Best eSIM for Panama

Prices in Panama

At these prices a local SIM is worth the counter visit for anyone staying more than a few days. How the three providers compare across all fifteen destinations is in our main eSIM comparison.

Which network you get

The two operators with shops carry the travel eSIMs:

• Airalo shows +Móvil (Cable & Wireless Panamá) as its network, requires an ID for identity verification before purchase, caps its unlimited plans at 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day, and we previously read a 45-day activation window on its package panel.
• Holafly lists Tigo, with 5G where available and hotspot sharing capped at 1 GB a day.
• Saily does not name its network; it states 5G depending on the local provider and no hotspot restrictions. It sells 1 to 10 GB plans in 7 or 30-day versions and no unlimited plan.

Buying a local SIM instead

Both operators publish unlimited-data prepaid packages that cost a fraction of the travel eSIMs.

• Tigo’s Paquetigos Ilimitados: B/.3.85 for 3 days, B/.7 for 7 days, B/.11.50 for 15 days and B/.22 for 30 days of unlimited data, with shareable hotspot data of 500 MB to 5 GB depending on the package. The SIM price is not on the page.
• +Móvil’s prepaid data packages: B/.3.50 for 3 days, B/.7 for 7 days, B/.11 for 15 days of unlimited data, prices excluding tax, with shareable data of 500 MB to 3.5 GB.
• Tigo’s registration page states that, under Law 51 of 2009 as amended and ASEP resolution AN No. 18397-Telco of 26 April 2023, all new prepaid customers of every operator must provide personal data from 15 November 2023; a foreigner registers with a photo of the passport, name and date of birth, through the link sent by SMS to the new SIM. Unregistered lines cannot call or text.
• Tocumen airport’s own site lists no telephony vendor, and neither operator lists an airport store; the airport offers one hour of free Wi-Fi.

Before you land

Land on the travel eSIM and, for a stay of a week or more, consider switching to Tigo or +Móvil once you reach a store.

• Airalo: complete the identity verification before you travel and start the eSIM within its activation window. Saily allows 180 days.
• These are data-only plans. Keep your home SIM active for the text messages your bank and your airline send, with data roaming switched off on it.
• Carry your onward reservation in a form that opens without a connection: the check-in desk asks for it before the eSIM is on. Panama’s onward-ticket rules are on their own page, and the free checker covers your passport.