Town in Veraguas, Panama
Internet in Santa Catalina: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Santa Catalina?
Median fixed broadband in Panama is 233 Mbps and mobile is 40 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). A few cafés and hostels offer usable wifi for light work. Power cuts are frequent.
Getting online in Santa Catalina
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Limited fibre; many rentals use radio or satellite internet. Expect 10–50 Mbps. |
| Cafés and coworking | A few cafés and hostels offer usable wifi for light work. Power cuts are frequent. |
| Outages | Frequent power and internet outages. |
| Tourist SIM | +Móvil and Tigo sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in malls with your passport; monthly data plans are affordable. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | +Móvil, Tigo |
| Monthly data plan | $15–30 ($15–30) |
Coworking in Santa Catalina
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Mexico & Central America
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Panama | 233 Mbps | 40 Mbps |
| Costa Rica | 182 Mbps | 71 Mbps |
| El Salvador | 137 Mbps | 38 Mbps |
| Mexico | 118 Mbps | 46 Mbps |
| Nicaragua | 103 Mbps | 28 Mbps |
| Guatemala | 100 Mbps | 63 Mbps |
| Honduras | 96 Mbps | 43 Mbps |
| Belize | 53 Mbps | — |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Santa Catalina?
Median fixed broadband in Panama is 233 Mbps and mobile is 40 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). A few cafés and hostels offer usable wifi for light work. Power cuts are frequent.
Which SIM card should I get in Santa Catalina?
+Móvil and Tigo sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in malls with your passport; monthly data plans are affordable.
Can I use an eSIM in Panama?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Santa Catalina
Going to Santa Catalina solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Panama
- +Móvil
- Tigo
- Panama Tourism Authority (ATP)
- Coiba National Park (MiAmbiente)
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.