From previous posts on this topic, it seems that an onward ticket out of Panama might be asked for. Would a bus ticket between Panama and Costa Rica be enough, or are they only satisfied with a flight ticket. Has anybody had any luck getting into Panama after showing a bus ticket?
Many thanks
Sue
Are you talking about flying in or coming in over land from Costa Rica. If you are coming overland it really depends on the day, the agent, etc etc. Flying in is a whole different story. That depends on what your airline thinks about it because the cusoms agent at the airport in Panama could care a less. If you are coming over land you can show then a printed out flight flight plan from expedia or orbitiz which you dont really need to buy. I guess they have been letting people buy a bus ticket at the border but you never know. It also depends on which side you are coming through, the Pacific or Atlantic. The Pacific side is much more strict.
Hi Maliante,
Thank-you for your fast reply. We are flying into Panama from the US with American Airlines. We are travelling up the Caribbean side and going from Bocas to Cahuita, so was going to book an online ticket with Caribeshuttle so we would have a printed ticket to show the airline and Panama customs. Any thoughts on this.
Many thanks
Sue
It is the airline that enforces the rules, so you need to speak with AA. Every airline interrupts the rules differently.
Technically you need to show "proof of onward travel" if requested at check-in when you are flying on a one-way ticket. A bus ticket to another country should suffice...
As above....the airline will decide.A bus ticket out should be ok,in theory anyway,but every airline seems to have a different policy.Some people get in on a one way,some are forced to buy a flight ticket out......
I was worried about this for months and months but when I checked in, there was no problem. Maybe becuase we were coming from Australia but we went through US and I travel on US passport. Maybe it was becuase all our flights were with United, with the LA to PC a coshare with COPA. All that worry for nothing but I did have a Caribe Shuttle ticket printed out as well but never was asked for it anywhere. Good luck.
#7- nobody is suggesting that you will get checked every time. Some airlines (Spirit for example) are very strict, some seem to have a random checking (I've certainly been checked with United) and some seem to rarely check. The problem is you can't know in advance. If you ask the airline then they have to go with the official line which is that you need to show proof of onward travel in order to comply with visa regulations. But whether that check will happen seems to depend on the staff and the day. There should of course be consistency, but is there ever?