Welcome to Panama! Panama marks the end of the road in North America for motorcycle travellers. It’s a hub for storage and shipping onto South America for overlanders, and this guide explains everything you need to know about getting in, out and travelling through the country on two wheels…
This guide is based on our motorcycle ride through Panama during our round the world trip. All guides on Mad or Nomad are constantly updated by us and with info from contributors to keep them as up-to-date as possible.
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Motorcycle Travel Guide Panama
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad - RTW motorcycle travellers
The main reason motorcycle travellers and overlanders enter Panama is to ship their motorcycles from the last country in North America, over the Darien Gap and into Colombia to start their South America adventure.
The two countries (and continents) are separated by the infamous Darien Gap. It’s a dense and dangerous jungle spanning Panama and Colombia that’s impassable for overlanders. It’s also a hotspot for criminals and drug and human traffickers. So, travellers ship their bikes from Panama City to Colombia and vice versa.
It marks a natural break in an Americas trip for those riding down from Alaska or up from Ushuaia, so riders also store their bikes in Panama because it’s so easy to do and fly home or simply take a break from their ride and then ship their bikes once they’re ready to continue.
But, it’s not all about logistics, Panama does have a lot to offer from beautiful islands, fascinating culture, wildlife and indigenous people that make it a worthy place to explore. Whatever your reason for riding there, this guide explains how to get in and out and everything you need to know about motorcycle travel in Panama.
Our motorcycle ride through Panama
We (Andy and Alissa from Mad or Nomad) are on a round the world motorcycle trip and entered Panama in 2024. This guide is based on our experiences and what we learnt. However, as with all our guides, readers and fellow travellers kindly contribute additional info and experiences so we can keep our articles current and up to date. For more info on our ride there and what we got up to, have a read of our Panama Blog.
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Quick info on Panama
Panama is an interesting little country tucked away at the bottom of Central America. It was originally inhabited by indigenous people and colonised by the Spanish in 1500s. It gained independence from Spain in 1821 and joined the Gran Colombia Federation. Independence came again in 1903 with the help from the US so the country could build the Panama Canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The US ran the canal until 1999 when Panama took full control. Today, Panama City is a modern and safe city in Central America (and one of the priciest too).
Paperwork
For motorcycle travellers entering Panama, you will need your passport, motorcycle registration document and driver’s licence. The paperwork required to ride in Panama is as follows:
First you will need to obtain your insurance, then complete immigration, then obtain your temporary import permit followed by fumigation.
Insurance
Motorcycle insurance for foreign registered motorcycles is a big deal in Panama. You can purchase insurance at the border in Panama so there’s nothing you need to do in advance. Simply find the insurance office and give them your passport and vehicle registration document.
They’ll make all necessary copies and give you an insurance document which costs $25 USD. It tends to be valid for 90 days, but it may be less, so do check and ask in advance. You can simply park at the border post and walk to the insurance office.
Immigration
Then visit the immigration office. You can do immigration before insurance. We chose to do insurance first because the immigration queue was so long. Immigration is a simple and quick process. You may be asked for a hotel, so just have the name and address of one ready. An important point here is to make sure your passport gets an entry stamp because if you try and leave the country without one you’ll have to pay a fine.
British citizens get 90 days visa free in Panama and US and Canadians get 180 days. Check the Panama government website for info on other countries. and have a look at this page for quick info.
Temporary Import
Armed with a stamp in your passport and an insurance certificate, it’s time to visit the Aduana and get your Temporary Import Permit (TIP). The officer will ask you for copies of your insurance (the insurance office will give you an original and a copy), passport and registration document. They will then produce a TIP for you valid for 30 days. It’s possible to extend your TIP twice while in the country.
Once you have your TIP, an officer will come and inspect your bike and make sure all the details match up. Your TIP has a QR code on it which they will scan. There are no fees for your TIP.
