Currency to display:

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. They will usually have Identification (home made) and can be quite pushy, demanding and rude. Their help is really not needed, and so do not give them your documents. They will ask for outrageous amounts of money to give it back, after helping you very little. Often they will pretend to be officials to get you to hand over your documents. Only give your documents and seek advice from people inside official offices, or a uniformed Police officer with a badge.

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 Shipping across 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 / 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

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.

Navigation

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]