Panama City car rentals
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Panama City car rental information
| Pick-up location | Panama City |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Rental locations | 87 |
| Airport locations | 33 |
Cheap car rentals in Panama City
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| Minivan |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pickup Truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Panama City
- One of the main advantages to having a car during your time in Panama City is that it opens up the countryside for easy exploration. There are a number of spectacular spots that are just perfect as day trips from Panama City. Some of these spots include Cajones de Chame, which is 90 km (56 miles) away from the city, and Laguna de San Carlos, which is 110 km (68 miles) away.
- If you’re flying in, you’ll probably want to pick up your hire car from the airport so you can start your vacation right away. If your flight is arriving at Tocumen International Airport, then you will find the hire car offices in the airport’s Arrivals Hall.
- It is worth remembering that cell phone use is strictly forbidden when driving in Panama. This is important to remember because many tourists use their phones to navigate Panama City. So stay on the safe side of the law by having a passenger be the guide during your time in Panama City.
- Rush hour doesn’t last overly long in Panama City, but nonetheless it is definitely worth avoiding. Generally, drivers can expect the morning rush hour to begin shortly after 7:00 a.m. and to last until 9:00 a.m. The afternoon rush hour begins around 4:00 p.m. and winds down at around 6:00 p.m. during the work week. Calle 50 and Via España are two roads worth avoiding during rush hour, as they both can become quite bogged down.
- Book your rental car in Panama City at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Compact rental cars in Panama City are around 31% cheaper than other car types, on average
Panama City car rental experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about renting a car in Panama City
What type of car is recommended for driving in Panama City?
Fortunately for travelers, all sizes of vehicles will be comfortable to drive on the roads of Panama City. SUVs, coupes, compacts, and sedans can all be found on the road here so travelers really have their pick. However, if you plan on exploring the older parts of the city by car, it may be worth renting a smaller vehicle as the streets can become a bit narrow at times.
What’s the speed limit in Panama City?
The speed limit in built-up areas and urban zones in Panama City typically ranges from 30 km/h (19 mph) to 50 km/h (31 mph). In towns and on local roads the speed limit goes up to 60 km/h (37 mph), while on highways the speed limit goes from 100 km/h (62 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph).
Where are the best places to park in Panama City?
Private parking garages and lots are reliable options for drivers who are sticking to the busier parts of town. In calmer areas such as residential districts, streetside parking is a more popular option. Drivers should note, though, that many businesses will have private parking lots and garages for their customers to use.
How much is gas price in Panama City?
The average gas price in Panama City is ₱239.97 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between ₱2,880 and ₱3,839, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Panama City?
Compact (Hyundai Venue or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Panama City.
How can I find car rentals near me in Panama City?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Panama City?
A Compact car rental in Panama City costs ₱1,406 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in Panama City?
A Mini car rental in Panama City costs ₱909 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Panama City?
An Economy car rental in Panama City costs ₱795 per day, on average.
Panama City car rental reviews and directory
Thrifty
5.8
Fair
58 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.8
Value for money
5.5
7 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Av Principal Sur, Costadeleste
+507 204 9555
Ave Domingo Diaz, Tocumen
+507 204 9591
Avenida Domingo Diaz
+507 204 9555
Calle Eusebio A Morales
+507 204 9555
Panama Domestic/intl Apo, Pa.
