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Tocumen International Airport
Tocumen, Panama
Tocumen International Airport
Latin America's premier hub connecting the Americas.
- ›Copa Airlines' hub status makes Tocumen one of the most connected airports in the Americas.
- ›Terminal 2, opened in 2019, added 20 new boarding bridges and increased annual capacity by roughly 15 million passengers.
- ›The airport's central geographic location in Panama allows Copa Airlines to market it as the 'Hub of the Americas.'
- ›Tocumen handles over 15 million passengers per year in recent pre-expansion records.
- ›A metro line extension to the airport has been planned to improve public transit access.
Tocumen International Airport, located about 25 kilometres east of Panama City, is the largest and busiest airport in Central America and serves as the primary hub for Copa Airlines. Originally opened in 1947 and significantly expanded over the decades, it handles tens of millions of passengers annually and functions as a major connecting point between North, Central, and South America. Its strategic geographic position at the crossroads of two continents makes it one of the most important aviation hubs in the Western Hemisphere.
- Terminal 1 — The original terminal handling a mix of Copa Airlines and international carrier flights across multiple concourses including A, B, C, and D gates.
- Terminal 2 — A modern expansion opened in 2019 dedicated primarily to Copa Airlines long-haul and high-traffic routes, featuring premium lounges and duty-free retail.
- Taxi services available at designated stands outside arrivals — metered and pre-negotiated fares to Panama City center
- Uber and InDriver rideshare apps operational from the airport
- Metro Bus public service connecting airport to central Panama City routes
- Private shuttle transfers bookable through hotels and third-party operators
- Car rental counters from Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National located in the arrivals area
- Wyndham Tocumen Airport Hotel
- NH Panama City
- Riande Aeropuerto Hotel
- Sheraton Panama Hotel & Convention Center
- Hilton Panama
Inside the terminals, travellers will find a solid mix of international chains such as McDonald's, Subway, and Cinnabon alongside Panamanian casual dining options offering local dishes like sancocho and ceviche. Terminal 2 features higher-end dining and bar options including craft cocktail lounges suited for layover passengers. Outside the airport, the Tocumen district has local fondas and fast-food outlets, though most visitors head into Panama City for a broader culinary experience.
- Allow extra time for security and immigration during peak connecting hours, especially early mornings when Copa hub banks are in full operation.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals but can be slow during busy periods — consider a local SIM from Claro or Tigo available in the arrivals hall.
- Panama uses the US dollar as its currency, so no currency exchange is strictly necessary for American travellers, but exchange booths are available for other currencies.
- If transiting without leaving the airport, Copa Airlines offers day-use lounge access for purchase — worth considering for layovers exceeding four hours.
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Tocumen International Airport is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. The airport serves as the hub for Copa Airlines and is a regional hub to and from the Caribbean, South, North and Central America and additionally features routes to some European cities as well as cargo flights to Qatar.
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