Safest cities in Panama
5 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in PanamaAlthough there is no recent history of terrorism in Panama, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- On 29 June, the Panamanian government lifted the ‘state of urgency’ in Bocas del Toro that had been in place in response to violent protests in May and June. However, a curfew for unaccompanied minors remains in place between 8pm and 5am. If you are in the province, stay away from protests, pay attention to good local advice and be alert to…
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsThere is a risk of pickpocketing in busy areas, on buses and at bus stations. You can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including:
- Sexual assaultThere have been violent attacks, including sexual assault, in tourist destinations in Panama City and across the country. Use the same level of caution you would in the UK when travelling at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and do not walk on your own.
- Gang-related crimeThere have been incidents of targeted gang assassinations, some in tourist areas. Most of these crimes are between members of rival drug gangs.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAs a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy.
- Curfew in Colón ProvinceIn August 2024, Panama introduced a night-time curfew for unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 in Colón province. Limited exceptions apply. This is part of government efforts to tackle criminal groups and organised crime.
- Smoking and e-cigarette bansIt is illegal to smoke in public places. You could be fined 25 to 100 US dollars if you are caught smoking where it’s not allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is also banned in public places.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDo not become involved with drugs of any kind. You can get a prison sentence for possessing even a small quantity of drugs.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex civil unions are illegal, but same-sex relationships are legal in Panama. Most Panamanians are generally tolerant of LGBT+ travellers. However, Panamanian law does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There have been incidents of police officers detaining LGBT+ couples on the grounds of public indecency.…
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming safetyTake care when wading, swimming or taking part in water sports on Pacific and Caribbean beaches. Some beaches have strong currents and undertows and there are rarely warning signs. People drown every year.
- Hiking and mountaineeringIf hiking in the hills around Boquete and the Province of Chiriqui you should consider going with an experienced guide. Trails may not be well marked, and mobile phone coverage is unreliable. Tourists have gone missing and died hiking without a guide. Seek local advice before setting out.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning on driving in Panama, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving standardsDriving standards can be poor. Traffic accidents are common. Roads are often poorly lit and can have potholes and unfinished repairs. Darien Province and other remote rural areas may have very few surfaced roads.
- TaxisTaxis can be in poor condition and accidents, due to poor maintenance and driving standards, are common. To reduce your risk, use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged transport only.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- HurricanesThe Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricanes do not directly affect Panama but often cause heavy rain. There may be flash floods and landslides. October and November have the heaviest rainfall.
- EarthquakesEarthquakes are a risk in Panama. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Panama, updated 2025-12-10 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 12.78 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 49.72024
- Human development
- HDI 0.8392023
- Income
- $41,770/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 13.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 70/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 52/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 33/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 4.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.70GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 15.1 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 1.6 doctors /1k2.0 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 4 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Tsunami
- 8.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 7.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 1.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Panama (as of 2025).
How Panama compares
| Measure | Panama | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 13 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +10 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 49.7 | 35.2 | +14.5 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.839 | 0.763 | +0.076 — better for Panama |
| Road deaths | 13.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −1.5 /100k — better for Panama |
| Rule of law | 52/100 | 52/100 | ±0/100 |
| Corruption perceptions | 33/100 | 39/100 | −6/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 15.1 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −4.6 µg/m³ — better for Panama |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.0/10 | 3.8/10 | +0.2/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Panama | North America median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 13 /100k | 17 /100k | −4.1 /100k — better for Panama |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 49.7 | 41.1 | +8.6 — better for North America median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.839 | 0.776 | +0.063 — better for Panama |
| Road deaths | 13.9 /100k | 14.8 /100k | −0.9 /100k — better for Panama |
| Rule of law | 52/100 | 53/100 | −1/100 |
| Corruption perceptions | 33/100 | 40/100 | −7/100 — better for North America median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 15.1 µg/m³ | 14.8 µg/m³ | +0.3 µg/m³ — better for North America median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.0/10 | 4.0/10 | ±0.0/10 |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 5 cities, safest first
- Colón52.7 · #5036 worldwide
- La Chorrera52.7 · #5037 worldwide
- David52.7 · #5038 worldwide
- Panama City50.4 · #5168 worldwide
- Arraiján50.4 · #5169 worldwide