Alvaro Sanchez also scored for Costa Rica, which has won three times more titles in the Copa de Naciones Digicel de UNCAF, six, than any other nation.
Panama took the initiative from the kickoff, testing the Costa Rican defense and goalkeeper Kellor Navas. But on Costa Rica's first serious foray in the eighth minute, Carlos Johnson's ball found Furtado, who at the top of the penalty area turned inside and unleashed a low left-footed shot inside the right post.
Furtado doubled the lead seven minutes later, running on to a back-heeled ball from Josimar Arias on the right side of the area, and sending a low ball from the edge of the 6-yard box past Panamanian keeper Jaime Penedo and inside the far post.
The Ticos never appeared seriously threatened and added another goal when Sanchez dribbled across the face of the goal before turning to shoot left-footed from just beyond the 6-yard box in the 55th.
Costa Rica, which won all six of its games in the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying, is playing the UNCAF cup without several of its regulars with the final round of World Cup qualifying due to begin February 11 against Honduras.
Costa Rica can assure itself of a place in the semifinals and berth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday with a draw against Guatemala. Panama will face Guatemala on Tuesday to complete the Group B schedule.
The UNCAF cup was to resume Saturday with Belize playing El Salvador and host Honduras facing Nicaragua.
