Central America·Panama·Updated May 3, 2026

Panama City Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Panama)

Panama City tourists face taxi scams near Casco Viejo, unlicensed money changers giving bad rates, and overpriced boat tours to the San Blas Islands.

Risk Index

5.6

out of 10

Scams

13

documented

High Severity

1

8% of total

5.6

Risk Index

13

Scams

1

High Risk

Panama City has 13 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis, Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge, Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Panama City

Panama City has 13 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around tour & activities (3 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis — In El Cangrejo and Marbella neighbourhoods after midnight, unlicensed taxis pick up solo passengers and drive to one or more ATMs, forcing the victim at implied or explicit threat to withdraw the daily maximum. Travellers familiar with Belize City or San Juan del Sur will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in Central America, though the specific local variations in Panama City are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Outside bars and clubs along Calle Uruguay and Calle 50 in El Cangrejo, and near the casino entrances on Avenida Balboa in Marbella after 11pm; Outside Tocumen International Airport and in the Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo neighborhoods; Near the Miraflores Locks visitor center at the Panama Canal. A separate but related pattern is Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers: Touts near the Miraflores Locks visitor centre sell Canal admission tickets and tour packages at inflated prices, claiming official tickets are sold out or unavailable online. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Never hail a taxi from the street after dark in El Cangrejo or Marbella. Use only the Uber app or call a registered radio taxi such as Taxi Único or ask your hotel or restaurant to call a confirmed taxi for you. Share your live location with a contact before getting in any vehicle at night.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis

In El Cangrejo and Marbella neighbourhoods after midnight, unlicensed taxis pick up solo passengers and drive to one or more ATMs, forcing the victim at implied or explicit threat to withdraw the daily maximum. The driver may have accomplices who join at a pre-arranged stop. Victims are typically released unharmed after the withdrawal but the financial loss averages USD 300–500 per incident. This crime category is locally called "secuestro exprés" and is specifically linked to unmarked vehicles operating outside the regulated taxi zones.

Outside bars and clubs along Calle Uruguay and Calle 50 in El Cangrejo, and near the casino entrances on Avenida Balboa in Marbella after 11pm

How to avoid: Never hail a taxi from the street after dark in El Cangrejo or Marbella. Use only the Uber app or call a registered radio taxi such as Taxi Único or ask your hotel or restaurant to call a confirmed taxi for you. Share your live location with a contact before getting in any vehicle at night.

This scam type is also documented in Belize City and San Juan del Sur.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Panama City.

Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis

Taxi & Transport

Outside bars and clubs along Calle Uruguay and Calle 50 in El Cangrejo, and near the casino entrances on Avenida Balboa in Marbella after 11pm

Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge

Taxi & Transport

Outside Tocumen International Airport and in the Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo neighborhoods

Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers

Tour & Activities

Near the Miraflores Locks visitor center at the Panama Canal

San Blas Islands Boat Tour Fraud

Tour & Activities

Tour agencies near Casco Viejo and hotel lobbies in the financial district

ATM Skimming near Hotels

Money & ATM Scams

ATMs in the El Cangrejo and Marbella hotel districts of Panama City

Fake Jungle Tour Operator

Tour & Activities

Tour desks near Albrook and Casco Viejo, and hotel lobbies throughout Panama City

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Panama City

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Never hail a taxi from the street after dark in El Cangrejo or Marbella. Use only the Uber app or call a registered radio taxi such as Taxi Único or ask your hotel or restaurant to call a confirmed taxi for you. Share your live location with a contact before getting in any vehicle at night.
  • Use Uber (available in Panama City) or confirm the exact zone fare from the official rate card before getting in.
  • Buy Panama Canal visitor tickets directly at the official miraflores.com.pa website or at the on-site ticket desk.
  • Book San Blas tours through operators with extensive recent reviews on TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet. Ask specifically how many people are on the boat and see photos of the actual boat before paying. Request the license of the operation.
  • Use ATMs attached to major bank branches only. Shield your PIN and review your bank statements during and after travel.

FAQ

Panama City Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Panama City?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Panama City are Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis, Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge, Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers, with 1 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Belize City and San Juan del Sur.
Are taxis safe in Panama City?
Taxis in Panama City carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. Never hail a taxi from the street after dark in El Cangrejo or Marbella. Use only the Uber app or call a registered radio taxi such as Taxi Único or ask your hotel or restaurant to call a confirmed taxi for you. Share your live location with a contact before getting in any vehicle at night. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Panama City safe at night for tourists?
Panama City tourists face taxi scams near Casco Viejo, unlicensed money changers giving bad rates, and overpriced boat tours to the San Blas Islands. 1 of the 13 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Outside bars and clubs along Calle Uruguay and Calle 50 in El Cangrejo, and near the casino entrances on Avenida Balboa in Marbella after 11pm. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Panama City should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Panama City is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Outside bars and clubs along Calle Uruguay and Calle 50 in El Cangrejo, and near the casino entrances on Avenida Balboa in Marbella after 11pm (Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis); Outside Tocumen International Airport and in the Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo neighborhoods (Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge); Near the Miraflores Locks visitor center at the Panama Canal (Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Panama City?
The best protection against scams in Panama City is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Never hail a taxi from the street after dark in El Cangrejo or Marbella. Use only the Uber app or call a registered radio taxi such as Taxi Único or ask your hotel or restaurant to call a confirmed taxi for you. Share your live location with a contact before getting in any vehicle at night. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Panama City · Panama · Central America

Open in Maps →

Region

More destinations in Central America

Belize City

Belize

13 scams

San Juan del Sur

Nicaragua

13 scams

Tamarindo

Costa Rica

13 scams

La Fortuna

Costa Rica

13 scams

San José

Costa Rica

13 scams

Central America safety guide →All scams in Panama →

Experienced a scam here?

Help fellow travelers by reporting it.

Report a Scam

Editorial note: Scam warnings for Panama City are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →