8 Ways to get the Cheapest Airfares to Panama

newsnviews2.jpg(panamamagazine.net) Panama is a relatively new tourism destination and so airfares are still higher than longtime destinations like Mexico and Costa Rica.  The major airlines that fly to Panama are Continental, Delta, American, Copa, Mexicana and KLM from Amsterdam.  Panama has direct flights from New York(Copa, Delta), Wahingtion D.C. (Copa), Los Angeles (Copa) Miami American, Copa), Dallas (American) and Orlando (Copa).  Here are some tips on getting the cheapest airfairs.

  1. Fly Discount Spirit Air.   Spirit Air is an American discount airline offering the cheapest airfares to Panama from their Fort Lauderdale, Florida hub.  These are redeye flights and Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays only and returning form Panama Mondays, Wednesday and Friday only.  Note that you also pay a fee for each bag checked.  Fare prices vary according to dates but are between $200 and $400.  Downside:  The departure time from Ft. Lauderdale is 11 pm and arrival time is 2 am with return departure time at 2 am and arrival in Ft. Lauderdale is 5:45 am.
  2. For those visiting West Panama ie Bocas del Toro or Chirirqui province:   You can fly to Costa Rica and then fly to David, Panama.  Because of the high volume, airfares are cheaper to Costa Rica and with some research you can find flights to Costa Rica for as little as $200.  From San Jose you can take the bus (around $30) to David, the capital of Chiriqui or you can fly for about $245.  Air Panama flies to David on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  We recommend you fly from San Jose to David since the border crossing experience can be miserable and the bus ride very long.
  3. Check out Mexicana Airlines and Cheapoair.com fairs to Panama:   Mexicana is a Mexican airline that flies to Panama vie another Central American country.  The flights leave late at night from the States but the fares are rock bottom. We have bought round trip tickets from the San Francisco bay area for as little as $430.  Chepoair (http://www.elcheapoair.com)) specializes in cheap fares using Central American airlines like Mexicana and Taca.  You’ll find some great fares here.
  4. Only fly Monday thru Thursday:   Airfares are lowest on those days so plan both to depart and return on those weekdays and you will get the lowest fare on regular airlines.
  5. Use Expedia.com, Vayama.com or any consolidator to find a cheap fair:   And remember it will be cheaper if you fly Monday- Thursday.
  6. Avoid coming to Panama from December 15th to January 6th:   Fairs are the highest during the Christmas-New Year holidays.  Then they remain higher but acceptable thru March.
  7. Get a Retirement Visa in Panama and get a 25% discount on all international and domestic airfares:   If you are going to reside in Panama and are of retirement age (Panama that is 57 for a woman and 60 for a man) get a retirement visa.  For this you need a lawyer and it will cost around $1000.  But it will pay for itself quickly in airfares since all retired persons get 25% discount on airfares.  Your retirement Visa makes you eligible for many other discounts as well.
  8. Copa Airlines does not charge for stopovers in Panama:   So if you are going somewhere else in the region via Panama on Copa, you can schedule a Panama vacation stop for free.  Also, you can use your frequent flyer miles with Continental, Delta and Copa which all share the same frequent flyer program.  Copa has the most direct flights to Panama from New York, Newark, Las Angeles, Miami, Orlando and Washington D.C