Best Panama SIM Card: What You Need To Know

Visiting Panama soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Panama SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Panama in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Panama. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Spanish – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Panama.

Best SIM Card For Panama

If you’re traveling in Panama, we recommend using a SIM card from Claro, Digicel, +móvil, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to South America, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other South American countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Panama

You can either buy a Panama prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a South American prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Claro, Digicel, and +móvil.

Claro Tourist SIM Cards

Claro offers six different types of prepaid plans:

• Unlimited data, valid for 1 day for PAB 1 ($1)
• Unlimited data, valid for 3 days for PAB 3 ($3)
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for PAB 5 ($5)
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for PAB 7 ($7)
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for PAB 10 ($10)
• Unlimited data, valid for 28 days for PAB 15 ($15)

Digicel Tourist SIM Cards

Digicel has three different prepaid plans available:

• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for PAB 4 ($4)
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for PAB 8 ($8)
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for PAB 15 ($15)

+móvil Tourist SIM Cards

+móvil offers three main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• Unlimited data, valid for 3 days for PAB 3 ($3)
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for PAB 5 ($5)
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for PAB 7 ($7)

Overall, we think Claro is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Panama Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Panama is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Panama or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for South America.

How To Buy An eSIM For Panama

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards, it’s definitely one of the best options for getting data in Panama.

To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Panama.

Airalo Panama

If you want to buy an eSIM for Panama, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for South America and Panama.

I’ve been using Airalo for several years, and it works fine.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $8
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $15
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $21
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for 32.50

Here’s an overview of the options available for South America:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $15
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $28
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $39
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $60

The options mentioned above are part of Latamlink and offer coverage in 19 countries, including Panama.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Panama.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip. In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Panama

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of their plan for Panama:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $79

Go to Holafly

Nomad Panama

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for Panama:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $48
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Nomad also has a global eSIM plan for over one hundred countries across the world. This plan offers coverage in Panama.

Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $48
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Panama

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Panama or even an eSIM for your travels in Panama is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in South America without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a South American plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Panama if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

If you’re moving to Panama soon, check out how our guide to the best places to live in Panama.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Mexico SIM cards
• Mexico bucket list
• Dominican Republic SIM cards