What Currency Is Used in Panama?

What currency is used in Panama?

Panama uses the US dollar as its main currency, so American dollar bills are the everyday paper money, which is very convenient for visitors from the United States. The country also has its own currency, the Panamanian balboa, abbreviated PAB, but this exists mainly in the form of coins that are pegged one to one with the US dollar and used alongside US coins; there are no balboa banknotes in circulation. So in practice you pay with US dollars. Cards are widely accepted in Panama City and tourist areas, while cash is useful for small vendors, taxis, and rural areas. Bring smaller US bills, as breaking large notes can be difficult in small shops.

Do you tip in Panama?

Tipping in Panama is customary, with around 10 percent being standard for good service in restaurants, and some establishments add a service charge, so check the bill before adding more. Where a service charge is included, an additional small tip for good service is optional but welcomed. Small tips for hotel porters, drivers, tour guides, and helpful staff are appreciated. Since the US dollar is the currency, tips are given in dollars. Tipping is a normal part of the service culture, particularly in tourist areas, though not as heavily expected as in the United States. So plan to tip around 10 percent in restaurants and to give modest tips to those who assist you during your travels in Panama.

What power plugs are used in Panama?

Panama uses type A and type B electrical plugs, the flat-pin styles used in the United States, and the supply is 120 volts at 60 hertz, the same as North America. This is very convenient for travelers from the US and Canada, who can typically use their plugs and devices directly without an adapter or voltage converter. Visitors from countries with different sockets and voltage, such as those in Europe using 230 volts, will need a plug adapter and should check whether their devices are dual voltage, marked around 100 to 240 volts, or use a voltage converter. So North American travelers have it easy in Panama, while others should bring the appropriate adapter for the US-style, 120-volt system.

Can you drink the tap water in Panama?

The tap water in Panama is safe to drink in most areas, including Panama City and the main tourist regions, where it is treated to good standards, making Panama one of the countries in the region where you can generally drink from the tap. You can refill a reusable bottle and use tap water for brushing teeth and cooking in these areas. However, in some remote areas, islands such as Bocas del Toro, and rural regions, the water quality is less reliable, so bottled or treated water is safer there. As a rule, city and mainland tap water is fine, while in remote or island areas you should opt for bottled water. So Panama offers safe tap water in most places, with caution in remote spots.