Panama City, Panama, is seeing stronger tourism momentum in 2026 as the country turns its position as a major aviation connection point into an opportunity for longer visitor stays. Panama welcomed 1,755,998 international visitors between January and June, an increase of 17.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. Tourism income reached $3.79 billion during the first half of the year, up 14.7 per cent, while hotel occupancy was estimated at 59.3 per cent in June. The figures place air connectivity and stopover travel at the centre of Panama’s tourism activity. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá
Panama Stopover Turns Connections Into Visits
The Panama Stopover program recorded more than 132,000 visitors during the first half of 2026, representing a 38 per cent increase from the same period a year earlier. The program allows eligible Copa Airlines passengers connecting through Panama to add a stay in the country to their journey, giving transit travellers an opportunity to visit beyond Tocumen International Airport. May recorded nearly 24,000 Stopover visitors, the highest monthly figure since the program began in 2019. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá
More Time to Explore Panama
The program has also expanded the time available for travellers. Copa Airlines increased the permitted stopover period from seven to 15 days without an additional fare, giving visitors more flexibility to combine Panama with another destination on the same trip. The Stopover network includes more than 80 participating businesses, covering hotels, restaurants and tour operators, creating options for travellers who want to turn a connection into a short holiday. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá
Panama City Gives Stopover Travellers a Quick Start
For first-time visitors, Panama City provides a compact introduction to the country. The capital combines modern districts, historic streets, waterfront areas and access to one of the world’s best-known engineering landmarks, the Panama Canal. Casco Viejo, the city’s historic quarter, offers colonial architecture, plazas, churches, restaurants and cultural attractions within a walkable urban setting.
The Panama Canal can be incorporated into a short city itinerary, with visitor facilities around the Miraflores area providing views of ships moving through the locks. Travellers with limited time can also explore the city’s contemporary skyline, local food scene and waterfront spaces before continuing their journey.
Beyond the Capital: Beaches, Islands and Mountains
A longer stopover opens access to destinations outside Panama City. The San Blas Islands, known locally as Guna Yala, offer Caribbean scenery, small islands and coastal experiences. Bocas del Toro, on Panama’s Caribbean side, is another option for travellers seeking beaches, marine activities and island-based stays.
In western Panama, Boquete provides a different travel experience, with cooler mountain conditions, hiking opportunities, coffee-producing areas and views across the highlands. These destinations can suit travellers who extend their stay beyond a short urban visit and want to experience Panama’s varied landscapes.
Tocumen Remains Central to Tourism Growth
Tocumen International Airport continues to play a major role in Panama’s visitor flows. In 2025, the airport received more than 2.24 million visitors, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous year, reinforcing its role as the country’s main international gateway. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá
The airport’s connectivity also supports Panama’s role as a transit point between North America, Central America, South America and other international markets. For stopover travellers, that network creates an opportunity to combine an onward flight with a destination stay rather than treating Panama solely as a place to change planes.
A Tourism Model Built Around Longer Visits
The first-half figures show that Panama’s tourism growth is not limited to visitor arrivals. Rising tourism income, increased Stopover participation and continued hotel activity point to greater movement through accommodation, dining, transport and visitor experiences. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá
For travellers, the Stopover model offers a practical way to add Panama to an existing international itinerary. A short connection can become a city break, while a longer stay can include beaches, islands, mountain towns and cultural attractions across the country. For multi-city travellers, the extra stop can add culture, nature, food and coastal experiences.
Panama’s 2026 tourism performance therefore places the airport connection at the beginning of the travel experience rather than the end of it. With Stopover participation rising and more time available for eligible passengers to explore, Panama is increasingly being incorporated into journeys as a destination in its own right.
