Purchasing an Automobile

You will be better off if you buy a vehicle locally. New car prices are real bargain in Panama. Prices are not as high as neighboring Costa Rica or many other countries in Latin America. All of the major U.S. and Japanese manufacturers have dealerships in Panama. Furthermore, shipping a car can be a real “pain in the neck.”

Another reason to buy locally is to ensure your vehicle will be under warranty in case anything goes wrong. Most local dealers offer good warranties on new cars.

The majority of automobiles in Panama are made in Japan. Most replacement parts are for Japanese automobiles. Spare parts for U.S. cars have to be imported, are expensive and sometimes hard to come by. If you do decide to bring a car from the U.S. or Canada, it is best to bring a Toyota, Nissan, Honda, or some other Japanese import for the reasons just mentioned.

Driving an Automobile to Panama

If you have sufficient time and enjoy adventure, drive your automobile to Panama. The journey from the U.S. to Panama (depending on where you cross the Mexican border), takes about three weeks if driving at a moderate speed. By road it is about 4000 miles from Panama to Brownsville, Texas, the nearest US city.

Take your time so you can stop and see some of the sights. We recommend driving only during the day since most roads are poorly lighted, if at all. At night, large animals—cows, donkeys and horses— can stray onto the road and cause serious accidents.

Your car must be in good mechanical condition before your trip. Carry spare tires and necessary parts. Take a can of gas and try to keep your gas tank as full as possible because service stations are few and far between.
Bringing Your Boat to Panama

As you may know, Panama is a boaters paradise. The country has oceans on both sides, a canal, lakes, and offshore islands. If you have a yacht or sail boat you can dock at any of the of country’s yacht clubs. In Chapter 5 there is a list of some of the county’s yacht clubs.

If you enter Panama in a foreign vessel, you will be able to keep it in the country for 90 days. Beyond 90 days, you may apply for an extension, which essentially is a rubber stamp process. You are given a photo ID enabling you to keep the vessel in the country for an additional 90 days. However, you must obtain the proper form the Panamanian Maritime Agency (Tel: 507-232-5396) if you plan to visit Panama for a limited time only. The charges are listed on the form for obtaining a permit in order to legally navigate in Panamanian waters.