Visa, a global leader in digital payments, reported that the holiday season in Panama concluded with a significant acceleration in consumer spending. Data obtained through VisaNet, comparing transactional behavior in 2024 and 2025, shows that the total volume of transactions in December 2025 grew by over 20% compared to the same period the previous year. Javier Vazquez, regional leader of VCA, highlighted that the digital payment infrastructure allowed users to make transactions agilely and securely. In the e-commerce realm, the most active categories were digital goods, transportation, and supermarkets. A notable fact is the 25% increase in the use of Visa's Tap to Pay technology, reaffirming that Panamanian consumers prioritize convenience and speed at their points of sale. In the retail sector and contactless payments, supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations led the way. Panama solidified itself as a strategic destination for international tourism, with a 35% increase in cross-border transactions. According to data analyzed by Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), travelers from the United States and Costa Rica were the primary drivers of this spending, highlighting the country's appeal during the end-of-year period. Likewise, the restaurant sector grew by more than 15% and entertainment rose by 5%, demonstrating a clear trend towards investing in experiences at year-end.
