If you're looking for idyllic islands, rolling waves, wild nature and spectacular wildlife, Panama is an ideal destination. It is located at the crossroads of the Americas, connecting two oceans, and beyond its cosmopolitan capital and legendary canal, Panama is a biodiversity hotspot. Did you also know that it produces some of the best and most expensive coffees in the world? Is Panama worth visiting? In short, the answer is YES, absolutely; there's no denying that it's a beautiful and unique Central American country. It's very clean and green, with expansive mountain views, misty rainforests, tropical beaches, fascinating history, culture and diverse wildlife. The most interesting thing, both from a geographical and tourist point of view, is that it is located on the isthmus that forms the land bridge that connects North and South America and controls the Panama Canal, the world-famous channel that connects the North Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea to the North Pacific Ocean, probably the most important and well-known maritime route in the world.
However, the central wonder and greatest attraction remains the Panama Canal, which can be seen from an aerial view through the local operator, and you can even enjoy acrobatic flights with veteran Air Force pilots and go skydiving during this engineering miracle. In general, Panama is a safe place, but precautions must be taken on the streets of major cities and at dusk. Beware of pickpockets and keep in mind that assaults and violent crimes are also part of street life in this country. Public transportation is generally safe in Panama, but be careful on buses and bus stops, as that's where pickpockets and petty thieves operate.
Keep in mind that bus stations tend to be areas of high crime and, whenever possible, choose to call a taxi instead of taking one on the street. Pickpockets are common on the streets of Panama and tourists are advised to remain vigilant at all times when they are in the street. Make sure you don't show your valuables on the street, be careful when taking money from cash machines and, of course, keep all your valuables in a safe place in your accommodation or next to you. Ocean currents, hurricanes, earthquakes and floods are just some of the natural disasters that sometimes affect Panama.
Violent crimes exist in Panama and assaults and kidnappings are not uncommon on the streets of Panama. In such a situation, give up all your possessions immediately and do not resist. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas. While there hasn't been any terrorist attack in Panama's recent history, it shouldn't be ruled out, so stay alert at all times.
Scams are very common in Panama, so check your exchange rate, never pay anything in advance and negotiate everything in advance. Beware of people who send you free drinks and never leave your drink unattended. Traveling to Panama is generally safe for single women, but keep in mind that you should generally go hiking and exploring in company, never alone. Stay away from poorly lit and deserted streets and areas and from people who are visibly intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol.
Overall, Panama is a safe country to visit. When you visit Panama, you can count on friendly people who will offer you help with everything you need, especially in rural areas. There are parts of this country that you should definitely avoid, such as the border region between Panama and Colombia (considered extraordinarily dangerous due to the presence of Colombian rebel groups and drug traffickers), most of the city of Colón, the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City and the neighborhoods of Curundú and El Marañón, which are poor and crime-ridden areas. Although the main streets, squares and districts with bars and restaurants are safe at night, visitors should be more careful at nightfall, especially if they travel north along Central Avenue to El Chorrillo. Purse theft and theft are a common problem in Panama City, so tourists are advised to exercise caution, especially in busy areas, such as train and bus stations, airports and busy streets, as well as on public transport.
The climate in Panama is a tropical maritime climate, characterized by a warm and humid season with abundant rainfall (which lasts from May to December) and a short dry season (which lasts from January to May). Tocumen International Airport is the busiest international airport in Panama City, the capital of the country of Panama. It is also at the same time the busiest airport in Central America at the moment. As anywhere else, we recommend taking out travel insurance when traveling to Panama, as it covers not only the costs of medical problems, but also the theft and loss of valuables.
Steve, thank you friend for your comment. It helps me a lot to understand Panama through local eyes. Boo-Boo So how about you go back to Kansas, Robby? The officer knows what he's doing, unlike you. Robby, unfortunately, the planet is full of things just as Steve and I dealt with the good, the bad and the ugly for 25 to 30 years. Show me your cards, Robby? Martha made landfall in the province of Veraguas, Panama, as a strong tropical storm, not as a full-fledged “hurricane”.
There are opposing currents on both sides of the equator that, in fact, are cancel each other out. Panama is about 600 miles from the equator, but close enough to benefit from this. It's impossible for a hurricane to actually cross the equator. Rena, what brings you back to Panama so many times? Do you have a list of places that are essential for first-time visitors? I have traveled there several times and felt very safe.
Of course, be resourceful in any big city (Panama City and Los Angeles).(Same) Panama is a safe country, there are no natural disasters, crime is low and the people are very friendly. Too many people from other countries have disappeared. That changed my mind where you got that information because at my time station in Panama I never heard of too many people disappearing from different countries. Is it safe to visit Panama and retire.
