Traveling to Panama: Is It Safe? Latest Advisory for 2024

Although most places in Panama are safe, you should exercise caution when walking through large cities’ streets after dark. Pickpocketing should be avoided, and keep in mind that violent crime and mugging are also commonplace on the streets of this nation.

Areas to avoid 

Panama City’s high-crime areas include:

• Calidonia
• San Miguelito
• Rio Bajo
• El Chorrillo
• Ancon
• Curundu
• Veracruz Beach
• Parque Soberania
• Tocumen
• Panama Viejo
• Casco Viejo
• shopping areas on Avenida Central

LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from Panama

January 26 – A working agreement is signed by Eurojust and Panama to strengthen their joint efforts to combat organized crime

A Working Arrangement was signed by Eurojust and Mr. Javier E. Caraballo Salazar, Attorney General of the Republic of Panama, to facilitate more organized and close cooperation in the fight against organized crime. 

The agreement guarantees improved communication to expedite the execution of judicial cooperation requests on both sides and formalizes Eurojust’s current Contact Points in Panama. The first nation in Latin America to sign a Working Arrangement with the agency is Panama.

“With Panama’s rich tradition as a bridge maker between continents in mind, I am delighted to sign into effect the Working Arrangement that will bring closer the European and Panamanian communities of prosecutors and judges. We share a similar criminal threat picture on both sides of the Atlantic as well as the resolve to intensify our joint judicial response. Eurojust therefore looks forward to engaging with colleagues in Panama; for instance, in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking,” said Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran 

U.S. Travel Advisory – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Avoid going from Boca de Rio, Chiriqui to Cocle del Norte within ten miles of the coast. This region is home to drug trafficking and other illegal activity.

Because U.S. government personnel must obtain prior approval before traveling to this region and face additional restrictions before such travel is approved, the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens is limited.

Parts of the Darien Region – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to the following areas of the Darien:

• All areas south of Jaque to Manene to Yaviza to Lajas Blancas cities to the Colombian border
• The city of Lajas…