Major city · Panama
Puerto Obaldia
Skip Puerto Obaldia unless you need a border crossing; otherwise allocate 0–1 day to arrange exit and basic supplies.
Puerto Obaldia is a tiny, rundown border town in Kuna Yala with minimal services – two hostels, a supermarket and a few eateries. There are no attractions, no road access, and the only practical reason to visit is to cross the Panama‑Colombia border or catch a boat to the San Blas islands. Most travellers spend a few hours arranging transport and buying supplies, then leave.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- PUE
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Puerto Obaldia104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Puerto Obaldia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyBorder town with limited police presence; stay alert, keep valuables secure, and avoid night travel outside the town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire and ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPUE Puerto Obaldía Airport (check).
- Getting aroundWalking is the only realistic option; a single motorbike is present in town.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PUE Puerto Obaldía Airport (check)
Weather and climate
Puerto Obaldia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking is the only realistic option; a single motorbike is present in town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Capurganá (Colombia)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 1 h
Direct boat from Puerto Obaldia, about US$15 (check schedule)
Boat depends on passenger numbers; border checks required.
Mulatupo (San Blas)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 4–6 h by sea
Arrange local boat, price negotiable (check)
No regular service; plan finances as there are no ATMs.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pension Cande
Simple rooms US$5–10, shared bathroom; negotiate price in high season.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–45 excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- $45–65 excl. bed (check)
- High
- $65+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Pension Cande simple room2 × 3 nights × PAB 7 | PAB 42 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × PAB 45 | PAB 270 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 52 per person per day, bed included | PAB 312 |
shared bathroom
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Restaurant Caletacheck | $3–4 |
| Pension Cande roomshared bathroom | $5–10 |
| Boat to Capurganácheck | $15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited services – no ATMs, few shops, and unreliable electricity.
- Border area can be insecure; travel permits may be required and police will check passports.
- Boat schedules to Colombia are irregular; confirm times and prices in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Puerto ObaldiaPuerto Obaldia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance103
- General emergency911
Embassy
Colombian consulate is present in Puerto Obaldia; US consular services are in Panama City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Puerto Obaldia → Capurganá: about $15, schedule varies (check)
- Pension Cande room: $5–10 per night, shared bathroom
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-deh es-tah el bah-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto Obaldia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Plan border crossing paperwork before arrival.
- Secure boat tickets to Colombia or San Blas in advance.
- Carry cash in USD/PAB; no ATMs available.
Sources
Ask about Puerto Obaldia
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