Trying to find out if Panama widely accepts Amex cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
In Panama, Amex is useful for hotels, car rentals, and shopping malls. But for local travel - markets, buses, island tours - it won’t work. ATMs across the country prefer Visa and Mastercard. Carry cash in US dollars since it’s the local currency, and budget $70-120 daily depending on activities. Amex should only be your backup card here. For smooth travel, use Visa/Mastercard for both payments and withdrawals.
Amex in Panama was hit or miss, mostly miss. Resorts and some fancy restaurants in the city accepted it, but once I traveled outside, almost no one did. ATMs wouldn’t let me withdraw with Amex either. I ended up paying cash for everything from taxis to meals, which added extra ATM fees. If you’re budgeting $60-100 per day, expect nearly all of it to go on Visa/Mastercard or cash. Amex just caused unnecessary stress here.
I used Amex at my hotel in Panama City and for shopping at Albrook Mall without problems. But when I tried using it at small restaurants in Casco Viejo and for ferry tickets, they refused it. ATMs also didn’t connect. My Visa debit card worked perfectly, especially at Banco General ATMs. Day trips to the Panama Canal and San Blas Islands were all paid in cash. Amex is okay for high-end travel, but Visa/Mastercard is a must for real Panama experiences.
Panama accepts American Express in some places, but Visa and Mastercard are much more common. Larger hotels in Panama City, malls, and some restaurants will take Amex. Smaller cafés, local shops, and ATMs usually won’t. If you’re budgeting $10-15 for a casual meal or $30-40 for a tour, plan on using cash or another card. Amex works for luxury services but isn’t reliable for everyday spending across Panama.