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Hotelmente in Panama
What works for hotels in Panama today, and how Hotelmente PAY (BAC Panamá) and Hotelmente FACTURA (DGI, SFEP) are adapted to the country.
14 questions
What does Hotelmente offer hotels in Panama?
Three products over one Cloudbeds connection, built for independent hotels in Latin America and powered by AI:
- Hotelmente AI (reservations, pricing, calendar, frontdesk, guests, financial, website analytics and website SEO, reviews, competition, social media): works today for any hotel in Panama on Cloudbeds.
- Hotelmente PAY: direct bookings paid through BAC Panamá, with each result recorded on the reservation in Cloudbeds.
- Hotelmente FACTURA: electronic invoices filed with the DGI (Dirección General de Ingresos) for the payments you choose, with or without Hotelmente PAY.
Each product has its own monthly price. The Panama page on this website shows the current status of PAY and FACTURA.
Can I use Hotelmente AI in Panama today?
Yes. Hotelmente AI works for any hotel on Cloudbeds, wherever it is: create your account, choose your plan, paste your Cloudbeds API key and the app opens after the first sync. It does not depend on your bank or on Hotelmente PAY.
How does Hotelmente PAY work in Panama?
In Panama, Hotelmente PAY is the Cloudbeds + BAC connection with BAC Panamá: the guest books direct on your website with the Cloudbeds booking engine, the payment goes from Cloudbeds to BAC Panamá, which processes the card, and the result is recorded in Cloudbeds. Hotelmente switches it on per connection and country; its current status is on the Panama page of this website and in My products. An owner can join the free waitlist with Panama as the country and fill in the setup in advance.
Which currencies does Hotelmente PAY use in Panama?
US dollars (USD). Guests pay in dollars through BAC Panamá and your payouts arrive in dollars, so there is no exchange rate to explain.
Do I need an account with BAC Panamá?
Payments in Panama go through BAC Panamá, so your hotel needs a merchant connection with it. If you already have one, add your merchant (affiliate) number in the setup; it is on your BAC merchant statement. If not, the connection is prepared together with Hotelmente and BAC. The credentials BAC gives you are entered by an owner in Hotelmente PAY → PAY settings (see the guide Bank credentials for Hotelmente PAY, in Keys & connections). Card fees are agreed between your hotel and BAC Panamá.
How does Hotelmente FACTURA work in Panama?
Hotelmente FACTURA issues documents in the DGI’s Sistema de Factura Electrónica de Panamá (SFEP) for the payments you choose: factura electrónica and nota de crédito electrónica. The default for guests is the factura electrónica to the final consumer (consumidor final).
It does not require Hotelmente PAY: in FACTURA settings → What FACTURA invoices you choose the payments, from direct bookings to Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Hotelmente PAY. Confirm requirements with your accountant.
Which tax ID does Hotelmente FACTURA use in Panama?
Your RUC, with its check digit (DV). The form shows 155123456-2-2020 DV 45 as an example of the format.
Which taxes does Hotelmente FACTURA apply in Panama?
ITBMS on lodging at 10%. These are starting points; each rate is a field you can adjust on your accountant’s advice.
I invoice from more than one location in Panama. How is that set up?
In FACTURA settings, the Sucursal / punto de facturación field sets the place or point you invoice from. Leave it empty if you have a single location. Your fiscal address and your region (department and municipality) are required.
Does Hotelmente PAY issue the document for the DGI (Dirección General de Ingresos)?
No. Hotelmente PAY can email the guest a payment receipt. Electronic documents for the DGI (Dirección General de Ingresos) are issued by Hotelmente FACTURA, which can invoice your PAY payments.
Does Hotelmente work with the DGI’s SFEP?
Hotelmente FACTURA is built for it: in Panama it issues factura electrónica and nota de crédito electrónica in the Sistema de Factura Electrónica de Panamá (SFEP), from the payments you choose. An owner enters your access with the DGI or your authorized provider under Credentials for sending in FACTURA settings.
Which ITBMS rate applies to lodging in Panama?
Hotelmente FACTURA starts from 10% ITBMS on lodging. It is a starting point: check the rate and requirements with your accountant.
Does it work for hotels outside the city, like Bocas del Toro or Boquete?
Yes. Guests book direct on your website and pay with a secure BAC Panamá link from a phone or laptop, wherever they are, and the payment is recorded on the reservation in Cloudbeds no matter where the hotel is. Hotelmente AI works the same anywhere in Panama.
How is an invoice corrected in Panama?
With a nota de crédito electrónica linked to the original factura electrónica. The original is never edited.
Still need help?
Write to us and tell us what you were trying to do. The right team will answer by email.