Where Is Panama? An Expat’s Guide
With all the attention being focused on this area being a prime location for retirees and expats, many people are asking: Where is Panama? Discovering the special qualities of this country and learning about the potential there is a great way to decide if Panama is a place you should consider for your tropical escape.
Long overshadowed by its neighbors, Panama is coming into its own as a great place to invest, retire, or simply visit. With a streamlined residency program, easily obtained work permits, and use of the U.S. dollar as currency, Panama has become a prime location for investment, retirement, or reinventing oneself.

ThinkPanama
Answering the Geographic Question: Where Is Panama?
Panama is located at the end of Central America between Costa Rica and Colombia. The country is small – approximately 772 miles in length and only 37 miles wide at the most narrow part; this is roughly the size of the state of South Carolina.
This isthmus is the connecting link between North and South America and, of course home to the Panama Canal which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Being so narrow, it is possible to visit both Atlantic and Pacific coasts in a single day.
When you visit Panama’s highest point, Volcán Baru, you are actually able to see both oceans at the same time. This is only one of three places on the planet that this is possible.

Mónica Mora
What About Getting There?
Panama is probably the most “connected” country in the region. In addition to the main international airport, Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, there are over thirty smaller regional airports throughout the country that handle domestic travel as well as charter flights. There are also three heliports in the country and plans to build an international airport on the Pacific Coast are under discussion.
Most major cities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have regularly scheduled flights into Panama. Combined with flights from the United States, Europe, and South America, getting to Panama is easier than you might have thought.

Phossil .
Time and Distance
Looking at Panama’s location in relationship to other countries and cities is a great way to answer the question: Where is Panama? Below are some major cities, listed by continent, showing the distance from Panama and the time to fly to this tropical destination.
North America
City or Town | Distance | Flight Time |
New York City | 2220.69 miles | 5.5 hours |
Miami | 1161.42 miles | 3 hours |
Houston | 1765.98 miles | 4 hours |
Los Angeles | 3006.67 miles | 7 hours |
Chicago | 2328.52 miles | 5 hours |
Atlanta | 1,727.29 miles | 4 hours |
Mexico City | 1498.63 miles | 3.1 hours |
Washington DC | 2075.57 miles | 5 hours |
Toronto, Canada | 2395.88 miles | 5 hours |
South America
City or Town | Distance | Flight Time |
Rio de Janeiro | 3304.46 miles | 6.75 hours |
Quito | 637.98 miles | 1.5 hours |
Buenos Aires | 3317.48 miles | 6.75 hours |
Caracas | 875.10 miles | 2 hours |
Bogota | 462.2 miles | 1.1 hours |
Lima | 1437.8 miles | 3 hours |
Central American and the Caribbean
City or Town | Distance | Flight Time |
Managua | 526.1 miles | 1.25 hours |
Guatemala City | 841 miles | 2 hours |
San Juan | 1112.6 miles | 2.5 hours |
Havana | 1021.1 miles | 2.25 hours |
San Jose | 318.85 miles | 1.1 hours |
Europe and Asia
City or Town | Distance | Flight Time |
London | 5292 miles | 11 hours |
Paris | 5386.38 miles | 11.25 hours |
Amsterdam | 5489.6 miles | 11.5 hours |
Madrid | 5093.1 miles | 10.5 hours |
Tokyo | 8418 miles | 17.5 hours |
Rome | 5912.2 miles | 12.25hours |
Sydney | 8806.58 miles | 22.5 hours |
And for Those Truly Wondering Where Panama Is in Relation to Important Global Points
City or Town | Distance | Flight Time |
The North Pole | 5603 miles | 12 hours if there were flights |
Antarctica | 6564.22 miles | 13 hours if there were flights |
Where Is Panama in Terms of Your Future?
Knowing how far Panama is from major worldwide hubs, and how long it would take to fly there from those distant locations, is only one part of answering the question: Where is Panama? Begin by doing some research about this special country and decide where Panama is in terms of your ideas for retirement or investment.
Even better, plan a trip to Panama and see for yourself exactly where it may be located in your plans for investment, finding a place to retire, or becoming a favorite vacation spot. Panama is so much more than just a spot on the map; it may well be the dream location that you have been scouring the map to discover.
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