💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Panama City: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for the Metro and taxis, and what to budget for the Canal and day trips. For Panama-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and dollar details:
Read the Panama Money Guide →🎧 Panama Uses US Dollars
No exchange needed. Bring US bills for the smoothest experience.
Order USD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Panama City?
Not much. Panama City is the most card-friendly city in Central America. The combination of a dollarized economy, modern banking infrastructure, and international business culture means cards are accepted almost everywhere. Uber works seamlessly, the Metro has rechargeable cards, and restaurants universally accept Visa and Mastercard. You mainly need cash for local buses, small fondas, and some Casco Viejo vendors.
Where You Will Need Cash
Diablos Rojos (colorful local buses, $0.25). Small fondas (local eateries, $3–6 lunches). Mercado de Mariscos (fish market, some stalls). Casco Viejo street vendors. Tips for hotel and restaurant staff. Some taxis (yellow cabs without meters). San Blas island purchases (entirely cash). Colectivos to nearby towns.
Where Cards Work Fine
All restaurants in Casco Viejo, Costa del Este, and the banking district. Multiplaza and Albrook Mall (all stores). Uber (card in-app, most common transport). Supermarkets (Riba Smith, Super 99, El Rey). Hotels. Panama Canal visitor centers. The Metro (card at machines). Tour operators. Panama City functions like a US city for card payments.
Paying by Card in Panama City
Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere that takes cards. Amex has decent acceptance at hotels and upscale restaurants. Contactless payments are widespread. Since Panama uses the US dollar, there are no foreign transaction fees to worry about if your card charges in USD. This makes Panama City one of the easiest places in Latin America for American travelers.
Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)
Panama City's beautifully restored colonial district. Restaurants and rooftop bars on every block accept cards. Tantalo, Casa Casco, and American Trade Hotel are cashless-friendly. Souvenir shops on the main tourist streets accept cards. Street vendors and pop-up stalls: cash. Plaza de Francia and Plaza Catedral: free to visit. Budget $20–50 for dinner and drinks.
Banking District & Obarrio
Panama City's modern skyline district. All restaurants, hotels, and shops accept cards. Multiplaza Pacific mall: premium shopping, all cards. Calle Uruguay: nightlife strip with bars and clubs (cards accepted, some have minimums). Supermarkets (Riba Smith on Calle 50) accept cards. The most modern, international-feeling part of the city.
Mercado de Mariscos & Cinta Costera
The waterfront fish market and seaside promenade. The upstairs restaurant at Mercado de Mariscos accepts cards. The ground-floor ceviche stalls: cash ($3–5 for a cup of ceviche). Cinta Costera (the waterfront park) is free. Street vendors along the path: cash. A great spot for fresh seafood at local prices. Budget $5–15 for a market lunch.
Amador Causeway
A scenic road connecting three islands at the Pacific entrance of the Canal. Restaurants (Mi Ranchito, Beirut) accept cards. Biomuseo (Frank Gehry-designed museum): $22 entry (card or cash). Bike rentals: $5–10/hour (card or cash). Great views of the city skyline and ships entering the Canal. Budget $15–30 for a visit with lunch.
Calidonia & Local Areas
Non-tourist commercial districts. Fondas (local lunch spots): $3–6 for a huge plate, cash. Small shops and tiendas: cash. Albrook Bus Terminal: bus tickets are cash ($1.25 Metro card works on MetroBus routes). Most tourists do not venture here, but the food is authentic and cheap. Keep valuables out of sight.
Visiting the Panama Canal
The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center is the most popular canal experience. Entry costs $20 for foreign adults ($25 with the 3D theater experience). Card or cash at the gate. The best time to see ships transit is 9–11 AM and 2–4 PM. Getting there by Uber costs $5–10 from the city center. A taxi back may require cash.
For a deeper experience, full canal transit tours cost $150–200 per person (a full day passing through all locks). Partial transits cost $80–130 (half the canal). Book online with card payment through Pacific Queen or Canal and Bay Tours. These tours include lunch and are worth the splurge for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
ATMs in Panama City
For Panama-wide ATM advice, see the Panama guide. Casco Viejo: Banco General and Banistmo ATMs on Avenida Central. Banking district: ATMs on every block (Banco General, BAC, Banistmo). Multiplaza and Albrook Mall: ATMs inside. Airport: ATMs in arrivals. Since Panama uses USD, your bank may not charge foreign transaction fees on withdrawals. Check with your bank. Maximum withdrawal: typically $500 per transaction.
Look for these logos on the street. These banks have ATMs throughout Panama City.
Banco General
BanistmoPaying for the Metro, Buses & Taxis
Panama Metro
Clean, air-conditioned, and cheap. A single ride costs $0.35. Buy a rechargeable RapiPass card at any station for $2 ($0.50 deposit + $1.50 credit). Reload at machines with cash or card. Line 1: Albrook to San Miguelito. Line 2: extends toward the airport area. Fast and avoids Panama City's notorious traffic.
Uber
Uber is the default transport in Panama City. Reliable, safe, and avoids taxi scams. Pay by card in-app. Casco Viejo to banking district: $3–5. City to Miraflores Locks: $5–10. City to airport: $15–25. Surge pricing during rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM). Always use Uber over yellow taxis for predictable pricing.
