Panama
A Global Maritime Crossroads with two Coasts to Explore
Exploring Panama's Two Coasts by Superyacht
Panama is a country of striking contrasts, where tropical rainforest, Indigenous cultures and historic maritime routes meet coastlines on two oceans. Caribbean cruising encompasses Guna Yala, also widely known as the San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro and Portobelo, while the Pearl Islands, Gulf of Chiriquí and UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park reveal a wilder Pacific character. Far more than a passage between oceans through the Panama Canal, Panama offers varied cruising, more than 1,000 islands, distinctive communities and exceptional biodiversity.
Destination Highlights
- Panama Canal Transit
- Caribbean and Pacific Coasts
- Biodiverse Archipelagos
- Indigenous and Maritime Heritage
- UNESCO Marine Environments
- Scuba Diving and Sportfishing
Panama rewards yachts that allow time beyond the Canal. Owners and guests can combine remote anchorages, wildlife, scuba diving and island communities with Panama City’s cultural and culinary attractions. For captains and yacht managers, the country supports international guest movements, crew logistics and practical itinerary planning on both sides of the isthmus. A Panama Canal transit also provides the defining link between Caribbean and Pacific cruising programmes, although bookings and vessel-specific arrangements require careful advance coordination.
International Access
Tocumen International Airport provides Panama’s principal long-haul and regional connections. Private aviation is handled at Tocumen, Marcos A. Gelabert and Panama Pacífico, subject to aircraft requirements.
Yachting Infrastructure
Marinas are established near both Canal entrances and in selected outlying cruising areas. Panama offers yacht agents, provisioning, fuel, chandlery supplies, travelift haul-out, commercial dry-dock capacity and selected mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, fibreglass, paint and other skilled trades.
- Max berthing: side-to berth up to 91 m LOA and about 6,7 m draft
- Max haul-out: commercial dry-dock up to 318 m (subject to yacht-specific acceptance)
- 2nd Max haul-out: travelift up to 160 tonnes, max beam 11,9m and max draft about 4,6 m.
See Recommended Superyacht Services below for specific marinas, haul-out facilities, and skilled trades in Panama.
Recommended Superyacht Services
in Panama
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Entry, Clearance & Cruising Regulations for Panama
Local Expertise: Panama clearance information reviewed by local yacht agents - July 2026.
1. Arrival & Clearance
Visiting yachts must complete immigration and Panama Maritime Authority (Autoridad Marítima de Panamá – AMP) or Port Captain formalities on arrival and obtain outbound port clearance, known as an international zarpe, before departure. Foreign yachts remaining to cruise Panamanian waters require a navigation permit, while vessels calling solely to transit the Panama Canal are handled separately. Vessel and personal admission periods are authorised independently.
Although a yacht agent is not compulsory, using one is strongly recommended, as procedures, authority availability and payment arrangements vary between clearance locations. Local agents can also provide current guidance on immigration, visas, chartering and other regulatory developments.
Need clearance assistance for Panama?
Contact a Recommended Yacht Agent
Official Ports of Entry/Departure on the Caribbean Coast
- Colón/Cristóbal – The principal Caribbean clearance area and Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. Yachts may use the Cristóbal anchorage or arrange clearance through Shelter Bay Marina.
- Puerto Lindo/Linton Bay – Clearance can be arranged through the local marina area, subject to authority availability.
- Bocas del Toro* – Clearance facilities serving the western Caribbean archipelago.
- Guna Yala (San Blas Islands)*
*) Immigration attendance at Bocas del Toro and Guna Yala is available, but Panama Maritime Authority formalities and cruising permits generally need to be completed through Colón or Puerto Lindo, some distance away.
Official Ports of Entry/Departure on the Pacific Coast
- Balboa/Amador – The principal Pacific clearance area near Panama City, including the Balboa anchorage and Flamenco Marina and La Playita de Amador Marina.
- Boca Chica/Gulf of Chiriquí – Yachts can use the Boca Chica anchorage or nearby marina facilities (Paradise Fishing Lodge and Marina). Clearance should be coordinated in advance because authority coverage is limited.
Not every location has all clearance authorities on site or suitable alongside berthing for superyachts, it is recommended to pre-arrange clearance through a superyacht agent. Yachts should proceed to an agreed anchorage or berth and remain aboard until clearance arrangements have been confirmed.
