Cheap Car Rental in Panama

Tips and advice on renting a car in Panama

Here we have put together some tips on what to consider when looking for a rental car in Panama and regions/states such as Panamá, Panamá Oeste, Chiriquí, Colón, Coclé, Veraguas, Ngöbe-Buglé, Bocas del Toro, Herrera and Los Santos.

Are there several of you who will drive the car? Where are you going?

Extra driver? If more than one person is driving the car, this must be stated at the time of booking or at the company upon arrival. Remember that there may be restrictions on driving the car to other countries and taking the car from or to islands such as Contadora Island, .

Is free mileage / free miles included?

Check that free mileage is included in the rent. If free mileage is not included, check that the number of kilometers in the contract is sufficient. All major companies have unlimited mileage, but less expensive companies may have a maximum mileage per day.

Do a quick inspection upon pickup

Inspect and examine the rental car when you pick it up. Check that all damages, scratches and dents are included in the condition report. Check how big the deductible is! What often differentiates between smaller, cheaper companies in Panama and larger global companies is the amount of the deductible. Also read the conditions carefully when it comes to how the car is to be returned. Smaller local companies may have an administrative fee if the car is to be returned with an empty tank. Any fee is stated in our terms and conditions when you apply.

Review the contract & terms carefully

Review and read the rental conditions before booking the rental car. Autoprio.com offers rental cars from several different rental car companies and the conditions differ between the different companies. Smaller companies may have administrative fees to be paid on site that relate to refueling after return. Any fees are stated during the booking. Review and read the contract when you pick up your rental car. Autoprio.com offers cheap rental cars from several different rental car companies in Panama and the contract differs between the different companies. If there is something you do not understand in the contract, ask someone from the company on site or contact us directly.

Compare prices from several companies and book the rental car on the Internet

Searching and booking car rental on the Internet becomes cheaper and it is easier and takes less time. Compare many companies and sites to find the best price. Autoprio.com compares several companies at the same time in a single search via Cartrawler. We do not own any cars but only compare prices from different companies such as e.g. Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Thrifty, National, Enterprise, Alamo and Dollar, etc.

Book as early as possible

Book as early as possible, it will usually be more expensive if you wait. In large cities such as Panama City, San Miguelito, Juan Díaz, David, Arraiján, Colón, Las Cumbres, La Chorrera, Pedregal and Tocumen, prices often rise the later you book. It can also be difficult to find cars at major airports such as Panama-Tocumen Airport, Albrook Airport, David-Enrique Malek Airport, Colón Airport, Santiago de Veraguas Airport, Changuinola Airport, Chitre Airport, Río Hato Airport, Panama Pacific Airport and Bocas del Toro Airport, if you wait too long.

Refuel the car before returning it

Different companies have different fuel conditions. If the car is to be refueled before return, do so to avoid extra fees from the rental car company. Some smaller companies have an administrative fee for refueling the car if it is to be left empty, which is stated in the conditions but not always in the total price. Look extra carefully at the refueling regulations! If the company has 'Pick up full, drop off empty' then there may be an administrative fee for refueling. Any fee is stated during the booking. It is often the cheaper companies that have 'Pick up full, drop off empty'.

Frequently asked questions about car rental & renting a car in Panama

How can I find car rentals near me in Panama?

Do a search for the city, island or airport closest to you in Panama. A search for country or e.g. island in Panama lists the largest airports like Colón Airport, Changuinola Airport, David-Enrique Malek Airport, Río Hato Airport, Santiago de Veraguas Airport, Panama Pacific Airport, Panama-Tocumen Airport, Chitre Airport, Bocas del Toro Airport and Albrook Airport. Then take a look at our map of cheap car hire companies to find the best rental cars near you.

Can I book without a credit card in Panama?

Yes. You can make a booking without a credit card with Autoprio.com in Panama. Note that, even if you choose to pay by debit card, you will have to provide a valid credit card in the driver’s name at the time of pick-up since the rental agent requires a credit card from which to take the rental deposit. Credit cards accepted for pick-up are MasterCard, Visa, and in some cases American Express.

What is the cheapest car rental company in Panama?

In the past 14 days, the cheapest rental cars were found on Autoprio.com at Sixt, National, Mex, Thrifty, Enterprise, Dollar, Alamo and Firefly in cities like David, Colón, Juan Díaz, La Chorrera, Arraiján, Pedregal, Panama City, Las Cumbres, Tocumen and San Miguelito, etc and at airports like Panama-Tocumen Airport, Albrook Airport, Santiago de Veraguas Airport, David-Enrique Malek Airport, Changuinola Airport and Colón Airport, etc.

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Panama?

Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 21 years for rentals. However, requirements may vary depending on the car rental company and destination country. Please note that there may be additional charges if the main driver is under 25 or over 75 years old to cover the extra insurance cost. Any additional fee will be mentioned at the time of booking under summary of charges before you confirm the reservation at Autoprio.com.

What is the best rental car company in Panama?

Based on ratings and reviews on autoprio.com, the best car rental companies in Panama are Sixt, Budget, National, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Thrifty. You can find these car hire companies in cities like David, Colón, Juan Díaz, La Chorrera, Arraiján, Pedregal, Panama City, Las Cumbres, Tocumen and San Miguelito.

Do I need an international driver’s licence in Panama?

If your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet (i.e. Arabic, Greek, Russian or Chinese) you will need to bring an international driving licence and your domestic licence in Panama. If you are renting abroad (outside your country of residence, or outside where your license was issued), an international drivers licence is usually required regardless of the alphabet. International driver’s licences must be accompanied by the original domestic licence of the driver.

Are there extra charges for drop-off at a different location in Panama?

Yes, in most cases the car rental agents like Budget, Avis, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz will charge an extra fee if you wish to return the vehicle at a different location in Panama. We will clearly state whether the one-way fee is included in the rental price or what additional cost may arise at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.

How much do you charge for excess in Panama?

The excess amount depends on the car hire company and the rented vehicle and it will be refunded within 10-28 days after the rental if there has been no damage. Cartrawler offer damage refund insurance in association with Autoprio.com insurance partners, which will allow you to claim for reimbursement in the event that you have been charged for collision damage or theft. This damage refund insurance can be purchased at the time of booking.

Are there any cross-border charges if you want to leave Panama?

The car rental agents like Sixt, Budget, National, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Thrifty may choose to charge you for cross-border travel. Any fees will need to be paid at the rental desk in Panama in local currency. We will state whether cross-border travel is allowed and in which countries at the time of booking under rental conditions at Autoprio.com.

Which costs are included in the rental price in Panama?

In the majority of cases the rental price includes collision damage waiver, unlimited mileage, airport fee, tax, breakdown assistance and third party liability protection. Please note that the costs included may vary depending on the car rental company and destination. The car hire company may also choose to ask you for a deposit or excess at the rental desk in Panama. Make sure to check the rental conditions at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.

What are the most popular car rental locations in Panama?

Based on searches on autoprio.com, the most popular cities to rent a car in Panama are Río Abajo, Arraiján, Panama City, Cativá, La Chorrera, Santiago, Colón, San Miguelito, Pedregal, Tocumen, Parque Lefevre, Juan Díaz, Chilibre, David and Las Cumbres. The most popular airports are Panama-Tocumen Airport, Albrook Airport, Santiago de Veraguas Airport, David-Enrique Malek Airport, Changuinola Airport and Colón Airport.