Yellow Taxis
Yellow taxis have no meters. Negotiate the fare before getting in. Short rides within the city: $3–5. Longer rides: $5–10. Airport: $30 (flat rate from the official stand). Cash preferred. Some drivers overcharge tourists. Use Uber when possible. If you must take a taxi, agree on the price first and do not overpay.
MetroBus & Diablos Rojos
MetroBus: modern buses using the RapiPass card ($0.25). Diablos Rojos: the colorful, decorated old buses that are being phased out ($0.25, cash). Both cover routes the Metro does not reach. MetroBus is more comfortable and safer. The Albrook Bus Terminal connects to destinations outside the city ($1–15 depending on distance).
Tipping in Panama City
The Panama guide covers general norms. In Panama City: Restaurants: 10% is standard (sometimes included as "propina" on the bill, check first). Casco Viejo bars: $1–2 per drink or 10%. Uber: tip in-app if you like. Hotel porters: $1–2 per bag. Tour guides: $5–10 per person for half-day tours, $10–20 for full-day. Always tip in cash (USD).
Prices in Panama City
Panama City is the most expensive city in Central America, comparable to mid-tier US cities. The banking district and Casco Viejo have tourist-level pricing. Local fondas and the fish market offer great value. The dollarized economy means no exchange rate surprises, but also no budget traveler advantages from favorable exchange rates.
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Ceviche (fish market) | $3–5 |
| Fonda lunch (local eatery) | $3–6 |
| Restaurant dinner (Casco Viejo) | $15–35 |
| Cocktail (rooftop bar) | $8–15 |
| Panama Canal (Miraflores) | $20–25 |
| Biomuseo entry | $22 |
| Metro ride | $0.35 |
| Uber (Casco Viejo to banking district) | $3–5 |
| Canal full transit tour | $150–200 |
| San Blas day trip | $100–160 |
| Budget hostel (per night) | $12–25 |
| Coffee (specialty cafe) | $3–5 |
Panama uses the US dollar. No exchange rate conversion needed.
Day Trips from Panama City
San Blas Islands
Stunning Caribbean islands controlled by the Guna Yala indigenous people. Day trips: $100–160 per person including 4x4 transport (3 hours each way), boat transfer, lunch, and island hopping. Book through tour operators in Casco Viejo (card or cash). On the islands: entirely cash for coconut purchases, crafts, and molas (traditional textiles, $10–30). Bring small bills.
Gamboa Rainforest
Rainforest and canal-side nature, 40 minutes from the city. Gamboa Rainforest Resort: aerial tram ($45), tours, and dining (all cards). Pipeline Road birding: free (world-class birding). Monkey Island boat tour: $30–50 (card or cash). Getting there: Uber $15–25 or organized tour. A great half-day nature escape from the city.
Portobelo
Caribbean coastal town with Spanish colonial forts, 1.5 hours north. Bus from Albrook: $4 each way (cash). Fort San Jerónimo and Fort Santiago: free entry. Restaurants on the waterfront: mixed (some cards, some cash). A quieter, less touristy day trip. Budget $20–40 for transport and lunch.
Panama City Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casco Viejo restaurants | ✅ Cards accepted | Tips: $2–5 | Rooftop bars take cards too |
| Mercado de Mariscos | ✅ Upstairs restaurant | Ceviche stalls: $3–5 | Ground floor: cash |
| Panama Canal | ✅ Card or cash | $20–25 | Uber to get there |
| Metro | ✅ RapiPass card | $0.35 | Buy card at any station |
| Uber | ✅ Card in-app | None | Default transport choice |
| San Blas Islands | ❌ Cash on islands | $10–50 | Tour booking: card |
| Local fondas | ❌ Cash preferred | $3–6 | Best value lunches |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Panama City?
Not much. It is the most card-friendly city in Central America. Cards work at restaurants, malls, Uber, and the Metro. Cash is needed for local buses, fondas, and San Blas Islands.
Does Panama use the US dollar?
Yes. US bills are legal tender. Panama mints its own coins (same size as US coins). No exchange needed if you have USD.
How much does the Panama Canal cost?
Miraflores Locks: $20 adults ($25 with 3D theater). Full transit tour: $150–200. Partial transit: $80–130. Card or cash at the gate, book tours online.
How do I pay for the Metro?
RapiPass card ($2, buy at any station). Single ride: $0.35. Reload at machines with cash or card. Two lines covering major areas.
Is Casco Viejo safe?
Restored tourist areas are well-patrolled and safe. Stick to main streets, especially after dark. Do not wander into unrenovated blocks east of the neighborhood. Take Uber home at night.
How do I get from the airport?
Uber: $15–25 (card in-app). Official taxi: $30–35 flat rate. Metro Line 2 extends nearby but does not reach the terminal directly. Uber is the easiest option.
Pay Smart in Panama
The Wise card holds USD natively, so spending in Panama is fee-free. Withdraw cash from ATMs with lower fees than your bank. Perfect for a dollarized economy.
Get the Wise Card →