Panama, Panama: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Panama, Panama? If you're planning to go to Panama, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Panama
- Important essentials for Panama
- Activities for Panama
- Panama in January: weather and what to pack
- Panama in February: weather and what to pack
- Panama in March: weather and what to pack
- Panama in April: weather and what to pack
- Panama in May: weather and what to pack
- Panama in June: weather and what to pack
- Panama in July: weather and what to pack
- Panama in August: weather and what to pack
- Panama in September: weather and what to pack
- Panama in October: weather and what to pack
- Panama in November: weather and what to pack
- Panama in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Panama, Panama
Based on the climate and weather in Panama, the best time to go is February. See below for details.
Important essentials for Panama, Panama
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Panama, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance
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N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection possible.
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Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an excellent plane-friendly product.
-
(U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.
U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks don't exist for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards can wear out. An unreadable vaccination card may result in severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
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Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
General health necessities
-
Emergency water purifier
Some areas may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's important to bring an emergency water purifier like this one.
-
Travel first aid kit
This one is a superb value.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
-
Airplane or car necessities
-
Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Panama. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.
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For families with young children
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should be sufficient for most places, but check with your hotel.
What to wear/what to pack for Panama, Panama by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you visit Panama during January, you will probably notice that it can be very hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C). Humidity is generally around 60 during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from the sun:
-
If you're going to the beach
February
If you are traveling to Panama in February, you will notice that it is really hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
If you're going to the beach
March
If you are traveling to Panama in March, you will notice that it can be very hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
If you're going to the beach
April
April here can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A good rain poncho to wear over your coat can be a lifesaver by protecting your main jacket. We like this one.
-
The stormy weather makes rubber rain boots a necessity. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is built for storms.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things remain dry. The finest suitcases can let water in. We suggest:
-
Rain pants
These are a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
May
If you visit Panama during May, you will probably notice that it is extremely hot and somewhat stormy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C). Humidity is generally between 70 and 80% during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Bug repellent
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A durable rain poncho to wear over your jacket will help avoid loads of aggrevation by protecting your coat. We like this one.
-
Stormy weather makes rubber rain boots essential. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is designed for storms.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. Even the best suitcases can let water in. We suggest:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be vital in heavy rain.
June
June in Panama can be very hot and very stormy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) to 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can make you comfortable and protect you from skin damage:
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A durable rain poncho to wear over your jacket will help avoid loads of aggrevation by protecting your coat. We like this one.
-
Rainy weather makes rubber rain boots a necessity. These boots work well for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is made for bad weather.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. The most durable luggage can let rain in. We recommend:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
July
If you go to Panama in July, you will notice that it is constantly hot and very stormy. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can make you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A weatherproof rain poncho to wear over your coat will avoid travel headaches by protecting your nice coat. We like this one.
-
Rainy weather makes rubber rain boots essential. These boots are great for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is built for storms.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. Even the best suitcases can let water in. We suggest:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be vital in a rainstorm.
August
If you are traveling to Panama in August, you will notice that it is extremely hot and very stormy. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Sunglasses
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can make you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A quality rain poncho to wear over your jacket saves you time and money by protecting your main jacket. We like this one.
-
Stormy weather makes rubber rain boots essential. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is designed for stormy weather.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things remain dry. The finest luggage can let rain in. We suggest:
-
Rain pants
These will be essential in a storm.
September
September in Panama is constantly hot and very stormy. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can make you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
-
Skirts
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A quality rain poncho to wear over your jacket will help avoid loads of aggrevation by protecting your main coat. We like this one.
-
The stormy weather makes rubber rain boots a must. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is designed for bad weather.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your stuff don't get wet. Even the most durable luggage can let moisture in. We like:
-
Rain pants
These pants are vital in heavy rain.
October
October in Panama is really hot and very stormy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) to 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and cool you.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A weatherproof rain poncho to wear over your jacket will avoid travel headaches by protecting your main coat. We like this one.
-
The stormy weather makes rubber rain boots a must. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is designed for stormy weather.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your stuff don't get wet. Even the best suitcases can let water in. We recommend:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be essential in heavy rain.
November
If you vacation in Panama during November, you will probably notice that it is consistently hot and somewhat stormy. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C). Humidity is generally between 70 and 80% during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and guard against the sun:
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A quality rain poncho to wear over your jacket will avoid travel headaches by protecting your coat. We like this one.
-
Rainy weather makes rubber rain boots essential. These boots are well-suited for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is designed for storms.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things remain dry. Even the most durable luggage can let water in. We recommend:
-
Rain pants
These can be a lifesaver in heavy rain.
December
December in Panama is really hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you cool and guard against UV rays:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
If you're going to the beach
-
Rain poncho
A good rain poncho to wear over your coat will help avoid loads of aggrevation by protecting your nice coat. We like this one.
-
Rainy weather makes rubber rain boots a must. These boots work well for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is built for stormy weather.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your stuff don't get wet. Even the best luggage can let rain in. We like:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be vital in a storm.
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