{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/panama/bocas-del-toro","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:05:27.828Z","place":{"city":"Bocas del Toro","country":"Panama","countryCode":"PA","lat":9.34031,"lon":-82.24204},"safety":{"score":63,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":62,"confidence":0.87,"caps":[],"databaseScore":64,"travellerSentiment":{"score":59,"label":"Mixed","summary":"While many visitors find Bocas del Toro a desirable destination, recent reports indicate concerns related to civil unrest and security alerts, suggesting a cautious sentiment among some travelers.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":45,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":56,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":59,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":97,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":69,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":79,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2025-12-10T13:26:25Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":1,"label":"Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/panama"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":11.7072934419645,"display":"11.7 / 100k","year":"2023","score":41,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":8.8,"display":"8.8%","year":"2010","score":77,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":7.3,"display":"7.3 / 100k","year":"2021","score":75,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":70.4155683,"display":"70/100","year":"2024","score":70,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":52.4309378,"display":"52/100","year":"2024","score":52,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":36.6386167,"display":"37/100","year":"2024","score":37,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":56.1071256,"display":"56/100","year":"2024","score":56,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":53.6988437,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":64.5696958,"display":"65/100","year":"2024","score":65,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":5380,"display":"5k residents","year":null,"score":92,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":33,"display":"33.0%","year":"2016","score":24,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.74,"display":"0.74 / 100k","year":"2023","score":82,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":18,"display":"18.0%","year":"2019","score":62,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":28,"display":"US AQI 28 · Good","year":null,"score":94,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":19.539069055,"display":"20 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2023","score":65,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":31,"display":"July: highs ~31°C · heavy rain / flooding","year":null,"score":82,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 28 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":76,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":1,"display":"Level 1 — Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)","year":null,"score":97,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":45,"display":"45 / 100 (Mixed)","year":null,"score":45,"source":"City Web Research"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Bocas del Toro is moderately safe for travelers, but requires awareness of local conditions and potential unrest.","summary":"While Panama generally has a low crime rate compared to other countries, Bocas del Toro has experienced periods of civil unrest and associated security concerns. Travelers should exercise normal precautions, stay informed about local developments, and be mindful of their surroundings.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While not endemic, muggings and armed robberies can occur, particularly in less-trafficked areas or during periods of civil unrest."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded areas, markets, and on public transportation."},"safeAreas":["Resorts and well-trafficked tourist areas on Isla Colón (during daylight hours)"],"avoidAreas":["Areas experiencing protests or civil unrest (as seen in June 2025)","Remote or unlit areas after dark"],"scams":["Overcharging for taxis or tours, especially from unofficial providers.","Distraction thefts, particularly in crowded areas or on public transport."],"zones":[{"name":"Isla Colón (main island, including Bocas Town)","level":"caution","note":"Generally safe for tourists, but petty crime like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas and bars. Exercise caution after dark."},{"name":"Bastimentos Island","level":"caution","note":"Popular for its beaches and nature. Petty theft can be an issue. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in more remote areas."},{"name":"Carenero Island","level":"caution","note":"A smaller island popular for day trips and water activities. Petty crime is possible; secure valuables."},{"name":"Changuinola","level":"caution","note":"A mainland town often used for transit to Bocas del Toro. While generally safe, it has experienced civil unrest and associated security concerns in the past. Be aware of local conditions."},{"name":"Almirante","level":"caution","note":"A mainland port town, often a transit point. Similar to Changuinola, it has seen periods of civil unrest. Exercise normal precautions."}]}}