Adventurous jungles, glorious beaches and both the Caribbean and Pacific lapping its shores! Add a sprinkle of some vibrant and colourful cities with the relics of colonial Spain. And top with a laid back local life, Panama is an all round AWESOME to visit.
Home to the famous Panama Canal, as well as the very infamous Darien Gap, Panama is the place to go for you if you are looking for proper adventures. It feels like something from a movie and is freaking epic.
Then again, those rainforests also make for a great place for Colombian rebel groups to hang out in. It also makes for a convenient place for drug trafficking gangs to use. Elsewhere, in the cities and towns, in crowded areas, tourist sights and public transport, theft is common…
So naturally, this may lead you to wonder about how viable a trip to Panama really is. You may well be asking, “How Safe is Panama?” and this is why we have created this insider’s guide to staying safe in Panama. From taxis and transport to advice for solo female travellers and even families, our guide has you covered.
There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, as things change quickly. The question of “Is Panama Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on who you ask.
The information in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practice common sense, you will probably have a wonderful and safe trip to Panama.
If you see any outdated information, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. Otherwise, stay safe friends!
Updated December 2023
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- Is Panama Safe to Visit Right Now?
- Safest Places in Panama
- 12 Top Safety Tips for Travelling to Panama
- Is Panama Safe to Travel Alone?
- Is Panama Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
- Where to Start Your Travels in Panama
- Is Panama Safe for Families?
- Getting Around Panama Safely
- What to Pack For Your Panama Trip
- Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Panama
- FAQs About Staying Safe in Panama
- So, How Safe is Panama?
Is Panama Safe to Visit Right Now?
Yes, but with care. In general, backpacking in Panama is pretty safe. Based on an official report by the United States Foreign Agriculture Service, Panama had a total of 862, 206 visitors in just the first half of 2022. Tourists generally had no problem with their visit.
In fact, it’s one of the safest countries in the Central American region – people are friendly and there are plenty of laid-back rural areas to explore.
Straddling two continents, with two distinct coastlines (the Caribbean and North Pacific) connected by a world-famous canal, Panama is definitely of interest. Hiking, rainforests, mountains, culture – it’s all here, which is why its tourist levels have been on the rise recently.
With all those tourists coming in, obviously, it’s in Panama’s interests to keep them safe. Tourist police in the most visited areas (including Panama City, of course) make sure that visitors not only feel but are more secure.
There is still a lot of crime to contend with in this Latin American nation. Serious crimes are mainly between rival drug trafficking gangs. On the whole, petty crime rates are actually pretty high; mugging and pickpocketing is a common issue, especially in the capital.
The risk of street crime, specifically to an unsuspecting tourist that walked into the wrong neighbourhood, is relatively high. Knowing where to stay in Panama City and other cities is important.
The Colombian Border (specifically the Darien Province) is a dangerous area. The violence that still sporadically affects Colombia can spill over the border into Panama.
Nature can pose a risk too, with everything from the rainy season and riptides, to dense jungle and nasty critters to consider.
There is A LOT to keep in mind when planning your trip to Panama, but as long as you’re an experienced traveller and come prepared with some safety hacks, you should have a pretty safe time in Panama right now.
Without further ado, let’s look into the details of what makes this country tick…
Check out our detailed where to stay guide for Panama so you can start your trip right!
Safest Places in Panama
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
When choosing where you’ll be staying in Panama, a bit of research and caution is essential. You don’t want to end up in a sketchy area and ruin your trip. To help you out, we’ve listed the safest areas to visit in Panama below.
Boquete
Boquete is a small hamlet located in the high-cloud forest of the Chiriqui mountains. It is a very refreshing place to visit, with brisk mountain air, whitewater rivers, and dozens of little plantations dotting the edge of the village. Those who want to relax in the jungle with a cup of organic, local coffee or enjoy adventure sports will like Boquete very much
El Valle de Anton
Thanks to its relatively close proximity to Panama City and its stunning natural setting, El Valle de Anton is one of the best eco-retreats in Panama and a favourite getaway for locals. Situated in the heart of a caldera and surrounded by leftover volcanic monoliths on all sides, Anton is a great place to go hiking or just escape to somewhere more bucolic.
El Valle de Anton is home to many Panamanian eco-retreats. People from all over Panama come here to reap the health benefits that volcanoes provide.
Bocas del Toro
This Panamanian island chain in the Caribbean Sea is full of colour, fun and a whole lot of chilled-out, beach-based stuff for all you people out there who love lounging around next to the sea.
Plenty of nature – from marine life to jungle critters – also means that this is a paradise for people who wanna see what Bocas del Toro’s natural side has to offer.
It’s known for its beaches and nature, sure, but oh boy does it have a partying side. Being backpacker-friendly, there are a ton of affordable hostels in Bocas too.
