Car Rental in Panama City

Panama City Car Rental is the best option to travel to Panama City, regardless of the purpose of your trip. If you travel as a tourist, renting a car in Panama City offers you the advantage of visiting the entire city as well as moving from Panama City to other destinations. 

Car Rental in Panama City also offers you the advantage of not having to depend on bus schedules or other collective transport services. You will not have to expose yourself to crowds at the terminals, a very important issue especially in these times of Covid-19. You also won't have to suffer from the discomfort of traveling with strangers. Renting a car in Panama City can be cheaper than if you opt for other forms of transportation. 

Traveling by taxi, for example, can be more expensive, and it is not always feasible depending on the distance or the places you need to visit. Panama City car rental will be easy for you, since there are a large number of car rental companies in Panama City.

Find in Map Car Rental Agencies in Panama City

Where to rent a car in Panama City?

Travel in the low season of tourism. At this time, as the demand for car rentals in Panama City is low, prices are much cheaper. The best months to rent a car in Panama City are the months of May to mid-November, which coincide with the low season. The most expensive months to rent a car in Panama City are December and early January.

Requirements to rent a car in Panama City

To rent a car in Panama City you must have the following documents: 

On the other hand, to rent a car, most of the car rental companies in Panama City establish a minimum of 21 years, although in some offices they allow minors of this age to rent a car, charging an additional tax for the service.

Best car rental in Panama City

Best car rental in Panama City will depend on the needs and expectations you have on your trip. 

If what you are looking for is renting a car cheaper in Panama City go to the section Cheap car rental in Panama City, but if what you are looking for is comfort and safety then the cheapest car is not always the best option.

If you want to go on an adventurous trip and go through more intricate or difficult-to-access areas, perhaps renting a 4x4 in Panama City is the best option. In any case, for best car rental in Panama City we offer you below a list of tips for renting a car in Panama City, which as a general rule will guarantee that you make a trip with safety and comfort at the best price in Panama City.

Car Models Available for rent in Panama City

Rental cars options in Panama City

rent a Toyota Corola
Toyota Corola
  • Intermediate
  • Automatic
  • 5
  • 3
rent a Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
  • Standard Size
  • Automatic
  • 5
  • 3
rent a Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto
  • Compact
  • Automatic
  • 4
  • 4
rent a Hyundai I10
Hyundai I10
  • Economy
  • Automatic
  • 4
  • 3
rent a Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Accent
  • Compact
  • Automatic
  • 5
  • 3
rent a Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Accent
  • Compact
  • Manual
  • 5
  • 4

Travel in the low season of tourism. At this time, as the demand for car rentals in Panama City is low, prices are much cheaper. The best months to rent a car in Panama City are the months of May to mid-November, which coincide with the low season. The most expensive months to rent a car in Panama City are December and early January.

See also: Rent a compact car in Panama City

Tips for car rental in Panama City

Search the internet and compare the different car rental companies in Panama City. Compare prices for the date you plan to travel. Take a good look at the company's fleet of cars and verify the make, model and year of manufacture.
Look at user reviews of the services of that company to ensure that it is reliable.
Inspect your vehicle well before removing it from the office. Check for dents or scratches on the bodywork so they can't be pinned on you when you return it. If necessary, take several photographs or videos of the exterior and interior of the car in the presence of the employee of the company that gave you the car. Also check the condition of the tires for more safety on your trip.

Car Rental Scams in Panama City

If you rent a car in Panama City from a reputable insurance company you will not have problems, however, it is best to be on the lookout for possible Panama City car rental scams that several visitors have reported on their visits to Panama City. 

Overcharging: Sometimes, especially in the low season, you will be surprised to find cars at an impressively low price, such as $ 3 a day. However, when it comes to showing up at the company office, you fill out the form, add the insurance, accessories and then you realize that the final amount of the rent really amounts to $ 50 or more per day. 

To prevent this from happening, you should pay attention on the company's website not only to the base rate of the car, but also to the price of each insurance you decide to hire, as well as the price of each accessory that you need to add. In the case of Panama, Liability Insurance is mandatory by law, so it must be included in the total amount of the rent. If it is not in the reservation form, you must check the box corresponding to this insurance to see how much the total cost of the rent really amounts to. 

