Plan your trip
What to pack for Panama in December
For a December trip, pack for both seasons: a compact umbrella for early in the month, when Panama City’s station still averages 105 mm (4.1 in), and hats and sunscreen for the clear days that follow. Chanukah usually falls in December, so bring a travel menorah and ask your hotel where you may light it; the calendar section below lists the nights in your dates.
Your list
December · Panama City · 2 adults · 30 items
- Panama City92° / 67°F · 105 mm
Documents
Heat and sun
Panama City averages 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain in December.
Average daytime highs of about 92°F in December.
Clothes and shoes
Casco Viejo’s streets are cobbled.
Health and sun
Panama is about 9° north of the equator, so the midday sun is high all year.
Some nature reserves ask visitors to bring them.
Shul
Modest dress is expected.
For Shabbat (most stays include one)
Or ask your hotel first what it allows in rooms.
Yom Tov and the calendar
Food
Phones, plugs and power
Panama uses Type A and B sockets at 120 V and 60 Hz, like the US and Canada. Source: WorldStandards
Buying a local SIM needs a passport.
Shabbat and Yom Tov in December 2026
Shabbat · Vayeshev
Fri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Candles 5:39 PM on Fri, Dec 4. Ends 6:33 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:32 PM (Chabad).
Chanukah
Shabbat · Miketz
Fri, Dec 11 – Sat, Dec 12, 2026
Candles 5:41 PM on Fri, Dec 11. Ends 6:36 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:34 PM (Chabad).
Chanukah
Shabbat · Vayigash
Fri, Dec 18 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026
Candles 5:44 PM on Fri, Dec 18. Ends 6:39 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:38 PM (Chabad).
Shabbat · Vayechi
Fri, Dec 25 – Sat, Dec 26, 2026
Candles 5:48 PM on Fri, Dec 25. Ends 6:42 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:41 PM (Chabad).
Festivals and fasts in these dates
- Chanukah: Sat, Dec 5 – Sat, Dec 12, 2026 (first candle the evening before)
- Asara B’Tevet: Sun, Dec 20, 2026
Day trips in December
- Panama City
- Some rain: 105 mm, drier than November (252 mm); rain on about 8 days at the station. Sea about 82°F. From Paitilla or Punta Pacífica, the Cinta Costera waterfront is a walk, with no transport needed, so it works on Shabbat too.
- Boquete
- Some rain: 144 mm, drier than November (366 mm). It’s coffee harvest season (December to March; Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá). Too far for a day: fly to David or drive about six hours, and stay over with Chabad Boquete’s kosher food.
- Pacific beaches
- Some rain: 120 mm, drier than November (329 mm). Sea about 82°F. No kosher food on the way: pack a cooler.
- Gamboa
- Some rain: 92 mm, drier than November (307 mm). About 25 km from the city; go at dawn for wildlife, and bring all your food.
- San Blas (Guna Yala)
- Some rain: 200 mm, drier than November (336 mm). Sea about 83°F. A very long day by 4x4 and boat from Cartí: bring every passport, all your food and drinking water.
- Bocas del Toro
- Some rain: 200 mm, drier than November (474 mm). Sea about 83°F.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a rain jacket for Panama in December?
- A compact umbrella is worth packing. Panama City’s weather station averages 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain in December: some rain, but not the daily downpours of the wet season.
- What should I wear in Panama in December?
- Light, breathable clothes, sun hats and sunglasses: Panama City’s weather station averages 92°F by day and 67°F at night in December (WMO, 1971–2000). Add modest clothes for shul, a light layer for strong air-conditioning, and a warmer one for Boquete.
- Which Jewish holidays fall in December 2026?
- Chanukah: Sat, Dec 5 – Sat, Dec 12, 2026 (first candle the evening before), from Hebcal’s calendar for outside Israel. The packing list adds what each one needs.
Lists by month
Where the numbers come from
- Monthly averages: NASA POWER daily data for 2016–2025 (fetched Tue, Nov 10, 2026), averaged by us: the average day’s high and low, the month’s total rain, humidity and cloud. Each figure covers a grid square of roughly 55 by 70 km of land and sea, so Panama City’s afternoons come out about 4.2°C cooler than at the city’s own weather station.
- Panama City’s figures lead with its weather station normals (1971–2000): World Meteorological Organization, from Panama’s weather service (IMHPA). A rain day there is a day with at least 0.1 mm.
- Left out on purpose: NASA POWER’s rain-day counts, because its model drizzles on most days and counts about 27 “rain days” in a wet-season month where Panama City’s station records 14 to 20; and its UV index, which is a 24-hour average far below the midday peak you feel. Rain days on these pages are the station’s, for Panama City only.
- Our rain bands: “dry” is under 60 mm in the month, “rainy” over 200 mm, and “some rain” in between.
- Forecasts: Weather data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed at most every half hour.
- Sea temperature: NOAA OISST v2.1 (NOAA NCEI’s daily 0.25° sea-surface temperature analysis, Version v02r01), 2016–2025, averaged by us for one grid cell per sea: Panama Bay (Pacific) (8.625°N, 79.375°W, the open bay south of Panama City); Guna Yala coast (Caribbean) (9.625°N, 78.875°W, off the San Blas islands); Off Bocas del Toro (Caribbean) (9.625°N, 82.125°W, just north of the Bocas del Toro islands). Fetched Tue, Nov 10, 2026. US government data, free to use.
Talk to a person
Questions about Panama? Ask us.
Two people answer: Jack and Shlomo. WhatsApp is usually fastest. You can also write to info@panamaunpacked.com.