2. Documents required
- Vessel certificate of registration
- Vessel insurance certificate
- Previous port’s original international clearance (Zarpe)
- Complete crew & passenger/guest list
- Passport copies for everyone aboard
- Visas or supporting visas, where required by nationality
- Record of the previous ten ports and departure dates
- Vessel itinerary and intended Canal Transit or cruising programme
- Panama Cruising Permit application, when remaining in Panama
- Pet health and import documents, where applicable
- Advance declarations and permits for firearms, controlled goods, drones, aircraft or helicopters
Additional documents can be requested where the port is not fully integrated with the Panama electronic system called VUMPA .
3. Fees
Clearance costs vary by port and can include Port Captain and immigration charges, navigation-permit fees, international zarpe, sanitation or port-health charges, harbour dues, overtime attendance and local protected-area fees. Canal measurement, booking, transit and related operational charges are separate. Cash payment in US dollars remains common at some authority offices.
4. Visa & Immigration
Admission depends on nationality. Passports must generally remain valid for at least three months; a visa, proof of at least B/.500 in funds and onward-travel evidence can be requested. Many visa-exempt visitors receive up to 90 days, although the period granted can vary by nationality. No general online travel authorisation applies to all yacht arrivals.
For crew changes, joining or departing crew clear through normal airport immigration. Joining crew should carry a yacht letter stating the vessel’s name, location and itinerary, together with supporting registration, cruising-permit and crew-list details.
Official visa information:
5. Biosecurity / Quarantine
International arrivals remain subject to port-health control. Illness, animals, plants, meat, fresh provisions, controlled medicines and regulated goods should be declared and retained aboard until released. Pets require advance veterinary and import documentation. No specific national antifouling certificate requirement has been confirmed, but authorities may investigate a hull presenting an environmental or biosecurity concern.
6. Navigation & Cruising
A Panama Cruising Permit is required for yachts remaining in the country to cruise its coastal waters and islands, but not for vessels calling solely to transit the Panama Canal. The permit is issued by the Panama Maritime Authority and generally takes two to four days to process, although during the high season it may take two weeks or longer.
Yacht carrying a Panama Crusing Permit normally don't need to clear out of and into domestic ports, however Port Captains can require movement notification or a domestic zarpe. Guna Yala (‘San Blas’ island chain on the Caribbean side) has its own local permissions and fees, while Coiba and other protected areas regulate entry and anchoring.
Sportfishing is regulated by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). Visiting yachts should confirm current vessel and angler permit requirements before fishing; additional authorisation and restrictions apply within certain national parks and protected areas.
7. Transiting the Panama Canal
Balboa on the Pacific and Cristóbal, next to Colón on the Caribbean, are the Canal’s principal gateways. Pre-arrival information must reach the Panama Canal Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá – ACP) at least 96 hours before arrival. Yachts report to the Flamenco or Cristóbal Signal Station, normally on VHF Channel 12, and proceed to an assigned anchorage for inspection and measurement; berthing is not usually required.
Due to droughts in the country, and low water levels for the Panama Canal, the transit slots are sometimes limited. Check with your Yacht Agent on the actual situation.
Yachts up to 38.1 m LOA normally make a handline transit, with line handlers controlling mooring lines as water levels change.
Larger yachts (>38,1 m LOA) follow the standard vessel-transit process. An experienced yacht or authorised shipping agent is recommended to arrange booking, measurements,guarantees, pilotage and other requirements. National clearance remains separate, but Canal-only transits do not normally require a cruising permit. Timing depends on traffic and operating conditions.
8. Chartering
Although Panama introduced provisions for bareboat and crewed yacht charter in 2025, local agents report that the regime is not yet fully operational. Foreign-flagged yachts, whether private or commercial, should not assume chartering is permitted and must confirm all permit, operating, tax and cabotage requirements in advance.
8. VAT/duty exemptions
No general VAT- or duty-free regime for technical work, repairs or spare parts has been confirmed. Imported equipment and repair supplies require appropriate customs clearance; nautical-tourism exemptions appear limited principally to qualifying arrival and anchorage charges.
9. Private Jets
Tocumen International Airport and Panama Pacífico International Airport handle private jets, subject to aircraft size and handling arrangements. Foreign private flights require advance notification to the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama (Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil – AAC).
9. Private Helicopters
Foreign helicopters require AAC landing or overflight notification, aircraft documentation and customs formalities. Domestic flying, shore landings and operations from a yacht helipad require separate operational and landowner or facility approval; yacht carriage alone does not authorise flight operations.
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended as a general guide and may be subject to change. Captains, crew and guests are advised to confirm the latest entry requirements, fees and operational procedures with the relevant authorities and their appointed yacht agent prior to arrival.