A Packing Guide: What to Wear in Panama and Essential Items

When planning a trip to this tropical country, knowing what to wear in Panama can significantly improve your travel experience. The difference in the weather from the bustling urban settings of Panama City to the cooler, tranquil heights of Boquete is very noticeable, giving each region its unique climate challenges. 

This guide will help you pack smartly, ensuring you enjoy every moment during your holidays with a perfect attire for each location. Also, we share the essential medicine and the immigration requirements to make sure that you are visiting Panama in a safe way and with the right information. 

This article will cover:

• What to Wear in Panama City: A cosmopolitan city with a weather that is hot and humid.

• What to Wear in Panama Highlands: The temperature drop is very noticeable, bringing extra layers and waterproof jacket during your stay is important.

• What to Wear in Panama Coastal Regions: Summer clothing to enjoy the best of the beaches and coastal restaurants. 

• What to Wear in Panama Jungle Excursions: Cover yourself to avoid attracting insects and always bring with you some insect repellant.

• Essential Medicine in Panama: Antihistamines if you have a bad reaction to mosquitoes is essential.

• What to Wear in Panama’s Island Resort: Learn all the necessary things to bring to your island resort. 

• Essential Accessories for Any Zone: Learn the highly recommended accessories to bring to Panama for all plans.

What to Wear in Panama City

Panama City is a metropolis with a weather typically hot and humid, with occasional rain showers, depending on the season. Lightweight and breathable clothing is ideal for the city when you are planning to walk for long hours visiting the magical streets of Panama. Opt for loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, or bamboo to keep you cool. If your plan is having a luxurious dinner at upscale restaurants, casual chic is the way to go.  

Essentials:

• Lightweight and breathable clothing
• Loose-fitting clothes
• Natural fibers, such as cotton, linen or bamboo

What to Wear in Panama Highlands

Boquete is very popular for its location nestled in a valley surrounded by the Baru Volcano National Park and a diverse range of coffee plantations, renowned for being the home of one of the best coffees in the world, Geisha Coffee. 

Here, when deciding what to wear in Panama’s highland areas, the temperature often demands a warmer layer, and maybe you need an extra jacket, especially in the early mornings and evenings. You can opt for long pants and long-sleeved tops made with heavier materials such as light wool or blends that work well. As Boquete is characterized for its spitty rain because it is in between mountains, a waterproof and breathable jacket is essential for this mists and occasional downpours. For footwear, hiking boots are a must if you are planning to explore the surrounding trails. 

Essentials:

• Jacket for early mornings and evenings
• Long pants and long-sleeved tops
• Choose heavier materials, such as wool
• Hiking shoes
• Cozy hat and gloves 

What to Wear in Panama Coastal Regions 

Every traveller needs a dressing to live in the real tropical environment in Panama’s extensive coastline with beautiful sandy beaches and quaint coastal towns. If you are thinking about what to wear in Panama’s crystal waters, it calls for swimwear, thin layers to cover up, flip-flops, and broad-brimmed hats. Beyond the beach, lightwear and airy attire remains key when exploring coastal towns or dining near the shore. All summer options are welcome and you can choose the one that feels more comfortable for you; shorts, tank tops, light trousers, and sundresses are perfect for these settings. Always carry sunscreen and sunglasses for sun protection. Something very useful is a light water-resistant jacket or poncho, if you  are lucky to encounter a tropical storm.

Essentials

• Swimwear, flip flops, hats
• Thin layers
• Shorts, tank tops, light trousers and sundresses
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Light water-resistant jacket

What to Wear in Panama Jungle Excursions

For those adventurous, Panama is characterized for its jungle and hiking excursions, such as rainforests, especially in the Gulf of Chiriquí. Here, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of breathable and quick drying fabrics to remain cool and protect against insects and overgrown paths. Also, using earth-toned colors help to blend in with the natural surroundings and avoid attracting insects. In order to choose the right footwear, sturdy and closed-toed shoes are essential for handling rough and often slippery areas. Don’t forget to pack a high-quality insect repellent and a waterproof backpack to keep your essential dry during humid or rainy conditions.

Essentials

• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Breathable and quick drying fabrics
• Sturdy and closed-toed shoes
• High-quality insect repellent
• Waterproof backpack

Essential Medicine in Panama

Panama is a safe country with a very low risk of Malaria and Hepatitis A and B. However, if you want risk prevention advice, you can always ask a professional in your country and get vaccinations before your departure. This will ensure that you are covered. 

What you will find mainly in coastal areas is mosquitoes and sandflies, which love novelty if you are not extra careful. By bringing mosquitoes repellent and antihistamines in your backpack, you will make sure that your skin is safe and you are healthy at all times. 

Drinking water straight from the tap is generally safe in most of Panama, as they implement a treatment system pretty state-of-the-art making it one of the only Latin American countries where it is safe to drink the tap water. 

Other medicines to bring for pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects are ibuprofen and paracetamol. 

For more information, check out the following link: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/central-america/panama

Essential Accessories for Any Zone

No matter where you are in Panama, some accessories are universally essential to keep with you.

• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun
• SPF sunscreen to avoid skin sun damage
• Lightweight daypack with water to keep yourself hydrated 
• Waterproof jacket for tropical storms
• Mosquito Repellent
• Other essential medicines, such as antihistamines, ibuprofen and paracetamol
• Your passport and visa, if required

What to Wear on Panama’s Island Resorts?

If you are joining a retreat at Selva Terra Resort, this secluded island is located on the Pacific coast in the Gulf of Chiriquí, so summer clothing is essential. As they also organise jungle hikes and provide all-inclusive trips to Panama City and Boquete, you need to make sure you pack everything mentioned above. 

Selva Terra Resort has everything you need, from crystal waters and tropical beaches to rainforests and hiking trails, including the trips to the mainland for a cultural immersion. 

In conclusion, when deciding what to wear in Panama, versatility, comfort and caution are key. You may have to be a bit flexible to adapt to the varied climate zones while enjoying the journey that awaits you.