Panama eSIM
Panama eSIM: GB and unlimited data plans on Tigo; a card that says movistar means Tigo. Install at home and be online when you land at Tocumen in Panama City.
Panama eSIM plans
Prepaid data on local networks. Charged securely in USD — pay by card, Apple/Google Pay, PromptPay or crypto.
No data cap. Choose how many days you need.
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 1 day
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 3 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 5 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 7 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 10 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 15 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 20 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
- Unlimited data
- Valid for 30 days
- Network: Tigo (4G)
QR on screen and emailed in seconds.
Stripe & crypto — card data never stored.
Didn't activate? We refund or replace.
Message us on Telegram or email — answered by a real person.
Staying connected in Panama
The easiest way to get online in Panama is to install a travel eSIM at home and switch it on when you land at Tocumen in Panama City. AirOva sells Panama plans from $5.49, with fixed GB or unlimited data: GB plans run on Tigo and unlimited plans on Tigo, and a plan card that says movistar means Tigo.
Which Panama plan to choose
GB plans suit most trips: about 3–5 GB covers a week of maps, messaging, translation and photos, and longer trips with daily uploads need more. Unlimited plans give unlimited data with no data cap and no fair-usage limit, priced by the number of days — good for long stays, remote work or heavy video. All plans are data-only, with no local phone number, so call over WhatsApp or another app.
Networks: Tigo, movistar and +Móvil
Panama now has two mobile operators, Tigo and +Móvil: Cable & Wireless Panamá, the company behind +Móvil, took over Claro, and Digicel left the market. Tigo is the former Movistar Panamá, bought by Millicom from Telefónica in 2019 and moved to the Tigo brand in 2020 — which is why a plan card may still say movistar. It is the same network. Panama’s first 5G came from +Móvil in Panama City and is not part of our plans.
Arriving at Tocumen
International flights arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), Panama City’s main international airport and the hub of Copa Airlines. After landing, turn off airplane mode, switch the eSIM line on, choose it for mobile data and enable Data Roaming for that line; the plan is prepaid, so roaming adds no charge. Keep roaming off on your home SIM. Validity starts on the first connection in Panama.
San Blas (Guna Yala) and the islands
The San Blas islands of Guna Yala are where Panama goes offline. Signal fades out on the road before the Guna Yala border, and on the islands it comes and goes: sailors report a strong signal near some islands, such as Porvenir, but only intermittent reception a few miles away. Catamaran Wi-Fi usually runs through a cellular router, so it needs the same signal. Download maps, boat details and bookings before you leave Panama City.
Tip: A Panama plan covers Panama only, so if you continue to Costa Rica or Colombia, sort out coverage there too — our Central America overland guide compares regional and country plans. Keep your home SIM in for bank codes, with data roaming off.
How your Panama eSIM works
No SIM shops, no roaming bills.
Buy & pay
Pick a Panama plan and pay in under 2 minutes.
Scan the QR
Your eSIM appears instantly and lands in your inbox. Install before you fly.
Land & go online
Turn on Data Roaming in Panama — connected on local 4G/5G.
Panama eSIM FAQ
Which network does the Panama eSIM use — movistar or Tigo?
Will I have signal in San Blas (Guna Yala)?
Is there an unlimited data plan for Panama?
Will the eSIM work as soon as I land at Tocumen?
Will my phone work with a Panama eSIM?
How do I get my Panama eSIM?
When does the plan start in Panama?
Can I keep my phone number?
Does it support hotspot / tethering?
Which mobile networks does the Panama eSIM use?
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for Panama?
Travel-smart reading
Guides to help you pick, install and get the most from your Panama eSIM.
