Plan your trip
What to pack for Panama in November
Pack for rain in November, especially if you’re going west: Boquete averages 366 mm (14.4 in) and Bocas del Toro 474 mm (18.7 in), their wettest month. A rain jacket each, zip bags for documents and a warmer layer for Boquete’s cooler highland evenings cover it. In Panama City, sun hats still earn their place.
Your list
November · Panama City · 2 adults · 30 items
- Panama City91° / 69°F · 252 mm
Documents
Rain and heat
Panama City averages 252 mm (9.9 in) of rain in November.
Rainy months are humid too, so clothes dry slowly.
Average daytime highs of about 91°F in November.
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.
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 November 2026
Shabbat · Chayei Sara
Fri, Nov 6 – Sat, Nov 7, 2026
Candles 5:36 PM on Fri, Nov 6. Ends 6:30 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:27 PM (Chabad).
Shabbat · Toldot
Fri, Nov 13 – Sat, Nov 14, 2026
Candles 5:36 PM on Fri, Nov 13. Ends 6:30 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:27 PM (Chabad).
Shabbat · Vayetzei
Fri, Nov 20 – Sat, Nov 21, 2026
Candles 5:36 PM on Fri, Nov 20. Ends 6:30 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:28 PM (Chabad).
Shabbat · Vayishlach
Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Nov 28, 2026
Candles 5:37 PM on Fri, Nov 27. Ends 6:31 PM (Shevet Ahim · Beth El) or 6:29 PM (Chabad).
Day trips in November
- Panama City
- Rainy: 252 mm, drier than October (331 mm); rain on about 16 days at the station. Sea about 83°F. From Paitilla or Punta Pacífica, the Cinta Costera waterfront is a walk, with no transport needed, so it works on Shabbat too.
- Boquete
- Rainy: 366 mm, about as wet as October. Too far for a day: fly to David or drive about six hours, and stay over with Chabad Boquete’s kosher food.
- Pacific beaches
- Rainy: 329 mm, about as wet as October. Sea about 83°F. No kosher food on the way: pack a cooler.
- Gamboa
- Rainy: 307 mm, about as wet as October. About 25 km from the city; go at dawn for wildlife, and bring all your food.
- San Blas (Guna Yala)
- Rainy: 336 mm, about as wet as October. Sea about 84°F. A very long day by 4x4 and boat from Cartí: bring every passport, all your food and drinking water.
- Bocas del Toro
- Rainy: 474 mm, about as wet as October. Sea about 84°F.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a rain jacket for Panama in November?
- Yes. Panama City’s weather station averages 252 mm (9.9 in) of rain in November, so bring a light rain jacket or a compact umbrella for everyone, plus quick-drying clothes.
- What should I wear in Panama in November?
- Light, breathable clothes, sun hats and sunglasses: Panama City’s weather station averages 91°F by day and 69°F at night in November (WMO, 1971–2000). Add modest clothes for shul, a light layer for strong air-conditioning, and a warmer one for Boquete.
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.