Hi everyone,
Regarding free insurance for tourists in Panama:
As many of you have read on your Panama Insider website, in 2010 Panama government officials announced a new benefit for visiting tourists. The program offered free travel/emergency insurance for tourist stays up to 30 days (for visitors arriving to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, aka PTY). The program provided free medical attention for many of the millions of visitors that have visited Panama since the promo was instated. (Per local authorities approximately 3,600 tourists made use of the insurance last year).
The contract with insurance provider Generali expires this month, so visitors arriving to Panama in August will unfortunately not be eligible for the this particular insurance card. Remember, it is always a good idea to purchase travel insurance well before your Panama visit.
Keep in mind, Panama’s Copa Airlines continues to offer free stop-overs if transiting to another country via PTY. Convention centers in Panama offer free venues and more for gatherings meeting certain requirements (size, etc.) Panama will continue to entice with great promotions and freebies, and I am certain that the future holds more good (and free) stuff for visitors to Panama!
No other country has ever offered anything like the free insurance program; it was an innovative, forward-thinking policy. Panama spent $3 million a year on this, so we couldn’t expect it to last forever…though given Panama’s track record with reviving popular policies, it is very possible the government will bring it back from time to time. As always, I will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International Living
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