Mobile data is cheap in Central America. At least, compared to many other places around the world. It is also a beautiful travel destination.
The same applies to Panama. There is a lot of fun things to do and to see in this country. However, mobile data is not so cheap when compared to other nations in Central America.
But what about SIM cards? Are they expensive in Panama?
You can buy a for no more than 2 PAB (2 USD) from the four mobile operators in Panama (+móvil, Claro, Digicel & Tigo). Claro even hands out SIM cards for free at times. Daily unlimited data plans are available for as little as 1 PAB (1 USD).
That sounds incredibly attractive, especially when you know that international roaming can be insanely expensive.
There are many other things you need to be aware of when buying a SIM card in Panama. It can be quite a challenge to find accurate information about getting a Panamanian SIM card.
In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Panama. Let's go.
Original publication: 10th of January 2020. Last updated: 11th of February 2021.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Panama?
Everyone living in or visiting Panama, for whatever purpose, can get a local SIM card from the local operators (+movil, Claro Panama, Digicel Panama, or Tigo Panama) without any restrictions. Some operators hand out SIM cards for free.
However, you do need to have a phone that supports the frequencies used in Panama, have an unlocked device, and be aware of the SIM card registration laws.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Panama?
SIM cards are widely available throughout Panama. Although you can visit the official branches of the four mobile operators, you do not have to.
SIM cards are sold at many places, such as corner stores (chinos), newsstands, and electronic stores.
They are also available at Panama-Tocumen International Airport at self-service machines.
Below is a list of what to expect to pay for SIM cards in Panama:
- +móvil (Cable & Wireless): Up to 2 PAB
- Claro Panama: Free (mall stands) – up to 2 PAB
- Digicel Panama: Up to 2 PAB
- Tigo Panama: Up to 2 PAB
Expect to pay much more for a SIM card at the airport than in the official stores or third-party stores.
Can You Use Your Phone in Panama?
GSM technology is used for mobile communication services in Panama, meaning that you need a GSM-supported phone.
There is a 99% chance that your phone supports GSM anyway.
Panama uses traditional American frequencies, which are mainly used in the Americas (North-, Central- & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Other parts of the world (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania – ITU Regions 1 & 3) use European frequencies, which are different from the American frequencies.
by Denelson83, CC BY-SA 2.5If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Panama.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you want to go with Digicel Panama. It supports traditional European frequencies on 2G. However, 2G is too slow for modern data browsing.
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can go with any operator because your phone will support both American and European frequencies – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Panama
Panama has four mobile network operators:
The following frequencies are used in Panama:
- 2G: 850 MHz, 1800 Mhz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Panama, check out this page by Will My Phone Work.
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
The Best SIM Card in Panama
If you want to buy a SIM card in Panama, I recommend going with +móvil or Digicel. +móvil is regarded as the best mobile operator in Panama. Digicel has won an award for being the fastest mobile network. Consider Claro (and Digicel) for plans with unlimited LTE data.
SIM Card Registration in Panama
SIM card registration with your passport information is required in Panama.
Together with Nicaragua, Panama used to be the only Central American country where SIM card registration was not mandatory. This changed somewhere in 2019 or 2020.
Unfortunately, besides knowing that registration is mandatory, I do not know how exactly it is done or processed. If you do know, please inform me so that I can update this section.
Panama Speeds, Internet Prices & Insights
Central America, or Latin America in general (including South America), is known for being a relatively affordable travel destination.
The same counts for mobile data costs – they are quite low in Latin America.
But not so much in Panama. In fact, Panama is the most expensive country in Latin America for mobile data. And that would include South American countries too (but excluding the Falkland Islands – internet is criminally expensive there).
The average price for 1 GB of data in Panama is 6.69 USD, which is more than double the Central American average of 3.24 USD. The world average is 5.03 USD.
The Latin American average, excluding the Falkland Islands, is 3.04 USD. So yeah, Panama is expensive.
So you will be paying top dollar prices for data. But what about speeds? Are mobile internet speeds fast in Panama?
The average mobile download speed in Panama is 17 Mbps, making Panama the country with the slowest internet speeds in Central America.
To compare, the world average is 39 Mbps.
To me, this was a surprising revelation because fixed broadband speeds hover around 100 Mbps, placing Panama in the top 40 fastest countries worldwide.
Even with high prices and slow speeds, the quality of the networks is high. The four operators have great nationwide coverage with 4G/LTE.
