Source: aeronaval.gob.pa · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
aeronaval.gob.pa (SENAN) noticias 15-09-2026 — “Tras recibir, a través de la línea de emergencias 108, la alerta de que la embarcación hacía agua, el Centro Regional de Operaciones Aeronavales activó los protocolos de búsqueda y rescate”; comunicado 28-03-2023: “podrán utilizar nuestra línea de comunicación 108”
The Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá (IMHPA) issues weather warnings, and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) relays them to small craft and pleasure yachts.
Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) ▾
amp.gob.pa (2026-10-14): “La Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) alerta a las embarcaciones menores con motor fuera de borda, yates de placer y a quienes realizan actividades acuáticas sobre condiciones climatológicas adversas”
Atlantic hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November. Hurricanes do not directly hit Panama but often bring heavy rain.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · NOAA National Hurricane Center ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricanes do not directly affect Panama but often cause heavy rain.”
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Yacht leasing (arrendamiento de yates) needs an operating licence from the Panama Maritime Authority, valid 10 years, with a fee of B/.1,500 per year per authorised company (Resolution DGPIMA No. 010-2021).
Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) · Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) ▾
amp.gob.pa (2026-10-14): “ARRENDAMIENTO DE YATES RESOLUCIÓN DGPIMA. N° 010-2021 B/. 1500.00 ANUAL POR EMPRESA AUTORIZADA”
amp.gob.pa (2026-10-14): “una vez cumplidos se les otorga una licencia de operación, la cual tiene una vigencia de 10 años.”
Official warnings
Canada advises against all travel to the Mosquito Gulf (Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte) because of drug smuggling and human trafficking.
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Avoid all travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte, due to the high level of illegal activity such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.”
The south-east coast of Guna Yala, Coiba Island, the Mosquito Gulf and the whole Pacific coast are drug-smuggling corridors, especially dangerous at night.
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The following areas are known as transportation corridors for narcotics: the southeastern coast of Comarca Kuna Yala Coiba Island the Mosquito Gulf the entire length of the Pacific coast These areas are especially dangerous at night.”
There is a risk of violence near the Colombian border, east of a line from Punta Carreto (Guna Yala) via Yaviza to Punta Piña (Pacific).
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There is a risk of violence near the Colombia border in an area east of a line drawn between: Punta Carreto in the Comarca de Guna Yala on the Atlantic coast Yaviza in the eastern Darien Province Punta Piña on the Pacific coast”
Arriving by boat
If you arrive on a vessel that is not a cruise ship, you need a Panamanian visa and must pay US$100 plus US$5 registration per person. The Panama Maritime Authority issues Navigation Permits (Permisos de Navegación) to foreign-registered boats entering Panamanian waters.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “If you arrive on a vessel that is not a cruise ship, you must have a visa to enter Panama. You must pay a fee of 100 US dollars, plus 5 US dollars registration, for each passenger or crew member.”
amp.gob.pa (2026-10-14): “dentro de los Permisos de Navegación existen dos modalidades: los otorgados a embarcaciones nacionales, empleadas en actividades recreativas, y los concedidos a embarcaciones de registro extranjero, que ingresan a aguas panameñas”
In Panama, call SENAN (Aeronaval) on 108. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Panama?+
The general emergency number in Panama is 911. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Panama. In a sea emergency, call 108.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Panama?+
Atlantic hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November. Hurricanes do not directly hit Panama but often bring heavy rain.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Panama?+
The Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá (IMHPA) issues weather warnings, and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) relays them to small craft and pleasure yachts.
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