Yes, Panama is safe to visit with some care: the US State Department advises increased caution because of crime, and Canada says normal security precautions. At Safe to Go, we track official advisories daily to help you separate regional border concerns from the places travelers actually visit.
The primary safety concerns for visitors involve street crime in specific urban neighborhoods, demonstrations that can block transit routes, and severe regional hazards along the Colombia border and the Mosquito Gulf.
Warnings for the Darién Region and the Colombian Border
Official warnings for Panama concentrate heavily in specific remote areas rather than major tourist corridors. The US Department of State travel advisory instructs travelers not to travel to the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darien Region due to crime. United States government employees working in Panama require special authorization to visit those two zones, and the United States government maintains limited capacity to provide emergency services to citizens there.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) outlines specific regional risks near the Colombia border east of a line drawn between Punta Carreto in the Comarca de Guna Yala on the Atlantic coast, Yaviza in eastern Darien Province, and Punta Piña on the Pacific coast. The UK FCDO says to travel east of this line only in an organised group. Make sure local police and security authorities know about your visit, follow local security advice and stay with your group. Colombian criminal violence can spill over into the border region, where armed groups pose threats, and foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have experienced violent crimes, kidnapping, and murder.
Panama City, including Casco Viejo, is not in any area the three governments warn against, but the UK FCDO names several Panama City districts with higher crime.
Crime Risks in Panama City and Beyond
Street crime occurs in urban areas, and opportunistic theft can happen in tourist areas. According to the United States State Department, crimes of opportunity including pickpocketing and purse snatching occur in tourist areas, alongside occasional reports of residential break-ins, particularly during the holiday season. The UK FCDO says street crime can happen anywhere, and it names six Panama City areas with higher levels of crime.
The UK FCDO also advises travelers to take sensible precautions against mugging in popular commercial areas and tourist sites. These locations include Albrook Mall, Via España, Avenida Central, Calidonia, the old town of Casco Viejo, the old Panama ruins at Panama Viejo, the Madden Dam area off the main road between Panama and Colón, and the city of Colón itself.
Violent attacks, including sexual assault, have occurred in tourist destinations across Panama City and throughout the country. Travelers should avoid poorly lit areas, refrain from walking alone at night, and exercise the same level of caution they would in the UK when travelling at night. In addition, targeted gang assassinations have occurred, with some incidents taking place in tourist areas, though the UK FCDO says most of these crimes are between members of rival drug gangs. If you want to compare these urban conditions to other regional destinations, you can view our guide on whether Costa Rica is safe or explore Belize safety.
- San Miguelito
- El Chorrillo
- Río Abajo
- 24 de Diciembre
- Santa Ana
- Juan Diaz
Protest and Road Risks for Visitors
Demonstrations occur across Panama and can disrupt local transportation routes with little warning. The United States State Department warns that large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur on short notice and disrupt transportation and essential services. The UK FCDO advises avoiding protests and demonstrations, noting that protests can escalate quickly, become particularly large in Colón City, and feature informal road blocks. Protests can affect access to international airports and the border crossing into Costa Rica at Paso Canoas. If road blocks prevent you from reaching an airport for a scheduled departure, contact your airline directly to arrange alternative flights.
Road conditions present separate daily hazards. Driving standards are often poor, and traffic accidents are common across the country. Roadways frequently suffer from poor lighting, potholes, unfinished construction repairs, and heavy traffic in and around Panama City. In remote rural areas and Darien Province, very few surfaced roads exist. If you are involved in a traffic accident with another driver, wait inside your vehicle for your insurance representative and the traffic police to arrive, avoiding confrontation with other drivers or passers-by.
Public transit options carry distinct risks. Pickpocketing occurs in busy locations, on public buses, and at crowded bus stations. Regular street taxis are frequently in poor mechanical condition, and traffic collisions caused by substandard vehicle maintenance and poor driving are common. To reduce these transit risks, rely exclusively on hotel-arranged transportation or ride-hailing mobile applications rather than hailing standard street taxis. For more details on navigating the capital, check our specific guide on Panama City safety.