Coverage should not be an issue unless you go to rural places.
Currency in Panama
Panama uses the Panamanian Balboa with the symbol PAB (which will be used throughout this guide) and the US Dollar (USD).
PAB is pegged 1:1 to the USD, meaning that 1 PAB is 1 USD.
Both currencies are used interchangeably in the country, which means that you can pay with PAB or USD without any issues.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Transferwise Borderless Account and Debit Card. Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Transferwise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks). I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Transferwise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Transferwise account FREE!
Panama Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through the Panamanian operators, +móvil, Claro Panama, Digicel Panama & Tigo Panama, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Panama has to offer.
+móvil by Cable & Wireless Panama
+móvil, also known as mas móvil, is the mobile brand of Cable & Wireless Panama. They are the largest operator in the country.
+móvil uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28)
This is what you will learn about +móvil:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a +movil SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans, Packages & Bundles
* APN Settings
Jump to Claro | Jump to Digicel | Jump to Tigo
Coverage – +móvil
+móvil has extensive coverage throughout Pamana. The operator is known for having the best coverage throughout the country.
You should not experience any coverage issues in the populated areas. However, speeds will be slow in rural Panama.
+movil has an official coverage map showing its 4G/LTE footprint.
Below is a map provided by Speedtest showing +movil's overall footprint, which is similar to its 4G/LTE coverage.
SIM Card Price – +móvil
+móvil SIM cards are available for no more than 2 PAB at Cable & Wireless stores and various other dealers (also known as Distribuidores).
You can also get a +movil SIM card from the self-service machines at Panama Tocumen International Airport.
You may have to dial *131# to activate 4G/LTE if you are in a 4G/LTE covered area and are limited to 2G or 3G.
Topping Up & Recharging – +móvil
+móvil recharge cards are available in values between 2 PAB to 15 PAB in Cable & Wireless stores, Distribuidores, and many other stores, such as corner shops (chinos), grocery stores, and gas stations. You can also use recharge machines called Máquinas de Recargas Automáticas to recharge between 1 PAB to 200 PAB. Online top-up is available as well.
Remember, 7% sales tax will be deducted from each top-up.
To redeem your +móvil top-up card, dial *166*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your code is 123456, you would dial *166*123456#.
Dial *165# to check your +móvil balance.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – +móvil
+móvil offers two types of bundles. The Planes Prepago (combo plans) and Servicio de Datos Prepago (data-only plans).
+móvil Planes Prepago
The Planes Prepago are combo plans with data, social data, and on-net minutes.
The following Planes Prepago are available, which can be activated by dialing *456#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data | On-Net Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 PAB | Redes Ilimitadas 3 Días | 400 MB | Unlimited Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp & WeChat | 100 minutes | 3 days |
| 5 PAB | Data Ilimitada 7 Días | Unlimited* | N/A | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 10 PAB | Plan Siempre 10 Días | 1.5 GB | Free WhatsApp & WeChat | 300 minutes | 30 days |
| 14 PAB | Plan Siempre 30 Días | 2.5 GB | Free WhatsApp & WeChat | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 42 PAB | Plan Siempre 30 Días | Unlimited* | Free WhatsApp & WeChat | Unlimited | 30 days |
* Speed is reduced to 1 Mbps after reaching 8 GB with Data Ilimitada 7 Días (5 PAB) and 30 GB with Plan Siempre 30 Días (42 PAB)
To check your plan's balance , dial *131#.
+móvil Servicio de Datos Prepago
The Servicio de Datos Prepago is a data-only plan.
The following Servicio de Datos Prepago plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *456#:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 0.99 PAB | 150 MB | 1 day |
| 1.99 PAB | 400 MB | 2 days |
| 2.99 PAB | 650 MB | 3 days |
| 4.99 PAB | 800 MB | 7 days |
| 8.99 PAB | 1 GB | 15 days |
| 14.99 PAB | 2 GB | 30 days |
APN Settings – +móvil
- Name: Mas Movil Internet
- APN: apn01.cwpanama.com.pa
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
RELATED GUIDES:
- Buying a SIM card in Central America (all Central American nations)
- Buying a SIM card in Costa Rica
- Buying a SIM card in Colombia
- Buying a SIM card in Nicaragua
- Buying a SIM card in Ecuador
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Claro Panama
Claro Panama, just Claro, is the second-largest operator in Panama.