+507 315 0144
Tocumen Intl Apt, Panama
+507 238 4955
Via Espana N0. 100
+507 214 7677
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2020
Pros:
Easy drop-offCons:
The insurance cost was outrageous (125% of the rental cost) and was not listed at the time of booking.2.0 Poor
Dec 2019
Pros:
The insurance is a gimmick4.4 Mediocre
Dec 2019
Pros:
Not frendly Was Trying to bill me a lot moreCons:
They don't accept American car insurance companys. That what i was told at the counter. By a ver rude woman. Wich wanted to charge me more 4 times the reservation price. Be careful with the tricks they use.5.6 Fair
Aug 2019
Pros:
The clerk at check out was very friendly and helpful. The return process was very easy.Cons:
My only complaint is that the price I was originally quoted was $264.00 but the final cost ended up being $927.00. That is quite a difference!!5.2 Fair
May 2019
Pros:
Not really.Cons:
You offer me a price of 38 usd and I end up paying 262 usd for the same amount of days. Horrible.Alamo
5.5
Fair
33 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.2
Value for money
5.1
6 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Ave Diogenes De La Rosa
+507 236 5777
Calle 50 Ph Universal 50 N0.2
+507 236 5777
Tocumen International Airport
+507 236 5777
Via Espana - Hotel Continental
+507 236 5777
Via La Rotonda Hotel Westing
+507 236 5777
Via Ricardo J Alfaro Entrada
+507 236 5777
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
Feb 2024
6.0 Okay
Jan 2024
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
2.0 Poor
Dec 2023
7.6 Good
Aug 2020
Pros:
The staff once in the office were very friendly and efficientCons:
The pick up line was very long. Waited ~60 min outside before seeing an agent The car had sand on the rig like it had just been to a beach.Budget
8.4
Very good
22 reviewsCleanliness
8.7
Comfort
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.3
Value for money
8.0
5 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
El Cangrejo, 55th Street
+507 214 6806
Omar Torrijos Avenue
+507 315 0201
Tocumen Int'l Aeropuerto
+507 238 4069
Via Espana,calle Gabriela
+507 263 9190
Via Israel And 77th Street
+507 270 0477
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Dec 2019
Pros:
I tried several time to cancel the reservation by website and also by email and I didn't receive any confirmation about that.3.2 Poor
Nov 2018
Cons:
Very poor customer service. Had car 1 day and it left me stranded. Clutch damage seems to be issue and agency wants to charge me for it. They also want to charge me for full rental and gas (which I was unable to fill because car broke down). Terrible customer service upon return. This was a terrible experience overall!10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2017
Pros:
Todo fue muy rápido. Muy buen servicio. El carro era nuevo con poco kilometraje. El servicio de entrega también fue muy rápido. Estoy complacido con el servicio de budget.4.4 Mediocre
Jan 2017
Cons:
The road and signs are all in Spanish and the counter personal are not fluent in English. We unfortunateyl got lost and the rental agency tried their best to escort us to our hotel. Driving in Panama however was very dangerous and would not rent a car there ever again.7.6 Good
Jul 2016
Pros:
The price was amazing at first, $4 per day and $9 for insurance.Cons:
The $9 insurance purchased through kayak was not recognized in Panama by budget and I was forced to buy insurance through Budget as well. The cheapest insurance was $18. It was still a good deal but I felt a little deceived by the price because the obligatory additional insurance was not mentioned as far as I know and the insurance I did by wasn't recognized by budget, so basically a waste of money turning a good deal into an average deal :(Dollar
6.8
Okay
19 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
6.2
7 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Ave Eusebio A Morales
+507 214 4725
Ciudad De Santiago De Veragus
+507 270 0355
Santa Maria Plaza Mall
+507 279 5721
Via Israel And 74th Street
+507 270 0355
Via Tocumen
+507 236 4955
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2020
Cons:
Navigation options6.8 Okay
Mar 2017
Cons:
I secured rental cost but upon my pickup agent stated in Panama I must purchase their insurance coverage to get the vehicle. Very disappointing not reading or finding the fine print anywhere to sign on to their high cost when my insurance has always covered my car rentals in the US.4.4 Mediocre
Mar 2017
Pros:
Car was nice.Cons:
The rental price quadrupled when I went to pick the car up. A bunch of feed not listed on Kayak were added that quadrupled the rate I was quoted.2.0 Poor
Jan 2017
Pros:
the initial transition was very pleasantCons:
While, having mechanical issues with the car, we still had to pay for it. I don't think. I'd use them again.3.6 Poor