Important – before you leave the Aduana with your TIP, check all the details they have printed. Check and recheck your VIN, chassis, engine numbers, registration number, passport – make sure there are no mistakes anywhere on the document. If there are, you will have problems shipping your vehicle out. If you spot a mistake, kindly ask the officer to correct it.
Fumigation
The last step is fumigation. With your TIP and paperwork, visit the fumigation booth towards the exit and give them your paperwork. They’ll then spray your tyres and give you a slip of paper and ask for 3USD. You will have one more check further up the road and you’re free!
Important note on passports
You must carry your passport with you at all times in Panama. Even if you’re just walking to the shops. They’re strict on it in an attempt to crack down on people overstaying their visas. And a copy won’t do, it has to be your original passport.
Important note on vaccines
If you are coming from a region deemed as at risk of yellow fever, you must show proof that you have been vaccinated. More info can be found here.
More on paperwork
If you’re planning a motorcycle trip and aren’t used to the different types of paperwork requirements, or are just trying to get your head around motorcycle paperwork in general, have a read of our packed paperwork for bikers guide too.
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Crossing a land border into Panama
Panama shares borders with Costa Rica and Colombia. You can’t enter via Colombia due to the incredibly dangerous Darien Gap jungle so to get in or out via a land border, your only border crossing is with Costa Rica.
There are three main border crossings between Panama and Costa Rica.
- Sixaola in the north
- Rio Sereno in the centre
- Paso Canoas further south
You’re fine to cross at any of the borders, but just note the first two are more remote and you may find difficulties on weekends for example. The third is the main border crossing, and even though it’s the main, it’s still easy and straightforward.
Check the iOverlander app for up-to-date reports for each crossing.
Flying your motorcycle in and out of Panama
To get from Panama to Colombia (or vice versa), you will need to fly your motorcycle across the Darien Gap. Before, you were able to use boats, but these services have been shut down by both governments and the only legal way now is to fly your bike.
Luckily, it’s straightforward and easy to do and there are some excellent companies in Panama that are highly experienced in shipping bikes in and out. Your bike can be flown between countries within a couple of days.
As there’s a lot to cover, we’ve published a dedicated guide specifically explaining everything you need to know about shipping a motorcycle from Panama. Check it out for more info.
Entering Panama on a flight
If you have stored your bike in Panama and want to return to continue a ride there, or even if you’re just flying in for whatever reason, you will need to show proof of onward travel.
Motorcycle storage in Panama
If you’re planning on shipping your motorcycle out of Panama (or even to Panama) and want to pause your trip for a while, it’s straightforward to store your motorcycle in the country.
If you’re heading to South America, you can drop your bike off in Panama with a storage company and have them send it to Colombia whenever you’re ready.
The big plus for overland travellers is that you do not need to return to Panama to ship your bike. You can just store your bike, fly home, contact the storage company in Panama whenever you’re ready to have it shipped and give them the go ahead and then fly to Colombia to collect it.
Also, there aren’t any problems leaving Panama with your bike still in the country provided you have properly cancelled your TIP and your bike is in a bonded warehouse with an official storage company that has sorted your paperwork for you.
The storage company will take charge of your bike and take you to the Aduana to cancel your TIP. The Aduana will then stamp your passport to show your bike has been taken care of. That way you can freely leave the country without your motorcycle.
We have a dedicated guide explaining everything you need to know on storing a motorcycle in Panama.
READ MORE: How to Store a Motorcycle in Panama
When to ride in Panama
Panama has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry and wet.
Dry season is from December to April. You’ll find less rain, more sun and consistently warm temps. Wet season with frequent rain and high humidity runs from May to November. However, you’ll often find the worst downpours are in the afternoon and so long as you get your rides completed early in the day you might escape most of the wet weather.
Money and costs
Panama isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, but at the same time it’s not as expensive as its neighbour – Costa Rica.
Money can easily be withdrawn at ATMs in large towns, you’ll find them using Google Maps. You can use USD throughout the country.
