Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
Panama uses 120V / 60Hz with Type A and Type B sockets (North American flat pins). Travellers from North America need no adapter; visitors from 220–240V countries need a Type A/B adapter and a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 120V / 60Hz
- Sockets
- Type A and B
- Adapter
- Type A/B needed
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are +Móvil (Cable & Wireless, which absorbed Movistar), Tigo and Claro, with good 4G/5G in cities. Prepaid SIMs are easy to buy at shops and the airport; bring your passport, as registration is required.
- Operators
- +Móvil, Tigo, Claro
- Where
- Shops and airport
- Bring
- Passport for registration
- 4G/5G coverage is good in cities, weaker in rural areas
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM travel plans (such as Airalo) are a convenient option for Panama: buy one online before arrival and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit. This avoids the passport registration needed for a local prepaid SIM.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Setup
- No physical SIM
- Providers
- Airalo and similar
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels in Panama City, where speeds are generally good. Coverage is weaker in rural and remote areas, so a SIM or eSIM helps when you are on the move. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Cafés and hotels in the city
- Rural
- Weaker coverage
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- A SIM/eSIM helps for on-the-go essentials outside the city
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
Panama has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally.
- Internet
- Open, no censorship
- Apps
- All standard apps work
- Services
- Work normally
- No VPN needed to access common global services
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include ride-hailing such as Uber, Cabify and inDrive in the main cities, plus Google Maps for getting around. Translation apps help outside tourist areas, as Spanish is the main language. Ride-hailing is often safer and more transparent than street taxis.
- Ride-hailing
- Uber, Cabify, inDrive
- Navigation
- Google Maps
- Everyday
- Translation apps
- Ride-hailing is safer and clearer than street taxis
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
Panama's country code is +507. App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are very common and widely used. Save numbers in full +507 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +507
- Calls
- App-based common
- Widely used
- Save numbers in full +507 international format