Panama City has a tropical climate, with temperatures staying
constant all year round, ranging from 90°F (32°C) during the
daytime to 70°F (21°C) in the evening. Humidity is generally high,
especially during the rainy season, which is between May and
December. The best time to travel to Panama City is between
December and March.
Tocumen International Airport
Location: The airport lies 20 miles (32km) from Panama
City.
Time: GMT -5.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are within easy walking distance of each
other.
Getting to the city:
There are buses and minivans dubbed Taxi de Turismo, which can
be booked from the Information Booth in the arrivals hall. The
transfer time is about half an hour.
Car Rental:
Car hire companies represented in the arrivals hall include
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis:
Regular taxis operate day and night at fixed prices depending on
the number of passengers, but are not metered.
Facilities:
There is a bank and ATM, a restaurant and coffee bars, as well
as snack bars. Last-minute gifts can be bought at several stores on
the first and second floors, including duty-free. Baggage storage
is available, and information booths are located in arrivals.
Parking
Parking at Tocumen International Airport is plentiful and very
cheap.
Panama City can be difficult to navigate at first. The city has
a public MetroBus system, visitors can use a Rapi>Pass card that
can be bought and recharged at grocery stores.
Taxis are the most common way to get around in Panama City, as
an average ride should be under $10 to most parts of the city.
Taxis are not metered, and can be hailed on the street or ordered
by phone (although a dispatch fee is often charged). Taxis can also
be hired at an hourly or weekly rate, which can be cost-effective
for frequent sightseeing and dining trips. Rental cars are
available, but the local driving is very aggressive and
self-driving can be the source of frustration rather than
convenience.