Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America, but some precautions are always worth taking. Pickpockets are common in busy areas of Panama City, including bus stations, markets and shopping areas, so keep your valuables in a safe place. Is Panama City worth visiting? In a nutshell, yes, but I didn't think it was the most exciting place in Panama. While there are some interesting things to do, in the end I saw it more as a stopover on the way to the coast and the interior from Panama.
Panama City is usually safe for women traveling alone, but it's best to avoid walking alone at night in Casco Antiguo, Santa Ana, or Calidonia. Women can receive attention from chatty men on subway trains or buses. If a man doesn't leave you alone, ask an older woman who is nearby for help. Be more careful in Panama due to crime. Overall, Panama CAN be a budget destination, but it's important to plan your trip according to your budget and travel style.
Despite this eventful past and present, it's important to remember that, as a tourist in Panama City, you're very unlikely to face cartel-related violence. Instead, it uses Panama City's public transportation system, which includes a fleet of air-conditioned buses and the first subway train in Central America. If it seems a bit too hasty for your taste, leave Boquete aside and visit Panama City and the beautiful islands of Bocas del Taurus. Panama City is an international banking center and a global transshipment hub with generous offshore tax structures and strong secrecy laws.
In just 8 days, it's possible to see Panama City, including the Panama Canal, Boquete, and the Bocas del Toro Islands. There's something truly magical about crossing the Panama Canal, and it's an experience you won't soon forget. If you're flying to Panama from the United States, direct flights are available from many of the country's major airports. Panama City, being the capital, is generally the most expensive area, while rural areas and small towns tend to be more affordable. Unfortunately, Panama Bay is a landfill for industrial effluents and untreated wastewater, so the oceanfront boardwalk sometimes smells bad.
The San Blas Islands are home to the Kuna Yala people, a tribe of indigenous Panamanians who have preserved their traditional way of life for centuries. Although Panama City is full of narco-dollars, Panamanian society disapproves of drug use and the law does not tolerate it. If you have a shorter vacation (1 or 2 weeks) with limited days to spend, I suggest that you only spend 1 day in Panama City. While I wouldn't say that Panama is cheap (at least not compared to, say, Nicaragua or Guatemala), it's a little cheaper than its neighbor, which is very expensive.
One of the main attractions is the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.
