How to Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine in Panama

Update 12 May 2023: A few readers have written in to update us on the current state of the yellow fever vaccine in Panama. Make sure to read the bottom for the latest updates.

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One of my top priorities when I arrived in Panama was to get a yellow fever vaccine in preparation for my upcoming travel to Africa. I heard it was cheap and easy to get there compared to a relatively costly exercise in my home of Brisbane, Australia. The yellow fever vaccine in Australia costs $75 plus a consultation fee of $85. The cost of the yellow fever vaccine in Panama is only $5 (2023 update: this is sadly now $100 for foreigners but still a lot cheaper than many countries) so if you're going to be in the region anyway then you should consider taking advantage of the savings!

This proved to be easier said than done once I actually got there as there is not a lot of information online on where the vaccine is available. Since only select clinics provide it, I also struggled to get much info from locals since in Panama, yellow fever isn't really an issue and you don't need those shots for Panama.

Now that I’ve personally gone through the process, I thought I would put some specific instructions together for anyone who needs to do the same. As with any medical procedure, be sure to consult a medical professional and be up to date with the relevant travel advice for the region in which you are travelling.

If you’re looking for travel health information and advice check out the Bemused Backpacker website. It's run by a nurse and also has an online travel clinic service. Although I’ve not used the service I enjoy reading the articles on travel health.

All you need to know to get the Yellow Fever vaccine in Panama

• The clinic is called Region Metropolitana de Salud

• Cost of vaccine is $100 (or $20 if you’re a resident)

• You need to take your passport with you

• Opening hours are from 8 am to 3:45 pm

• It is closed for lunch between 12 pm and 1 pm

• Staff stop taking payments at 2 pm so get there well before

• No shorts or singlets allowed in the clinic

Getting there and back

Finding your way to the clinic is easy once you know where it is. You can take a bus, catch a taxi or order an Uber.

The bus is just $0.25 each way, but you will need a MetroBus card. A taxi will cost you $5 each way from Albrook and a bit more from wherever you are staying.If you're willing to get an Uber this will be even easier for you as the address is now in Google Maps so you can just jump into your Uber and sit back and relax.

The address is:

• Region Metropolitana de Salud

• Los Rios

• Detras del SPI

Catching the bus

If you decide you would like to have the adventure of the bus ride and save even more pennies then catching the bus is relatively easy. Just don't do like I did and get off too early!

You can take a bus from Albrook Bus Station and you can take either the Ciudad de Saber route or the Miraflores route. The Ciudad de Saber route is going to be a slightly longer ride on the way to the clinic. I also saw more Miraflores buses leaving the terminal, but you can safely take whichever leaves first.

You can catch either route back and they’ll both be the same distance on the return journey to Albrook.

At Albrook station both routes have their lines located all the way at the end of the terminal, near the Movistar signs. If you get lost or need some help just ask someone in a fluoro green vest.

The stop to look out for is called “Corazon”. I used Google Maps to help me figure out where to get off, but some of the buses have an automatic announcement with each stop. You can also ask the driver to let you know when to get off.

Note: The bus stop to get back should be right across the road. Look out for it when you jump off so you know where you're going on the way back.

The Metrobus website is actually quite helpful and can show you the route that you’ll be taking. It also has general information on getting around the city.

Finding the health centre

Once you get off the bus there should be a street that you can see with a sign for Servicio De Proteccion Institucional or SPI.

Keep heading up that street through a suburban looking area and you will eventually get to the Region Metropolitana de Salud. There should be a couple of signs along the way, so you know you’re heading in the right direction.

There is a guard booth at the entrance and as you walk down the driveway you should see a building on your left and a building a bit further down on your right.

Head to the building on the left first to pay the fee

Head to the building on the left where you can see a window. The entrance is towards the rear of the building. This is where you will show your passport and pay the $5 fee for the vaccine.