Delay in returning the deposit: Depending on the insurance you select as part of your car rental, you must make a deposit from your credit card. This deposit serves as a guarantee in case of accidents. Although the deposit must be returned immediately when you return your car, it can take days and even weeks to return it. 

Find out with the issuing company of your credit card if it covers any of the car rental insurance and if this applies to Panama, in this way you will avoid having to take out the insurance and you will be able to avoid the setback of the delay in the return of your Deposit. 

High deposits: Normally, if you contract the full insurance package, the deposit you must make should not exceed a few hundred dollars, however when you hire only the mandatory insurance and rent a car whose rate is low, it is possible that some companies force you to make a deposit of a few thousand. When making your rent online, you may not know how much the deposit will amount, so it may be convenient to call the office phone number to find out before renting your car in Panama City

Cheap car rental in Panama City

Choose a compact. These cars, despite being smaller, are cheaper without compromising comfort. If you are skilled in driving cars then you might be better off renting a manual transmission car, as automatic transmission cars are slightly more expensive. Never rent at an airport. Renting a car at the airport will always be more expensive since the car rental companies that have stands at the airports always charge airport tax or extra charges, which will result in an increase in the amount of your car rental.

For advise about renting a cheap car in Panama City see How to rent a car cheaper?

Price Car Rental Considerations Panama City

Sometimes Panama City car rental prices can surprise you because they are very low rates. On the contrary, other times the rates are not impressive because they seem standard or high. However, you should not take an impression lightly, sometimes a standard rate turns out to be much cheaper if we delve into the details. 

What elements to consider in Panama City car rental prices? 

Extra driver: If you travel in a group of people where several will drive by car at some point, extra driver Price is a detail that you should consider. Some companies charge an extra tax per additional driver, however, in other companies this service is free of charge. 

Unlimited mileage: Although it is very common for companies to offer unlimitted mileage in Panama City, it is good that you inform yourself of the policies of the company where you rent your car for greater safety. Borders: If you intend to cross the country's border, make sure that the company where you rent your car in Panama City allows it. Transmission: When renting a car in Panama City keep in mind that manual cars are cheaper not only because of their rate but also because with an automatic car you will save on fuel. 

Accessories: Accessories usually represent an additional cost. Use only the accessories you need. In case of traveling with a baby, in Panama City the use of a baby seat is mandatory to transport it. The use of GPS can also be useful, however, in Panama City you can use Google map services through your mobile. At any Panama City car rental office you can also provide maps to guide you on your trip. Exchange Rate. If you travel with US dollars, euros or another foreign currency, it will be useful to find out what the exchange rate is applied by the company where you rent your car in Panama City, since it may be more convenient for you to change your currency at the bank, at the airport or other currency exchange offices before renting your car.

Faqs about car rental in Panama City

Why should you rent a car in Panama City? 

Rent a car in Panama City will allow you to visit the entire city as well as its surrounding areas, even travel to other destinations from the city in a fast, easy and safe way. Renting a car in Panama City will also allow you to travel safely, since you will not have to share the trip with strangers or expose yourself to crowds. On the other hand, having a car will allow you to move faster, use your car in case of emergencies and you can follow your own itinerary. 

What is the best car to rent a Panama City? 

The best car to rent in Panama City will depend on the type of trip you make: be it business, tourism or leisure, a family trip, a couple's trip, etc. If what you want is cheap car rental in Panama City and you travel alone or as a couple, it is best to rent a mini car, since these are comfortable while being cheaper. If you are traveling as a family or with a large group of people, it is best to rent a minivan or van in Panama City. In this way, with a single car you guarantee transportation instead of renting more than one vehicle, which will be more expensive. A Van or minivan in Panama City will also allow you to comfortably transport all your luggage. Renting a Suv in Panama City will be the best option if what you want is to enter intricate areas of difficult-to-access terrain. These cars are suitable for roads with a lot of mud where you can get stuck as well as to travel through areas with mountains or steep elevations.