Includes the local time zone, typical hours of business and a list of holidays in the country/economy.
Last Published: 2/23/2017
Panama does not observe Daylight Savings Time.  So from roughly April – October, it is one hour behind the U.S. East Coast.  From November – March, Panama observes U.S. East Coast time.
 
Private business offices are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  Banks are open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Most local banks open Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon.  Government offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 
All private, government, municipal, and U.S. Embassy offices are closed during local holidays.  In addition, the U.S. Mission observes all U.S. holidays.
 
2017 Panamanian holidays:
  • January 1        New Year's Day
  • January 9        Mourning Day
  • February 25    Carnival
  • April 14              Good Friday
  • May 16              Labor Day
  • November 3    Independence Day from Colombia
  • November 5    Colón Day
  • November 10 The Uprising of Los Santos
  • November 28  Independence Day from Spain (Observed Monday, Dec 2)
  • December 8    Mother's Day
  • December 25  Christmas Day
Note: There is a large Jewish community, and several businesses observe Jewish holidays.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.