Is Panama City safe for travelers?
Panama City requires heightened vigilance. The US State Dept advises "Exercise Increased Caution" for Panama due to crime. Specific neighbourhoods and times of day vary significantly — check district-level detail before travelling.
What the sources say
Panama City scores Caution. The modern financial centre has a tourist-accessible core (Casco Viejo historic district, Punta Paitilla/Marbella business zone, Albrook mall area) alongside genuinely dangerous neighbourhoods. All three advisories flag Panama at elevated caution.
Casco Viejo — the colonial old town — has been gentrifying rapidly and is patrolled, but the transition zone between Casco Viejo and El Chorillo neighbourhood (one of Panama's most dangerous) is abrupt. El Chorillo, Curundú, and San Miguelito carry very high crime. Taxi scams and pickpocketing in tourist areas are documented.
Stay in Casco Viejo, Punta Paitilla, or Marbella for a safer experience. Do not walk from Casco Viejo into El Chorillo under any circumstances — the boundary is a one-block change from tourist to extremely high-risk. Use apps for all transport. The Canal (Miraflores Locks) and Biomuseo are safe daytime destinations with organised transport.
Official statistics
- World Bank / UNODC — national intentional homicide rate for Panama: 2023: 11.7/100k; 2022: 11.3/100k; 2021: 12.7/100k; 2020: 11.6/100k. Note: this is a country-level rate, not city-specific. Source: World Bank Open Data (VC.IHR.PSRC.P5), compiled from UNODC Crime Trends Survey.
The map covers 4 districts with differentiated risk ratings:
Ratings are consolidated from the sources below, not real-time. Conditions can change — verify before travel.
Common questions
Is Panama City safe for tourists?
Panama City requires heightened awareness for tourists. Opportunistic theft is the most common risk. Stick to established tourist areas, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, and avoid unfamiliar areas at night.
Is Panama City safe at night?
Night-time safety in Panama City varies significantly by neighbourhood. Stick to established areas, use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street, and avoid unfamiliar areas after dark.
What are the safest neighbourhoods in Panama City?
Based on incident data consolidated across our sources, La Chorrera, Arraiján, Panamá are among the areas rated safer in Panama City. Always verify current conditions with the sources listed below, as conditions can change.
Which areas of Panama City should travellers be cautious about?
San Miguelito, Arraiján, Panamá are rated with elevated caution on our map. This reflects patterns from consolidated advisory and incident sources — conditions vary and can change, so check current guidance before travelling.
What are the main safety risks for visitors to Panama City?
Panama City sees higher rates of robbery, vehicle theft, and in some areas more serious incidents. Official sources highlight crime as key concerns in Panama.
Sources consulted
- Australia DFAT Smartraveller — Safety
- US State Department Travel Advisory
- UK FCDO Travel Advice — Safety and Security
- Canada DFATD Travel Advice
- World Bank — Intentional Homicides per 100k (Panama)
- Tiers: editorial travel-safety synthesis (OSAC/advisories); municipios without a curated tier inherit the city overall