# Is Panama safe? Safety and medical basics for Jewish visitors

URL: https://panamaunpacked.com/guides/is-panama-safe-medical-basics
Last reviewed: 6 November 2026

The US State Department rates Panama Level 2, “exercise increased caution” (advisory dated 19 August 2026), with “do not travel” warnings only for the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the remote Darién region, because of crime; Paitilla, Punta Pacífica and Marbella, where observant visitors usually stay, are not on the US, Canadian or UK lists of higher-crime areas. Dial 911 for police, ambulance or fire. The nearest private emergency rooms to Paitilla are Hospital Paitilla and Hospital Punta Pacífica, both with pediatric emergency care around the clock.

- **US advisory:** Level 2: exercise increased caution (dated 19 Aug 2026)
- **Emergency number:** [911](tel:911) (police, ambulance, fire)
- **Hatzalah Panamá:** [294-5000](tel:+5072945000)
- **Nearest private ERs:** Hospital Paitilla, Hospital Punta Pacífica
- **US Embassy, 24 hours:** [+507 317-5000](tel:+5073175000)
- **Free tourist insurance:** First 10 days, air arrivals under 86
- **Community security (DSI):** [+507 203-1000](tel:+5072031000)

## What do the governments say?

*Official travel advice for Panama, as of 6 November 2026*

| Government | Overall | Areas named |
| --- | --- | --- |
| United States | Level 2: exercise increased caution (advisory dated 19 August 2026) | Do not travel, due to crime: the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darién region |
| Canada | Take normal security precautions, with regional advisories (updated 16 Oct 2026) | Avoid all travel south of Metetí in Darién to the Colombian border, and to the Mosquito Gulf. High caution in Colón Province, parts of San Miguelito, Veracruz, and Calidonia, Curundú, El Chorrillo, Panamá Viejo, Río Abajo, Santa Ana and 24 de Diciembre in Panama City. Avoid non-essential travel to three townships in Veraguas after the 9 October 2026 earthquake |
| United Kingdom | Travel advice with named higher-crime areas | Higher crime in San Miguelito, El Chorrillo, Río Abajo, 24 de Diciembre, Santa Ana and Juan Díaz. Take sensible precautions against mugging at Albrook Mall, Vía España and Avenida Central, Calidonia, Casco Viejo, Panamá Viejo, the Madden Dam area and Colón |

Sources: the US State Department,[1] the Government of Canada[2] 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](https://panamaunpacked.com/visitor-registration-panama-synagogues).

## Emergency numbers to save

*Emergency and consular numbers in Panama*

| Who | Number |
| --- | --- |
| Emergency: police, ambulance, fire | [911](tel:911) |
| Hatzalah Panamá (community volunteer medical response) | [294-5000](tel:+5072945000) |
| Police (direct) | [104](tel:104) |
| Fire brigade (direct) | [103](tel:103) |
| Red Cross | [455](tel:455) |
| Community security (DSI) | [+507 203-1000](tel:+5072031000) |
| Chabad of Panama City, urgent line | [+507 6617-8280](tel:+50766178280) |
| US Embassy, 24 hours | [+507 317-5000](tel:+5073175000) |
| Canada: Emergency Watch and Response Centre, 24 hours | [+1-613-996-8885](tel:+16139968885) |
| UK: British Embassy consular line | [+507 297-6550](tel:+5072976550) |
| Israel: Embassy in Panama | [+507 208-4700](tel:+5072084700) |

*911 is Panama’s unified emergency line (SUME 911). Embassy numbers from each government’s own site; the Hatzalah and DSI numbers from DSI’s list of useful numbers (read 6 November 2026), and Chabad’s from its site.*

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](tel:+5072945000); 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?

