Filming in Panama

Your fixer in Panama

Having a fixer in Panama taking care of the tasks around the production is a safe, reliable way to enhance the capabilities of your crew. While you focus on the production itself, our fixers will make it easier for you to work while filming in Panama.

We will take care of the logistics, as well as film permits, locations, and everything else for smooth production

Here is some valuable information we can offer to any production crew filming in Panama.

Visa for Panama

Filming in Panama requires preparation even before arriving in the country. One of the legal aspects you need to consider is the visa requirements. Based on your nationality, you may or may not require a visa to enter the country. Many citizens from around the world can enter the country with no visa for stays up to 90 days.

Make sure to check your status beforehand, and apply for a visa if you need to based on your country of origin.

Film Permits in Panama

Another legal aspect to keep in mind is regarding film permits. While in Panama, based on the locations you will shoot in, you will need to sort out a permit for filming in certain areas. A lot of public areas are free to film zones, yet for some, you will require a permit that takes around 48 hours to obtain.

Ask your fixer in Panama to help you regarding permits. Our locals know how to obtain the permits as fast as possible.hoot at a certain location.

Special equipment renting info

While in Panama, should you require extra equipment for rent or to buy, simply ask your film fixer for help. Our locals know where to go for affordable, locally priced equipment renting shops in Panama City or elsewhere in the country. When it comes to drones, they function by a specific law of the PDCA, the Panama drone regulation agency. According to the agency, you can fly a drone in Panama only after getting a Certificate of Operation for your device.

Cultural facts

And while talking about rules, such as getting your film permits in Panama, this is not the only regulation we can help you with. We can also tell you about navigating the cultural norms of this country. For example, it is considered rude to point toward someone or something while in Panama.

Turn your hand away from you, and use the back of your palm to show where you need to point towards. Panama locals are extremely friendly and welcoming in all settings.

Weather when filming in Panama

Filming in Panama should be a straightforward process concerning the weather. This is because Panama boasts a tropical climate. Temperatures are pleasant from December to May in the mountains as well as at the beach, during the dry season. While the heavy rain months of October and November are to be avoided for filming, you can pretty much film without pause during the rest of the year.

Panama gets around 12 hours of sunlight per day, typical of most Central American countries.

Tax rebate in Panama

Panama, like many other countries around the globe, offers tax incentives to filming crews producing video content inside its borders. While in Panama, you will be able to get up to a 25% cash rebate for production costs taking place within the country. The right way to go about getting these incentives is to ask your fixer in Panama for help.

Our local professionals will be entitled to assist you in applying and then getting the rebates for your media production.

Filming in Panama, a final summary

Filming in Panama becomes more efficient thanks to our local professionals, as Panama Fixers only works with vetted locals with years of experience in media production. Your fixer in Panama will help you with all services regarding video content production, including film permits, location management, transportation, and accommodation for your crew and others.

While in Panama, securing a smooth operation for your crew and production is key to the fast and efficient development of any project. If you have decided on coming to Panama to film, let us know right away.

Send Panama Fixers an email with a brief of your production. A team representative will get back to you as soon as possible.

Get in touch

hello@panamafixers.com