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SIM Cards
Finding a SIM card in Panama isn’t difficult, but the best choice depends on where you’re going and how you plan to use your phone. This article compares the best Panama SIM cards for 2026, so you know what to expect before you arrive.
If you’re heading to Panama in 2026 and want to use a local SIM card, cost is only part of the decision.
I reviewed the main SIM providers by looking at how much data their prepaid plans include, how long those plans last, and how reliable their networks are in different parts of the country.
Quick pick: The best Panama SIM card is +Móvil (Más Móvil) because it offers the broadest coverage across Panama, competitive prepaid pricing, and easy access for travelers.
Note: Local SIM cards in Panama usually require a passport and an in-person purchase, while eSIMs can be bought online and installed before you arrive for a more convenient setup.
The table below compares the main SIM card options in Panama, including data allowances, plan duration, coverage, and where each SIM can be purchased.
| Provider | Price (from) | Data | Validity | Network coverage | Where to buy | Best for |
| +Móvil (Más Móvil / Claro) | $1.50 | Unlimited; Unlimited + 500MB; Unlimited + 1GB; Unlimited + 3GB; Unlimited + 5GB; Unlimited + 2GB | 1 day; 3 days; 5 days; 7 days; 10 days | Strong coverage nationwide, including rural areas | Airport, official stores | Best overall balance of coverage and value |
| Tigo | $3.00 | Unlimited; Unlimited + 500MB; Unlimited + 1GB; Unlimited + 3GB; Unlimited + 1.5GB | 1 day; 3 days; 5 days; 7 days; 10 days; 15 days | Very good coverage in cities and tourist areas | City stores, malls | Travelers staying mostly in urban areas |
| travSIM | $4.81 | 1GB; 5GB; 10GB; 15GB; 25GB | 15 days; 30 days | International roaming coverage | Online (advance order) | Short trips with minimal setup |
Choosing a SIM card in Panama often comes down to convenience versus savings. Buying a SIM at the airport is the fastest way to get connected, but it usually costs more.
City stores tend to offer better value, though that can mean waiting in line and completing registration in person.
It’s also worth thinking about how you’ll use your phone day to day. Light browsing and messaging don’t require much data, while longer stays or frequent navigation and streaming are easier with a larger plan.
If your trip includes travel outside major cities, network coverage becomes even more important.
These three providers stand out as the most practical options for travelers visiting Panama, based on coverage, pricing, and how easy it is to buy a SIM card.
All of them offer prepaid plans suitable for short stays, but prices and bundles can change, so it’s best to confirm current options directly with the provider.
+Móvil is Panama’s largest mobile network and now operates as a merged brand with Claro, giving it one of the strongest coverage footprints in the country.
Its network performs well in Panama City, along the Pacific coast, and in many rural and inland areas. Prepaid plans are easy to find, reasonably priced, and designed for everyday use.
+Móvil SIM cards are widely available at airports and official stores throughout Panama.
Below is a quick look at +Móvil’s popular prepaid SIM options.
| Data | Duration | Price (USD) | Notes |
| Unlimited data | 1 day | $1.50 | LTE network, includes 100 minutes and SMS to +Móvil |
| Unlimited data + 500MB to share | 3 days | $3.50 | LTE network, includes 10 minutes to other operators |
| Unlimited data + 1GB to share | 5 days | $5.00 | LTE network, includes 25 minutes to other operators |
| Unlimited data + 3GB to share | 7 days | $6.00 | LTE network, unlimited calls to +Móvil, includes 25 minutes to other operators |
| Unlimited data + 5GB to share | 7 days | $7.00 | 5G network, unlimited calls to +Móvil, includes 30 minutes to other operators |
| Unlimited data + 2GB to share | 10 days | $7.00 | LTE network, unlimited calls to +Móvil, includes 25 minutes to other operators |
Quick verdict: +Móvil is the best choice for most travelers thanks to its strong nationwide coverage and affordable prepaid plans.
Tigo is a well-known carrier in Panama with reliable coverage in Panama City and other major urban areas. It’s a popular option for travelers who plan to stay mainly in cities or along well-connected routes.
Tigo’s prepaid plans are straightforward, and SIM cards are easy to buy in city stores and shopping centers.
