Is Panama safe? Safety and medical basics for Jewish visitors

What do the governments say?

Sources: the US State Department,¹ the Government of Canada² and the UK Foreign Office.³ The neighborhoods around the shuls and the main hotels are not on any of these lists.

Practical safety in the city

• Keep phones and valuables out of sight in busy shopping and tourist areas such as Casco Viejo, Avenida Central and Albrook Mall, where the UK advises care against mugging. Use ATMs inside a bank or shopping center.³
• Taxis have no meters: agree the fare before you get in, and avoid shared rides. At night, use a ride-hailing app or a driver your hotel arranges.⁴
• Carry ID. The UK says foreign nationals must carry ID such as a passport, and police usually accept a printed copy; keep a copy of each passport’s photo page and entry stamp on you.³
• Count cash before you travel: amounts of US$10,000 or more must be declared on entry and exit.⁴

Panama’s Jewish institutions are protected by the community’s own security department, DSI, which is why every visitor registers before going to shul. Its security line is +507 203-1000.⁵ See visitor registration.

Emergency numbers to save

Panama’s Jewish community has its own volunteer emergency medical service, Hatzalah Panamá, the Panama chapter of United Hatzalah, which opened in 2012.⁶ The community’s security department lists its number as 294-5000; from a foreign phone, dial +507 294-5000.⁵ Call 911 as well for anything that needs hospital transport, and let your shul or Chabad know.

Which hospitals are near the Paitilla hotels?

Hospital Punta Pacífica says it is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International.⁷ The UK’s list of medical facilities notes English-speaking staff at Hospital Punta Pacífica and Hospital Nacional.⁸ Hospital Paitilla, once Centro Médico Paitilla and now part of the Hospiten group,⁹ has a separate pediatric emergency area staffed by pediatricians around the clock;¹⁰ its emergency line is +507 265-8888.¹¹ Bring your passport and insurance card: private hospitals usually want payment or a guarantee at admission.

Pharmacies and prescriptions

Farmacias Arrocha is the best-known pharmacy chain, with branches across the city. We couldn’t confirm that any branch is open 24 hours; late at night, hospital pharmacies such as Hospital Nacional’s are the fallback.¹² Bring enough of any prescription medicine for the whole trip, in its original packaging, and know its generic name.

Do I need travel insurance?

Not to enter, but you should have it. Panama’s free “Seguro al Turista” covers visitors under 86 who arrive by air, for their first 10 days, starting automatically with the entry stamp. It excludes pre-existing, chronic and congenital conditions, and land and sea arrivals aren’t covered.¹³ The US and Canada both recommend your own medical cover, including evacuation.²

Heat and sun

Daytime highs are about 91 to 96°F all year.¹⁴ Plan outings for the morning, drink often, and keep children in the shade at midday. Canada also notes a June to November hurricane season and a risk of flooding in heavy rain.²