Explore: Panama - General Info
Time Zone
Panama observes Eastern Standard Time all year (GMT-5).
There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes.
Yachting Essentials
Electricity
- Voltage: 110 V* (*Panama City 120 V)
- Frequency: 60 Hz
LPG / Gas
Local gas (Tropigas & Panagas) is a variable mixture of propane and butane but works well for most purposes. Be advised that each has its own unique regulatory and neither is compatible with US (or other country’s) tanks. You CAN get US style tanks filled, but you will need to ask around and it will be a lot more expensive (approx. $30 as opposed to $6.40 for the local 30# tank). Some cruisers have successfully transferred gas from local tanks to US-style tanks with a pigtail-type connection.
Boatyards & Repairs
Haul out facilities are available at Bocas Marina, Balboa YC, Flamenco, Linton Bay, and Shelter Bay. Yachts coming from the Caribbean planning to spend longer in Panama to undertake re-fit work should research carefully options available to them before arriving (i.e. cheaper costs vs skilled workforce).
For tips about boatyard practices in less developed countries and how to avoid pitfalls see: Getting work done on your boat whilst long distance cruising.
Note: Most brands of liferaft cannot be serviced in Panama. Be sure to get this organized beforehand.
From the 1st February 2010, all persons or companies offering maritime services to ships or yachts must be in possession of an “Operation Licence”. See Noonsite Report. Cruisers are advised to check that anyone offering them such services has a valid license, but should be aware that this provides no guarantee of the quality of the service being offered.
Provisioning
Good choice of large supermarkets. If crossing the Pacific from here, this is an affordable option. Be sure to stock up on non-perishables and alcohol.
Money
Dollars are on par with US$.
Communications
See Panama Facts for a list of sources of Panama Information.
International dialling code for Panama is +507.
VHF CHANNELS
06 – Balboa Yacht Club and water taxi
10 – La Playita (Amador)
10 – Flamenco Marina
12 & 16 – “Cristobal Signal Station” and “Flamenco Signal Station Balboa” (Panama Canal Authority – call before entering canal areas)
68 – Bocas del Toro working channel & net at 8 AM
69 – Cruiser channel Balboa/Amador
72 – San Blas/Linton working channel
74 –Taboga Island mooring balls
74 – Colon Cruiser channel & Shelter Bay Marina Cruisers Net 7:40 AM (only on Mon & Thurs)
74 – Panama City Cruisers Net 8:00 AM (Mon-Sat)
81a – Alternative channel for cruisers nets
SSB Frequencies
7:30 AM (1230 UTC) – 8104 USB – Chris Parker Weather
7.30 AM (1230-1330 UTC) – 14.347 MHZ – Spider Web Net
8:00 AM (1300 UTC) – 7083 LSB – HAM only – C. American Breakfast Club
8:15 AM (1315 UTC) – 6209 USB – South West Caribbean Net
8:30 AM (1330 UTC) – 8107 USB – Panama Connection Net
9:00 AM (1400 UTC) – 8143 USB – Pan Pacific Net
9:00 AM (1400 UTC) – 6209 USB – NW Caribbean Net
The Panama Connection Net – on SSB 8107 (USB) 8:30 AM is a very helpful net for cruisers transiting the area from the ABC’s, Cartagena to Panama. 8167 (USB) is an alternative frequency.
Internet / Phone
Latest reports for the San Blas Islands are that Digicel works well in the W. Lemmons/ Chicheme area and Green Island group. Movil is said to be good in the Lemmons Carti area.
Last updated: December 2018
Transport
Airports
Panama City – Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen (PTY)
(238-2700)
Located in the eastern part of the city. You will get there faster if you take Corridor Sur expressway. The tolls add up but it is extremely fast. Make sure you are clear with the taxi driver on the fee (are tolls included?) and which way you are going.
Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert (PAC)
Also known as Albrook airport, is located in the western part of the city, known as Albrook. There are daily flights to all parts of Panama, including the San Blas, David, Bocas, Conatadora and other locations.
Note: AIR PANAMA has canceled flight destination to Corazon de Jesus and El Porvenir (Nov. 2015). These destinations will be reviewed in 2016.
These airlines also have a great economical courier service to remote areas of the country. If you have extra suitcases you can air ship them cheaper than checking them with your flight. Just go to the domestic shipping end of the Albrook airport and ship your heavy stuff. The trip between airports by taxi will take at least 45 minutes or longer depending on traffic (allow 1 ½ hour).
From Cruisers Network Online – If flying from Panama to Quito, be sure to go armed with copies of your Panama cruising permit and boat documentation, as you will not be allowed to return to Panama without it.
