What To Wear In Panama: Our Panama Packing List And What To Pack For Panama

Last updated on October 8th, 2023 at 11:25 pm

What to wear in Panama and our Panama packing list. Panama is one of the most popular countries to visit in Central America, and we are excited to share to you a complete packing list what to pack for Panama to make sure you are prepared for your next trip. Excited? Keep reading below what to bring to Panama for your next vacation.

Read here our Panama travel tips, Panama Christmas Traditions and Panama sim card for tourist

WHERE TO STAY IN PANAMA

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama if you’re on a budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable. There are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

Click here to book your accommodation in Panama with Booking!

PANAMA PACKING LIST (WHAT TO PACK FOR PANAMA)

Let’s look at the weather details of our Panama packing list and what to wear in Panama.

WEATHER FOR PANAMA AND BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT

Panama is one of the most popular tropical countries in Central America. Now, the good thing when packing for a tropical country – that you can actually expect more distinct seasons. Panama has two seasons – dry and wet. Peak season for travel to Panama will be during its driest months, which happens between December to April, while the wettest months of the year happen during October and November.

The dry season is the best time to visit Panama. If you want to visit a little bit after this period, April to July still has sunny and dry mornings, with huge possibility of showers and rains, and sometimes even heavy thunderstorms in the afternoons.

If you are visiting the mountainous regions of Panama like the Chiriquí Highlands and the Valle de Anton, these regions actually get rain throughout the year. Areas like Bocas del Toro along the Caribbean Coast are also wetter areas of Panama, and have the chance to get throughout the year. The Azuero Peninsula is drier than the rest of the country.

Click here to know more about the weather in Panama!

WHAT TO WEAR IN PANAMA

The main rule when traveling in tropical countries is that you need lighter layers of clothing. This is because the general weather is warm, even during the wet season when you’ll still experience a good amount of sunshine.

Lighter jackets that are waterproof, waterproof bags, water proof cases to protect your things and your devices and good walking shoes are a must to bring, so that you’ll be ready for any rain showers when traveling, during the wet season.

During dry season, definitely have some sun protection for your face and your body, to make sure that you are protected from the harmful rays of the sun.

FOOT WEAR

A good pair of sandals or slippers will be enough for a travel packing for a trip to Panama. Now there are also other activities to do in the island, like golfing, hiking, walks and other sight seeing, so having extra pairs of going out clothes that are not exactly bikinis and coverups, but thin and comfortable enough for the hot sunny weather will sure come in handy.

Make sure not to overpack these, because Panama vibes will sure force you to stay lounging most of the time! However, if you’re expecting a few sit down dinners, or maybe hitting a few clubs, or parties, you can pack extra shoes.

But make sure they are comfortable enough and know whether you’ll be walking on the sand with them, or just walking in the resort or clubs. We have our favorite foot wear that can double up as underwater wear, so these might be good to have too!

WHAT TO WEAR IN PANAMA: CLOTHES FOR ACTIVITIES

Now there are also other activities to do in the island, like golfing, hiking, walks and other sight seeing, so having extra pairs of going out clothes that are not exactly bikinis and coverups, but thin and comfortable enough for the hot sunny weather will sure come in handy. Make sure not to overpack these Panama vibes will sure force you to stay lounging most of the time!

SKIN PROTECTION FROM HEAT AND THE SUN

In addition to proper summer outfits and clothes, packing for protecting your skin will be imperative. A sunblock with protection for UVA and UVB (for the best brands, choose a sunblock with triple +++) is very important. You’ll have to re-apply your sunblock every 20-30 minutes, especially if you’ll be staying under the sun for a long time, so make sure you pack enough for your trip.

The sun will most likely affect your hair too, so best if you pack hair products and conditioners that will be good for protecting your hair. For your makeup, make sure that you have the right sunscreen and foundation for your skin. Don’t forget your moisturizers and lotions, because skin can get dry pretty easy in this weather. If you choose to bring makeup in this trip, choose lip balms, lipsticks and chapsticks that are light colors or good for very sunny weather.

These will likely be lighter than darker. Just like your skin and body, your face will most likely need to stay hydrated, so mist sprays can be very helpful to keep your face refreshed all day long.

If you have hair dye or hair color, make sure you bring the appropriate products or consult your stylist on what products to bring to prepare your hair for the weather! Heat protectants will be very important especially if you will use a lot of blow dryers or iron in the trip, or even just for extra lounging time under the sun!

WATER BOTTLES

Keep your body hydrated! Instead of expecting to buy multiple water bottles for the duration of your trip, try to have a water bottle handy with you at all times so you can keep yourself hydrated and also be mindful of waste!

ACCESSORIES

What to wear in the Panama unless you’re looking to attend high end parties where it’s important to be bringing a lot of bling and jewelry, best to keep accessories at a minimum on your Panama holiday. Most of what you’ll need will be sunglasses, and hats and caps to protect your face and to add to your outfit during your stay.

A day bag will also be good to have, to bring with you on some activities on the island. In any trip, we suggest to keep your valuables – money, credit cards, passports, identification cards, and other valuables in secure containers to avoid any theft — a general rule for any travel.

OUR FAVORITE BACKPACK

The Nomatic Navigator backpack is designed for travelers and commuters and features multiple compartments and pockets for organization and storage. Navigator Travel Backpack has a laptop compartment and a built-in USB charging port. Read our Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack Review

BAGS, CONTAINERS, LUGGAGE

What to wear in Panama talking about bags and luggage, depending on how long you’re planning to stay in Panama, a small hand luggage or small suitcase should be enough. This, a day bag, packing cubes, and water proof protectors are all you’ll need.

