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Gas 91 drops a bit, diesel ticks up from Friday

The National Energy Secretariat (SNE) published new maximum pump prices that take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Friday 16 October and run until 5:59 a.m. on Friday 30 October. For Panama City and Colón, the Telemetro table that tracks the SNE release puts 95-octane at B/.1.421 per litre, 91-octane at B/.1.279, and ultra-low-sulphur diesel at B/.1.516. Against the prior fortnight (2–16 October), that is a clear cut on 91 (about four cents per litre), a one-cent rise on diesel, and a near-flat move on 95 (a few mills down in the Telemetro table; several outlets describe 95 as unchanged at about B/.1.42). Prices step up as you move inland because of freight and regional margins.

What changes at the pump

  • Window: Fri 16 Oct 06:00 to Fri 30 Oct 05:59, then the next SNE fortnight (Telemetro; La Prensa; Critica; Mi Diario). Resolution cited in secondary coverage: MIPRE-2026-0041438 (Riduca / Dumas Informa).
  • Panama and Colón maxima (Telemetro table): 95 B/.1.421/L; 91 B/.1.279/L; diesel ULS B/.1.516/L. Rough gallon maths at the official factor (1 gal = 3.785412 L): about $5.38 / $4.84 / $5.74.
  • Prior Panama/Colón maxima (Gaceta 30623-A, 2–16 Oct): 95 B/.1.424; 91 B/.1.318; diesel B/.1.511. So 91 −B/.0.039, diesel +B/.0.005, 95 −B/.0.003 on the Telemetro set.
  • Sample inland maxima in the same Telemetro table: Arraiján/La Chorrera 1.424 / 1.281 / 1.519; Chitré/Santiago 1.434 / 1.292 / 1.530; David 1.442 / 1.300 / 1.537; Changuinola 1.471 / 1.329 / 1.567.
  • SNE reminder: prices reset every 14 days from logistics costs and international oil moves (Telemetro; La Prensa).

What it means for expats

  • If you drive a 91 car or scooter in the metro area, this fortnight is a small break. Diesel drivers (generators, pickup fleets, many interior runs) pay a little more.
  • Compare the posted maximum at your station to the SNE table for your locality. Stations may charge less than the cap, but not more.
  • Interior and Chiriquí prices are higher than Panama/Colón. Budget the regional line, not the capital headline, if you live in David, Boquete, Azuero or Bocas.
  • This is a routine COL update, not a subsidy change. Next reset is 30 October.

Sources

  • Telemetro - Fuel prices rise from Friday 16 October (full regional table) - 15 Oct 2026
  • La Prensa - 91 octane falls and diesel rises from Friday - 14 Oct 2026
  • Critica - 91 falls and diesel rises (gallon framing) - 14 Oct 2026
  • Mi Diario - Gasolines ease, diesel rises from 16 October - 14 Oct 2026
  • Riduca / Dumas Informa - Resolución MIPRE-2026-0041438 maxima - 14 Oct 2026