T1’s main Attenza Duty Free sits near gate 20.
This is the big walk-through shop on the way to many T1 gates, so you usually pass it heading toward gate 20 without detouring. Hours track most international banks of flights, roughly early morning to late night, but it can go quiet between waves. Shelves lean hard into regional rum, perfume, cosmetics, and chocolate, with the usual spirits and tobacco lineup for a hub like PTY.
Liquor prices often undercut downtown Panama City by a few dollars per bottle, especially on local rum and some whiskies, but perfume and cosmetics sit closer to standard airport pricing. Spirits are arranged by brand and country, not by style, so scan labels carefully before grabbing a bottle five minutes before boarding. Tobacco is in a separate section toward the back, with clear duty-free quantity signs by register.
Payment-wise, they take USD cash, major cards, and often contactless; coins come back in dollars, not balboas. Promotions usually trigger if you buy 2 or 3 of the same brand, so read the red sale tags instead of assuming every shelf is a deal. Staff are quick but not pushy, and receipts list gate 20/T1 clearly for customs checks at your destination.
Tip: if you want anything fragile, buy on the way to gate 20, not during a tight boarding call, so you can repack bottles or cosmetics into your carry-on before lining up.