Once you’ve paid and gotten your receipt, head to the building that was on your right. Walk into the ground floor area and head to the second door on the left. There are some chairs along the wall at the side, but you should be able to head right in.

This is where you will get your shot. Have your passport ready to hand to the nurses, so they can fill out your yellow fever certification. This process should take no longer than 5 minutes. I got there just after 1 pm and there were only 2 other people who came in after me.

That’s it! Hopefully, this makes it super easy for you to get your yellow fever vaccine in Panama City. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. If you decide to try this, please also leave a comment below to let us know how it went and if anything has changed.

Latest updates from recent travelers to Panama

Update 12/08/2022: “Thanks for the information. This is still pretty much accurate. Went there today and got the shot. They don't even want to know where you travel to or if you're traveling anywhere else. As a foreigner, it still costs 100 USD. Arrived there after 1 PM, took me about an hour (they were somewhat busy, where about 15 people there for shots). They do not speak english, FYI.”

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Update 23/10/2018: “Hi, I wanted to give you another update as I got vaccinated last week. I really appreciated all of the information you had on your site so I wanted to help with up to day information (although I am sure it will change again, so be prepared for anything!)

The notification that was up regarding specific countries is no longer there, there is a new notice as of March 2018 stating that if you are a foreigner trying to get the vaccine you need to have proof of travel but it can be to any country in the Americas. It is still $100 for foreigners and $20 for residents. There were about 15 of us there first thing in the morning to get the vaccine, but the whole process was quick and well organized.” Carolyn K.

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Update 13/02/2018: I received the below advice from a reader on recent changes to the cost and new requirements for travellers:

"I have read your blog post on getting vaccinated in Panama. I went there today and sadly everything changed in the last months. They now charge 20 B for locals and 100 B for foreigners (due to alleged shortages in the vaccine stocks).

Furthermore, they require printed proof of travel (plane or anything else) to one of the countries listed by them (I am enclosing 2 pics I took today at the Region Metropolitana De Salud). The countries listed in black pen (Bahama, Jamaica, Guyana, Nicaragua, Brasil, Nigeria and Honduras) are the only ones officially requiring proof of vaccination according to Panama’s government (I couldn't get any vaccine saying I am going to Sapzurro, Colombia, an area that should require the vaccine).

At this time I was told there is no other clinic offering the yellow fever vaccine in Panama City." Paola B.

List of onward countries officially requiring proof of yellow fever vaccine according to the clinic

New cost of yellow fever vaccine - 20 Balboas for locals and residents; 100 Balboas for foreingers

Read more articles from Panama

El Valle to Boquete

Getting to the tranquil valley town of El Valle from Panama CIty was relatively easy, but going anywhere besides Panama City afterwards can seem a bit of a challenge.

Guidebooks are light on information and I didn’t find much help online to help me avoid going back to the city before I could head up to Boquete.

Here’s my experience with the trip and some tips to help you avoid some of my mistakes.

After a quick walk in the morning I had breakfast at my hostel and packed my luggage. As a lot of people were still sleeping in the dorm, it took me a little longer than usual as I attempted to keep as quiet as possible.

I headed off at 9 am and caught a San Carlos bus at 9:15 am right outside my hostel which was located on the main road.

The trip to San Carlos was approximately 45 minutes from the centre of town. You are dropped off at the side of the highway near an overpass which you must cross to get to the bus stop on the other side.

Here I waited about 20 minutes to catch a David bus, but started to get anxious and jumped on the next Santiago-bound bus that I saw. The problem with getting the Santiago bus is that you must get off at the  Terminal for one of the David - Panama buses. The Santiago bus will keep going to the main terminal where I believe you could get a mini-bus to David as well, so don’t freak out if you miss it. This leg of the trip was about 3 hours.

At the terminal I waited another 40 minutes before the next David-bound bus left. The terminal has a cleanish toilet and a cafeteria with cheap meal and drink options.

The David bus takes roughly 3 hours. My trip unfortunately took 4 hours due to heavy rain.

