Healthcare in Panama, and what it costs without cover

Panama has a two-part public system, the CSS social-security scheme and the MINSA public network, but nomads and expats use the private sector, which is concentrated in Panama City and very good.

Johns Hopkins-affiliated benchmark

The standout is Pacífica Salud (Hospital Punta Pacífica), the first hospital in Latin America affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International and JCI-accredited since 2011. Other well-known private hospitals include Hospital Nacional, The Panama Clinic and Paitilla, though accreditations vary, so Punta Pacífica is the benchmark for complex care.

English and the dollar

The US Embassy confirms that Panama City private hospitals can generally provide care in English, and many doctors are US-trained, so language is rarely an issue in the private system. One useful quirk: Panama uses the US dollar as everyday currency, so there is no exchange-rate friction on a medical bill if you earn in dollars.

Pharmacies and emergencies

Pharmacies are widespread, with chains like Arrocha, Metro and El Rey, and many medicines are cheaper than in the US. The national emergency number is 911, though operators may speak only Spanish.

Tourist entry is generous and splits by nationality: US and Canadian visitors get up to 180 days, while British and Australian visitors get 90.

Tourist entry by nationality

You need an onward ticket and proof of funds, around $500, or $1,000 for British travelers. Travel insurance is not a legal entry requirement, but it is strongly advised given top-hospital pricing.

Remote-worker visa

To stay and work remotely, Panama's Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers (Executive Decree 198 of 2021) is for people working for a foreign employer or foreign clients, on income of at least $36,000 a year, and it runs nine months, renewable once for about eighteen months total. It is filed through a Panamanian lawyer, and it requires a valid medical insurance policy with coverage in Panama for the stay. No specific minimum coverage amount is published, so insure for the real risk, especially since the top hospitals cost real money. We break it down on the Panama remote-worker visa page. For longer-term residency, the Friendly Nations Visa is the common route, but it now requires an economic tie such as a $200,000 property purchase or bank deposit.

• The Darién Gap. The US and Australian governments say do not travel to the Darién Gap on the Colombia border, and the UK advises against it except with organised groups, because of crime, smuggling and difficult terrain.
• Urban crime. Pickpocketing and theft happen in busy areas; UK guidance flags neighbourhoods including El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Calidonia and the city of Colón. Use ATMs inside banks or malls and keep the usual city wits about you.
• Mosquito-borne disease. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya circulate, so use repellent. Malaria is not a risk in Panama City or the Canal Zone, only in rural and eastern areas.
• Top-hospital costs. Panama's best private hospitals can bill close to US prices for complex care, so do not treat "cheaper than the US" as a reason to skimp on cover.
• Tap water. It is safe to drink in most of the country, including Panama City, but follow local advice in rural and island areas like Bocas del Toro.