Disclaimer
This page summarizes publicly available guidance as of 2026-06 and is not a substitute for professional advice. Verify with the relevant embassy or consular authority before travel, because advisory levels and area-specific guidance change without notice.
Overview
Panama shows the lowest crime-index value of the seven Central American countries on Numbeo’s crowdsourced perception index (Crime Index 42.43, last updated February 2026),[5] but the country still has specific areas where violent crime is concentrated and where foreign-government advisories explicitly recommend against travel. The published advisories from the U.S. State Department, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Government of Canada broadly agree on which areas warrant higher caution. (Numbeo is a perception-based index derived from website visitors, not reported-crime statistics, and is used here only as a comparative indicator across the seven countries.)
The standard guidance from all three sources divides Panama into three tiers:
- Countrywide: Level 2 (US) / “take normal security precautions” (Canada) / “see our travel advice” (UK). Standard urban precautions apply: secure valuables, avoid displaying wealth, use registered taxis or rideshare, be aware of surroundings.
- Specific Panama City districts and provincial areas: Higher crime risk; exercise greater caution or avoid travel entirely.
- Darién Region south of Jaque and the Mosquito Gulf: Level 4 Do Not Travel (US) / avoid all travel (Canada). Not on tourist routes; rarely encountered by travelers but flagged because of drug trafficking and human trafficking activity.
This page walks through each tier and the area-specific guidance, plus the routine precautions that all three sources recommend.
US State Department advisory
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs publishes the Panama Travel Advisory, which is updated periodically and rates Panama at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and potential civil unrest as of 2026-05.[1] Two specific areas are at Level 4: Do Not Travel:
- Parts of the Mosquito Gulf due to crime: “Do not travel within 10 miles of the coastline, from Boca de Río, Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte.”
- Parts of the Darién Region due to crime: “All areas south of Jaque to Manene to Yaviza to Lajas Blancas cities to the Colombian border; the city of Lajas Blancas; the city of El Salto.”
The State Department’s country summary notes: “Crime occurs in Panama, including theft and residential break-ins.” Standard recommendations include:
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust plans.
- Be aware of surroundings, especially when traveling to remote areas.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama is at +(507) 317-5000 (telephone and emergency line). The embassy’s location in the Clayton district of Panama City is also the location of the consular section that issues routine and emergency assistance to U.S. citizens.[1]
UK FCDO advisory
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office publishes the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Panama. The FCDO does not use the four-tier system; instead, it uses “see travel advice” countrywide and explicit “advise against all travel” or “advise against all but essential travel” zones.
As of 2026-05, the FCDO’s published guidance for Panama identifies specific areas where street crime levels are higher or where demonstrations create risk:
- Panama City districts with higher street crime: San Miguelito, El Chorrillo, Río Abajo, 24 de Diciembre, Santa Ana, Juan Díaz.[2]
- Mugging hotspots: Albrook Mall, Vía España and Avenida Central, Calidonia, Casco Viejo (old town), Panama Viejo (old ruins), Madden Dam area (off the main Panama-Colón road), the city of Colón.[2]
- Demonstrations and political situation: “State of urgency in Bocas del Toro was lifted on 29 June [2025], but a curfew for unaccompanied minors (8pm-5am) remains. Protests can be unpredictable and escalate quickly; avoid demonstrations and monitor local media. Travel around protest-affected areas at night should be avoided; protests may be particularly large in Colón City.”[2]
- Border crossings: Roadblocks can affect access to the border crossing into Costa Rica at Paso Canoas and to international airports during political protests.[2]
The FCDO recommends standard urban precautions (avoid carrying large amounts of cash, use hotel safes, use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres) and explicitly warns that criminal gangs have used the tactic of strangers asking to access accommodation to commit burglaries.[2]
Government of Canada advisory
The Government of Canada publishes travel advice for Panama through travel.gc.ca. As of 2026-04, the Canadian advisory’s overall recommendation is “Take normal security precautions in Panama,” with explicit “avoid all travel” and “avoid non-essential travel” zones.[3]
The Canadian advisory’s specific high-risk areas:
- Areas requiring higher caution (higher crime levels): Colón Province, District of San Miguelito (Amelia Denis de Icaza, Belisario Porras, Belisario Frias, Arnulfo Arias corregimientos), Veracruz City, Panama City corregimientos (Calidonia, Curundú, El Chorrillo, Panama Viejo, Río Abajo, Santa Ana, 24 de Diciembre).[3]
- Avoid all travel: Areas south of Metetí in Darién Province to the Colombian border, due to “extremely high violent crime, including sexual assault, kidnappings, armed robberies, murders, disappearances”; Mosquito Gulf (from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte) due to drug smuggling and human trafficking.[3]
The Canadian advisory adds specific notes on transportation safety: road conditions are poor, dangerous driving is common, and registered yellow taxis should be used with fares agreed in advance. The advisory also flags boater caution along the southeastern coast of Comarca Kuna Yala, Coiba Island, Mosquito Gulf, and the Pacific coast as narcotics-trafficking corridors.[3]
Area-by-area breakdown
The published advisories converge on the following pattern. Specific districts and areas, with the source advisories that flag them:
- Panama City: Casco Viejo: Walkable and tourist-oriented; the FCDO flags it as a mugging hotspot but the practical risk is petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) rather than violent crime.[2]
- Panama City: El Chorrillo, San Miguelito, Río Abajo, 24 de Diciembre, Santa Ana, Juan Díaz, Calidonia: Elevated street crime risk per FCDO and Canadian advisory.[2][3]
- Panama City: Panama Viejo: FCDO flag; pickpocketing is the primary risk.[2]
- Panama City: Madden Dam area: FCDO flag (off the main Panama-Colón road).[2]
- Colón Province: Canadian advisory flag for higher crime levels.[3]
- District of San Miguelito: Canadian advisory flag.[3]
- Veracruz City: Canadian advisory flag.[3]
- Darién Region south of Jaque: Level 4 / avoid all travel per US and Canadian advisories; not on standard tourist routes.[1][3]
- Mosquito Gulf (within 10 miles of coastline from Boca de Río, Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte): Level 4 / avoid all travel per US and Canadian advisories; not on standard tourist routes.[1][3]
- Comarca Kuna Yala (southeastern coast): Boater caution flagged by Canadian advisory for narcotics trafficking.[3]
- Coiba Island: Boater caution flagged by Canadian advisory.[3]
For travelers following the standard tourist routes (Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, San Blas with licensed operators, Pacific coast destinations with licensed operators), the practical exposure to flagged areas is limited to brief transits through Calidonia or Santa Ana and occasional Pacific coast boat trips where weather or operator licensing matters more than crime.
