Permit· Shelter Bay / Colón· Other Caribbean
Panama Cruising Permit
9° 36.9′ N · 79° 34.8′ W · approximate
Any yacht staying in Panamanian waters beyond a canal transit needs a cruising permit (Permiso de Navegación) from the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá, separate from the Guna Yala fee and from Immigration.
Practical
Coordinate approximate: set at Linton Bay Marina, the most convenient place to obtain it; also available in Colón (AMP Cristóbal) and through agents; Portobelo can issue one after Immigration (2025). It cannot be obtained in Porvenir, and Puerto Obaldía only issues manual permits not approved by the AMP. Reported costs: $193 (Noonsite notice, undated; also 2012), $205 for a one-year permit (2016), $185 (2018); agent fee at Linton about $75 (2026). Panama requires boat and crew details to be sent to the AMP at least 48 hours before arrival, and an Immigration entry within 72 hours of entering Panamanian waters (fines of $1,000 per crew member reported for illegal entry). If only transiting the canal, a permit is not needed unless you stay more than 14 days (Shelter Bay). Keep the permit and zarpes; Panamanian coast guard patrols check papers in the San Blas.
Best for
Making sure the boat is legal before cruising the San Blas
Nearby
- Linton Bay Boatyard (160-tonne Travelift)Right here
- Linton Bay Clearance (Port Authority, Immigration & Customs)Right here
- Linton Bay MarinaRight here
- Linton Bay Marina Restaurants (The Tropic Bar & Blue Point)Right here
- Panamarina Moorings (Puerto Lindo)0.7 NM away
- Puerto Lindo / Isla Linton Anchorage0.7 NM away
- Isla Grande Anchorage (Panama)1.3 NM away
- Isla Grande Village Restaurants & Bars1.4 NM away