News

In another sign that Panama is returning to normalcy, Copa Airlines is reviving its popular “Stopover in Panama” program, which makes it easy for travelers to spend a few days in Panama on their way to somewhere else.

The Stopover program essentially allows a Copa traveler a free stop in Panama. They can spend up to seven days in Panama City and then resume their itinerary, without any extra charge. The program is available on trips to all destinations served by the airline in 28 countries across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

The program will follow all current COVID protocols, but that means travelers from most low-risk countries only need to show a negative PCR or antigen test for entry into Panama.

“The Panama Stopover program is a sign of our commitment to showcasing Panama’s unique tourist attractions and diverse cultural heritage for travelers who fly through the Tocumen International Airport,” Copa Airlines Sr. Commercial Vice President Dennis Cary said in a press release. He added, “Panama is ready to welcome travelers interested in experiencing all the wonders the country has to offer.”

Before the pandemic, the stopover program was a huge hit, giving people an easy excuse to speed a couple of days in Panama. Many of those visitors returned for longer stays. 

When you consider how many people fly Copa through Tocumen International –something like 7 million people a year — if only a small percentage take advantage of the opportunity, it provides a huge boost to Panama tourism.  Although it’s just speculation, there is little doubt that many of our current renters and owners used the stopover program in their early explorations of Panama City.

The program is run in conjunction with PROMTUR, the subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Panama promoting Panama internationally,  as part of the Tourism Authority of Panama. In many ways, it is a win-win for Copa and Panama, providing the airline’s customers a nice benefit with a nice benefit for their

“This partnership presents travelers with an easy option to add Panama to their upcoming trip,” said Fernando Fondevila, PROMTUR´s CEO. 

You can learn more at the Stopover in Panama website.