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Essential apps for

Panama

Panamá

SpanishUSD & PAB5 apps

Panama City is highly modern. Uber and DiDi compete; USD is used alongside the Balboa.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA / B
Voltage120V
Freq60Hz

Same as the US.

💬

Basic phrases

Spanish

  • Hello
    Hola
    OH-lah
  • Thank you
    Gracias
    GRAH-syas
  • Excuse me / Sorry
    Perdón
    pehr-DOHN
  • Yes
    Sí
    see
  • No
    No
    noh

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

In restaurants a 10% service charge is often added to the bill; if so, an extra 5% for good service is appreciated but optional, otherwise leave around 10%. Tip hotel porters and tour guides a few dollars; taxi drivers are not typically tipped.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

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U

Uber

The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.

Wide coverage.
iOSAndroidWebsite
D

Didi

China's dominant rideshare. Has an English interface for travelers.

Often cheaper.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

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G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Strong.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📱Messaging

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W

WhatsApp

The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.

Universal.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

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R

Rappi

Latin America super-app: food, groceries, pharmacy, cash withdrawal.

Main food delivery.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Spanish phrases

Hello
Hola
OH-lah
Thank you
Gracias
GRAH-syas
Excuse me / Sorry
Perdón
pehr-DOHN
Yes
Sí
see
No
No
noh
Please
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Goodbye
Adiós
ah-DYOHS
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
DOHN-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh
The check, please
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR
I don't understand
No entiendo
noh en-TYEN-doh
Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
AH-blah een-GLEHS
Help!
¡Ayuda!
ah-YOO-dah
Delicious
Delicioso
deh-lee-SYOH-soh
Cheers
Salud
sah-LOOD
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Greet with a handshake and a friendly "Buenos días/tardes"; women often greet with a cheek kiss
  • Dress neatly, as Panamanians value a tidy appearance, especially in the capital
  • Use titles like Señor and Señora with surnames in formal or first-time encounters
  • Be patient with a relaxed sense of time for social plans, but stay punctual for business
  • Respect indigenous communities (such as the Guna) by asking before taking photos and buying their molas directly
  • Accept offers of food or coffee from hosts as a sign of courtesy

✕Don't

  • Don't take photos of military, police, or canal security installations
  • Don't display expensive jewelry, cameras, or large amounts of cash in public
  • Don't make dismissive jokes about the Panama Canal, which is a source of national pride
  • Don't wander into unfamiliar neighborhoods at night, particularly parts of Colón

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Taxis without meters quoting inflated fares to tourists; agree on the price before getting in or use a ride-hailing app
  • Distraction theft and pickpocketing in crowded areas like Casco Viejo and bus terminals
  • Fake or overpriced tour and Canal-tour sellers operating on the street
  • Counterfeit bills handed back as change; Panama uses the US dollar (called the balboa)
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