Description
Panama is famous for its canal, but UK visitors also come for the restored old quarter of Casco Viejo in Panama City, the islands of Bocas del Toro, the Guna Yala islands of San Blas and the cloud forests around Boquete. It is a common stop on a wider Central America trip and a hub for flights across Latin America.
With a travel eSIM, you land with mobile data ready for maps, taxis and messages. It works next to your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank texts. Install it at home over Wi-Fi and switch it on when you arrive in Panama.
Choose your Panama data plan
There are 10 plans for Panama. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £5.20 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £10.53 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £12.90 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £19.36 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £33.96 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £62.24 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Stopover in Panama City: 1GB for 1 day or 1GB for 7 days covers a canal visit, Casco Viejo and ride apps.
- Two weeks island hopping: 3GB for 15 days, 3GB for 30 days or 5GB for 30 days for maps, boat bookings and photos.
- Month-long trip or remote work: 10GB for 30 days or 20GB for 30 days.
- Long stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days for months in Panama.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Panama.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Panama
International flights land at Tocumen International Airport, east of Panama City. Data is handy for ride apps, maps of Casco Viejo, visiting the Miraflores Locks on the canal, booking boats to San Blas or Bocas del Toro, and translating Spanish. Domestic flights to Bocas del Toro and David leave from Albrook airport in the city.
On the San Blas islands, in the rainforest and in the mountains around Boquete, signal can be limited or missing. Download offline maps and save bookings before heading out.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Panama, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Panama and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Travel advice: check the FCDO travel advice for Panama, which includes guidance on the Darién region near the Colombian border.
- Panama only: this plan does not cover Costa Rica or Colombia. Ask us if you are crossing borders or flying on.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Colombia. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have signal on the San Blas islands?
Signal on many of the islands is limited or unavailable. Tell family you may be offline, and download anything you need first.
What currency does Panama use?
Panama uses the US dollar alongside its own balboa coins. Cards are widely accepted in Panama City, but carry cash for islands and small towns.
When should I buy my Panama eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