Coverage outside urban areas is more limited compared to +Móvil, but performance is solid where the network is available.
Below is an overview of Tigo’s typical prepaid SIM plans.
| Data | Duration | Price (USD) | Notes |
| Unlimited data + 3GB to share | 7 days | $5.00 | Includes international calls, 25 minutes and 25 SMS to other operators |
| Unlimited data + 1GB to share | 5 days | $5.00 | Unlimited calls and SMS to Tigo Móvil, includes international minutes |
| Unlimited data + 500MB to share | 3 days | $3.00 | Unlimited calls and SMS to Tigo, 10 minutes and SMS to all operators |
| Unlimited data | 1 day | $3.00 | Includes 100 minutes and SMS to Tigo Móvil |
| Unlimited data + 1.5GB to share | 15 days | $10.00 | Unlimited calls and SMS to Tigo Móvil, includes international minutes |
| Unlimited data | 10 days | $10.00 | Unlimited calls and SMS to Tigo Móvil, includes international minutes and SMS |
| Unlimited data + 1GB to share | 5 days | $5.00 | Unlimited calls and SMS to Tigo Móvil, includes international minutes |
Quick verdict: Tigo works well for travelers spending most of their time in Panama City and other major towns.
travSIM is an international SIM provider rather than a local Panamanian carrier, and its SIM cards work through roaming agreements.
It’s designed for travelers who want to arrange connectivity before their trip and avoid visiting local stores. You can order the SIM online, but shipping takes time, so it needs to be planned in advance.
Unlike an eSIM, which can be purchased online and activated instantly by scanning a QR code, travSIM requires waiting for physical delivery.
Coverage is generally sufficient for basic travel needs, particularly in cities and popular tourist areas.
Below is a simplified overview of travSIM’s common plans.
| Data | Duration | Price | Notes |
| 1 GB | 15 days | $4.81 | Data-only SIM with 4G/5G coverage in Panama; no phone number or roaming fees |
| 5 GB | 15 days | $24.09 | |
| 10 GB | 15 days | $42.17 | |
| 15 GB | 30 days | $54.22 | |
| 25 GB | 30 days | $66.27 |
Quick verdict: travSIM is best for short trips where convenience matters more than getting the lowest local price.
You can buy a local SIM card in Panama from several locations:
If you’d rather avoid buying a physical SIM after you arrive, an eSIM can be a much simpler option.
eSIMs let you purchase mobile data online and install it on your phone before your trip, so you’re connected as soon as you land.
This can be especially helpful if you want to skip queues, paperwork, and store visits altogether.
The table below compares some of the most popular eSIM providers for Panama, showing how they differ in data options, validity, and overall use case.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Notes |
| Holafly | Unlimited | Flexible (1–90 days) | Simple setup with unlimited data |
| Airalo | 1–20 GB | 7–30 days | Affordable fixed-data plans |
| Nomad | 1–20 GB | 7 or 30 days | Flexible bundles for travel (both limited and unlimited) |
See also: How to install and activate eSIM on iPhone and Android
+Móvil (Más Móvil), which operates alongside Claro’s former network, generally provides the widest and most consistent coverage across Panama.
It works well in Panama City, along major highways, and in many rural and inland areas.
You can buy a SIM card at the airport, in official carrier stores, or at authorized kiosks in cities and shopping malls. A passport or valid ID is usually required at the time of purchase.
Yes. Prepaid SIM cards are available at Tocumen International Airport, including through vending machines located in Terminals 1 and 2. Prices at the airport are typically higher than in city stores.
Most modern unlocked phones are compatible with Panamanian SIM cards. As long as your device supports GSM/LTE networks and isn’t carrier-locked, it should work without issues.
Most prepaid SIM plans include local calling and SMS along with mobile data. The exact allowances depend on the provider and the specific plan you choose.
Yes. Most providers allow you to top up or purchase additional data online, through their apps, or at physical stores if you run out during your stay.
A local SIM card gives you more control over data usage and coverage within Panama, while roaming relies on your home provider’s agreements.
For longer stays or regular use, local SIMs or eSIMs are often more practical.
Yes. Buying a local SIM card in Panama typically requires a passport or a valid government-issued ID, especially when purchasing from official carrier stores.
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