Common scams and petty crime
The published advisories and Panama-specific travel guidance converge on a few common scam patterns:
- ATM skimming: Reported at standalone ATMs; use ATMs inside bank branches (Banco General, BAC, Banistmo) or inside shopping malls.[2]
- Stranger-access scams: Criminal gangs have used strangers asking to access accommodation to commit burglaries; verify visitor identity before opening doors.[2]
- Distraction scams: At tourist sites and shopping areas, distraction theft involving “found money” or staged confrontations has been reported.
- Taxi scams: Official metered taxis exist but meters are often not used; unofficial taxi drivers quote inflated flat rates. Uber is legal in Panama City and is the predictable alternative.[4]
- Hotel theft: Theft from hotel rooms has been reported in urban and resort areas; use hotel safes.[3]
- Express kidnappings: Reported in cities including Colón and David; brief detours for ATM withdrawals are a known pattern.[3]
Demonstrations and political risk
Panama has had periods of political unrest in recent years, particularly around mining contracts, healthcare reform, and cost-of-living issues. The FCDO’s 2026-05 guidance notes that the state of urgency in Bocas del Toro was lifted on 29 June 2025 but a curfew for unaccompanied minors (8pm-5am) remains.[2]
Demonstrations can:
- Block roads (the Pan-American Highway, the road to Paso Canoas border crossing, and Tocumen Airport access roads have all seen blockades during political protests).
- Affect Tocumen Airport access, with travelers advised to allow extra time for airport transfers during protest periods.
- Affect border crossings (Paso Canoas has seen intermittent blockades).
Standard guidance: monitor local media, avoid demonstrations, and allow extra time for transit during periods of political activity.
Sexual assault and personal safety
The Canadian advisory notes that sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred, sometimes involving hotel employees.[3] The FCDO notes that “violent attacks, including sexual assault, have occurred in tourist destinations” and recommends avoiding poorly lit areas and walking alone at night.[2]
Standard precautions: avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, use registered taxis or rideshare, and stay in well-lit public areas. For women traveling alone, the Canadian advisory notes that harassment is reported but the country is generally safer than the regional average.
Transportation safety
The Canadian advisory’s transportation guidance is concrete:
- Road conditions: Poor; dangerous driving is common.
- Taxis: Use registered yellow taxis from stands; agree on fare in advance.
- Rideshare: Available; verify driver identity and license plate.
- Boating: Exercise extreme caution along the southeastern coast of Comarca Kuna Yala, Coiba Island, Mosquito Gulf, and the entire Pacific coast (narcotics trafficking corridors).[3]
- Swimming: Limited lifeguards; dangerous riptides; rescue services may not meet international standards.
Adventure tourism safety
Panama’s outdoor tourism (Volcán Barú hiking, San Blas boat trips, Pacific coast diving, whitewater rafting near Boquete) has its own risk profile. The advisories recommend using reputable, insured operators and verifying that any adventure activity is covered by travel insurance.
For hiking Volcán Barú: the Canadian and UK advisories note that hikers around Boquete and Chiriquí Province should use experienced guides; tourists have died going unguided.[2]
Emergency contacts
- U.S. Embassy Panama: +(507) 317-5000 (telephone and emergency line). Location in the Clayton district of Panama City.[1]
- Panama emergency services: 911 (general emergency line, Spanish-speaking operators).
- Panama tourist police (POLITUR): +(507) 211-3333 or 911.
- Canadian Embassy in Panama: +(507) 294-2500.
- UK Embassy in Panama: +(507) 297-6550.
What to do if crime occurs
The FCDO notes that crime should be reported before leaving the country; otherwise, police may not investigate.[2] For serious incidents, contact the embassy and POLITUR; for minor incidents, file a police report at the local station.
Keep copies of the passport, visa, and travel insurance documents separate from the originals. Photograph the passport and visa and store them in a secure cloud service. Register with the embassy’s traveler enrollment program (STEP for U.S. citizens) for emergency notifications.
Bottom line
Panama shows the lowest crime-index value of the Central American countries on Numbeo’s crowdsourced perception index,[5] but the country has specific districts in Panama City and specific provincial areas where violent crime warrants caution. The U.S. State Department, UK FCDO, and Government of Canada publish overlapping guidance that converges on which areas to avoid and which standard precautions to take. The countrywide advisory level is Level 2 (US) / “take normal security precautions” (Canada); specific areas including parts of the Darién Region and the Mosquito Gulf are at Level 4 / “avoid all travel.”
For travelers following standard tourist routes, the practical exposure to elevated-risk areas is limited. The most common risks are petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching), ATM skimming, and taxi overcharging. Travelers should verify the current advisory level before departure because levels change without notice, and should register with their embassy’s traveler enrollment program for emergency notifications.
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