Places to Avoid in Panama
Unfortunately, not all places in Panama are safe. You need to be careful and aware of your surroundings pretty much anywhere you go in the world, and the same goes for visiting Panama. To help you out, we’ve listed a couple of no-go or caution areas below:
- Panama City – El Chorrillo, San Miguelito and Curundú are neighbourhoods in Panama City that are especially known for high crime statistics. Avoid completely if possible.
- The border area with Colombia – political tension, possible drug traffic and no attractions. It’s a no-brainer to stay away.
- The central province of Colon – there’s a high rate of street crime here that means heightened vigilance, or altogether avoidance – unless with a guide or tour group.
Side note: If you want to travel to Darien Province, you should only travel with an organised group – even then, you’ll only be allowed to areas where Panamanian police are surveilling. Never stray from your group and ensure that you register your presence with the Sena Front, which is Panama’s National Border Control.
It’s important to know that Panama is definitely not a super safe place, so a bit of caution and research before you start your travels will go a long way. If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. Stick to those and you won’t have a single issue in Panama.
Keeping Your Money Safe in Panama
One of the most common things to happen to you whilst travelling is losing your money. And let’s face it: the most annoying way for this to actually occur is when it’s stolen from you.
Petty crime is pretty much a problem all over the world.
The best solution? Get a money belt.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!12 Top Safety Tips for Travelling to Panama
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Panama has loads on offer for any kind of traveller. Although visitor numbers are increasing, there’s still a fair bit of crime going on in this Latin American country.
Here are my top travel safety tips…
- Don’t carry around large sums of money – having wads of cash makes you more conspicuous and could make you a target for thieves
- Try not to seem like a tourist – being loud, looking lost, dressing like a tourist… all no beuno
- Be careful when taking money out of ATMs – people have been attacked using them. Inside banks are best and avoid using them at night
- Be wary of pickpockets – they operate in the usual busy areas
- Only use registered taxi companies – more on this later, but you need to be aware that they can be sketchy
- Don’t get involved with drugs – even having a small amount can land you in prison for 15 years
- Take a good medical kit with you – you never know when you might need it!
- Learn some Spanish before you go – a few phrases will help read menus, ask for directions, and generally get around
- Cover up against mosquitoes – dengue fever and malaria are common. Cover up arms and legs and use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk
- Carry your passport – it’s a pain, but it’s required. No copies. Tourists have spent the night in prison because they haven’t been able to provide ID to police when asked.
- Always keep an emergency stash of cash – Never keep all your cards/ currency in one place. And hide it all from thieves with a hidden money belt.
- Don’t walk around topless off the beach – men or women. It’s strictly enforced and you’ll be stopped by the police
- Know what to do in the event of an earthquake – they happen here. Chiriqui Province gets numerous 5.5+ magnitude earthquakes
- Get a sim card – the benefits of maps, translation, information and being able to contact people is invaluable
In Panama, solo travel is totally doable. I did it. I loved it.
There’s enough going on to keep you busy, and enough in terms of other travellers and friendly locals that you won’t feel lonely.
But, it won’t be 100% awesome all the time. Here are my Panama solo travel tips to help it go smoothly…
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Being solo, you only have yourself to rely on, which means you need to be extra cautious of who is around you and what is going on in your peripherals.
- If you’re going out hiking by yourself, make sure you go well prepared and pack enough supplies.
- If you are planning on going out into nature without a guide, you should definitely notify the staff at your accommodation (as well as any travel buddies or friends/family back home), just in case.
- Do your research on dangerous areas in places you’re visiting. This can be a combination of your own online research – hitting up travel groups on Facebook as well as forums – and asking locals.
- Don’t push yourself too much. Even though you’ve got this whole tick list of things to do (probably), know that you don’t have to do everything your guidebook recommends.
- Consider having multiple bank accounts. Having no way to access your money is not worth it.
- Research your accommodation in advance. Make sure that it’s in a good area of town, a secure building with staff that people mention (positively) in reviews.
In general, as a solo traveller, Panama is surprisingly safe.
However, you should definitely pay attention to your surroundings and not make yourself vulnerable to being a victim of crime. Not standing out, not being oblivious to situations and trusting your gut will help.
Is Panama Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Panama is pretty safe for a solo female traveller. I met loads of ’em.
There’s nature to explore, beaches to admire, culture to soak up, locals to meet. It’s cool.
As a female in the world, you’re going to have to come across things like annoying men, more attention because you’re travelling solo, and some uncomfortable situations. Keep my Panama-specific solo female traveller tips in mind…
- Some men may hassle you in Panama, mainly in terms of flirtatious comments, horn honking, staring and (bizarrely) hissing. It’s best to simply ignore their behaviour.
- In general, it’s not a good idea to go hiking by yourself or exploring remote areas alone. This is best done with a tour guide, preferably in a group tour.
- When it comes to what to wear, you should dress modestly.
- You might want to consider making friends with some fellow travellers at your accommodation, so you can travel around and explore the country together. Either way, you won’t be with people 100% of the time, so it pays to be even more cautious than you usually would be.
