Panama is a regional travel and business hub, and connectivity in Panama City, the Canal zone, Bocas del Toro and Boquete is generally reliable. Visitors can pick up a local prepaid SIM on arrival or arrive with a travel eSIM ready to go, with modern 4G LTE almost everywhere and 5G expanding in the capital.
Networks & coverage
The market consolidated recently: +Movil (Cable & Wireless, which absorbed Claro Panama) and Tigo (Millicom) are now the two main operators after Digicel exited. Both run extensive 4G LTE across the country, and 5G is live in Panama City and other urban centres. Coverage is excellent in the metro area, the Pacific beaches and along the Pan-American Highway; expect weaker signal on remote islands and in dense rainforest.
eSIM or physical SIM?
A travel eSIM is the smoothest choice and connects automatically on landing at Tocumen (PTY). Note that airport SIM kiosks at Tocumen mark prices up sharply (often around US$30 for a pack that costs US$5 in the city), so an eSIM or a SIM from a city-centre +Movil or Tigo store is far better value. Passport registration is required for physical SIMs.
Data, calls & messaging
Travel eSIMs from Airalo, Holafly and Saily are typically data-only, though some Airalo Panama plans now include a local +507 number with minutes and SMS. Local +Movil prepaid packs often bundle unlimited data with a handful of calling minutes for a few dollars. For most travellers, app-based calling over data covers everything.
How much data do you need?
A week of maps, messaging and social media runs comfortably on 3–5 GB. If you stream video or tether a laptop for work, plan on 10 GB or an unlimited package. Light users leaning on hotel and café Wi-Fi can get by with 1–3 GB.
Available plans
18 plans available
Prices here are listed in more than one currency — the range is compared against each group in its own currency, values are not converted.
Data last verified: Jul 3, 2026
SIM and eSIM plans in Panama — operator, plan, data, validity, network, type and price.
Plans shown are indicative samples for reference. Confirm current pricing, data allowances, and coverage with each provider before purchasing.
Compare with other countries
How we compile this data
Plan data is compiled from the public pricing pages of mobile operators, MVNOs, and eSIM providers serving each destination.
Listings are reviewed by the DROAM telecom desk and kept neutral — we surface a representative sample of options rather than promote any single provider.
Operators change allowances and pricing frequently, so we update entries as plans change and always link out to the provider for the current offer.
Networks & coverage
9 operators appear in the plans listed for Panama:
Airalo
Saily
Holafly
+Movil
Tigo
eSIMbag
MyDataSim
Xipo Flex
Weconnect
Network technology available across these plans: 4G, 5G.
Good to know
The lowest-cost option listed is Xipo Flex at €6.53 for 1 GB over 7 days.
eSIM plans activate instantly by scanning a QR code — no SIM swap or local store visit needed.
A physical SIM can be the better choice for older phones that do not support eSIM.
Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked before buying, and match the data allowance to your trip length.