Petrol
Petrol prices in Panama are moderate compared to other countries in Central America, but they can always fluctuate. We found Belize to be the most expensive for fuel.
Food and water
Food and drink is expensive in Panama, especially once you’re in Panama City. If you search out local restaurants and street food stalls you can get away with spending much less. But, the nice parts of the city are filled with expensive restaurants. Most hotels and guest houses in Panama provide filtered water.
Accommodation
Panama City is pricey for decent accommodation. It’s worth checking AirBnB and Booking.com and also looking at the reviews on iOverlander. You can find cheap dormitories, but for a decent room with air-con and a private bathroom you’re looking at 40USD and upwards.
For Panama City, we recommend staying at El Machico Hostel. We had a room there with a private bathroom and air con and most importantly, it has secure gated parking for motorcycles and is in a safe area of the city.
Camping in Panama
You can camp with your motorcycle in Panama. There are paid campsites throughout the country, but very few. National Parks have designated areas with basic facilities and you can also find private campgrounds with better facilities.
For National Parks, there’s often an entrance fee and you may need a permit too. The easiest way to find out what you need is to check the iOverlander app for up-to-date info on the campsite you’re interested in staying at.
Wild camping is not allowed in National Parks and nature reserves and some areas are subject to local regulations. So, you should always seek permission from landowners and the local authorities before wild camping. However, you will not have much trouble finding hundreds of wild camp spots on iOverlander.
Popular camping spots in Panama
- Boquete – well known for cool temps and beautiful scenery. There’s a bunch of campgrounds and natural areas here for camping.
- Bocas del Toro – there are campgrounds on some of the islands and mainland areas close to the beach.
- San Blas Islands – this is a cool place to camp as some of the indigenous communities in the San Blas Archipelago offer camping experiences on their islands.
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Police
You don’t have to worry about corrupt police in Panama. It’s generally very professional there. However, you do have to be on high alert for the sheer amount of police motorcyclists hiding in the shadows on the main roads with speed camera guns. They are everywhere and will happily chase you down if you’re going over the designated limit. The best way to avoid being caught is to not speed – but also to use the Waze app, it’s very popular in Panama and drivers spot and post the vast majority of police hiding behind trees giving you enough time to slow down.
Safety and security
Panama isn’t known for being a dangerous place in Central America. There are certainly some areas of Panama City you want to avoid. We accidentally rode through a few zones that looked and felt incredibly rough and dodgy. But as a whole it’s a safer place and city when compared to its neighbours.
Use your common sense, don’t travel to the dangerous parts of towns and cities, don’t ride at night, consider where you’re staying and you’ll be fine as is the case anywhere in the world.
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Health and safety
Vaccines
When travelling abroad, it’s important to read up on the vaccine recommendations and requirements of the countries you are travelling through.
The best website we have found, that clearly explains what is needed and required is travelhealthpro.org.uk. Simply click on each country you plan on travelling through and read through the vaccine recommendations.
Yellow Fever
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout parts of Central and South America. And some countries in the Americas will require you to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. So, we recommend getting the vaccine before travelling. You can find info on the travelhealthpro website, and the fitfortravel.nhs.uk website has additional info with a map of areas at risk of yellow fever.
READ MORE: How to Stay Healthy on the Road
Travel insurance and emergencies
We highly recommend getting decent personal travel insurance before you leave on your trip. It’s incredibly important that you’re covered in case of an accident and your medical bills will be taken care off.
If you are planning on heading into very remote regions and off-roading, then we also recommend carrying an emergency satellite GPS device so you can call for help if you have a medical emergency.
Alissa had a serious crash in Nepal years ago and we wish we had an SOS device back then. Luckily we had excellent travel insurance though, which took care of the £20,000 hospital bill. Do not risk it, make sure you are covered.
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Planning your motorcycle route through Panama
Panama is known for being the end of the road in North/Central America, so not much thought is really given to the country in terms of exploration. Most will cross the land border from Costa Rica and take the main highway all the way to Panama City and fly their bikes out to Colombia.