Buses
Panama City – The Gran Terminal de Transportes is located adjacent to the Albrook Mall. Bus travel is very economical with numerous and frequent bus service between cities. Within Panama City taxis are better and very economical. Find out the rate before you hire a taxi as like everywhere there are sometimes higher prices for tourists.
Car Rental
Cruisers rent cars in Colon, Panama City, and David. Rental cars cannot be taken across the border into Costa Rica. The new 4 lane interstate is open between Colon (Sabinitas) and Panama City. In general, the roads throughout Panama are good. You can get a better rate if you reserve a car online. You can also rent a GPS with digitized road maps. You will need to show a valid national or international driving license.
Colon – Hertz (442-3272) and Budget (441-2126) are located at Colon 2000.
Panama City – Budget (Tocumen Airport PTY – 263-8777), Hertz (PTY – 301-2611), Dollar (270-0355), Thrifty (204-9555), National (PTY – 265-2222), Avis (PTY – 278-9444), Barriga Rent A Car (PTY – 269-0056), Arrendadora Economica (Nuevo Reparto El Carmen & Calle 50 – (229-5257), and Continental Rent a Car (213-0177).
Train
The Panama Canal Railway (317-6070) www.panarail.com
Runs one roundtrip per day between Panama City and Colon. From Panama City, the train leaves at 7:15 AM from the station which is located in the Albrook area. The train leaves Colon at 5:15 PM. The train ride is about one hour, in modern coaches, air-conditioning and modeled after the railway first built in 1855. To be recommended.
Getting to the San Blas from Panama City
This is easily done by taxi/car. There are lots of companies that do 4wd trips to Carti and they usually can also arrange a small boat from there to take you out to the Islands.
Diplomatic Missions
Emergencies
- Fire – Dial 103
- Ambulance – Dial 911
- Police – Dial 104
- Directory assistance – Dial 102
The Panamanian National Police (PNP) has a special Tourism Police Unit to deal with crimes against tourists and foreigners, and they have sub-stations in all major regions in Panama with numerous offices in Panama City.
Last updated: December 2018
Publications
EXCLUSIVE BOOK DISCOUNTS FOR NOONSITE USERS
Imray & Adlard Coles Pilot Books can be purchased with an exclusive Noonsite discount of up to 15% by visiting our Imray store if shopping from the UK or Europe.
For North America and the rest of the world visit Bluewater Books & Charts. When ordering through Bluewater be sure to enter the coupon code NOON during checkout to save 10%.
The Panama Cruising Guide, 5th Edition, by Eric Bauhaus is still the best and most up to date Cruising Guide covering Panama including the Panama Canal.
By Eric Bauhaus
Publisher: Eric Bauhaus; 5th edition (2014)
DISCOUNTS available through Imray and Bluewater Books (see details and links above)
Considered one of the best Guides covering Panama, this Edition replaces the 4th Edition from 2009. Comprehensive cruising guide for both the Panama Canal and San Blas and Las Perlas. There is also a useful overview of Panama’s coastlines, both in the Caribbean and Pacific. The book contains detailed sketch plans of all ports and popular anchorages as well as aerial photos, as well as tips on local etiquette, fishing, provisioning, and land transportation. Good section on transiting the canal.
Explore Central America – Part 2
Continually updated guides available in PDF, EPUB, MOBI. Go to www.svsarana.com
The most comprehensive guides ever written about cruising the Pacific coast of Central America from Mexico to the Panama Canal. In a two-part set, these books provide over 325 GPS waypoints, over 112 charts and city maps, detailed weather descriptions, forecasting information, and surfing locations. These books highlight dozens of anchorages not in other books and tons of local information that sailors care about. Many GPS waypoints, charts and city maps, detailed weather descriptions, forecasting information, and surfing locations. It also highlights dozens of anchorages not in other books and much local information that sailors care about Also included are detailed procedures for clearing into and out of the Central American countries as well as Ecuador, the Galapagos, and Mexico.
The Pacific Crossing Guide
By Kitty Van Hagen
3rd Edition October 2016
See The Pacific Crossing Guide 3rd Edition
See the latest updates here.
A Thinking Mans Guide to Voyages South – the Many Facets of Caribbean Cruising
Available through Imray and Bluewater Books & Charts
Author: Frank Virgintino
Published by Lulu: June 2011
ISBN 978 1 105 62982-2
Available at Kindle as well as all other EPub bookstores
2nd Edition now available as Free download at www.freecruisingguides.com
See Noonsite reviews here
The 2nd edition includes expanded section on the options to leave the North American Coast as well as additional work in “Quadrant N”. Figures have been enhanced for greater clarity and index with an active table of contents included.
