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Pick-up location | Panama City |
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Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
Rental locations | 12 |
Airport locations | 7 |
Popular agencies | Turo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, Budget, Alamo |
Economy | $40/day |
Compact | $40/day |
Intermediate | $38/day |
Standard | $34/day |
Full-size | $45/day |
Minivan | $44/day |
Full-size SUV | $58/day |
Luxury | $37/day |
Supplier choice | $34/day |
Standard SUV | $40/day |
Intermediate SUV | $41/day |
The recommended car rentals in Panama City are standard or full-size cars. Since you will not be driving through narrow streets, but could still encounter a busy environment along the shores of Panama City Beach, these models will provide a blend of maneuverability and comfort. It will also allow you the storage room to pack materials for a full day of beach enjoyment.
The typical speed limit in Panama City for a residential neighborhood or business district is 25mph. Major roads, such as Highway 98 that connects Panama City and Panama City Beach, have limits of around 45mph. Stay under the limit when you pass Panama City Beach, as the police presence in the area is concentrated to ensure a safe environment for beachgoers.
With nearly 100 public beach access points along the shores of Panama City Beach, you have plenty of options to choose from when looking for a parking spot. The majority of these access points have free public parking, though you should check the beach flag warning system before parking and walking to the beach. These flags indicate the safety of the water at each access point, and the presence of the double-red flag means that you should find another spot on the beach since that access point is closed to the public. In downtown Panama City, you can find over 4,000 spots along the streets and in designated lots. These spots can vary in cost depending on their proximity to the downtown area but typically cost around $1 for an hour. They also have a variety of time limits, with certain spots in the heart of downtown only allowing a maximum of 2h.
On average a rental car in Panama City costs $59 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Panama City found in the last 2 weeks is $45.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Hertz ($34/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($40/day) and Alamo ($41/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Hertz 2106 W 15th Street 32401 (2 miles from city center).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company in Panama City is Alamo (8.3, 62 reviews).
The average gas price in Panama City is $4.16 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $50 and $67, depending on the car size.
Economy (Kia Rio or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Panama City.
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
An Economy car rental in Panama City costs $58 per day, on average.
A Special car rental in Panama City costs $60 per day, on average.
A Mini car rental in Panama City costs $112 per day, on average.
On average a rental car in Panama City costs $413 per week ($59 per day).
On average a rental car in Panama City costs $1,772 per month ($59 per day).
Most car rental providers in Panama City offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Panama City, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 7 car rental agencies in Panama City.
Some car rental companies in Panama City which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Dollar, Hertz and Budget
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Panama City so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
If you are a non-resident, you are not allowed to go to Costa Rica by car through the regular frontier. However, you can bypass this by going through the necessary paperwork which you will need to complete while still at the rental office.
You can pay for a traffic ticket at any Sertracen or ATTT offices within the city. Mostly, you will find the offices within the same locations.
One location in Panama City
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Reserved a car through Priceline for Panama Beach to be picked up at the airport. Our original flight was cancelled and we arrived 3 hours later than originally planned. The rental company counters were all extremely busy, and I could overhear a lot of people trying to rent cars who had not made reservations, so I was worried they might not have held our reservation for us but they still had our reservation, and the type of vehicle we requested.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
This was the first time we used Alamo car rental. The customer service was phenomenal.4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Cons:
Mini van was filthy. Food caked to back seat . Really bad odor to vehicle. Alamo did compensate part of the rental back2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
They overbooked cars and didn’t have a car for me, leaving me stranded with my kids after an entire day of flying.10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
Loved the car! Low mileage and super clean.Cons:
Nothing at all. And the staff at Panama City Beach (ECP) was very kind and helpful and efficient.3 locations in Panama City
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Fast and friendlyCons:
Price8.8 Very good
Nov 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful.Cons:
Information on how to drop off2.0 Poor
Oct 2020
Cons:
Did bot have the car promised 3 times, substitute was not workable due to a seat maintenance problem but they tried to rent it to me anyway6.4 Okay
Jun 2020
Pros:
The staff was great. No issues with pick up and drop box was fairly straight forward.Cons:
The car smelled heavily of smoke when we got it. The power steering was making odd noises (may require additional power steering fluid). The right rear tire gave a lower pressure warning after having the car for a few hours. No issues after filling it up so didn't appear to be a structural issue.8.4 Very good
Feb 2020
Pros:
Great location and staff. Especially Jessica Scott. She was wonderful helping set up my rental.Cons:
They even offered me a ride after I dropped the car off.... nothing could have been better.9.6 Wonderful
Nov 2019
Pros:
Staff was friendly, drop off very quickCons:
Nothing2 locations in Panama City
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Nice leather good price. Good gas mileage.Cons:
One ac vent broke couldn’t adjust, smell terrible like smoke, burns and peeling on plastic pieces in dash and looks like someone spilled milk in the ac vents6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
The car was dirty and had registration that was 6 months overdue.8.0 Very good
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and helpful.Cons:
I would have chosen differently had I known that I would have a beetle instead of the Kia. Changing was painless however.4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2021
Pros:
easy processCons:
I was talked into an upgrade and it made it sound like it was of no extra charge. I was then charged for the upgrade making my price way higher than I was comfortable with.8.0 Very good
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nice car,Cons:
The tire pressure gauge did not work properly.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nothing! They called me the afternoon prior to my business trip to tell me that they weren’t going to have a car for me.Cons:
Everything! The least they could have sone was provide more than 24 hour notice so that we could come up with a backup plan.2 locations in Panama City
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2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
We rented a car for pick up at 12pm on Saturday. They didn’t tells us they close at noon and don’t open until Monday. Scam10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Cons:
The area where the cars are located were out in the open..not good when weather is bad...and sinage was a bit difficult..hard to find the Budget areas..10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly. Drop-off was super easy.Cons:
The car wasn't ready when I arrived and I had to wait about 25 minutes before it was & that was frustrating.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2021
Pros:
Friendly staff. Easy process.Cons:
N/A4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2020
Pros:
Car was clean and easy to use electronicallyCons:
Unscrupulous practices in upselling I have never heard of before. Will NEVER use Budget again.2 locations in Panama City
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Reviews
6.0 Okay
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Car was really nice.Cons:
When I rented I could have sworn it said I was renting from the Panama City Airport but not so. We had to take a cab to the Hertz location somewhere in the middle of town. Airport Hertz said there was no way to change it. It was logistically challenging. Kayak or Hertz should do a better job of clarifying that the rental is not at the airport.8.0 Very good
May 2021
Cons:
The sales rep came thru when airlines delays prevented pickup at the scheduled time.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
System allowed a 12pm pickup. The facility closed at 12pm. NOBODY CALLED FOR MY STATUS OR BETTER YET STAYED UNIL I ARRIVED. I arrived shortly after 12pm and the facility was closed. This was Saturday and we were STRANDED WITH NO CARS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE.One location in Panama City
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
After I booked the car the agent from national in Panama City airport called me and told me they were sold out so I was on my way to the airport thinking I had a car but I didn’tCons:
Maybe you could be a little more organized with your inventory8.0 Very good
Dec 2020
Cons:
Truck was dirty but service before and after was greatOne location in Panama City