Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Quick Facts
Last updated: June 2026
Visa for Canadians
No tourist visa required. Canadian citizens can stay up to 180 days. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date. Confirm current rules on the official Government of Canada travel page
Official language and hospital languages
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken in Panama City's private hospitals, and most specialists who treat international patients trained in the United States. Interpreters are available when needed.
Currency
The US dollar is used throughout Panama. The local balboa (PAB) is fixed one to one with the US dollar, so there is no separate exchange rate to track for your treatment. Cards are widely accepted in the city.
Flights from Canada to Panama
Most patients fly into Panama City through Tocumen International Airport (PTY), the main gateway and a major regional hub. Direct service is strongest from Eastern Canada.
from Toronto (YYZ)
to Panama City (PTY)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 5h 30m
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 400 to 650 / peak CAD 800 to 1,150
from Vancouver (YVR)
to Panama City (PTY)
Direct: No, one connection
Flight time: About 7h 30m in the air
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 410 to 650 / peak CAD 770 to 1,000
from Calgary (YYC)
to Panama City (PTY)
Direct: Yes, on select days
Flight time: About 7h 25m
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 400 to 650 / peak CAD 800 to 1,000
from Montreal (YUL)
to Panama City (PTY)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 5h 45m
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 550 to 700 / peak CAD 900 to 1,100
Fares are indicative and shift with the season and how far ahead you book, with the quieter months from September to November generally offering the lowest prices.
Where to Stay
Most patients stay in Panama City, where the leading hospitals and international-patient hotels sit close together in upscale districts such as Punta Pacífica, Costa del Este, Obarrio, and Marbella. These areas are chosen for their proximity to care, their security, and their comfort during recovery. For travel and recovery, the dry season from mid-December to mid-April is the easier window, with less rain, fewer disruptions, and lower mosquito activity than the wetter months.
3-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 150 to 160
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Per week, 7 nights
CAD 1,050 to 1,120
4-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 220 to 240
​
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 1,540 to 1,680
5-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 500 to 535
​
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 3,500 to 3,745
Safety and Travel
The Government of Canada places Panama at its lowest travel-risk level and advises travellers to take normal security precautions, the same general caution you would use in any large city. The districts where patients stay, including Punta Pacífica, Costa del Este, Marbella, and Obarrio, are among the city's safer, upscale areas, and the Canadian Embassy is located in Punta Pacífica.
As anywhere, sensible precautions help: keep valuables secure, use registered taxis or trusted ride apps, and prefer busier areas after dark. You can review the current advisory on the official Government of Canada travel page
Featured Treatments in Panama
Panama's flagship hospital in Panama City is the only hospital in Central America affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, which sets the tone for a country that competes on quality rather than volume. The treatments below are the ones Panama is genuinely known for.
Dental Care
​Dental work is Panama's most established medical-travel specialty, supported by a deep field of dedicated clinics in Panama City offering implants, crowns, and full-mouth restoration.
​​​Learn more about dental care with Maple Med Global.
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery
​Panama City has a well-developed plastic surgery sector, carried out at internationally accredited hospitals using modern body-contouring technology.
​Learn more about plastic surgery with Maple Med Global
Orthopedic and Joint Surgery
Knee replacement, hip replacement, and arthroscopy are widely available in Panama City, performed at accredited hospitals with the same implant brands used in North American centres.
​Learn more about orthopedic solutions with Maple Med Global
Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery​
​Cardiac care benefits from Panama City's internationally accredited hospitals and the Johns Hopkins affiliation at the country's leading facility.
Learn more about cardiology services with Maple Med Global
​​​
Regenerative and Stem Cell Medicine
Panama is an internationally recognized centre for regenerative and stem cell medicine, with specialized clinics operating in Panama City since 2006. These are specialized, case-by-case services that we review individually with you.
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Costs and Canadian Wait Times
The table below compares typical prices in Panama with current Canadian wait times from the Fraser Institute's 2025 report, where the treatment is publicly funded in Canada. In Canada, the national median wait from referral to treatment reached 28.6 weeks in 2025, and orthopaedic surgery reached 48.6 weeks.
Dental implant (single, with crown)
Panama: CAD 1,380 to 2,900
Canada, private: CAD 3,000 to 6,000
Breast augmentation
Panama: CAD 4,140 to 6,900
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 15,000
Knee replacement
Panama: CAD 16,560 to 20,700
Canada, public wait: About 48.6 weeks (orthopaedic surgery, Fraser Institute 2025)
Hip replacement
Panama: CAD 16,560 to 24,840
Canada, public wait: About 48.6 weeks (orthopaedic surgery, Fraser Institute 2025)
Final quotes are confirmed per case.
Leading Internationally Accredited Hospitals in Panama
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Hospital Punta Pacífica, Panama City, JCI accredited
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Clínica Hospital San Fernando, Panama City, JCI accredited
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This list is informational. Hospital selection for each patient depends on diagnosis, complexity, and treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
For general questions about Canadian health insurance coverage abroad, complication insurance, follow-up care after returning to Canada, and trip planning, see our General FAQ
Plan Your Treatment in Panama with Maple Med Global
A diagnosis and a long wait are heavy enough to carry on their own. Maple Med Global coordinates your treatment in Panama from Toronto, from hospital matching and quotes to flights, accommodation, and your return home, so you can focus on getting well. There is no pressure and no obligation; talk to us first, then decide what is right for you.
Or call/text us at +1 (647) 492-2777
Explore Other Destinations
Comparing your options? Explore more of our medical travel destinations to find the right fit for your treatment.