Safety and travel advisories for Panama

Good to know

Paitilla, Punta Pacífica and Marbella are not on any flagged list, but keep phones out of sight in Casco Viejo and on Avenida Central, and use Uber or arranged drivers at night.

Details

U.S. level

2

U.S. level text

Exercise Increased Caution

Canada overall

Take normal security precautions (with regional advisories); updated 2026-10-16

UK taxi advice

Use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged transport

U.S. taxi advice

Taxis have no meters; agree the fare first, avoid shared rides

U.S. advisory date

2024-09-23 (still shown as current on pa.usembassy.gov, Nov 2026)

U.S. level 4 areas

Parts of Darién: south of Jaque-Manené-Yaviza-Lajas Blancas to the Colombian border, plus Lajas Blancas and El Salto towns; Mosquito Gulf: within 10 miles of the Caribbean coast from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte

Canada high caution

Colón Province; Parts of San Miguelito district; Veracruz; Panama City: Calidonia, Curundú, El Chorrillo, Panamá Viejo, Río Abajo, Santa Ana, 24 de Diciembre

UK mugging hotspots

Albrook Mall; Vía España and Avenida Central; Calidonia; Casco Viejo; Panamá Viejo; Madden Dam area; Colón city

Canada avoid all travel

South of Metetí in Darién to the Colombian border; Mosquito Gulf (Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte)

Canada avoid non essential

Arena, El Cacao and Quebro townships (Veraguas) after the 9 Oct 2026 M7.6 earthquake

UK higher crime panama city

San Miguelito; El Chorrillo; Río Abajo; 24 de Diciembre; Santa Ana; Juan Díaz