Captain’s Guide to Transiting the Panama Canal in a small Vessel
Available through Imray and Bluewater Books & Charts
By David W. Wilson
Published by Cruising Guide Publications (2nd Edn with updates to 2005)
ISBN 9962510317
Available from www.amnautical.com/products
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
By David McCullough
Available to buy on Amazon in all formats
The National Book Award-winning epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal, a first-rate drama of the bold and brilliant engineering feat that was filled with both tragedy and triumph.
The Panama Guide
Available through Imray and Bluewater Books & Charts
By Nancy Schwalbe Zydler and Tom Zydler
Publisher: Seaworthy Publications – 2nd Edition (2001)
ISBN: 9781892399090
Available from www.Amazon.com
Still, the most comprehensive guide written about the extraordinarily beautiful waters of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Panama. It contains vital information for planning waterborne adventures along these fascinating shores. With 187 detailed chartlets, this guide travels through the 365 islands of San Blas, explores the protected bays of Bocas del Toro, the green shores of the Las Perlas archipelago, the intriguing rivers leading into the tropical forests as well as the spectacular Panama Canal. This book includes explicit piloting instructions, GPS waypoints, lists of navigational aids, local services, customs regulations and recommendations for onshore activities. A full-color section featuring Tom Zydler’s photography depicts the splendor and panorama of cruising in Panama.
Living in Panama
By Sandra T. Snyder
Publisher: TanToes, S.A.; 2nd edition (March 28, 2007)
ISBN 13: 978-9962001560
A most authoritative day-to-day guide to life in Panama. Available in bookstores in Panama or online at www.livinginpanama.net
Cruising Ports: The Central American Route
By Pat Rains
Published by Point Loma Publishing (New 6.5 edition – June 2013)
See www.MexicoBoating.com for further details.
This book covers Pacific Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Pacific Panama) plus Mexico’s Gulf Coast to Veracruz, then NW Yucatan, NW Cuba, Yucatan Channel, Belize, Rio Dulce, Honduras and the Bay Islands, the Western Caribbean islands & banks, Panama’s Caribbean cruising grounds. This book culminates in Panama Canal Transit.
Colombia to Rio Dulce Cruising Guide
Available through Imray and Bluewater Books & Charts
Authors: Amaia Agirre & Frank Virgintino (May 2016)
Available free at http://freecruisingguides.com/colombia-rio-dulce
Covers the coast of Colombia, The San Blas Islands, the off-lying islands of Colombia (San Andres and Providencia), the Mosquito coast, the Cape at Gracias a Dios and the Hobbies, the islands of Honduras and finally the Rio Dulce River (Guatemala).
Links
Cruiser Resource Guide for Panama City
The guide is updated several times a year.
Author: Debi Shaimas – SV Serenity
Panama City Anchorages
By MY Domino who spent a year in Panama
http://dominocatamaran.blogspot.com/2013/09/panama-city-anchorages.html
Tourist website for the Republic of Panama.
Panama Canal Links
Panama Canal Authorities, with links to webcams at the locks.
Panama Canal Transits & Beyond
The original aim of this website was to explain how to Transit the Canal in a yacht. The project quickly expanded to include what you will see on a cruise ship, and some of the excursions you can make during a port call in Panama.
Line Handlers – seeking or volunteering
An interesting Bluewater Cruising article by a catamaran that transited in October 2016.
A look inside the Panama Canal
On their third transit, cruisers John Lewis and Shawn Maxey on the Tayana 37 Pilothouse cutter Active Transport got a VIP tour of the workings of the Miraflores Locks. Published by Ocean Navigator.
See Noonsite’s Routing/Pacific Crossing page for other useful reports and links.
Line Handlers and Canal Experts
There are two Yahoo e-mail groups specifically designed for cruisers to share information. Both groups have cruisers worldwide.
Cruisers Network Online – Caribbean Side of Panama
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruisers_Network_Online/
To subscribe to Cruisers Network Online, email [email protected]
Southbound Group – Pacific side of middle America going west
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbound_group/
To subscribe to the Southbound Group, email [email protected]
Cruisers VHF Nets – Caribbean side of Panama
Shelter Bay Marina: VHF Channel 77 every morning at 7.30am
Bocas del Toro: VHF Channel 68 at 7.45am
Cruisers VHF Nets – Pacific side of Panama
La Playita / Las Brisas: VHF Channel 72 (sometimes changing due to local traffic) Monday-Saturday at 8.00am
Panama Cruisers Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/panamacruisers/
San Blas Cruisers Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/sanblassailors/
See the Communications section for a list of SSB Radio Nets.