Claro uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
This is what you will learn about Claro:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Claro SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans, Packages & Bundles
* APN Settings
Jump to +móvil | Jump to Digicel | Jump to Tigo
Coverage – Claro Panama
Claro has extensive coverage throughout Panama.
Coverage will be close to excellent in populated areas. Below is a map.
SIM Card Price – Claro Panama
You can get a Claro SIM card for no more than 2 PAB in Claro stores and many third-party sellers. It is possible to get SIM cards for free at Claro mall stands.
You can also get a Claro SIM card from the self-service machines at Panama Tocumen International Airport.
To retrieve your Claro phone number, dial *555#.
Topping Up & Recharging – Claro Panama
Claro top-up cards are sold in denominations of 3 PAB, 5 PAB, and 10 PAB in Claro stores, grocery stores, corner shops, and electronics shops throughout Panama. You can also recharge online with debit and credit cards.
Remember, 7% sales tax will be deducted from each top-up.
To activate your Claro top-up voucher, dial *106*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *106*123456#.
Dial *103# to check your Claro balance.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Claro Panama
Claro has plans, called Super Packs, featuring data, minutes, and SMS.
The following plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net/International Minutes | On-Net SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 PAB | Super Pack 1 | Unlimited | N/A | 20 on-net minutes | N/A | N/A | 1 day | Plan 1 |
| 3 PAB | Super Pack Ilimitado 3 | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | 10 off-net minutes | Unlimited | 3 days | Plan 3 |
| 5 PAB | Super Pack Ilimitado 5 | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | 15 off-net minutes | Unlimited | 7 days | Plan 5 |
| 10 PAB | Super Pack Ilimidato 10 | Unlimited* | N/A | Unlimited | 30 off-net minutes | 50 on-net SMS | 14 days | Plan 10 |
| 15 PAB | Super Pack 15 | 2 GB | 1 GB for WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram | 150 on-net minutes | N/A | 75 on-net SMS | 28 days | Plan 15 |
* Can share up to 3 GB with other Claro users.
To activate a Super Pack, text the Activation Code to 456.
For example, if you want Super Pack Ilimitado 3, you would text Plan 3 to 456.
Your off-net and international minutes balance can be used to call to the following destinations:
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- France
- Israel
- Mexico
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Spain
- United States
- Venezuela
APN Settings – Claro Panama
- Name: Claro
- APN: web.claro.com.pa
- Username: claroweb
- Password: claroweb
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Digicel Panama
Digicel Panama, just Digicel, is one of Panama's mobile operators. It won the Speedtest Fastest Mobile Network Award in 2018.
Digicel uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 1800 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans, Packages & Bundles
* APN Settings
Jump to +móvil | Jump to Claro | Jump to Tigo
Coverage – Digicel Panama
Digicel has extensive coverage in Panama.
You should not experience coverage issues with Digicel unless visiting densely populated areas.
SIM Card Price – Digicel Panama
Digicel SIM cards are available for no more than 2 PAB in Digicel stores and many other dealers.
You can also get a Digicel SIM card from the self-service machines at Panama Tocumen International Airport.
You may have to dial *129# to activate your Digicel SIM card if it does not work upon purchase. The same shortcode can be used to see your phone number.
Topping Up & Recharging – Digicel Panama
Digicel top-up cards are available in Digicel stores, corner shops, gas stations, and grocery stores throughout Panama. Recharging online with debit and credit cards is possible as well.
Remember, 7% sales tax will be deducted from each top-up.
To redeem your Digicel top-up card, dial *121*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *121*123456#.
Dial *120# to check your Digicel balance.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Panama
Digicel has the Prepago Paquetes, which are combo plans with unlimited LTE data, limited 3G data, separate data allowances for select Digicel apps, and international minutes.
The following Prepago Paquetes are available:
| Price | Plan | LTE Data | 3G Data | Data to Share | Listen More (Radio) Data | Listen More (D'Music) Data | Share More Data | Store More Data | On-Net Minutes | International Minutes (China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, United States & Venezuela) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 PAB | Plan Ilimidato 7 días | Unlimited | 3 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | 5 weekly playlists | Unlimited | 15 GB | Unlimited | 25 international minutes | 7 days |
| 10 PAB | Plan Ilimidato 14 días | Unlimited | 6 GB | 2.5 GB | Unlimited | 5 weekly playlists | Unlimited | 15 GB | Unlimited | 50 international minutes | 14 days |
| 20 PAB | Plan Ilimidato 28 días | Unlimited | 12 GB | 5 GB | Unlimited | 5 weekly playlists | Unlimited | 15 GB | Unlimited | 125 international minutes | 28 days |
You also get unlimited Do More data, which is for the MyDigicel App
Prime Bundles can be activated on the MyDigicel app or by dialing *111#.