- Don’t walk around at night – at all. It’s just not a good idea. With Panama’s crime rate, combined with you not knowing anything about the streets you’ll be walking around, it will just put you at risk.
- Be wary of taxis. It’s common for taxis to be shared, but this can be risky. Avoid the risk and pay a little more to have the taxi all to yourself instead.
Solo female travel in Panama may seem like a distant dream, but if you’ve travelled solo anywhere in Latin America before, you will know the sort of vibe to expect in this country.
With that in mind, it’s not somewhere I would recommend for first-time female travellers.
Where to Start Your Travels in Panama
Bocas del Toro
This charming island chain is one of the top spots for backpackers in Panama. Not just because it’s safe, but also because it’s affordable and offers some great parties.
Is Panama Safe for Families?
As you might be able to guess, Panama IS a family-friendly society.
If you’re looking for a place to travel with your children, somewhere that’s definitely going to be an adventurous place to be, then this could be it.
There is some good infrastructure for travelling around here as well as a fair few family-friendly resorts.
Opt to go on a tour, which will take you on adventures into jungles and all sorts of other exciting things. There are many tour and travel agencies that are geared towards family vacations.
Unless you want to stay put in a resort, I wouldn’t recommend bringing children any younger than 4 as this could end up being a very stressful way to see the country.
Needless to say, it’s important to keep your children covered up from the sun (don’t forget sunscreen), as well as from mosquitoes (make sure you use child-friendly repellent). Be extra careful at beaches and ensure that your children don’t go too far from you at any time. Warn them of the dangers of the sea!
In Panama City, it’s best to stock up on supplies for your children such as nappies and baby food. Things like high chairs in restaurants, as well as children’s menus, don’t really exist – neither do baby changing facilities.
In general, Panama is safe for families. It’s an amazing destination. Tours are definitely an option for anybody travelling to the country with their family, but to make things even safer for yourself.
Getting Around Panama Safely
Panama has a surprisingly good standard of roads and a good system to go with it – in general, that is. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that driving in Panama is a good idea.
The driving standards of its citizens are pretty low. Traffic causes a lot of congestion. There are lots of hazards to look out for. Secondary roads are also (often) in pretty bad shape
All in all, I wouldn’t recommend driving in Panama. Basically, it’s not worth it. Unless you’re really into your adventuring and part of your whole thing is to drive in rugged (or chaotic) places, I wouldn’t say driving is something you should do here.
As of recently, Uber does operate in Panama. Is Uber safe in Panama? Yes, Uber is also safe in Panama. It operates in Panama City and Panama City only.
Taxis are plentiful in Panama. Not only that, but they’re also very cheap. However, they can be a bit of a problem. Taxis in Panama aren’t easy – or super safe. ALWAYS agree on a price BEFORE entering the vehicle. Charm (and a bit of Spanish) always goes a long way.
The Panamanian government advises tourists to use the Metrobus system to “ensure your own safety” – a few Red Devils can be seen dotted around, but I don’t recommend using them.
Renting bicycles in some locations is a great, cheap way to get around too. Cycling in Panama works great in places like Bocas Del Toro, where you can always rent bikes or mopeds for super cheap!
There you have it: the transport in Panama is safe, reliable and cheap.
What to Pack For Your Panama Trip
Everyone’s packing list is going to look a little different, but here are a few things I would never want to travel to Panama without…
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Head Torch
A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.
SIM card
Yesim stands as a premier eSIM service provider, catering specifically to the mobile internet needs of travellers.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Money Belt
This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Panama
Staying protected in 2024 is a no-brainer. If you’re worried about safety, cover your back with travel insurance.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
FAQs About Staying Safe in Panama
Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Panama.
So, How Safe is Panama?
Panama is statistically speaking one of the safest countries in Central America.
Even so, there are things about Panama that may make you think twice about visiting this country: theft from tourists is common, pickpocketing happens, and muggings can occur too. This isn’t like where you’re from (most likely, anyway) and will therefore require you to be more careful and cautious than usual.
The position of Panama, sandwiched between Central America and South America, occupying both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, is both a blessing and a curse. You get the best of both worlds in terms of natural beauty on either side. You get the rainforest of the Darien Gap, but then again, it’s the funnel through which so much trafficking takes place, making a lot of the country unsafe to travel.
However, it’s all relative. You could come to Panama, stay in a resort, and be absolutely fine the entire time – no safety issues at all.
You could even have a tour organized when you plan to visit, meaning you get to travel around with a group of people and be led around by a knowledgeable guide (our recommendation). Independent travel, however, is possible: just be sensible with how you go and you’ll be fine.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Looking for more info on traveling to Panama?
- Let me help you choose where to stay in Panama
- Swing by one of these fabulous festivals
- Plan the rest of your trip with our fantastic backpacking Panama travel guide!
- See exactly how to travel the world for a year, even if you’re broke
- Take a look at my expert travel safety tips learned from 15+ years on the road
Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