Jan 2017
Cons:
When we returned the car they noticed a very small chip in the windshield and said I would need to pay for a new windshield. My passenger says he noticed the chip when we drove off. When we picked up the car we watched the inspector go around it. He didn't look at the glass, and the chip is very hard to see from the outside. The visa charge is $600 - $700 above the rental but they have not sent me the detail of charges I requested. They haven't responded to my email. The phone number provided by Dollar corporate is out of service and they didn't pick up at the 800 number on the brochure. Dollar US says it isn't their problem because the Panama agency is independent.2.0 Poor
Dec 2016
Cons:
The location at Panama City airport did not honor the reservation and I had to pay more than twice the reservation amountNational
5.9
Fair
9 reviewsCleanliness
6.2
Comfort
6.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
5.5
6 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Ave Diogenes De La Rosa Y
+507 275 7222
Ave Diogenes De La Rosa
+507 275 7222
Calle 50 Ph Universal 50
+507 275 7222
Calle 55 El Cangrejo
+507 265 5092
Tocumen International Airport
+507 275 7222
Via La Rotonda Hotel Westing
+507 275 7282
Filters
Reviews
7.2 Good
Feb 2020
Pros:
The pickup/drop off could not have been any closer to the business, it was great.Cons:
Upfront pricing would have been appreciated. The price you get quoted is GREAT...come to find out it is not the case at all. It is actually 3/4 times more expensive (normal price for US rental). The quote is only for the car BUT you have to get insurance, from Panama (no third party insurance companies outside of country are accepted). So, what started off as a $81 total price for 5 days turned into a $240 price tag AND I had to cancel the third party insurance I purchased (still waiting for my reimbursement).2.0 Poor
Jun 2019
Cons:
I was overcharged on the liability insurance, the disclosures on CarRentals.com the partner stated "PLI wo purchase of CDW- 12.00 USD Per Day" but I was charged 16 per day, I asked to be given the rate I was promised but they kindly refused, contract No 50440144.4 Mediocre
Apr 2019
Cons:
I was deceived by the price of the rental and was assured by national that there were no hidden costs. I enended up paying 300 dollars in hidden costs once I got to my destination.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2018
Pros:
It was almost like renting in the USACons:
At Tocumen it took about 20 minutes to drop off the car, a process that takes 2-3 minutes at home (or less)8.0 Very good
Jan 2022
2.0 Poor
Jan 2022
Ace
5.7
Fair
21 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.8
Value for money
5.6
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Avenida Marcos A Gelabert
+507 315 0200
Calle 50
+507 378 9090
Via Tocumen
+507 238 3200
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
2.0 Poor
Dec 2023
8.4 Very good
Jan 2020
Pros:
Amed, was super helpful, friendly, efficient, professional and went beyond the call of duty.3.6 Poor
Jun 2018
Pros:
The personnel were nice and somewhat helpfulCons:
1.They didn't have the car I rented 2. They upcharged me for getting the car I rented. 3. The vehicle we rented had in excess of 50kmiles, was in poor mechanical condition, tires way beyond safe4. Looked like it had been in a war zone..5. A friend rented a similar car from Thrifty, with 12k miles, they replaced a tire prior to renting, the insurance was 200$ less for more time. 6. Today when I went to return the car, they said I was a day late and wanted me to pay an additional day.2.8 Poor
May 2018
Pros:
Ease of access, in-terminal pick-up and drop-offliCons:
Limited locations, limited and old fleet. Arrived to the terminal and was “upgraded” to a larger vehicle, but the car was not clean, the AC couldn’t be regulated, not even turned off, windshield wipers did not function, oh did I mention the car was 5 years old and a gas guzzler? Tried to find a location to change the car but there were only 3 locations, one of them I went to twice, the first time the only clerk working had left home early and the second time the clerk didn’t show up to work. In the end I was able to have the car changed but it’s just too much of a struggle to just get a descent vehicle from the start. Will not use this company again.2.0 Poor
Oct 2017
Pros:
nothingCons:
everything,the attention,the waiting for nothing everything is so bad.Avis
4.7
Mediocre
18 reviewsCleanliness
5.7
Comfort
5.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.3
Value for money
4.6
4 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Ave De La Rotonda
+507 278 9444
Marcos A Gelabert Airport Albrook Field
+507 315 0434
Tocumen Intl Apo
+507 238 4056
Victoria Hotel
