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.
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge
Panama City's taxi system uses zones rather than meters, and many drivers quote tourist fares significantly above the zone rate, especially from Tocumen International Airport. A legal airport-to-city fare is around $25–30, but drivers often quote $50–80.
📍Outside Tocumen International Airport and in the Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo neighborhoods
How to avoid: Use Uber (available in Panama City) or confirm the exact zone fare from the official rate card before getting in.
This scam type is also documented in Willemstad and Havana.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Panama City · Panama · Central America & Caribbean
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Panama City
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge
Outside Tocumen International Airport and in the Casco Viejo and El Cangrejo neighborhoods
San Blas Islands Boat Tour Fraud
Tour agencies near Casco Viejo and hotel lobbies in the financial district
Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis
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
Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers
Near the Miraflores Locks visitor center at the Panama Canal
Fake Jungle Tour Operator
Tour desks near Albrook and Casco Viejo, and hotel lobbies throughout Panama City
ATM Skimming near Hotels
ATMs in the El Cangrejo and Marbella hotel districts of Panama City
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Panama City's taxi system uses zones rather than meters, and many drivers quote tourist fares significantly above the zone rate, especially from Tocumen International Airport. A legal airport-to-city fare is around $25–30, but drivers often quote $50–80.
How it works
Operators near the Casco Viejo advertise San Blas Island boat tours with "beach camping" and "pristine islands." Tourists arrive to find overcrowded boats, safety issues, and basic conditions far below what was advertised.
How it works
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.
How it works
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.
How it works
Individuals near major hotels sell day trips to the Darien jungle or San Blas islands, collecting full payment upfront and providing inferior or non-existent transport, meals, and activities vs what was described.
How it works
Standalone ATMs near tourist hotels and the Albrook Mall area have been targeted with skimming overlays, particularly near large tourist events.
How it works
Unofficial currency changers on the street offer better rates than banks to exchange Colombian pesos or other regional currencies to USD, but shortchange significantly or use sleight of hand in the count.
How it works
Street vendors in Casco Viejo sell machine-printed textiles claiming to be authentic Kuna Mola handicrafts at genuine mola prices. The real handmade molas are distinct on close inspection.
How it works
Panama uses both US dollars and the Panamanian balboa interchangeably at 1:1. Some vendors shortchange tourists by claiming small denomination coins are lower value or by not returning correct change.
How it works
At the souvenir concession area adjacent to the Miraflores Locks visitor centre, vendors sell mass-produced items labelled as handmade Emberá or Kuna indigenous crafts at prices that imply authenticity. The goods are factory imports from China or low-cost regional manufacturers with no connection to Panamanian indigenous communities. Tourists pay USD 30–80 for items worth a fraction of the price, believing they are supporting local artisans. The packaging and vendor patter specifically invoke indigenous culture to justify the premium.
Panama City Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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Filter scams in Panama City by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Central America & Caribbean region. Before visiting Montego Bay, San Juan, and San José, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
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 →