Natural Hazards for Swimmers and Hikers
Water safety requires careful attention on both coasts of Panama. Strong ocean currents and undertows affect Pacific and Caribbean beaches, and warning flags or signs are rarely posted. People drown every year along the coast. Swimming in the Bay of Panama is strictly advised against because the water is heavily polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste.
Hiking in Panama involves serious environmental hazards if undertaken unprepared. Trails may not be well marked, and mobile phone coverage is unreliable. Tourists have gone missing and died hiking without a guide. Anyone planning outdoor trekking should hire an experienced local guide and seek guidance from local authorities before departing.
Seasonal weather patterns and seismic activity also shape travel conditions. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November each year. While hurricanes do not directly strike Panama, they frequently cause severe heavy rainfall, leading to localized flash floods and dangerous landslides. October and November consistently experience the heaviest rainfall of the year. Earthquakes are also a risk in Panama, so learn what to do before, during and after one before you travel.
Panamanian Laws Visitors Must Follow
Panamanian law enforces strict administrative rules that foreign visitors must follow. Foreign nationals are legally required to carry identification, such as a passport, at all times, though Panamanian police officers will usually accept a clear printed paper copy. If you drive on a UK licence, the UK FCDO says a photocard licence is valid for up to three months and a paper licence is not accepted. Drivers must carry a copy of their passport showing the dated entry stamp to prove they remain within the three-month driving window. Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts, and children aged four and under must ride in the rear seats in fitted child safety seats.
Local authorities occasionally establish mandatory night-time curfews for adults or unaccompanied minors under eighteen years old to combat organized crime groups. These curfews typically last several weeks. While curfews are rarely implemented in primary tourist zones, failure to comply can result in police arrest. Drink-driving is a serious offence. If a test finds any alcohol in your system, you may be fined, lose your licence and have your car impounded. Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes are illegal in public places, carrying fines between 25 and 100 US dollars.
Panama enforces severe penalties for narcotics offenses, and possessing even a small quantity of drugs can lead to a prison sentence. The judicial process is slow, with pre-trial detention often lasting up to two years. Panamanian detention facilities and prisons are overcrowded, feature limited healthcare, and have experienced riots resulting in prisoner deaths. Regarding civil rights, same-sex relationships are legal, though same-sex civil unions are illegal and local laws do not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Police officers have detained LGBT+ couples on grounds of public indecency, and showing affection in public can draw unwanted attention. The UK FCDO says Casco Viejo is considered a safe place for LGBT+ travelers.
How the US, UK, and Canadian Travel Advisories Compare
The three foreign ministries focus their most severe warnings on remote border regions. The United States State Department highlights crime risks and mandates strict employee travel restrictions for the Mosquito Gulf and Darien. Canada is milder than the US at the national level: it advises normal security precautions, with regional advisories.
The UK FCDO maintains no blanket ban against traveling to Panama, but publishes extensive regional guidance defining the dangerous corridor east of the Punta Carreto-Yaviza-Punta Piña line near Colombia. Official advisories highlight risks including opportunistic street crime, sudden demonstrations, and coastal currents. When assessing overall regional stability, travelers can consult our index of the safest countries in Central America or view every country destination report to evaluate broader travel trends.
Practical Trip Preparation, Registration, and Monitoring
Before departing for Panama, secure appropriate travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities, and expenses in an emergency. United States citizens should register their trip through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Travelers from the United Kingdom can sign up for FCDO email alerts to track security updates as they occur.
When handling money, exercise caution around automated teller machines (ATMs). Criminals have targeted and attacked people after they withdraw cash, so always use cash machines located inside secure bank branches or monitored shopping centers. Leave passports, excess cash, and luxury valuables locked inside your hotel safe. Be vigilant if unfamiliar visitors approach you seeking entry to your rental accommodation, as organized criminal groups use this tactic to conduct burglaries.
If you are the victim of a crime in Panama and want to report the incident, do so before leaving the country, otherwise police may not investigate. To check conditions during your trip, look at the live panel above, monitor local media for road blocks, and follow our latest advisory changes.
Who Should Skip Panama’s Border Regions
If either rules out your plans, compare destinations side by side.
Our verdict that Panama is safe with some care would change if protests began cutting off airports and the Costa Rica border crossing for long periods, or if the armed groups near the Colombian border spread their violence beyond that region.