Guide to Shops and Shopping at Tocumen Airport

Tocumen Airport is often described as a large shopping mall with runways, and for good reason. It offers an impressive variety of stores, from luxury brands and duty-free shops to local souvenirs. However, the appearance of a shopping paradise can be deceiving. To navigate it successfully, it's crucial to be an informed shopper. This guide, based on the analysis of hundreds of travelers' experiences, reveals what to expect in terms of prices, quality, and customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shopping at Tocumen

Are the prices at Duty Free really a good deal?

Not always. In fact, it's a common complaint that many products, especially perfumes, liquors, and cosmetics, can be more expensive than in stores outside the airport or in other countries. The recommendation is to know the prices of the items you're interested in beforehand so you can compare and decide if it's really worth it.

Is it a good place to buy souvenirs from Panama?

Definitely not. Travelers strongly warn that souvenirs in stores like "The Panama Store" are of low quality and have exorbitant prices, sometimes up to five times more expensive than in the city. Additionally, there are reports of products in poor condition, such as expired chocolates. It's much better to buy your souvenirs in the city.

And what about buying electronics?

Proceed with extreme caution. Reviews for electronics stores, such as Xiaomi, are particularly negative, with complaints about poor customer service, extremely strict no-return or exchange policies (even seconds after the purchase), and accusations of non-transparent business practices.

What are the return and exchange policies like?

Very restrictive. Several users report that, in practice, many stores operate under a "final sale" policy. Do not count on being able to easily exchange or return a product, even if you discover a problem immediately after paying.

Boss PTY

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Pros and Cons: The Overall Shopping Experience

✅ The Positives:

  • ✔️ Huge Variety: The quantity and diversity of stores are impressive. You can find everything from international luxury brands to convenience products.
  • ✔️ Last-Minute Convenience: If you forgot a gift, you will find many options available without having to leave the airport.
  • ✔️ 24h Availability: Some key Duty Free shops operate 24 hours, which is an advantage for those traveling at night.

❌ The Negatives:

  • ⚠️ Deceptive Prices: The "duty-free" concept does not guarantee a good price. Many items are more expensive than in the regular market.
  • ⚠️ Poor Customer Service: Complaints about unfriendly, disinterested, or even hostile staff are common in several stores.
  • ⚠️ Questionable Quality: There are concerning reports about the quality of certain products, from low-quality souvenirs to the authenticity of perfumes or expired products.
  • ⚠️ Inflexible Return Policies: Shopping at Tocumen often means there's no turning back. Once you pay, it's very difficult to get an exchange or a refund.

Shops in Terminal 1

💎 Duty Free

  • Attenza Duty Free: Perfumes, liquors, cosmetics. ⏰ 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
    Featured Opinion: Mixed experiences. Some users value the variety, but others report feeling uncomfortably watched by the staff. The most serious complaint is suspicion about the authenticity of the perfumes, with reports of fragrances that don't last, unlike the testers.
  • Duty Free Americas: International products. ⏰ 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
    Featured Opinion: Negative reviews about customer service, described as rude and unhelpful. There are warnings about potential scams in promotions, where the price charged at the register does not match the advertised offer.
  • La Riviera Duty Free: Cosmetics, luxury. ⏰ 24 hours.
  • Panafoto: Electronics. ⏰ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.

🎁 Souvenirs and Gifts

  • The Panama Store: Crafts and local products. ⏰ 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.
    Featured Opinion: Mostly negative. Users call it a "tourist trap" with exorbitant prices (up to 5 times more expensive than in the city), low-quality products, and reports of expired or spoiled food. The service also receives criticism for being unfriendly.
  • Bye Bye Shop: Crafts.
  • Luxxo: Perfumes, leather.
  • Miniso: Travel items.
  • Sugar Fly: Sweets.

📱 Electronics

  • Xiaomi Store: Phones and accessories.
    Featured Opinion: Extremely negative. Travelers report terrible customer service, inflexible no-return policies even for an immediate exchange, and accusations of scams with unsolicited extended warranties. It is one of the worst-rated stores.
  • Panafoto: Phones, cameras. ⏰ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.

👗 Fashion, Accessories, Watches, and Jewelry

  • Brands like Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Montblanc, Swarovski and more. Generally open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Shops in Terminal 2

💎 Duty Free

  • Attenza Duty Free: Perfumes, makeup. ⏰ 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
  • Duty Free Americas: International products. ⏰ 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
  • La Riviera Duty Free: Cosmetics. ⏰ 24 hours.
  • Panafoto: Electronics. ⏰ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.

📱 Electronics

  • Xiaomi Store: Phones, accessories.
    Featured Opinion: Same as in T1, experiences are very negative, focused on poor service and inflexible policies.
  • iShop: Computer accessories.
  • Panafoto: Phones, cameras. ⏰ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.

🎁 Souvenirs and Gifts

  • The Panama Store: Gift shop. ⏰ 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.
    Featured Opinion: The same complaints as in T1 are repeated: highly inflated prices and poor quality.
  • Sugar Fly: Sweets.

👗 Fashion, Accessories, and Jewelry

  • Brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Columbia, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Montblanc and more. Most operate between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm.

The information on panamatocumen.com is based on external sources and experiences to assist travelers; it may change and should be verified. Panamatocumen.com is NOT the official website of Panama Tocumen International Airport nor is it affiliated with the Official Airport Administrative Authority.