You can download any Prime Bundle app by visiting the links below:
- Listen More (Music) with D'Music
- Listen More (Radio) with GoLoud
- Share More with Bip
- Store More with Billo
Do note that if your device supports the 4G/LTE frequencies used by Digicel Pamana (700 MHz on Band 28 and 1900 MHz on Band 2), you will get unlimited LTE data (although subject to a fair use policy – in Spanish). If not, the data allowance under the 3G data column applies.
You can check your data balance by dialing *120*3#.
APN Settings – Digicel Panama
- Name: Web Digicel
- APN: web.digicelpanama.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
RELATED GUIDES:
- Buying a SIM card in Guatemala
- Buying a SIM card in Peru
- Buying a SIM card in Brazil
- Buying a SIM card in Honduras
- Buying a SIM card in Belize
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Tigo Panama (Formerly Movistar Panama)
Tigo Panama, just Tigo, used to be known as Movistar Panama. Millicom, with the mobile brand Tigo, acquired Movistar Panama's (Telefonica Moviles Panama) operations in 2019 and phased out the Movistar brand. The operator was Panama's second telco to offer 4G/LTE services in 2015.
Tigo uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
This is what you will learn about Tigo:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Tigo SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans, Packages & Bundles
* APN Settings
Jump to +móvil | Jump to Claro | Jump to Digicel
Coverage – Tigo Panama
Tigo has extensive coverage in Panama.
Stay connected in the populated area should not be an issue with Tigo.
Tigo has official coverage maps on their site, but it used a weird map to show its coverage. The map below is easier to comprehend.
SIM Card Price – Tigo Panama
You can get a Tigo SIM card for no more than 2 PAB in Tigo stores and many other third-party sellers.
You can also get a Digicel SIM card from the self-service machines at Panama Tocumen International Airport.
Topping Up & Recharging – Tigo Panama
Tigo recharge cards are available in Tigo stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and corner shops. You can also recharge online.
To activate your top-up voucher, dial *888#.
Dial *312# to check your balance.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Tigo Panama
Tigo plans, called Paquetes Prepago, are combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS.
The following Paquetes Prepago are available, which can be activated by dialing *888#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local/On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | Local/On-Net SMS | Off-Net SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 PAB | Paquete 4 Días | 525 MB | 10 local minutes | N/A | Unlimited | 10 off-net SMS | 4 days |
| 5 PAB | Paquete 7 Días | 1.5 GB | 20 local minutes | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | 7 days |
| 5 PAB | Data Y Minutos Ilimitados 7 Días | Unlimited (6 GB for 3G phones) | Unlimited | 25 off-net minutes | 10 local SMS | N/A | 7 days (auto-renews) |
| 10 PAB | Paquete 15 Días | 2.5 GB | Unlimited | 25 off-net minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15 days |
* The Data Y Minutos Ilimitados 7 Días plan auto-renews. This can be disabled online.
APN Settings – Tigo Panama
- Name: Tigo
- APN: internet.movistar.pa
- Username: movistarpa
- Password: movistarpa
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Panama
The cheapest way to get online in Panama is to get a SIM card from one of the four mobile operators. However, that is not your only method of staying online.
Below are some other options to consider.
International Roaming
Roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected. You do not have to buy a new SIM card, and people at home can easily reach you on your current phone number.
However, roaming has many downsides as well. It can be insanely expensive.
International/Travel SIM Cards
International SIM cards or travel SIM cards are SIM cards made for travelers. The rates charged are often lower than international roaming, but they are almost always higher than what local operators will charge you.
Get to know more about international and travel SIM cards.
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local operators of the country you are visiting. Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.
You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.
Free WIFI Networks
Nothing beats free, right? Paying nothing to stay connected may be the best option. Until you remember that free hotspots are not available everywhere (especially when on the move) and that free connections are often extremely slow.
Just make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN when connected to open WIFI connections. It is worth it.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Panama
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other Central American Countries
Visiting other countries in Central America? Check out my Central America SIM card buying guide, covering other Central American nations, such as:
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling? In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel. If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally. Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
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