At the David bus station, after taking a quick toilet break, head towards the back of the station. Each stop has a sign above to indicate where they will be going, so just keep walking until you find the Boquete bound bus.

The trip to Boquete is roughly an hour long. The bus can  drop you off along the way if your hotel is further out of town, or continue on to the  Parque Central, the main plaza in the centre of town.

I arrived close to 7pm. What should have been a 7 hour trip (if everything went perfectly) had become a 10 hour day. Most of the  delay was due to  the heavy rain, even more reason to head off as early as possible if you are travelling in the rainy season.
 

Here are some tips to help you get to Boquete as quickly as possible:

Leave as early as you can

Leaving early does two things:

1. you potentially avoid the awful traffic at the end of the day, and

2. if it’s the rainy season, you might avoid travelling in the middle of the afternoon rains.

Stay on the bus to San Carlos

You might get advice to get off the San Carlos bound bus at the very first highway stop once you get on the highway. Stay on until San Carlos, the David buses will only stop there.

Don’t catch the Santiago bus

Try to avoid the urge to catch the Santiago bus, really only use it as a last resort. A David bus will be more direct (less stops) and cheaper as well.

Be prepared for the Air-Con

Make sure you bring something warm for when the bus driver decides to create his own mini-Antarctica.

Know if you pay on the bus or need a ticket

Most of the buses ask for payment either enroute or at the end of the trip except for the Santiago to David bus where you have to buy a ticket at the little office on the left of the terminal.

Take some snacks

Either bring some snacks or some small change to buy snacks from local vendors who might get on the various buses along the way. You can get a proper lunch at the Santiago rest stop if you’re not too picky. There were some vegetarian options including a freshly made fried egg and salad sandwich.

Pack some entertainment

Bring some reading material or download a bunch of podcasts to keep you entertained. See here for some of my favourites.

Ask questions if you’re not sure

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! I almost missed the terminal stop at Santiago but I had mentioned to the ladies sitting beside me where I was planning on going and they made sure that I got off at the right stop. You might feel silly but tell the conductor where you are going and keep reminding him so that you get off at the right place.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the trip.

Good luck!

Boquete, Panama Travel Guide

Boquete is a charming little mountain town that has captured the imagination of expats and tourists alike. It’s located in the province of Chiriqui about 60 kilometres from the border of Costa Rica. If you’ve been suffering in the heat in the rest of Panama, you might enjoy spending some time cooling off in Boquete, as it situated 1,200 metres above sea level. I really enjoyed my time there and suggest a stay of at least two or three days to really take advantage of your visit. Read on to discover some of the activities and sights available as well as travel directions to help you get there in this travel guide to Boquete.

Things to do in Boquete

Adventure companies abound in Boquete, so you will have your pick of outfitters. I chose Boquete Outdoor Adventures for my time in Boquete as they offered packaged tours over several days that saved me some money. If you’re travelling in the low season feel free to negotiate.

Coffee farm tours

There are a few different coffee farms that you can visit, but I really enjoyed Finca Dos Jefes. At this farm you get a great appreciation of coffee history, farming and process. Towards the end of the tour you get to enjoy a tasting session and also get to grind and roast a batch of beans! I really enjoyed the variety of content and the staff were very friendly.

Rafting Rio Chiriqui

I had a great time rafting with Boquete Outdoor Adventures. They did a great job keeping everyone safe and made sure we a fun day. Most companies provide a riverside lunch in the trip which is served buffet style. It was surprisingly one of the best meals I had in Panama with fresh fruit and lots of veges and snacks. It took a bit of willpower to not fill up so much I couldn’t get back into the raft.

Rock climbing

Climbing in Boquete is quite interesting as you get to experience rock climbing on natural basalt rock formations. Accessible to both beginners and advanced climbers, you will find companies who can guide you to an appropriate spot and provide you with all the gear you need.