What are packing cubes you say? One of the biggest packing hack that we swear by is dividing your luggage in packing cubes so you can go from packing to unpacking, to packing again in no time. Organization will be a breeze, and you will minimize stress when you’re trying to look for your things on a holiday.

Usually, what we do is have a bigger packing cube for clothes, and casual outer wear. A separate one for underwear and swimwear. A separate packing cube for gadgets and devices (make sure that these are actually in water proof containers), and a separate packing cube for toiletries and makeup.

PRE-TRAVEL PREPARATION

Ahh, the struggles of being a woman! Now, there are definitely a lot of ways for you to prepare, but since you can expect that you’ll spend a lot of time in bikinis and short wears, have your waxing appointments ready before your trip. If you shave yourself, or you have your own shaving kits, make sure you bring these, with your creams to not have the stress later on during your trip.

You want to be swim ready at any moment! If you need some nail work done, brows, lashes, make sure you have these prepared too before your trip!

MEDICINE KITS AND OTHER EXTRAS

What to pack for Panama in addition to sunblocks, lotions, moisturizers, heat protectants, and tanning products, emergency supplies will always come in handy. Have some mosquito repellent and bug spray ready, in case the places you’ll stay at have these in the cooler evenings and your clothes make you more exposed to them. Medicines, vitamins, and essentials are always good to have in any trips too.

WHAT TO PACK FOR PANAMA IF YOU’RE A CONTENT CREATOR..

Water proof bags are definitely a must. You may want to bring to Panama your phones and camera gear near the water, or even in the water during this trip, so bring the appropriate water proof day bags, and water proof cases for your gear. Even if you’re not a content creator, it is now very usual to bring your phones out with you in the water, so having protective cases and covers are a must!

Don’t forget your underwater or water proof cameras if you’re planning to do a lot of shooting in the water! A snorkeling mask is always a great idea to enjoy. Bring yours from home and you will have available all the time to see the underwater life in the Panama.

You should know they use the American adapter. A few places make it possible to fit your European adapter in the plug. If you are coming from European countries, we recommend you to bring an American adapter to be able to charge everywhere.

I´m bringing my camera and phone with their respective chargers and powerbank

I´m bringing my laptop and charger and a universal adaptor

I´m bringing my passport, and Travel Insurance with Safetywing

PROTECTION FOR GADGETS AND FOR THEFT

Anti-theft bags, locks for luggage, keeping important numbers and identifications with you, and spare money are all necessities in any travel. It will always be in handy to have these ready with you when you travel, even in a holiday destination like Panama.

INSURANCE AND GENERAL THINGS TO HAVE WHEN TRAVELING

Insurance is very important to have when you travel. For us, if you’re traveling a lot in places that expose you to water, in a destination like the Panama, having insurance for important gears is good too. Double check that you are protected the best way you can.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

BASICS AND TOILETRIES

Finally what to bring to Panama making sure you are covered with the basic needs in our Panama packing list like your personal toiletries are good to have when packing for a trip. When you are staying in high end resorts you will most likely have the best toiletries available, but just prepare any special products and knick knacks that you always want to have with you. Have your perfumes, deodorizers.

For the women, since a lot of the time will be spent in water, and lighter and thinner clothing, check if the trip will come during your time of the month. You don’t want to not be ready or to be stressed of having the special products you want to have during your special week, so have your feminine products with you.

If you haven’t tried menstrual cups, you might want to try or have these with you, if you are expecting to have your period and will still want to be in your cute, scrimpy bikinis all day long!

A COMPLETE PANAMA PACKING LIST THAT CAN WITHSTAND ANY SEASON

Want to see a complete Panama packing list of things what to wear in Panama. Here you go:

Pair of comfortable pants and shirts / blouses – Panama is humid all year and it’s a standard for any tropical destination to always pack light layers

A pair (or two) of comfortable foot wear – A good pair of sneakers that can go from day wear to outerwear is always useful for activities like walking and hiking and even for casual events and dinners

2 pairs of Swimwear or Swimsuits

A light waterproof jacket, a raincoat and/or umbrella – Always be ready for unexpected showers. This may not happen when you are visiting during the dry season, however if you are visiting during the wet season, and the months in between, these are a must

Waterproof bags and cases and covers – These are all essentials when you’re traveling during the wet season, but also if you’re traveling in the coastal areas or planning to do activities with the waterfalls

A Pair of Sunglasses

3-4 pairs of Underwear

Toiletries

Spare batteries, chargers, power banks, extension cords especially if you’ll be staying in properties, hotels or hostels with limited plugs

Travel adapters – Panama follows the Standard US plug types, and there are two types – A and B. Plug A which has two parallel pins, and Plug B which has 2 parallel pins and a grounding pin. Make sure that you are plugging in the right voltage 110 or 220 when you are in Panama

A fanny pack or smaller secure bag to always keep with you to make sure your valuables are kept safe

WHERE TO STAY IN THE PANAMA

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama, which is a fair amount if you’re on a budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable. Of course, there are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

Click here to book your accommodation in Panama!

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN THE PANAMA

If you in local stands, a meal can cost up to $3-$4 USD. It can consists of rice, chicken, beans, and maybe another side plus a drink. You can also find cheap cafes and sandwich shops around for cheaper options of $5-$6 USD a meal. Beer is usually $ 1 USD during hostel happy hours while mixed drinks costs $2.

Hope you loved our Panama packing list blog post guide! And can’t wait to hear about what to pack for Panama and if we forgot anything what to bring to Panama.

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Happy Travels!