 days.
Extension of stay
Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
(unknown)
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
By land to Costa Rica
- The registered owner is stamped out of Panama at immigration.
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs, where it is cancelled.
By Ship, probably to Colombia
See Crossing The Darien Gap for details.
Overland Essentials
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory in Panama and you will be forced to buy it at the border before you are allowed to enter. There are always agents at the border to buy from.
Cost of insurance
$15.00 USD for 3 months for a 4x4.
Where to purchase insurance
Right at the border. The customs guys will tell you exactly where to go.
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
None.
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Panama are generally of good quality, except in some of the smaller towns where the pavement is cracked and broken. Lesser roads are gravel and can be mud pits in the rainy season.
Road signs
Road signs are mostly common and clear.
Toll roads
The major highway from Panama City to Colón is tolled.
Bribery
Police bribery is not common in Panama, but it certainly does happen.
See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are not common in Panama, though you may encounter them. You'll be asked to show your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license, vehicle insurance and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.
Traveling with pets
Unknown.
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gasoline Petrol Diesel
Last updated: April 2010
Price
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | €0.80 EUR per Liter [1] |
| Super (90) | ?? |
| Premium (95) | ?? |
| Ultra (97) | ?? |
| Normal Diesel | $0.72 USD per Liter[2] |
| Diesel (low sulfur) | ?? |
Gasoline Availability / Frequency
Gasoline shortages in Panama are not a problem.
Typically gas stations are not more than 100 - 200km apart.
Gasoline Quality
Accepted to be good quality.
Sulfur content of diesel is unknown.
External information about gasoline
- Price Information: gasoline-germany.com - International Gas / Petrol / Diesel prices - Panama
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night is not considered a huge problem in Panama, though it's not recommended due to road hazards that can not be seen in the dark.
Vehicle parking
Parking vehicles on the street in smaller towns during the day is typically OK. Find a secure parking lot in big cities and at night.
Special driving considerations
None.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Panama - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping
Camping is becoming more popular with local Panamanians and hostels in touristy areas have camping to cater for backpackers.
Being far away from major roads is preferable for wild camping.
Camping guide books
No specific book exists, though the usual backpacker guide books mention when a hostel has camping facilities.
Drinking water
Tap water in most of Panama is not safe to drink, though many hotels and hostels in Panama City advertise that it is safe. Every corner store sells 1 and 2 liter bottles, and 20 liter bottles can be bought at most large grocery stores.
Paper maps
Purchase maps before arriving in Panama.
GPS
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[3]
- Garmin: Apparently no map of Panama.
- TomTom: No map of Panama. [4]
Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.
- Camping Sites: Panama - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
- Central America Camping Locations - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
- Camping Log 1: Central America - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
- White Acorn camping log page - GPS co-ordinates and excellent description of campsites]
Overland Travel Interest
Special Overland interests
- See Shipping across the Darien Gap for those details.
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buying and selling vehicles
Buying a vehicle as a foreigner
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Selling a foreign-plated vehicle
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
- ↑ gasoline-germany.com - International Gas / Petrol / Diesel prices - Panama
- ↑ fuel price - anybody ? - The HUBB
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Panama
- ↑ TomTom Map availability
