Flying from Panama City to San Juan: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Panama City. Check out your options departing from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) when planning your flight from Panama City to San Juan.
Disembark at San Juan's primary gateway, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU).
The average time for a direct Panama City to San Juan flight is 2 hours 50 minutes.
San Juan's timezone is UTC-4, which makes San Juan one hour ahead of Panama City.
The busiest route for flights from Panama City to San Juan is from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU). Choose from 15 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PTY to SJU is the 09:11 Copa Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 18:50 with Copa Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to make your Panama City to San Juan flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time such as June? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to San Juan
To snag cheap Panama City to San Juan flights, book your journey two months ahead of your departure.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Panama City to San Juan. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Panama City to San Juan by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Panama City to San Juan flights.
Flying from Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You can catch a direct flight from Panama City to San Juan leaving from Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Start your journey at PTY and end it at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU).
Secure your Panama City to San Juan plane tickets with Copa Airlines. This carrier is a top choice for direct flights from PTY.
We make it a breeze to find a Panama City to San Juan flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Tocumen International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
Las Americas International Airport (SDQ)
The journey from central Panama City to PTY takes about 1 hour 5 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a convenient hotel near Tocumen International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Panama City to San Juan, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
86.03% of flights departing from Tocumen International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. With its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to face delays when jetting out of PTY.
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Think about adding a stop at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE). It's a key stopover on a Panama City to San Juan flight departing Panama Pacifico Airport. Use a long layover to explore the city, or take advantage of a short break to freshen up at the airport.
BLB is about 11 kilometres from central Panama City. It'll take 20 minutes or so to reach the airport driving from the city centre.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Panama City to San Juan, take it easy in one of these hotels near Panama Pacifico Airport:
Flights from Panama Pacifico Airport are known for their punctuality, with 86.75% of them arriving right on cue.
Arriving in San Juan
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
The distance from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) to central San Juan is approximately 6 kilometres. It'll take you around 10 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport typically takes 55 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Panama City to San Juan, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near SJU:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Luis Munoz Marin International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sixt, Ace Rent a Car or U-Save and explore beyond San Juan's usual tourist stops.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport about two weeks ahead of your trip.
Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG)
Once your flight from Panama City to San Juan has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central San Juan is roughly 6 kilometres from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour or so.
Best time to go to San Juan
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Panama City to San Juan. July is the most popular month to travel to San Juan. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in May.
The warmest month in San Juan is September, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Panama City to San Juan ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Panama City to San Juan in February when temperatures average between 20ºC and 28ºC.
More about San Juan
Once you've booked your flight from Panama City to San Juan, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Juan:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Castillo San Felipe del Morro, La Garita del morro de san juan bahia and Fortaleza Street are major attractions which should be on any well-planned San Juan itinerary.
Explore more of Puerto Rico
You've done San Juan, now it's time to explore more of Puerto Rico. Journey about 10 kilometres west to Bayamon to tick off its leading attractions. From Plazoleta Ignacio Zorrilla, La Plaza de la Bomba Puertorriqueña to Monumento a los Trovadores and Parque Palm Court, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 11 kilometres east of San Juan, Carolina is another favourite stop in Puerto Rico. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Isla Verde Beach, Parque de Doble A Roberto Clemente Walker and Drone Zone Track.
