If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Panama City airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Panama City airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.
We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.
Sleeping in Panama City Airport
Locations & Seating
Seating is somewhat limited for the number of travellers awaiting flights. The bad news is that all airport seating has armrests, so your best bet for sleeping may be the floor. The better news is a lot of areas are carpeted. A blanket, travel mat, or extra layer will provide some welcome cushion and warmth.
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Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
If you prefer privacy and comfort, you must leave the terminal as there is no transit hotel. The Crowne Plaza Panama Airport and Riande Aeropuerto are the closest hotels and provide shuttle services. For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Panama City Airport, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Lounges
While Panama City Airport has a few lounges, neither has designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out the pay-to-use lounge details in our Panama City Airport Guide.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Panama City Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – Prepare for cold temperatures! The airport’s air conditioning seems to stay on full blast around the clock. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Travellers report near-constant noise. During the day, expect the standard airport hum of music, TVs, announcements, and travellers and workers chatting all around you. It may quiet down a little at night, but travellers report that many people stay awake talking, and the cleaning crews aren’t much quieter. Do come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to tolerate travellers, even overnight campers, who sleep in the airport. At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Panama City Airport, though many warn of taxi price gouging.
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when you are travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
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Airport Photo Gallery
Thank you to the airport sleepers who have written reviews and shared their airport photos to help future travellers. Click here to add your airport photos.
