Panama is a country located in Central America, connecting North America and South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Panama operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) and uses one single time zone across the entire country. Panama does not observe daylight saving time, meaning the time stays the same throughout the year.
The capital city Panama City serves as the main reference for the country’s official time.
Current Time
Panama follows Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC −5
- IANA Time Zone: America/Panama
Quick Facts
- Capital: Panama City
- Continent/Region: Central America (North America)
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC −5
- IANA Time Zone: America/Panama
- International Dialing Code: +507
- Currency: Panamanian Balboa (PAB) and United States Dollar (USD)
Time Difference From
- Sydney: Panama is 16 hours behind Sydney
- London: Panama is 5 hours behind London
- New York: Panama is the same time as New York during standard time
- Tokyo: Panama is 14 hours behind Tokyo
Daylight Saving Time
Panama does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
The country remains on UTC−5 throughout the year, and clocks do not change during summer or winter.
Best Time to Call
- From Australia 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM (next day) Sydney time
- From United Kingdom: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM London time
- From United States: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM New York time
Typical working hours in Panama are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone does Panama use?
Panama uses Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5.
Does Panama observe daylight saving time?
No. Panama keeps the same time throughout the year.
Does Panama have multiple time zones?
No. Panama uses one time zone nationwide.
What is the IANA time zone for Panama?
The official time zone identifier is America/Panama.
Where Is Located
Panama is located in Central America, bordered by:
- Costa Rica to the west
- Colombia to the southeast
- Caribbean Sea to the north
- Pacific Ocean to the south
What Is Famous For
Panama is famous for:
- The Panama Canal, one of the most important shipping routes in the world
- Modern skyline of Panama City
- Beautiful tropical beaches and islands
- Rich biodiversity and rainforests
- Historic district Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Additional Note
Panama maintains a simple time system with one national time zone and no daylight saving time changes, making time coordination easy for international travel, trade, and communication.