Hiking

There are a few hiking trails not too far away that you can do both with and without a guide. If you an avid birder you can specify that you would like a guide trained in spotting the local wildlife and hopefully spot a Quetzal!

Hot springs

There are some hot springs located about half an hour away towards the town of Caldera. The local bus goes infrequently, but if you ask at your hotel they should be able to provide you with the times and directions. If you’re happy to spend a little bit more money, you could include this as a side trip in one of your tours or take a taxi there.

Mi Jardin es su Jardin

For a nice free outing you can visit this impressive garden on the outskirts of town. It is located in private property, but left open to the public to enjoy, thus the name - “my garden is your garden”. Even if you’re not that into flowers I would suggest spending an hour just wandering around this enormous space. Every corner you turn you will encounter another interesting statue or water feature.

Island Trip to Boca Chica

One of the most popular trips available is the island trip to Boca Chica. This was probably one of my least favourite adventure activities but still very enjoyable. If you go at the right time of year (June - October) the trip also includes whale watching. Once you get to the main town, you get into a boat bound for a small island with nothing but sun, sand and the water to amuse you. The company I went with provided snorkel equipment, towels and a huge lunch buffet for you to nibble on during the day. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this trip mostly because I felt the water was a bit rough to really allow for proper relaxation and the lack of facilities both on the island (understandable) and back at the main dock was a bit annoying.

I would suggest this trip for anyone not planning to spend any real time on either the Pacific or Caribbean coasts and want to have a nice day out at a secluded beach and see some whales at the same time.

Volcan Baru

You can choose to do this either by hiking 6-7 hours to the summit and a 3-4 hour back down or by taking a highly-modified jeep to the top. Both options usually have you leaving in the early morning hours (from 1am onwards) so you can be at the summit for the sunrise.

On a clear day you should be able to see both oceans, Panama and Costa Rica quite clearly. It is a spectacular sight.

Where to stay in Boquete

For such a cute little town, Boquete has a great selection of hotels for all budgets. Here are my top recommendations for unique places to stay in Boquete.

Hostal Garden

Hostal Garden is a great budget option located in the centre of town with dorms and private rooms. You're surrounded by a beautiful garden, perfect for relaxing with a book in a hammock. Or you could test your skill on the slackline! The best part is there are fruit trees all around the property and you're welcome to pick what you like and snack.

Check out their reviews on: Trip Advisor

Get the latest prices: Hotels.com | Expedia

Boquete Tree Trek Mountain Resort

Rustic elegance awaits at this mountain resort located a few kilometres outside of the centre of town. It's not hard to find nature when you're staying in Boquete but at this resort you will be surrounded by lush forest and gently babbling brooks. Keep your eyes open for the resplendent Quetzal! If you want a carefree vacation then this will be a perfect base. Boquete Tree Trek Mountain resort provides everything you need including tours and a restaurant and bar on site.

Check out their reviews on: Trip Advisor

Get the latest prices: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia

Where to eat in Boquete

The town has a variety of cafes and restaurants to match your budget. Some of my favourite places to grab a bite were:

Sugar and Spice

• Breakfast with coffee from $5
• Lunches from $4.50

This place serves some great meals that include their fresh bread baked in-house. Besides the breakfasts and lunches you will find different baked treats that you can take away to help sustain you as you explore the town. There’s also some fresh fruit water located inside, so no need to purchase any drinks if you’re counting your pennies.

Big Daddy’s Grill

American style food including fish (and vege) tacos, burgers and pastas as well as margaritas. Food is actually quite good, but takes you into the $6-$10 price range.

Re Pomodoro

Pallet style pizza sold by the slice (from $1) or you can get a whole pizza if you have some mates to share with or want to pack some away in the hostel kitchen for another meal.

Getting there and away

To get to Boquete from most places you will usually have to change buses in David. It is about an hour trip. If you're coming here from El Valle De Anton it can be a bit tricky so check out this step by step guide on travelling from El Valle to Boquete.

