Panama Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in panama, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Local Time, Business Hours, & Holidays
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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.