Panama FLIGHT INFORMATION

There is no group flight for this Program. You are responsible for booking your own flight. We will have one pick-up time and drop-off time at the San Jose airport on arrival and departure day. Your transportation between the San Jose airport and the program location is provided and included in your tuition. Please note that you are responsible for booking your flight and for entering your flight information into CampDoc correctly. Please double-check that the airport is correct, the days are correct, and the times are correct. Please ensure you have spelled your name EXACTLY as it is written on your passport. If you are concerned that you may be unable to travel, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance on your ticket. 

Your flight should arrive at and depart from Tocumen International Airport (airport code PTY) in Panama City, Panama. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN BOOKING ANY AIR TRAVEL THAT YOU BOOK TO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA (airport code PTY) and NOT to Panama City, Florida. 

Programs start on SUNDAY and end on SATURDAY. (NOTE: If you are part of a private group and your program dates are not Sunday to Saturday, please wait for instructions particular to your group).

At the start of your program, our group shuttle from the airport on arrival Sunday will leave the airport at 4pm. Therefore, you should plan to arrive on a flight that arrives at PTY by 3pm on Sunday. We will have a second shuttle at 9pm on arrival day. We encourage you, if possible, to arrive in time for the first shuttle (arriving before 3pm) so that you can take part in a welcome dinner and an orientation to the hospital. However, if you're unable to arrive in time for the first shuttle, you can arrive by 8pm in time for the 9pm shuttle. You will be able to participate in everything fully and won't miss any curriculum material.

At the end of your program, our group shuttle to the airport on departure Saturday will arrive at the airport at 8am and 12pm. Therefore, you should plan to depart on a flight that departs PTY after 10am on Saturday. Students departing between 10am and 2pm will take the 8am shuttle to the airport. Students departing after 2pm will take the 12pm shuttle to the airport. The final meal included in your program is breakfast on departure day, but if food is not available in the airport we will provide an opportunity for you to stop and purchase lunch for yourself on the way to the airport.

We have selected these times based on the arrival and departure times of most of the affordable flights to and from the US. If you are unsure about your flight choice or you need assistance, please contact us.

You will be asked to provide your flight information in your Enrollment Paperwork. If you arrive early on arrival day or depart late on departure day, you should expect that there may be a lot of waiting time as we coordinate picking up and dropping off students. If you miss the group transport, you will be charged a late arrival fee that will cover the cost of the solo transport. This could be up to $100 or more depending on your program location. Missing the group transport means you will likely have to wait and you may be traveling alone. Although we understand their prices are lower, please be aware that if you book with Spirit or Frontier, there is a high chance your flight will be delayed or canceled. This could cause you to miss part of your trip and would likely involve solo transport fees. We strongly recommend travel insurance for these reasons as it will often cover the costs of additional fees due to flight delays. 

Loop Abroad staff will be available on travel days by phone for any flight delays or arrival problems. It is important that you arrive at the airport on time. You should schedule your inbound flight so that if you miss it or if it is cancelled or delayed, the next scheduled flight on that airline would still get you to the airport on time. It is a good idea to check with your airline for on-time percentages and choose your flight accordingly. Once through baggage claim, students will be met by Loop Abroad staff. We will collect your passport and store it safely for the duration of your trip.

Two days prior to departure, you will receive additional information about airport arrangements and emergency contact numbers. Please read this information carefully as it may answer any additional questions you have about your travel.

Your first meal included in your tuition will be dinner on arrival day and your last meal included in your tuition is breakfast on departure day. If you are going to be arriving earlier or departing later, you will be responsible for your own meals. 

If you choose to travel on your own within or outside of Panama before or after the program ends, you are solely responsible for your own safety during that time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you arrive to meet your group on the first day of the program and that you have any travel documents you need to complete your individual travel plans.

Loop Abroad cannot pick you up from any location other than the airport at the start of the program, and it cannot drop you off at any location other than the airport at the end of the program. This includes any parents or friends transporting you in Panama bringing you to the airport, NOT the program location. If your flight upon departure is delayed past departure day, you will have to arrange for your own housing and transport after departure day.