There is no real season for jellyfish in Panama. You may find information stating the jellyfish season starts in January, while others say March, and the reason for this inconsistency is that:

The arrival of jellyfish in Panama depends on several factors. Those factors are upwelling, dry season winds, currents, and their own biological cycle. 

This year Jellyfish, locally called aguamalas, have recently started appearing along the Pacific Coast (late February - early march). Seasonal upwelling, where trade winds push surface water away, allowing cold, nutrient-rich deeper water to rise, seems to be occurring! This is great news for the health of our oceans and the species that live in them. This phenomenon triggers plankton blooms, feeding large quantities of gelatinous zooplankton. 

These blooms are often accompanied by sightings of whale sharks, which feed on the increased plankton. They are also critical to the survival of many marine ecosystems. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions to make going to the beach fun during this season. 

Jellyfish

While getting stung is not pleasant, a lethal jellyfish sting is not common for this area. While people will tell you to stay out of the water, use your own judgment. Many people still swim in the ocean every day. Others are still surfing as waves typically start to pickup of this time of year. 

Extra layers 

Some people say to wear an extra layer to protect more of your body. This can actually be worse if it’s not a real wetsuit. Rash guards that have a loose fit can sometimes get jellyfish particles, which are actually more common than the big jellyfish themselves, stuck between the fabric and your skin. 

If you get stung 

Some say using saltwater to neutralize the sting, while others prefer white vinegar. Jellyfish like the box jellyfish are not found in Panama. An encounter with a jellyfish in Panama is not likely to be life-threatening. That being said, if you are stung multiple times, have a severe reaction like trouble breathing, or have a pre-existing condition or allergy, seek medical attention.

How to prevent getting stung

The simplest way to avoid a sting is to stay out of the water when you see jellyfish on the shore. You can try wearing a properly fit wetsuit, but your hands, feet, and face are still exposed. So here is what we suggest: when the tide goes out, and there are jellyfish around, it leaves jellyfish along the shoreline, and there will likely be jellyfish in the water. If you can’t see what the beach looks like at low tide, try asking someone who has been swimming that day or walking the beach. Today, there are also creams and suits geared towards divers and surfers to repel jellyfish.