Panama — Living: Safety

Key facts

• Terrorism: There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.
• Protests and demonstrations: Protests can be unpredictable, occur at short notice and escalate quickly.
• Crime: If you are the victim of a crime in Panama and want to report the incident, do so before you leave the country, otherwise the police may not investigate.
• Laws and cultural differences: As a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport.
• Outdoor activities and adventure tourism: Take care when wading, swimming or taking part in water sports on Pacific and Caribbean beaches.
• Transport risks: If you are planning on driving in Panama, see information on driving abroad .
• Extreme weather and natural disasters: See extreme weather and natural hazards for information about how to prepare, and how to react if there is a warning.

Steps

1. Research neighborhoods before choosing a place to live. — Consider areas with a strong expat presence and good security measures.
2. Take normal precautions to protect yourself and your property. — Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas, keep valuables secure, and use reputable transportation services.

Costs

• Cost of hiring a private security guard: varies by service provider

Timelines

• Timeline for reporting a crime to the authorities: unknown

Required documents

• Police record from your home country (if available)

Common mistakes

• Assuming that all areas are equally safe, or that police presence is adequate to prevent crime.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on  staying safe  and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out  how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad . Terrorism in Panama: Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Panama, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Protests and demonstrations

Protests can be unpredictable, occur at short notice and escalate quickly. Avoid protests and demonstrations, monitor local media and follow advice from local authorities. Avoid travelling around protest-affected areas at night. Protests may be particularly large in Colón City. Protests often involve informal road blocks and can affect access to the border crossing into Costa Rica at Paso Canoas and international airports. Check your route and alternatives before travelling. If you are unable to reach an airport for a planned flight, contact your airline to make alternative arrangements.

Crime

If you are the victim of a crime in Panama and want to report the incident, do so before you leave the country, otherwise the police may not investigate. Street crime can happen anywhere, but these areas of Panama City have higher levels of crime: • San Miguelito • El Chorrillo • Río Abajo • 24 de Diciembre • Santa Ana • Juan Diaz Protecting yourself and your belongings : There is a risk of pickpocketing in busy areas, on buses and at bus stations. You can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including: • not carrying large amounts of money or valuables around with you • leaving valuables in a safe place such as a hotel safe People have been attacked after withdrawing cash from ATMs. Where possible, use an ATM inside a bank or shopping centre. Take sensible precautions to avoid mugging, particularly in main shopping areas and tourist sites, including: • Albrook Mall in Panama City • Via España and Avenida Central in Panama City • the area of Calidonia in Panama City • the old town (Casco Viejo) in Panama City • the old Panama ruins (Panama Viejo) in Panama City • the Madden Dam area – off the main Panama to Colón road • the city of Colón Be wary if visitors approach you to get access to your accommodation. Criminal gangs have used this method to commit burglaries. If you’re in any doubt, call the police. Sexual assault: There have been violent attacks, including sexual assault, in tourist destinations in Panama City and across the country. Use the same level of caution you would in the UK when travelling at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and do not walk on your own. See advice for women travelling abroad . Gang-related crime: There have been incidents of targeted gang assassinations, some in tourist areas. Most of these crimes are between members of rival drug gangs.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID: As a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy. Curfews: Local authorities occasionally impose night-time curfews for adults and/or unaccompanied minors under the age of 18. These are usually in place for several weeks and limited exceptions apply. This is part of government efforts to tackle criminal groups and organised crime. Those who do not comply with the curfew face arrest by the police. They are not usually applied in tourist areas, but seek local advice if a curfew is introduced in an area you are visiting. Smoking and e-cigarette bans: It is illegal to smoke in public places. You could be fined 25 to 100 US dollars if you are caught smoking where it’s not allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is also banned in public places. Illegal drugs and prison sentences: Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. You can get a prison sentence for possessing even a small quantity of drugs. The judicial process is slow and sentencing may take up to 2 years, during which you are likely to be detained. Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Panama are often harsh. Most facilities are overcrowded with limited access to healthcare. There have been recent cases of riots resulting in prisoner deaths. LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex civil unions are illegal, but same-sex relationships are legal in Panama. Most Panamanians are generally tolerant of LGBT+ travellers. However, Panamanian law does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There have been incidents of police officers detaining LGBT+ couples on the grounds of public indecency. Showing affection in public can lead to unwanted attention. Casco Viejo is considered a safe place for LGBT+ travellers. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming safety: Take care when wading, swimming or taking part in water sports on Pacific and Caribbean beaches. Some beaches have strong currents and undertows and there are rarely warning signs. People drown every year. Do not swim in the Bay of Panama as it is highly polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste. See advice on safe swimming from ABTA  and  holiday water safety from the Royal Life Saving Society . Hiking and mountaineering: If hiking in Panama you should consider going with an experienced guide. Trails may not be well marked, and mobile phone coverage is unreliable. Tourists have gone missing and died hiking without a guide. Seek local advice before setting out.

Transport risks

Road travel: If you are planning on driving in Panama, see information on driving abroad . You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Panama for up to 3 months. The Panamanian authorities will not accept a paper licence – you can update it to a photocard licence . Carry a copy of your passport with the dated entry stamp as proof you’re still within the 3 months permitted. Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts. Children aged 4 and under must travel in the back in fitted child seats. Drink-driving is a serious offence in Panama. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, have your licence revoked and your car impounded. Driving standards: Driving standards can be poor. Traffic accidents are common. Roads are often poorly lit and can have potholes and unfinished repairs. Darien Province and other remote rural areas may have very few surfaced roads. Traffic can be heavy in populated areas especially in and close to Panama City. Repair work and construction sites are common in these areas. 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. Avoid any type of confrontation with other drivers or passers-by. Taxis: Taxis can be in poor condition and accidents, due to poor maintenance and driving standards, are common.  To reduce your risk, use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged transport only.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

See extreme weather and natural hazards for information about how to prepare, and how to react if there is a warning. Hurricanes: The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricanes do not directly affect Panama but often cause heavy rain. There may be flash floods and landslides. October and November have the heaviest rainfall. Monitor local news, check World Meteorological Association weather reports for Panama and follow local advice. Earthquakes: Earthquakes are a risk in Panama. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami .