- Cell Phones in Panama
Will my cell phone work in Panama? Possibly. But international fees are hefty. It is much more practical to use an UNLOCKED GSM phone with a SIM card slot. If your phone doesn’t have a little sim card, usually located behind the battery, it is not GSM.
If your phone is GSM but isn’t unlocked, with a lot of persistence and patience, you can get your smartphone unlocked through your service provider’s always-caring customer service, or through third-party services online.
Alternatively, you can buy a cheap cell phone, usually a candy bar design, for no more than $30. These should have 2 sim card slots and be compatible with all SIM cards, including those in other countries.
Local service providers include Movistar, Mas Movil, Claro, and Digicel. None of them offer service everywhere, but between 1-2 you’re generally covered.
If you’re coming as a volunteer, my advice is to get masmovil or movistar for training, and once you know where your site will be, get a sim card for the carrier that provides service to your part of the country. Also keep in mind that it is cheaper to call and text within your carrier, so all those free texts you get when you top-up with MasMovil only work with other MasMovil numbers.
- PANAMA Tourism Page
- Sushibear’s Calendar of Events
Book your visit for the 2013-2015 Panama Season!
Sushibear Goes to Panama 