Car Rental Panama

Looking to hire a car in Panama?

Renting a car in Panama is an excellent choice for travelers seeking to explore this vibrant country at their own pace. With a rental vehicle, you can easily access stunning destinations like the historic Casco Viejo in Panama City, the breathtaking biodiversity of Soberanía National Park, and the beautiful beaches of Bocas del Toro. Enjoy the flexibility to discover hidden gems and picturesque landscapes throughout Panama’s diverse terrains and rich culture.

Best deals car rental Panama

Find your perfect car for Panama

Find the perfect rental car with ease. Enjoy free cancellations on most bookings, choose from 60,000+ locations worldwide, and get support in 30+ languages. We connect you with the top car rental brands for a seamless travel experience.

Rent a Car in Panama

Exploring Panama at your own pace starts with finding the right car rental. Renting a car in Panama is easy, with a wide range of options to suit every traveler’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a compact car for city driving, a family-friendly SUV for road trips, or a luxury vehicle for touring in style, Panama offers plenty of options. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, take spontaneous detours, and discover hidden gems away from the usual tourist spots.

Booking a Car Rental in Panama

Booking your car rental ahead of time ensures you get the most competitive rates and more choices. Whether you prefer to book online or upon arrival, many platforms feature easy-to-use options for comparing car types, prices, and rental companies. It’s a simple process, and you can often choose from additional features like GPS, child seats, or additional drivers to enhance your road trip experience.

Cheap Rental Cars in Panama

Traveling on a budget? No problem! Panama provides plenty of budget-friendly and cheap car rental options. Small rides are perfect for city driving and short trips, giving you both savings and convenience. Keep an eye out for seasonal deals and special offers from well-known rental companies like Hertz, Sixt, and Europcar for great value rentals.

Premium Rental Cars in Panama

If you’re looking to tour Panama in comfort, there are premium car rental options available. Whether you’re dreaming of a stylish sports car, a luxury sedan, or an SUV with all the latest features, premium car rentals give you a refined and luxurious ride. Perfect for events, road trips through breathtaking views, or business trips.

Driving Tips in Panama

Driving in Panama is quite simple, but here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Understand Local Rules and Road Signs in Panama: Spend a few seconds learning the local laws and the meaning of unfamiliar signs. Once you know what to expect—like who has right-of-way at roundabouts or the normal speed limits—you’ll feel much more comfortable behind the wheel.
2. Check Which Side of the Road You’ll Drive On, and Choose the Right Transmission: If Panama drives on the opposite side of your country, take a brief trial spin first. And if you aren’t comfortable driving stick shift, request an automatic in advance so you don’t face surprises at pickup.
3. Inspect the Car Before You Drive Off: Walk around the vehicle and capture a few shots of any existing scratches or dents. Doing this upfront helps prevent misunderstandings or extra charges later.
4. Familiarize Yourself with the Vehicle’s Controls: Adjust your seat and mirrors, find the lights, wipers, and hazard signals, and get a quick handle on the GPS or infotainment system. A minute spent getting familiar pays off in stress-free driving.
5. Plan Your Route in Advance: Check the map, note toll roads, and know roughly where you’re heading before you start the engine. Having a general plan makes navigating new places feel easy.
6. Stay Relaxed and Drive Defensively: Give yourself a bit more following distance and take it slow at first. You’ll quickly adjust to local driving habits, and by staying calm, you’ll have a much nicer time.

With these measures, driving in Panama can be remarkably simple and surprisingly simple. Just take it step by step, and you’ll soon be on your way confidently.

Popular Car Hire Locations in Panama

You can rent a car from many popular locations across Panama:

• Panama City (Capital)
• San Miguelito (Large city)
• Panama City, San Miguelito, Tocumen, David, Colón, Santiago, David

Fueling Your Rental Car

Most rental cars in Panama run on petrol or diesel. Electric vehicle rentals are also becoming more available. Fuel stations are easy to find along highways and in cities, and many accept both cash and credit cards. If you’re driving an electric car, there are charging points available in urban areas and along major routes, although they may be less common in remote areas.

Navigate in Panama

For navigation in Panama, it’s a good idea to preinstall a reliable app like Google Maps, Waze or a local variation. They deliver real-time traffic updates, backup routes, and alerts for speed cameras, which is particularly important given the country’s tightly enforced speed controls. Google Maps is great for comprehensive directions and finding local attractions, while Waze is excellent for community-driven traffic insights and avoiding traffic jams. Having these apps ready on your phone ensures you won’t get lost, and with a local Panamanian eSIM, you’ll have uninterrupted access to navigation without being concerned by data limitations.

Rent a Car at the Airport in Panama

Renting a car at the airport (for example Tocumen International Airport) is one of the easiest ways to start your journey in Panama. Making it convenient to pick up your vehicle right after you land.

Rent a Car Near Me

If you’re staying in one of the major cities, there are plenty of car rental agencies nearby. The top cities for car rentals in Panama include:

• Panama City
• San Miguelito
• Panama City, San Miguelito, Tocumen, David, Colón, Santiago, David

Simply search for car rental services in your city, and you’ll find several options.