Are credit cards accepted in Panama?

Credit cards are accepted at some places in Panama. Upscale hotels and restaurants will usually accept credit cards, as will nicer stores, especially within larger cities. However, the further you get from an urban area, the less likely it is that credit cards will be an acceptable form of payment. Most small stores, supermarkets and restaurants only accept cash. Before traveling abroad, we recommended contacting your bank to let them know where you will be traveling. This way your bank won’t freeze your credit card when it sees transactions made in a foreign country. It is also advisable to check with your credit card company to see if there are additional charges for international transactions, including ATM fees.