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Panama · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Panama City scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Panama City is a moderately safe destination for travelers, with risks primarily related to petty crime and the recent earthquake activity. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Panama · Assessed 13 October 2026
67
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Earthquake On 9 October 2026, a strong earthquake of preliminary magnitude 7.6 struck Panama. According to the Instituto de Geociencias de la Universidad de Panamá, the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, approximately 39 kilometres west of Tonosí.”
Updated 2026-10-09T20:08:09Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Panama: exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-11T16:02:26.1979495-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateReports of armed robberies, particularly targeting gas stations and convenience stores, indicate a moderate risk for visitors.
Pickpocketing
ModerateOpportunistic pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy tourist areas and on public transport.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed but generally cautious
65/100
While many visitors feel safe during daylight, a significant portion express concern about walking alone at night, and worry about mugging or robbery is present.
Panama City is a moderately safe destination for travelers, with risks primarily related to petty crime and the recent earthquake activity.
While official advisories recommend normal precautions, the city experiences a higher homicide rate than many developed nations. Travelers should be aware of opportunistic crime, particularly in tourist areas, and monitor advisories regarding seismic activity.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Panama City is a moderately safe destination, with travelers advised to exercise normal security precautions. The city's safety profile is influenced by a moderate crime rate, with specific concerns around opportunistic theft and armed robberies, alongside recent significant seismic activity.
Recent news indicates that despite a powerful earthquake in early October 2026, Panama City remains open to tourists, according to the Tourism Authority. However, the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks are a current concern, with multiple tremors recorded in the days following the initial event. Travelers should stay informed about any ongoing seismic advisories and be prepared for potential disruptions.
While official advisories do not warn against travel, reports from sources like WJHG detail ongoing efforts by local police to address armed robberies, particularly at convenience stores and gas stations. These incidents suggest a moderate risk of street crime, and visitors should remain vigilant, especially in less crowded areas or after dark. Tourist areas may also be targets for pickpocketing and petty theft.
To ensure a safe trip, travelers should be aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and use reputable transportation services. Staying updated on local news and any official guidance related to the recent earthquakes is also crucial. The city's air quality is good, and healthcare facilities are available, though travelers should be mindful of global health notices for dengue and polio.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Panama City districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Panama City safety map.
El ChorrilloavoidKnown for higher crime rates; visitors should avoid this area.
CurundúavoidAreas with a reputation for significant crime and should be avoided by tourists.
Casco ViejocautionHistoric area, popular with tourists, but petty crime and pickpocketing can occur, especially after dark.
Bella VistacautionMixed area, can be safe in well-lit, populated parts, but caution is advised at night due to potential for petty crime.
Punta PacíficasaferAffluent area with modern high-rises, generally considered very safe with good security.
ObarriosaferA modern business and residential district, generally safe with good infrastructure.
San FranciscosaferA large, well-developed district with many amenities, generally safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
33% of people in Panama say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2016).
Reports of armed robberies, particularly targeting gas stations and convenience stores, indicate a moderate risk for visitors.
After dark, be most careful around El Chorrillo, Curundú, Casco Viejo, Bella Vista. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Panama City is a moderately safe destination for travelers, with risks primarily related to petty crime and the recent earthquake activity. While official advisories recommend normal precautions, the city experiences a higher homicide rate than many developed nations. Travelers should be aware of opportunistic crime, particularly in tourist areas, and monitor advisories regarding seismic activity. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Panama City report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags El Chorrillo, Curundú as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Panama City ranks #3 of 5 Panama destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the Panama safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: panama-city.json (CC BY 4.0).