But, if you have the time, it’s well worth going off the main road and checking out what this cool little country has to offer. Here’s some info to help you plan your route.
Road conditions
The main roads in Panama are well maintained and the road linking Costa Rica to Panama City is straight and fast flowing. You will find damaged sections with large potholes so keep your concentration up at all times.
You can also find plenty of off-road routes and trails, but it’s not like you’ll accidentally end up on them. You will specifically need to be heading off onto backroads and towards the jungles to find them.
Toll roads
There are toll roads in Panama and you do need a PanamaPass to use them. The booths are not manned and are all automatic, so it’s best not to take toll roads. They’re mainly around the City and are easy to avoid.
Places to visit in Panama
Here’s a selection of cool things to see and do while you’re in Panama. The country isn’t exactly a destination for adventure biking, but it’s still well worth checking out some of Panama’s best attractions.
The Panama Canal
While you’re in Panama City shipping your motorcycle, it’s worth taking time out to explore the historic Casco Viejo and the famous Panama Canal. You can ride across the famous Bridge of the Americas and visit the Panama Canal Visitor Centre to see how the canal works. But the centre is expensive and often crowded, so an alternative is to just ride along the canal to find a viewpoint and watch the boats go past like we did.
Visit an indigenous tribe
We visited the Embera tribe on a day tour from Panama City and highly recommend it. There’s a lot of info on this one so we wrote a dedicated guide for it.
READ MORE: How to Visit an Indigenous Tribe in Panama
Boquete
Nestled in the highlands, Boquete is a beautiful little place with stunning mountain scenery, coffee plantations, and trails like the Quetzal Trail and Volcán Barú.
Bocas del Toro
If you’ve got the time, check out Bocas! It’s an archipelago with beautiful beaches, clear waters, and Caribbean culture. Explore Isla Colón, Isla Bastimentos, and nearby beaches.
San Blas Islands
No doubt you’ve heard of the San Blas Islands. It’s a group of over 300 islands with gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear waters. You can also experience indigenous Kuna culture and pristine natural beauty.
Santa Fé
A small, charming town known for more coffee plantations and natural beauty. It’s worth visiting if you want an authentic Panamanian experience.
El Valle de Antón
A picturesque valley in an extinct volcanic caldera. The best places to see here are the El Macho Waterfall and hot springs.
Azuero Peninsula
Experience traditional Panamanian culture, beaches, and festivals in towns like Pedasí and Las Tablas.
Riding gear
We always recommend choosing an ultra-lightweight, breathable and well-vented adventure riding suit – and one that is not waterproof. Pack a cheap and light set of throwover waterproofs in case it rains. The aim of the game here is a layering system. It can get exceptionally hot and exceptionally wet in Panama so you want to be in well vented kit with easy access waterproof.
For more info and guides on adventure riding gear have a look at the below guides.
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Rentals and tours
If you’re not on an overland motorcycle trip, then another option to explore Panama is to simply fly in and rent a bike or join a tour. But, you’re not exactly spoiled for choice for rental and tour companies in Panama. Here are three options we’ve found below. Check out recommended rentals and tours page too for more companies.
Top tips
Whatsapp – We recommend joining the Motos in Mexico and Central America WhatsApp group.
SIM card – We personally use Holafly eSIMs. This way, you can get mobile data on your phone ready for when you cross into the country. It’s the easiest and quickest way to have unlimited data on your phone.
Police – As mentioned, police armed with speed camera guns line the highways waiting for speeding vehicles. Obey the laws here or expect to be pulled over.
Passport – Your original passport (not a copy) must be carried with you at all times, even if popping to the shops on foot.
Time – Don’t rush in and out of Panama, it has a lot to offer and is worth spending a little longer in.
Read more on motorcycle travel in Panama
Thanks for checking out the Motorcycle Travel Guide: Panama. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in Panama and Central America that we recommend you read next.
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Are you planning a motorcycle trip in Panama? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.