There are also several shuttle operators that can take you to and from other popular tourist destinations, including Santa Catalina and Bocas Del Toro. 

Have you been to Boquete or traveled in Panama? Let me know your thoughts on the region in the comments below!

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Panama in 1 Week and 2 Weeks

Panama is a great country to spend a couple of weeks exploring. You can find an excellent diversity in its towns and cities and I believe there really is something for everyone here.

From modern Panama City to surfer-friendly Santa Catalina. The cool and full of adventure Boquete to the islands of Bocas Del Toro. You can get into the native culture in San Blas or explore a volcano crater town in El Valle De Anton.

Here are some suggested itineraries to get you started planning your holiday to Panama.

Adventure and Beach (1 week)

Fly to David - Boquete (3 days)  - Bocas (4 days) - Fly out of Bocas

You can take advantage of international flights to Panama’s northernmost airport in David and head straight to Boquete for some mountain activities, including volcano hikes, rafting, bird watching and hot springs.

Once you’ve had your fill, head to Bocas Del Toro where you can end your vacation with some beach time and exploring the various islands located in Bocas. If you have some energy left you can visit bat caves, starfish beaches and Sloth Island.

Canals and Kumarca (1 week)

Panama City (3 days) and San Blas (2-3 days)/ El Valle (1-2 days)

Spend some time exploring the modern Panama City and see how almost 900,000 Panamanians live. There are many great activities that can occupy your time in this great city including seeing how the city has developed over its history with Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo.

Once you’ve had enough city time, head to San Blas where you will be one of a very few people to visit this remote location. You can get to know the native Kuna Yala people while staying in one of the tiny islands with a local family and also experience one of the most beautiful locations in the world.

If you have a couple of extra days round your trip out with some time in El Valle De Anton. Take in the mountain air, have a dip in the hot springs or attempt one of the tougher hikes in the region, La India Dormida.

Panama en total (2 weeks)

Panama City (3 days) - San Blas (2 days) - Panama City - El Valle (2 days) - Boquete (3 days)- Bocas Del Toro (4 days)

Tip: You can also visit Santa Catalina after Panama City or instead of El Valle if you’re into surfing.

If you have more time, you could easily extend your stay in one of these places. I spent 6 weeks in Panama and could have certainly spent much more time exploring the country.

Check out some articles on travel in Panama here: Panama Travel Guides.

Any suggested itineraries or places off the beaten track that you can recommend?

El Valle De Anton Travel Guide

El Valle De Anton, Panama is a beautiful little mountain town located in the largest inhabited volcano crater in the world. It enjoys a lovely spring climate all year round. I spent hours wandering the streets of the town enjoying being surrounded by the amazing views and greenery, feeling very safe and at peace.

If you have a spare couple of days, I suggest a brief stop here, a great opportunity to relax or regenerate your travel mojo.

Things to do

Getting around town to the various sites and attractions is really easy, with signs posted everywhere you go. If you get a bit lost don’t be afraid to stop and ask any of the locals. They are some of the friendliest people I have met in my time in Panama.

You should also spend a half-day by cycling. Bikes are available to hire at either your hostel or one of the rental places around town. Most people seem to get around by bike and you can feel relatively safe on the roads around town.

Hiking

You can easily spend a few hours just wandering the town and taking in the spectacular greenery. For the adventurous traveler, there are several hikes to attempt, including the challenging La India Dormida -The Sleeping Indian Girl.

Another great hike is the Cerro Cariguana. It is best done at around 4:30 pm to get a great view of the valley with the dramatic background of the sunset. Take a flashlight or headlamp to get back to town in the dark.

If you want to do a short hike, you might like to visit the Arboles Cuadrados or the Square Trees. I say ‘might’ because you will have to use your imagination on this one, but it is a pleasant walk.

Waterfalls

I visited Chorro Las Mozas while in El Valle and enjoyed a dip in the river after a short walk to the waterfalls. The walk is a bit tricky at times, but shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes.

