Is Panama City safe?
Is Panama City safe?
Welcome to our Panama City safety guide. This giant city is one of the best connected in all of Latin America, however many travelers still wonder if it’s safe for a visit.
Aside from discovering real Panamanian culture, old ruins and one of the most ingenious man-made creations of the 21st century, there’s many awesome day trips to take from the capital too which we’ll take a look at later.
Panama City Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Eastern Panama
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: The Easiest
- ⏱ Time needed: 4-6 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: January-March
Is Panama City Safe?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Panama City as a backpacker or traveler to this area of Panama.
We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.
It is also worth nothing that you can read this Panama City safety guide in conjunction with our 5 days in Panama City so you can find even more things to do while here.
Is Panama City Safe Right Now?
Quick Answer: Areas like Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo are very safe for tourists to visit and stay in, where you can also head out during the night with no issues.
The rest of the city can feel seedy in certain parts, so it’s best to do your research in advance as well as take any precautions if you plan on staying outside the above-mentioned areas.
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Where to Stay in Panama City
Those who are looking for a cheaper stay will love the Selina Panama City. Known for its social atmosphere, rooftop pools and daily events, you’ll have a great time here.
You’ll have a choice of either staying in a dorm bed or private room, and will also be within the Casco Viejo neighbourhood.
If you’re looking for a more deluxe stay, then the Tantalo Hotel will be your place. Here you’ll be staying in a sleek private room with a balcony, and will be in the heart of the Casco Viejo district. They also have an on-site tapas bar as well as a rooftop bar to watch the sunset.
Things to do in Panama City
There’s many awesome things to do in the capital, however the best way to kick off a trip here is by heading to the colonial centre of Casco Viejo. Here you’ll find many colourful streets, picturesque churches and cute plazas to grab lunch at.
We highly recommend this Panama City Tour where you’ll see the top highlights, which also includes a guided visit to the Panama Canal. Speaking of which…
The Panama Canal is a bucket-list item in its own right, and many who stop off here usually base their trip around visiting this gem. Built in 1914, it’s one of the most-used global shipping vessels on earth, and connects cargo heading between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The Miraflores Lock is the most popular portion to visit, which also has an interesting museum to tour around too.
Whilst there’s other city highlights such as the ruins of Panama Viejo and El Causador Amante, the true highlight is the nearby San Blas Archipelago. Made up of 365 tropical islands, here you can head on a multi-day trip to explore some of the most beautiful beaches in the continent, as well as meet the local Kuna Yala tribe.
Is Panama City Safe to visit?
Below we’ll take a look at the current safety situation in Panama City.
Panama City Travel Warnings
There are currently no high-risk travel warnings for those who are heading to Panama City.
Of course this can change locally quite quickly (spontaneous protests), however as a whole Panama is a much more stable country both politically and financially so this is highly unlikely.
The most-likely disturbances will be pickpocketing, especially when walking around the less touristy barrios. Simply leave valuables at home, and there will be even less risk of this happening. Also see the best time to visit Panama by reading our guide so you can aim to visit when the weather conditions are more favorable.
Crime in Panama City
Certain areas of the capital are definitely less safe than others. These include the neighbourhoods of San Miguelito and Calidonia, where gang violence such as shootings and assault can be common. However they are far from the touristy areas, so there’s no need to be anywhere near these anyway.
Within the touristy parts, the main threat will be pickpocketing. Be sure to keep things in your front pockets sealed with a secure Money Belt that you’re wearing.
Safety in Panama City during the day
Panama City is probably one of the safest capitals we’ve walked around during the day.
The touristy areas like Casco Viejo will feel similar to some parts of Europe (given they’re both developed and have extra security presence), where you can walk alone fine with no issues.
When visiting other areas you can still walk around fine, as long as you prepare properly and avoid looking like a lost tourist. If you do get stuck, just head into any local shop to check your maps (or even ask a local working there for directions). This is where learning a bit of basic Spanish lingo beforehand will help you get what you want more effectively.
Panama City Safety at Night
As with any big Latin American city, night-time in Panama City also brings a noticeable change of pace.
When heading out to bars or nightclubs, be sure to use a registered taxi or Uber to take you there directly. In areas like Casco Viejo you can walk around (even alone) fine, just be cautious when heading outside this district’s perimeter.
Any other area you’ll need to have your guard raised when walking the streets, and preferably have transport organised to and from your accommodation.
Again, taking precautions (we’ll list some of our top tips below) will help to keep you safe at night when in Panama City.
7 Safety Tips for Panama City
Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Panama City.
1. Only use Registered Taxis to get around
Panama City is pretty huge, and you’ll need to use a taxi here or there to get around. Only jump in a registered cab, or better use Uber given all drivers are already screened. It’s best to download the app before arriving, given both the International Airport and Albrook Terminal (main bus station) are far from the touristy areas.
2. Stay in Casco Viejo
Although there’s definitely other areas which are safe for a stay (such as Obarrio and El Cangrejo), Casco Viejo is our winner hands-down. As well as offering a relaxed vibe which is well-guarded (the President lives here after all), it’s also the best for tourists given the sheer amount of things to see and do here. You can see all available hotels in Casco Viejo here.
3. Be Careful when Walking Around at Night
This applies mostly to those who want to visit the immediate surroundings of Casco Viejo (such as the Cinta Costera), as these areas tend to have more crime at night. Avoid walking alone, and try to use taxis to get from A to B instead of winging it solo.
4. Avoid visiting the Darien Gap alone
Of course there will be the more adventurous travelers amongst us reading who will want to visit the Darien Gap. Much further south than Panama City, it’s best to go with an organized tour here, since there’s too many life-threatening risks such as FARC rebels, dangerous snakes and more out in this seductively beautiful (yet deadly portion) of jungle.
5. Get a Local SIM Card ASAP
It’s quite a basic one, however having internet can also save you in many situations too. Perhaps it’s late and you don’t want to hail a taxi where you are? Use Uber. You’re lost and need directions? Use Maps (or even better download MapsMe which has offline use).
6. Avoid walking with your Phone out
Nothing makes you a better target for opportunistic thieves then strolling the streets with your new iPhone for all to see. Keep uses sporadic, and only when you really need to. George swears by walking into random shops to check maps or messages, as it seems more casual rather than the classic “lost deer in headlights” tourist when out on the streets.
7. Wear a Money Belt when exploring
This is a much better alternative to keeping things in your front pocket, given you can completely hide valuables such as your phone, wallet and keys. We highly recommend this Money Belt, which will help to keep you relaxed when out and about.
Panama City Safety FAQ Guide:
Here we’ll take a look at the most frequent questions we get asked by our readers about safety in Panama City.
Is Panama City Safe? Final Words
And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Panama City.
Usually just a transit stop, this well-developed Central American city is actually home to a wide variety of awesome things to see and do. From sailing the Caribbean islands of the San Blas to touring ancient ruins and the Panama Canal, you’ll find it all here.
When it comes to safety, many areas are suitable for tourists such as Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo. However there’s still many other areas that are underdeveloped and can be dangerous (especially at night). Always make sure to do your homework on a barrio before committing to a stay there.
In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Panama City, which includes the areas to avoid, as well as any current travel advisories. As well as looking at the best things to do in Panama City, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.
While you’re still here, why not read our Panama backpacking Itinerary for more tips and travel inspiration?
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