Panama isn’t the most dangerous place to visit, but it does come with some dangers and crime.
In 2020, data showed the crime rate in Panama as 11.59 per 100 thousand people, increasing over the past few years.
Panama is filled with fun things to do and historical sites to visit, but in some cities, tourists need to take extra precautions to visit and explore.
Some of the most dangerous cities in Panama include Colon and Panama City, but tourists would benefit from using safety precautions in other cities as well.
Below are 10 of the most dangerous cities in the country of Panama.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities in Panama
Colon
Colon is famous for being right in the same vicinity as the Panama Canal.
Many tourists visit to see the canal and some of the other historical sites.
Colon is home to a variety of cultures and diversity.
You can watch and savor the Calypso music, and Congo dances, and experience the African Legacy.
Although Colon seems like a nice place to visit, there is a lot of street crime and high gang activity.
Watch your surroundings carefully, keep all of your personal items hidden out of view, and make sure to stay out of the high-crime areas of the city.
Panama City
Panama City is considered the biggest urban area in the country of Panama.
Most of the population resides in Panama City.
Some of the industries of Panama City include:
- Oil refineries
- Breweries
- Steel-rolling mills
- Clothing and wood factories
Panama City has lots of cool historical sites and places to visit, including:
- Many plazas
- The cathedral
- The San Francisco Church
- The Casco Viejo historic district
- Metropolitan Natural Park
- Camino Cruces National Park
- Soberania National Park
Although crime is increasing in Panama City, most of it has to do with corruption and bribery.
These types of crimes are not a threat to tourists in Panama City.
However, it is still wise to keep a careful watch on your surroundings and take the proper precautions to keep yourself safe.
San Miguelito
San Miguelito is a city that sits on the strip between Panama City and Colon.
It has a population of 315,019 people.
Some of the most common types of crime in this city include drug crimes, muggings, and armed robbery.
Watch your surroundings carefully.
If something seems weird or off, then walk away from the area to somewhere safer.
If you are visiting the area with a group, make sure to stay with the group and don’t wander around by yourself.
Chiriqui
Chiriqui has a variety of cool things for tourists to do.
It is home to what is considered to be the most scenic hike in Panama, the Los Quetsales Trail.
You can get to the trail in the town of Cerro Punta or Boquete.
You can also visit the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park, home to a variety of coral reefs, islands, and marine life.
Although Chiriqui has so many fun things for tourists to take part in, it does have some level of street crime.
Keep your valuables and personal items hidden and make sure to keep watch over your surroundings.
Tocumen
Tocumen has a total population of 103,177 people.
Just like with most cities in this list, there is a fair amount of street crime, but it is not as much as Colon and Panama City, which account for the majority of the crime rates in the country of Panama.
Tocumen is relatively safe for tourists, but there are some safety precautions that you should take.
It is important not to keep your personal belongings out in the open.
If they are not hidden out of view, you can become a victim of mugging or pick-pocketing.
David
David is situated in the western part of Panama.
It is the capital city of the Chiriqui province.
The lifestyle and culture of David are viewed as being similar to the lifestyle and culture of Costa Rica.
The main thing to worry about is potential street crime.
Otherwise, the city can be a safe place for most tourists to visit.
As long as you keep an eye on what is going on around you and the movements of the people around you, there is not much to be worried about as far as safety goes.
Most safety issues come from people not paying attention to their surroundings.
Las Cumbres
The most prevalent crimes in Las Cumbres include drug trafficking and other gang-related crimes.
Although there is some crime, most of the crimes in Panama occur in other cities such as Panama City and Colon.
Although there are some signs of crime in Las Cumbres, the city is considered relatively safe as long as you follow the necessary precautions.
If you are visiting Las Cumbres, never go out alone, especially at night.
It is also important to keep all of your personal items in a safe place out of public view.
La Chorrera
La Chorrera is located about half an hour away from Panama City and is home to several waterfalls, including El Chorro Trinidad, el Chorro de la Chorrera, El Chorro de Caño Quebrada, and many more.
Due to its fertile grounds, La Chorrera is famous for the crops it grows, including rice, coffee, oranges, pineapple, sugar cane, beans, and cassava.
Although this city is on the list of the most dangerous cities, crime has decreased significantly over the last few years.
However, just like any city, La Chorrera has its share of crime.
Watch out for pickpockets and keep your wallets, purses, and personal belongings in places that are harder for someone to take off with them.
Pacora
Pacora is a city near Tocumen, Panama City, and Juan Diaz in the country of Panama.
It is one of the lesser-known cities in the country.
In Pacora there is a little bit of crime, but it is a relatively safe community.
With the proper precautions, tourists can explore the city safely.
If you visit Pacora, you can take part in a variety of activities and visit a variety of historical places.
Santiago de Veraguas
Santiago de Veraguas has a population of around 60,000 people.
The industries this city specializes in include livestock, agriculture, trade, banking, pottery, and leatherwork.
Like a lot of the surrounding cities, Santiago de Veraguas has more of a colonial architectural feel to it.
As far as safety goes, Santiago de Veraguas is home to mostly gang-related crime and violence, drug trafficking, and pick-pocketing.
However, most tourists can safely travel through the city with no problems.
Five Safety Tips for Traveling to Panama
- Keep your personal belongings out of sight.
- Watch your surroundings carefully.
- Stay out of the neighborhoods that are considered to be dangerous.
- Don’t walk around alone at night.
- Stay in public places at all times.
Panama Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Panama Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to travel to Panama?
To enter Panama, visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for at least three months past the date of entry.
Visitors also need to have proof that they are leaving the country or traveling onward, such as a plane ticket back home or to a different location.
Panama also requires travelers to have at least $500 in cash, a traveler’s check, a credit card, a bank statement, or a letter of employment.
Panamanian Immigration has the right to deny access to anyone with a criminal background.
Is there anything unusual about the flights to and from Panama?
No.
The flights to and from Panama are pretty standard.
There are no hidden surprises or anything unusual about the flights.
Nonstop flights to Panama from the United States come from the following cities:
- Houston
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Washington D.C.
- Orlando
- New York City
If you are from the United States and are coming from a different city than what is listed above, you will be directed to one of the cities mentioned above.
The flight is estimated to take approximately 3-5 hours depending on what part of the United States you are coming from.
What do I need to know before booking a trip to Panama?
Here are a few interesting facts and things to know before going on a trip to Panama:
- The Panama Canal is the most famous attraction for tourists in Panama.
- Most of the countries in Central America run north to south, but Panama is the only one that runs east to west.
- Panama doesn’t have its own paper currency. They use the US dollar as their paper money.
- You can see most of the sites that Panama has to offer without the need for changing hotels.
- Panama has safe drinking water, so you don’t have to worry about the water being contaminated.
- Panama has a great transportation system.
- Panama is considered to be the fourth safest country, only exceeded by Uruguay, Chile, and Canada.
- Most of the people in Panama speak Spanish as their main language, but you will probably find a few who can speak English.
Panama may have some dangers and crime, but it still offers a variety of fun and historical activities for tourists, as long as they take proper precautions to stay safe.