*Private hospitals with 24-hour emergency care near Paitilla*

| Hospital | Where | Emergency care | Phone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital Paitilla (Hospiten) | Edge of Punta Paitilla | 24 hours, with a pediatric emergency area | Emergency [+507 265-8888](tel:+5072658888); main [+507 265-8800](tel:+5072658800) |
| Hospital Punta Pacífica (Pacífica Salud) | Punta Pacífica | 24 hours, adult and pediatric | Emergency [+507 204-8184](tel:+5072048184); main [+507 204-8000](tel:+5072048000) |
| Hospital Nacional | Avenida Cuba, Bella Vista | 24 hours, with a pharmacy on site | Emergency [+507 207-8110](tel:+5072078110) |

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](tel:+5072658888).[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]

## Questions

### Is Panama City safe for tourists?

The US rates Panama Level 2, exercise increased caution, with do-not-travel warnings only for remote parts of Darién and the Mosquito Gulf coast. The Paitilla, Punta Pacífica and Marbella areas where visitors stay are not on the US, Canadian or UK lists of higher-crime areas. Use normal city precautions.

### What is the emergency number in Panama?

911, for police, ambulance and fire. The police (104) and fire brigade (103) also have direct lines, and the Jewish community’s Hatzalah Panamá volunteer medical service is on 294-5000.

### Is there Hatzalah in Panama?

Yes. Hatzalah Panamá, the community’s volunteer emergency medical service and the Panama chapter of United Hatzalah, is listed by the community security department at 294-5000 (+507 294-5000 from a foreign phone). Call 911 too for anything that needs hospital transport.

### Which hospital is closest to Punta Paitilla?

Hospital Paitilla is at the edge of Punta Paitilla, and Hospital Punta Pacífica is a short drive away. Both run 24-hour emergency care, including for children.

### Do I need travel insurance for Panama?

It isn’t required to enter. Panama’s free tourist insurance covers air arrivals under 86 for their first 10 days but excludes pre-existing conditions, so buy your own medical and evacuation cover.

## Sources

1. U.S. Department of State, “Panama travel advisory (Level 2, dated 19 August 2026)”: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/panama-travel-advisory.html (accessed 6 November 2026)
2. Government of Canada, “Travel advice and advisories: Panama”: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/panama (accessed 5 November 2026)
3. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, “Panama travel advice: safety and security”: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama/safety-and-security (accessed 5 November 2026)
4. U.S. Department of State, “Panama international travel information”: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Panama.html (accessed 5 November 2026)
5. Departamento de Seguridad Institucional (DSI), “Números de interés”: https://dsipanama.org/interes (accessed 6 November 2026)
6. JNS, “Israel’s United Hatzalah receives award in Panama (Feb 2018)”: https://www.jns.org/news/israels-united-hatzalah-receives-award-in-panama (accessed 5 November 2026)
7. Pacífica Salud, “Hospital Punta Pacífica”: https://www.pacificasalud.com/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
8. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, “List of medical facilities in Panama City”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/panama-list-of-lawyers/list-of-medical-facilitiespractitioners-in-panama-city (accessed 5 November 2026)
9. Hospiten, “Centro Médico Paitilla joins Grupo Hospiten as Hospital Paitilla”: https://hospiten.com/noticias/el-centro-medico-paitilla-en-panama-parte-del-grupo-hospiten-es-ahora-hospital-paitilla (accessed 5 November 2026)
10. Hospiten, “Hospital Paitilla presents new facilities”: https://hospiten.com/noticias/hospital-paitilla-presenta-nuevas-instalaciones (accessed 5 November 2026)
11. Hospital Paitilla (Hospiten), “Hospital Paitilla: Urgencias (507) 265-8888”: https://hospitenpaitilla.com/ (accessed 6 November 2026)
12. Hospital Nacional, “Hospital Nacional”: https://www.hospitalnacional.com/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
13. Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, “Tourist insurance”: https://www.tourismpanama.com/tourist-insurance/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
14. World Meteorological Organization, “Panama City climate normals”: https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1221 (accessed 5 November 2026)