Panama Stopover program allows 15 days at no extra airfare

How the extended Panama Stopover works

Copa Airlines doubled the maximum length of its Panama Stopover program to 15 days, up from the previous seven-day cap, at no additional airfare. The stopover must be added when the ticket is first purchased and issued through Copa's booking channels and applies to one stop in Panama City on either the outbound or return leg of a qualifying international itinerary.

Base fare doesn't change, but travelers pay roughly $50 in Panama entry and exit taxes (coded FZ, AH and F3 on the ticket). A second stopover is permitted with a surcharge of up to $250 plus taxes. Adding a stopover after ticketing isn't free and triggers change fees plus any fare difference.

Who can use the 15-day window

The program covers passengers on Copa itineraries routed through Tocumen International Airport between any two countries Copa serves across North America, South America, the Caribbean and beyond. It applies to public fares and to group bookings of 10 or more passengers made through Copa's reservation center, including tickets with some codeshare or interline segments so long as Copa issues the ticket.

The longer window targets slow travelers, remote workers and expats who want a meaningful pause in Panama rather than a single overnight. Tourists get up to two weeks for short trips; nomads can post up from Panama City for 10 to 15 days between regional hops. The airline policy doesn't override immigration rules, so visa-free allowances and any visa requirements still depend on nationality.

Booking the stopover and what to budget

Eligible travelers can add the stopover during a multi-city search on copa.com, through the dedicated Panama Stopover booking page or via Copa's reservation center, ConnectMiles service center, sales offices or travel agencies. The 15-day option applies to new bookings only.

A few practical points:

• Maximum stay: 24 hours to 15 days on the no-fare-increase stopover
• Added taxes: about $50 for Panama entry and exit
• Second stopover surcharge: up to $250 plus taxes
• Booking timing: must be requested when the ticket is originally issued

Stays beyond 15 days fall outside the program and reprice as a standard multi-city itinerary.

Read our full Panama guide for the complete picture and check our latest visa updates for more regional travel changes.