SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Panama SIM card in 2025

You can get a Panama SIM card from local providers such as Mas Movi, Caro, or Tigo, with prices ranging from $3 to $15 for prepaid plans.

Buying a tourist SIM card is one of the most popular ways to stay connected in Panama. While it is simple, convenient, and reliable, not all Panama SIM cards are equal. Each major cell service provider in the country offers unique plans for visitors.

Let’s take a look at some of the top prepaid SIM card options in Panama and compare them to Holafly — a top eSIM for Panama with unlimited data included in every plan.

In this article

How much does a SIM card in Panama cost?

A tourist SIM card in Panama typically costs between $3 and $15, depending on the data allowance, validity period, and any additional features included in the plan.

Where can I buy a SIM card for Panama?

Before we start looking into the top options, here’s a quick overview of where you can buy physical SIM cards or an eSIM in Panama:

Online: You can buy your SIM from international SIM card providers online. Simply buy one that suits your needs and have it delivered to your home, an airport in Panama, or the hotel you’ll be staying in.
At the airport: You’ll find SIM card shops upon arrival at any international airport in Panama. The Tocumen International Airport has SIM card shops by Mas Movil, Claro, and Tigo, three of the biggest local SIM card providers in Panama.
In Panama: If you didn’t buy one at the airport, you’ll be able to get your SIM card in one of many cell service provider stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets throughout Panama City and other larger cities and towns throughout the country.
Buy an eSIM instead: eSIMs offer reliable mobile data access without the need for a physical SIM card. Simply buy your eSIM online, activate it within minutes, and enjoy near-instant internet access.

Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM for Panama

With Holafly’s eSIM for Panama, you can enjoy complete peace of mind during your stay. All Holafly eSIM plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support. This means you won’t have to worry about tracking your data usage, and if anything goes wrong, you have a knowledgeable team of support agents ready to help at any time.

The prices range from $3.35 to $7.90 per day, with the daily costs becoming cheaper as plan duration increases. Holafly lets you pick any number of days in the range of 1 to 90, allowing you to match you eSIM to your stay and avoid paying for any days you don’t need. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone and an internet connection for purchase and activation.

Planning to stay for a while? Get even better value for money with Holafly Plans, a pay-monthly eSIM subscription from Holafly. It offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single eSIM, with prices ranging from $39.90 to $64.90 per month, or $1.33 to $2.16 per day.

Plans range from 10 GB to unlimited data per month and don’t require any contracts. Simply use it to stay connected for as long as you need and cancel any time. No hidden costs or cancellation fees to worry about.

Top Panama SIM card options for tourists

Top local SIM cards typically come from some of the biggest local cell service providers, and Panama is no exception. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Panama SIM cards for tourists.

Mas Movil

Mas Movil, also known as +Movil, keeps things simple by offering unlimited data with its prepaid SIM card plans. All you have to do is choose the duration you need:

Validity	Price
1 day	$1.50
3 days	$3.50
5 days	$5.00
7 days	$6.00
10 days	$7.00

All plans also include calls and texts within the Mas Movil network, while the 7-day plan also includes calls to the US, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. It’s also worth sharing that while the plans offer unlimited data, hotspot sharing is limited, with up to 3 GB of hotspot sharing allowed, depending on the plan.

Claro

Claro is one of the biggest cell service providers in all of Latin America, covering 18 countries in the region. It offers simple, comprehensive packages for tourists visiting Panama as well, with SIM cards readily available at the Tocumen International Airport and Claro shops throughout Panama.

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	4 days	$3
Unlimited	7 days	$5
Unlimited	14 days	$10
4 GB + Unlimited data for social media	14 days	$15

All plans also include phone call minutes and texts to local networks in Panama.

Tigo

If you don’t need unlimited data and would rather opt for a fixed-data plan, Tigo has some affordable prepaid plans you might like.

Data	Validity	Price
525 MB	4 days	$3
1.5 GB	7 days	$5
2.5 GB	15 days	$10

All plans also include calls, though the minute allowance is quite limited, with 10 to 25 minutes of calls included.

How to get and activate your Panama SIM card

Panama doesn’t have very strict requirements for tourists looking to buy a SIM card. You may be asked to provide your passport or ID at the SIM card shop, but no additional documents are needed.

When it comes to activation, it’s as simple as inserting the SIM card into your phone and follow the basic instructions on startup.

If you don’t want to fiddle around with plastic SIMs, get an eSIM from Holafly instead. You can buy the eSIM online, scan the QR code to activate it, and get instantly connected from the comfort of your couch.

Traveling to nearby destinations? Take a look at more of our tourist SIM card blogs:

Plans that may interest you

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

Read full bio