It costs $1 to enter, but if you get there before opening hours you should be able to enter without charge.

The other waterfall in town, Chorro Del Macho is certainly more spectacular but does cost $5 to enter. There is a small suspension bridge and while you can’t swim at the waterfall, there is a man-made pool you can have a dip in.

Hot Springs

The Pozos Termales are located very close to the centre of town. With a $3 entrance fee, it’s a cheap way to recharge your batteries and chat with other travelers and locals. You can even smother yourself in natural mud for an instant facial.

Many travelers I met couldn’t get enough of the experience, but keep in mind that these hot springs are not as hot as you might be used to (think warm) and this is definitely not a luxury spa experience. Keep that in mind and you should have a nice time relaxing in the waters.

Wildlife

If you would like to see some local wildlife check out El Nispero Zoo which has a great frog exhibit. This includes a chance to see the Gold Frog which is native to El Valle.

There is a Butterfly Haven with a $5 entrance fee that includes a guided tour. You can see not just butterflies in their different life stages, but also hummingbirds and local birds in their garden. This is a great rainy day activity as the space is fully covered.

If you’re into creepy crawlies then a visit to El Serpentario is a must! It is a small snake house with a $1 entrance fee. You get to be as up-close and personal as you wish to a variety of snakes and even get your photo taken with a boa-constrictor.

El Mercardo

There is a local market located in the center of town with two sections - local produce and arts and crafts.

Eating out

There are several restaurants and cafes  in El Valle. I did find prices to be on the higher side, but there are some great local options and more international style fare. Vegetarians should find it pretty easy to find something to eat at most of the restaurants in town.

If you’re on a budget you could find a hostel with a kitchen to create your own dishes with local produce. The local bakery, Cano Panaderia, has delicious fresh bread and well-priced sandwiches.  Another great option is Carlitos. While most of their food is quite pricey, they have empanadas for $1.40 including vege options.

Where to stay

There are a lot of options in all different price brackets in El Valle. From boutique hotels with lush gardens to hostels and locations all around the town.

I stayed at Bodhi Hostel in their 27-bed dorm. For $15 you got a comfy bed with privacy curtains, individual fan and light, as well as a pancake breakfast. It wasn’t anywhere as horrific as I imagined a 27-bed dorm could be, but I didn’t stay there when it was at full capacity.

They have some lovely small touches that I haven’t seen in any other hostels I’ve stayed at, including a little bag in your bed to put small items that are handy to have close by (a pair of glasses, for example) and a little cubby to put your toothbrush and toothpaste near the sinks. They had just started up a free morning yoga which looked like a lot of fun.

The town centre with la india dormida in the background. Spot her?

Getting there and away

Getting to and from El Valle via Panama City is super easy. There is a direct bus that leaves from the main bus terminal in Panama City every 30 minutes. It’s about 2.5 hours and costs about $4.50.

Heading back to Panama City you will need to catch the same bus, which will say “Panama - El Valle” in the window, from the main road in El Valle De Anton.

Try to do the trip in the daylight so you can take advantage of the spectacular views on the way. Also, make sure to look out for the outline of La India Dormida!

Getting to anywhere else is a little bit trickier. You need to catch a local bus to San Carlos (approx. 45 minutes) which passes through the main street every 20 minutes. From there, you need to wait at the bus stop on the highway for a bus to pass by. Depending on where you're heading to next the best options are usually a David or Santiago bound bus.

I went to Boquete after El Valle De Anton and found the experience to be relatively straightforward but quite long. Be prepared with some snacks or bring along some change to grab some on the way from the local vendors who hop on the bus. You can read a more detailed report of my trip here.

Planning on exploring around Panama for a few days? Check out my suggested itineraries for Panama for advice on how to spend a few days to a few weeks in the country.

Have you been to El Valle? Any other experiences you'd like to add or favourite places to stay or eat at?