As in any other big country, you have to be careful with the times in which it surrounds you. I have been to Panama about ten times and I liked it so much that I decided to buy land and build a house, I never felt unsafe in Panama, in fact, I feel safer there than in the states of Panama, an excellent place, we are also building a house in Volcancito. For the average American, retiring here isn't worth it. We have armed violence and politicians who don't respond to the will of the majority of voters.
You can live very well for half the price. We found that Panamanians are some of the nicest people we've ever met. How rainy is the beginning of June? Do you like coastal evening showers, monsoons, or just a mix of sun and rain from time to time? Thank you, I think it means that retiring in the United States is not worth it. I had to re-read it to understand his point of view. I have found that it is a safe and friendly country.
But I like to have a local when I travel, just to be safe. I have visited Panama twice in the last two years. I repeat, I have never had any problems in Panama. I have been to Colón, Panama City and somewhere in between.
The people are friendly and willing to help you when you have questions. I am more afraid of walking on the streets of the United States. UU. I have never felt threatened nor have I ever felt threatened while in Panama. Go to Panama and have a great time, you won't regret it.
I want to travel to Panama but I don't have much. If someone helps me, I can, Panama is generally a safe country, and you don't see the violent crimes you see in the United States. There are definitely no psychopaths who pick up their assault rifles to shoot innocent children at school. Panama is a very safe place to visit. Natural disasters, thank God, I can't remember the last time we faced a natural disaster in the country. An economically stable country and its pocket size, as you mentioned, is very low.
Kidnapping? By no means, that hardly ever happens in the country. Gun violence in the streets? It almost never happens, unless you visit some ghettos, which are very rare even in the capital, Panama City. We have been to Panama several times and we love it. The canal is an interesting visit, as is Panama City. But you also have to go to El Valle and Boquette.
Bocas del Toro is also a unique visit. Panama is a very diverse country and you can't see it all in a single visit. Therefore, we will return as soon as possible. Like anywhere else, Panama has crime.
New York has crime, San Francisco has crime, etc. If you try to buy drugs, pick up a prostitute on the street, obviously get drunk in a bar, take out cutting-edge money, expensive watches, etc., you increase your risk. Most of the reported crimes involve people who committed something stupid and put themselves in danger. Don't carry a huge bag, rent a car from a reputable car rental service, it's easy and cheap.
Don't carry unnecessary credit cards or cash, why would you do that in the first place? Don't overshare your information or brag about your income, wealth, etc. The same advice I would give to visitors to most major U.S. cities. As for kidnappings, the numbers are ridiculously low. If you leave valuables on a beach to put them in the water, they could attract attention, as is the case in Hawaii and Florida.
Act like an adult in Pansms, be aware of your surroundings, etc. and you won't have any problems. Panama is a wonderful and safe place to visit in alive. What are hospitals and treatment like at the end of care? they take us, then.
Can I pay for Panama? Panama has become an important destination both for tourists and for people looking to retire in a pleasant country, where prices are lower. I have managed to go there several times and I really like it. While there are still problems that need to be solved, such as pickpockets and some scammers, I still think that Panama has a lot more good things to offer than bad things. Pickpockets are often easy to spot if you look for scams carefully, just use your judgment and reject anything that seems strange to you and you'll be fine.
My wife loved the Panama Canal a lot. I think I could spend hours and hours watching ships in transit. He loves this kind of thing. There's also a boat tour that really opens your eyes to how huge this place is. There's also a museum, a restaurant, and an IMAX theater here, so you can probably spend a day out of it.
If hiking is your thing, head to the town of Boquete. This place is safe and warm (both for people and for the climate) and is a place well known for wildlife, nature and bird watching. It's also a good idea to have a car to tour the surrounding mountains, but tours can also be taken if you don't have a vehicle. Panama is best known for the Panama Canal, which consists of 82 km of (partially) artificial waterways that connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean.
Panama's national bird is the harpy eagle, a magnificent bird found deep in Panama's national parks. Scams are quite common in Panama, so it's crucial that you stay alert, always check your exchange rate and never pay nothing in advance. Pickpockets are common in busy areas of Panama City, including bus stations, markets, and shopping areas, so keep your valuables safe. Panama has a long history and is an interesting place to learn about indigenous South American culture and the Spanish conquest.
Report a crime by dialing 511 9260 (the Panama City Tourist Police) or 104 (National Police) and have your embassy number ready. Old-school taxi scams that involve going back and forth to increase the fare can happen anywhere in the world, but in Panama City it's common for taxis to simply charge Too much. I was in Panama City, the Boquete region and Palenque Island, all of which were safe and very welcoming. Panama City is an international banking center and a global transshipment hub, with generous offshore tax structures and strict secrecy laws.
Uber and Lyft are also available in Panama City (although drivers are usually willing to cross the country), in addition to UberEnglish for people who don't speak Spanish and UberAssist for people with mobility problems.
