Rafael Perez wrote in Prensa.com : "This information comes as a result of criticism led by the Panamanian Association of Hoteliers, who have complained that immigration staff has detained tourists and fined them for not carrying a respective passport.

Immigration sources insisted that there is no article in the new law that compels tourists to carry a passport while traveling through the country. However, they warned that visitors have to travel with documentation that fully identifies them."

Source: Prensa.com

More on this topic

Guatemala: Four Bids In Passport Tender

June 2016

The companies GSI Guatemala, Orcatec, Productive Business Solutions and Intelident submitted proposals ranging from between $3.6 and $4.6 million for the provision of passport booklets.

Four companies took part in the tender to supply 1,200,000 booklets for ordinary, diplomatic and official passports to all of the immigration offices in the country.

Panama Tenders New Passport Production

June 2011

The new passport will have a smart chip and layers of security to prevent forgery.

The government announced that it is putting out to tender the production of the new Panamanian passports, which will happen following new and improved safety standards.

An article in Prensa.com notes, "The specifications of the tender to make the new passport have already been designed, Bernardez said, adding that in the coming days they will be uploaded to the PanamáCompra website. He added that the new document should be in circulation in 2012, but current passports and will still be valide and the population will be kept informed of how to change it. "

Costa Rica and Panama Could Waive Passports at Borders

April 2010

The Panamanian president announced they will explore the possibility of letting Panamanians and Costa Ricans cross their respective borders without the need for passports.

Ricardo Martinelli made these statements after holding a meeting with Costa Rican president-elect Laura Chinchilla.

Controversy over requirement that tourists carry their passport

February 2009

The Panama tourism sector is protesting the 10 euro fine that is applied to foreign tourists who do not carry their passports on them.

They say, that on the contrary, it is normal for hotels to advise tourists to leave their passports in their rooms in order to prevent robbery, and recommend that they carry a photocopy instead.