Panama's consumer protection agency (Aacode) closed 2025 with a figure that cannot be overlooked: 81 formal complaints against hotels and vacation packages filed by consumers who had enough. According to the agency's official numbers, the amount claimed is around B/.391,855.89. Most of the complaints point to a lack of clear information. Between 2006 and 2025, complaints linked to hotels and vacation packages add up to 2,154 cases, with a cumulative amount exceeding B/.8.7 million. There are 32 cases that concentrate more than B/.253 thousand in disputes. Poorly explained promises, incomplete conditions that are not fully disclosed, and fine print that appears late follow. They are followed by abusive clauses, with 17 complaints, and then claims for refunds, contract breaches, and services not delivered as advertised. There were also cases of contract termination, access restrictions, advertising that did not match reality, and even improper charges. In this context, the authority managed to resolve 50 of those complaints in favor of consumers, recovering B/.243,942.26. It is not a new or isolated problem. With the arrival of summer and the increase in promotions, Aacode again insisted on something basic: read carefully what you sign, do not trust offers that are 'too good to be true', demand that what is promised be put in writing, and keep everything, from contracts to receipts. If something doesn't add up, the entity remembers that it keeps its channels open to receive complaints and guide consumers. Money that returned to people's pockets after the process. The history of complaints is also not short.
