A tourist visa previously good for 90 days but now 30 days is available for purchase ($5 USD) either on the plane or at the airport (or bus border crossing). You will also need a customs and immigration form which should be given out on the plane. You will need to provide the following: name, address, passport number and where you will be staying.
Update as of February 2008: Many European countries are given 90 days due to existing agreements that the Panamanian authorities had to honor, the U.S. State department has also been successful in getting 90-day visas reinstated for U.S. citizens and supposedly the same is true for Cananadians but there hasn't been any official statement to that effect.
You are also technically suposed to have an "ongoing" ticket to somewhere outside of the country of Panama. Some airlines are strict about having to show proof of onward travel plans, and although you cannot purchase a bus ticket before you are here, if you plan on leaving by bus or boat you might have trouble getting here. As the airlines may ask you to purchase an airline ticket to satifsy their onward travel requirements.
Traveling with animals (cats, dogs) from America requires a lot of pre-planning as you must have your animal checked at your local vet. You will need to submit a signed health certificate to the USDA office in your area, who then sends the papers back to the vet (or you). The papers must go to a Panamainan Consulate in the USA for "stamps of authentication" and then back to you all within 10 days of you traveling. When you arrive in Panama with your animal, you will need to see the airport vet, pay a few fees before you can collect your animal. Many people get "ripped off"on this last part as they forget or don't know they needed to have a "home quarantine" letter sent to the proper agency here in Panama 2 weeks before arrival. This will avoid to quarantine your pet at the airport (cost of $10 per day) for 40 days. You can get out of this usually by paying an extra fee to the vet (legal??) but if you have all your ducks in a row before, you will be better off. There are several pet facilitators who will meet you at the airport and help you through the process - their services are not usually expensive and things move much faster with them around. It's worth it if you haven't done it before. www.goldenfrog.net is one.
Also double check your hotel as many are going to a NO PET policy or only allow very small animals upon manager approval. There are 2 hotels that accepts pets and charge an extra fee to do so. Your alternative is are two apartments managed by the folks who used to own the Bed & Breakfast, La Cresta de Oro www.lacrestadeoro.com, which are pet friendly and very well located.
Important notice about traveling to Panama:
As of January 8, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via air or sea, to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Please note that many non-usa citizens, even if they are permanent residents of the USA, will need to obtain a visa prior to entering the country from the Panamanian consulate. The New York office of the Consulate General of Panama advises on their website: "While nationals from some countries, such as Switzerland, France and Great Britain do not need a visa, nor a Tourist Card, citizens from most countries do require a visa. In many instances, those visas must be pre-authorized by Panamanian Immigration Authorities. For that reason, it is highly recommended to contact the Consulate several weeks before the projected travel date."
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cb...
Recommended Travel Agent
Ivantours Costa Rica and Panama Eco-Luxury Travel Agency
start date: 2000
phone: (506) 2258-0308.
e-mail: info@ivantours.com
website: http://www.ivantours.com. affiliations: CANATUR, ACOPROT, ICT
niche: Nature, adventure and beach travel.
comments: Located in Costa Rica, personalized itineraries, with representatives in Bocas del Toro and Panama City. Combined programs with Panama. Ivantours is specialist in designing extraordinary vacations. Experience the marvels of Costa Rica and Panama staying at the most welcoming specialty hotels that will make you feel like home, nice jungle lodges and Country Inns will put you in contact with the culture and traditions of communities, as well the most exciting ecological tours and adventure activities.