Panama

Cards and phone wallets are common in Panama City, but carry a physical Visa or Mastercard, a backup card and small dollar notes for buses, taxis, markets and the interior. Yappy requires local banking and is not a useful arrival download. Uber is the best ride default in Panama City, David and La Chorrera. DiDi officially lists only Panama City.

inDrive has expanded into several interior towns, but repeated current local safety concerns make it a fallback rather than a routine recommendation. At Tocumen, follow the Uber pickup instructions or use the official taxi service. The airport Metro branch is inexpensive and accepts contactless Visa or Mastercard, but the station is reached from the terminals by a shuttle and requires a transfer at Corredor Sur. MiBus buses still require a transit card, and their timing is less dependable than the Metro.

Google Maps is the practical route planner; verify live changes with MiBus. PedidosYa is the broadest local delivery choice, while Uber Eats is the easiest familiar backup. Spanish is the official language and English is not universal. WhatsApp is useful only when a verified provider publishes it.

For tours, verify the operator with Panama's tourism authority and buy Canal tickets from the official Canal website. Heavy rain can cause floods and landslides. Follow SINAPROC, call 911 for emergencies, 104 for police or 103 for fire, and avoid restricted parts of the Darién and Mosquito Gulf.