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ATMs in Panama

Replies: 10 - Last Post: Mar 16, 2013 8:11 PM Last Post By: BeardoUK

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dreamingtraveller

dreamingtraveller avatar

Mar 7, 2013 12:06 PM
Posts:  4

ATMs in Panama

Hi guys,

according to this post (and all the comments to it) http://richarddetrich.com/2008/11/02/coming-to-panama-beware-the-atm/ ATMs in Panama tend to charge you for the amount you try to take without actually delivering it to you... Is this true?

How do we get around the problem without carrying 3 weeks for of spending money in cash?

Thanks,
Elisa

lucapal

lucapal avatar

Mar 7, 2013 1:58 PM
Posts:  10,107

1

Never happened to me in Panama,but it looks like it has happened to a lot of people.

You could always carry cash US dollars if you are worried about it...

Mott2

Mott2 avatar

Mar 7, 2013 2:22 PM
Posts:  116

2

I've been going to Panama for 10 years and never had that problem!

misterbee

misterbee avatar

Mar 7, 2013 2:47 PM
Posts:  1,635

3

I didn't open the link.

I always used ATMs located inside banks and never had a problem in Panama.

In Belize, I've heard people say that sometimes ATMs run out of money.

SoloHobo

SoloHobo avatar

Mar 7, 2013 3:57 PM
Posts:  9,914

4

Use Major/National Bank ATM's the world over, not some random ATM in a soda/service station/on the street..

Never heard of this being a issue in Panama on this forum in 11 years, see what Trip Advisor says.

There are no name independent ATM's everywhere, even in the states, that can rob you blind...

LanSluder

LanSluder avatar

Mar 7, 2013 4:21 PM
Posts:  539

5

Panama City is a major world financial center, and Panama is a popular tourism destination with hundreds of thousands of visitors who use ATMs every year. Never had a problem myself. I think you're over-thinking and over-worrying.

misterbee

misterbee avatar

Mar 7, 2013 4:48 PM
Posts:  1,635

6

If you don't want to use ATMs, carry traveller's cheques.

jeanfromboston2

jeanfromboston2 avatar

Mar 8, 2013 7:46 AM
Posts:  177

7

We never had a problem with ATMs in Panama. We used Banco Nacional, Scotia, and HSBC in various places. I agree: don't use a no-name cash machine in a shop, but an actual bank.

lobo777

lobo777 avatar

Mar 11, 2013 2:34 PM
Posts:  54

8

Yea it can happen anywhere, but after about a year in Panama, its never happened to me. Don't worry about it imo.

MollyManana

MollyManana avatar

Mar 16, 2013 7:07 PM
Posts:  2

9

I wouldn't worry about it. We were charged once over the past decade for money that was not dispensed. I contacted our bank in the states after the withdrawl showed up. Our bank refunded the money while they carried out an investigation, and let us know a month later that we were in the right.

BeardoUK

BeardoUK avatar

Mar 16, 2013 8:11 PM
Posts:  1,085

10

I have never had a problem.

If that was a problem with machines when they run out of cash, probably best to avoid drawing money on Sundays.
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