Safety

Safety in Panama

Panama consistently ranks as one of Latin America's safest countries, and expats living in established areas report feeling very secure. However, like any country, common sense precautions are important.

Overall Safety Assessment

Panama's Safety Ranking:

• Safer than Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and most Central American countries
• Global Peace Index ranks it among safest in Latin America
• Comparable to Costa Rica for regional safety
• Violent crime low, especially in expat areas

US State Department: Advises "exercise increased caution" but this is standard for most of Latin America.

Safe Areas for Expats

Panama City - Very Safe Neighborhoods:

• Punta Pacifica: Luxury area, diplomatic presence, 24/7 security
• Paitilla: Gated towers, waterfront, very secure
• Obarrio/San Francisco: Commercial areas, well-policed
• Costa del Este: Modern, gated communities, family-friendly
• El Cangrejo: Vibrant but safe, popular with expats

Other Safe Expat Areas:

• Boquete: Mountain town, very safe, large expat community
• Coronado/San Carlos: Gated beach communities, security guards
• Casco Viejo: Historic district, tourist police, improving safety
• Pedasí: Small beach town, tight-knit, very safe
• Bocas del Toro: Island life, petty crime only

Crime Reality

Violent Crime:

• Relatively rare, especially in expat areas
• Most gang-related and localized to specific neighborhoods
• Homicide rate: ~9 per 100K (lower than many US cities)
• Expats rarely experience violent crime

Petty Crime:

• Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas
• Purse snatching in urban areas
• Car break-ins if valuables visible
• Theft from unattended belongings

Common-sense prevention works:

• Don't flash expensive jewelry or electronics
• Use ATMs inside banks during daytime
• Lock car doors, don't leave valuables visible
• Be aware of surroundings in crowded areas

Areas to Avoid

Panama City:

• Curundú, El Chorrillo, parts of San Miguelito
• These are not expat areas - you won't accidentally end up there
• Avoid walking in unfamiliar areas after dark

Rural Areas:

• Darién Gap: Extremely dangerous, do not travel there
• Border areas with Colombia (smuggling activity)

Security Features in Expat Housing

Most expat housing includes:

• 24/7 security guards at building entrance
• Controlled access with key cards or codes
• CCTV cameras throughout property
• Gated communities common in suburbs
• Security deposit boxes in apartments

These features make day-to-day life very secure.

Transportation Safety

Taxis and Uber:

• Official taxis (yellow) safe during day
• Uber widely available and very safe in Panama City
• Don't hail cabs on street at night - call or use app

Driving:

• Roads generally safe
• Aggressive driving common - be defensive
• Don't stop for strangers on highways
• Keep doors locked in urban traffic

Public Transit:

• Metro in Panama City is safe and modern
• Buses safe during day, less so at night
• Tourist areas well-policed

Police and Emergency Services

• 911: Emergency number (police, fire, medical)
• Tourist Police: In popular areas, speak some English
• Police generally helpful to expats
• Response times good in cities

Natural Hazards

Earthquakes:

• Panama in seismically active zone
• Buildings constructed to modern standards
• Risk is moderate but structures regulated

Hurricanes:

• Panama rarely hit by hurricanes
• Tropical storms possible, usually minor
• One of few Caribbean areas with low hurricane risk

Tropical Diseases:

• Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya present but uncommon
• Use mosquito repellent in rural areas
• Modern healthcare easily treats these if contracted
• Yellow fever not present in Panama

Women's Safety

Panama is relatively safe for women:

• Women travel solo commonly
• Standard precautions apply (don't walk alone late, watch drinks)
• Machismo exists but less aggressive than some Latin countries
• Many female expats report feeling safe

Expat Community Consensus

Overwhelmingly positive:

• Most expats feel safer than in many US cities
• Day-to-day life feels very secure
• Gated communities and security ubiquitous
• Biggest issue is petty theft prevention