+507 213 0555
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Feb 2024
4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2019
Pros:
They refused the type of car that we had booked. Then tried to oversell the insurance - told us that the insurance we bought did not meet "mandatory" requirements. And finally proceeded to charge a $10,000.00 deposit on our credit card!Cons:
Honesty would be helpful.4.8 Mediocre
Apr 2019
Pros:
Staff nice.Cons:
Had no idea I would need a 10000 deposit if I used my own insurance coverage- giving a company jn a foreign country 10k wasn’t going to happen so we ended up buying the local insurance which doubled the cost I had planned to use- a huge shocker!!!2.4 Poor
Mar 2019
Pros:
Staff at the drop of was friendly.Cons:
I made a reservation for a 7 passengers vehicle and they didn't have it, they wanted me to take a 4 passengers instead. Finally they ended giving me an old, dirty and not in the best of shape minivan. They told me that I have to call them if I want to ensure to get the right vehicle.2.0 Poor
Mar 2019
Cons:
Your cars in panama or un rentable the two insurance fees are very high and they reluctantly wanted to honor the reservation the USA and requested a hold on my AMX card for $10,000.00 just because I have my own insurance coverage you may need to address that problem sometimes people do not Compla4.4 Mediocre
Feb 2019
Pros:
MediocreCons:
The car you show in the reservation doesn't have in Panama.They give to me smallest car and refuse to honored the real size of rent for upgrade. Is my first and the last time I will rent with AVIS.Hertz
4.4
Mediocre
11 reviewsCleanliness
5.6
Comfort
5.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.2
Value for money
3.2
6 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Aeropuerto Marcos A Gelabert
+507 321 8308
Apto. Intl De Tocumen
+507 260 0000
Av Principal Sur, Costadeleste
+507 260 0000
Av. Belisario Porras
+507 321 8301
Ave Principal Torremolinos
+507 260 0000
Calle Eusebio A Morales
+507 301 2699
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
NothingCons:
I had an offer for $150 for the car and then when I got there they said it was not available anymore and I ended up paying over $300 for a worse car. Never renting from them again.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2021
Cons:
If the branch moves, this should also be communicated on the Internet! When we arrived in Panama City we had to go to two old addresses before we found the current address at 7 p.m.2.0 Poor
Dec 2019
Pros:
They did not have a single car to honor my reservationCons:
Synchronize the Kayak reservations with the internal system. So that they don’t offer for lease what they don’t have5.6 Fair
Dec 2019
Cons:
The mendetory insurance was added at the airport and we not listed when we reserved the car. We ended up paying +100%2.0 Poor
Jan 2017
Pros:
Kayak quoted 130 dollars, when I got to hertz the charge was over 500 dollars. I was in Panama as a volunteer translator for a small ngo, I was going to pick up the rental, buyback once the price hike occurred, I told the ngo that they would have to pay for the rental. They agreed. If the difference was fifty/sixty dollars, no problem, but the difference in price was over 400 dollars. Very upset and disappointed in thatEuropcar
3.9
Poor
6 reviewsCleanliness
4.3
Comfort
4.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.9
Value for money
3.9
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Av. Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, Panama Ciudad de Panamà, Edificio Ph, Av. Vasco Nuñez de Balboa
+507 833 6993
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
NothingCons:
They dont have cars at the airport and dont pick up at the location. No buses, no transportation. We had take an Uber to get to the site but by the time we came - our car was not even ready. There is no cancellation policy or any service at all. 0 attention to a client.2.0 Poor
Jul 2023
1.9 Poor
Aug 2021
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
3.3
Poor
3 reviewsCleanliness
5.9
Comfort
4.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.9
Value for money
4.6
4 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Avenida Canfield Centro Comer
+507 317 6161
Tocumen International Airport
+507 238 4142
Via La Rotonda Hotel Westing
+507 275 7282
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
Professional Staff. Car was ready on arrival. Easy pick up and drop off. Clean vehicle.Cons:
Mechanical issues with vehicle. For some bizarre reason the outside of the windshield remained fogged up on humid and rainy days. Always had to have the windshield wipers on. Electrical issues with the infotainment center and fuel gage. After fill up gage would show about 85% full, after driving through about a quarter tank of gas the gauge would show full. 25% markup on tolls using the E-pass. Wanted to charge me Collision Insurance, but I declined because I was covered by my credit card, so they applied a different insurance that costs the same.2.0 Poor
Jun 2023
1.9 Poor
Jul 2021
Firefly
3.0
Poor
1 reviewCleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.0
Value for money
4.0
5 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Ave. Eusebio A Morales
+507 260 0000
Marcos A Gelabert Albrook Apt
+507 279 5777
Metro Mail, Ave Domingo Diaz
+507 321 8383
Tocumen Intl Airport
+507 270 0355
Via Tocumen Hotel Crowne Plaza
+507 321 8383
Filters
No reviews available
Sixt
2.8
Poor
16 reviewsCleanliness
3.0
Comfort
2.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.0
Value for money
3.0
5 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Avenida Mulvehill
+507 321 6349
Calle 50 y 67 San Francisco
+507 321 6340
Calle Elvira Mendez 52
+507 269 7498
Calle Eusebio A. Morales
+507 321 6303
Via Tocumen 1
+507 321 6350
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec 2019
Pros:
It was terrible. I booked and arrived to the location to be told that the car was not available and that they had sent me an email. The email had arrived minutes before the rental time! And the cost of the taxi to the rental location? And the time lost in a vacation? Do not trust the cars the rental agencies indicate are available, same thing happened in Hertz at the Panama Airport, I arrive and they indicated that hopefully a client would return the car at the time I had booked the car, of course it never arrived.2.0 Poor
Dec 2018
Cons:
No nos advirtieron del costo del seguro "dicen que obligatorio"que era 8 veces mas que lo wue ibamos a pagar por el alquiler6.8 Okay
May 2017
Pros:
El carro es muy nuevo y son excelentes modelosCons:
Al hacer el check in y retirar el vehiculo nos dicen que se tiene que pagar seguros y otros costos que deberian de incluirse en la reserva que se hace en Kayak, es molesto porque nunca tienes un precio real de lo que te costara la renta hasta que llegas a retirar el carro, querian hacerme una reserva de $5000 si no agarraba el seguro que ellos querian y eso es ridiculo que se respalden con ese monto cuando las rentadoras tienen sus propios seguros y no deben cargarle ese tipo de costos al cliente8.4 Very good
Mar 2017
Pros:
The friendliness of the agent at the rental car desk. She was helpful and didn't try to push unnecessary extras. Our three day rental was $33; with the added taxes and fees, the final price was $129. I only went with the mandatory insurance and waived the $7/day fee for tolls. When we returned the car, we paid for the tolls that were charged during our trip (in Panama, the toll booths are automated like smartpass).Cons:
The wait for pickup was long because there was only one agent working.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
News card and great service. I will rent again at Sixt6.0 Okay
Feb 2017
Pros:
Older model cAr, but in good shape, plenty of roomCons:
The extra charges, did not wanted to take my coverage from my platinum credit card or from Amex, forced me to take their own Insurrance or would not rent the car, separate Insurrance for collision, Insurrance for tires, Insurrance for windshield, etc. From 12 dollars a day went up to 65 dollars, not what you expectOne location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Hotel Riande Airport, Ave. Domingo Diaz, Tocumen
+507 266 1557
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2022
2.0 Poor
Jan 2022
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Avenida Balboa
+507 6282 7456
Hotel Riande Aeropuerto, Ave Domingo Diaz
+507 6282 7456
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Tocumen, Between Pan American Highway and Av. Domingo Diaz, 0819-09190, Panamá
+507 6983 1916
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
El Cangrejo Calle D Edf
+507 397 5116
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Filters
No reviews available
6 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Av. Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, Panama Ciudad de Panamà, Edificio Ph, Av. Vasco Nuñez de Balboa
+507 833 6993
Calle 52 este Bella Vista, PH Regente, Área bancaria (detrás de Felix B Maduro de vía España) Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá
+507 6204 1798
La alborada sector sur, San Pancracio , Lote 9-10, Tocumen, Panamá.
+507 6204 1798
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Via España con Justo Arosemena, Bella Vista - La Cresta, Fox Rent a Car Office.
+507 225 3452
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
La Alborada Sector Sur
+86 10 6064 1387
Filters
No reviews available
Car rental locations in or near Panama City
Good to know
Most popular car type | Compact |
|---|