Central America·Panama

Is Panama City Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Panama City is generally safe for tourists relative to other popular destinations. Our database documents 13 scams, with only 1 rated high severity. Standard travel awareness applies — staying alert in crowded areas and using vetted transport covers the majority of documented risks.

Generally Safe

Overall verdict

13

Scams documented

1

High severity

Overall verdict

Generally Safe

Lower scam risk compared to similar destinations

Scams documented

13

High severity

1

Medium severity

7

Top risk type

Tour & Activities

Priority warnings

High-severity risks in Panama City

These are the most serious documented scams — rated high severity based on frequency, financial impact, and confirmation across multiple sources.

Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis

high

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 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.

Where: 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

By traveler type

Is Panama City safe for you specifically?

Scam risk varies by traveler profile. Different types of visitors face different documented threats in Panama City.

Solo travelers

Higher risk

Solo travelers are more frequently targeted because they lack the deterrent of a group. Stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share itineraries with someone at home, and avoid deserted areas at night.

First-time visitors

Higher risk

Unfamiliarity with local pricing, transport, and norms makes first-time visitors prime targets. Read the full scam database for Panama City before arrival — knowing what scams exist is the single most effective protection.

Families with children

Lower risk

Families with children are less commonly targeted for scams involving nightlife or bar areas. Standard precautions apply: use vetted transport, keep documents secured, and brief children on not accepting gifts from strangers.

Budget travelers

Higher risk

Budget travelers spending time in hostels, using street food, and booking last-minute tours face increased exposure to accommodation scams, fake tour operators, and currency exchange fraud.

Where risk concentrates

Areas to be cautious in Panama City

These locations are specifically cited in documented scam reports for Panama City. Exercise heightened awareness in these areas.

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

high

Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge

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

medium

San Blas Islands Boat Tour Fraud

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

medium

Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers

Near the Miraflores Locks visitor center at the Panama Canal

medium

Casco Viejo Fake Mola Craft Sellers

Craft markets and souvenir shops in Casco Viejo (San Felipe district)

low
Risk breakdown

What types of scams occur in Panama City?

Tour & Activities

Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping.

3

23% of reports

Money & ATM Scams

Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons.

3

23% of reports

Taxi & Transport

Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists.

2

15% of reports

Street Scams

Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas.

1

8% of reports

Restaurant Scams

Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks.

1

8% of reports

Accommodation Scams

Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud.

1

8% of reports

Online Scams

Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers.

1

8% of reports

Other Scams

Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors.

1

8% of reports

How serious?

Severity breakdown for Panama City

1 High — 8%
7 Medium — 54%
5 Low — 38%
Before you go

Quick safety checklist for Panama City

01

Before booking any tour or activity in Panama City, verify the operator has verifiable reviews on multiple platforms.

02

Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Panama City — review those warnings specifically before you arrive.

03

Use app-based transport rather than street taxis, especially near Panama City's main tourist attractions.

04

Keep a physical copy of your passport, travel insurance policy number, and embassy contact in a separate location from originals.

05

If you are approached by someone offering unsolicited help, tours, or currency exchange, politely decline and walk away.

06

Report any scam to local police and to your country's embassy. Even if recovery is unlikely, reports help maintain accurate travel advisories.

Common questions

Is Panama City safe — answered

Is Panama City safe for tourists in 2026?
Panama City is generally safe for tourists based on our database of 13 documented scams. 1 of those are rated high severity. The most common risks are tour & activities, money & atm scams, taxi & transport. Millions of tourists visit Panama City safely each year — preparedness is the key differentiator.
Is Panama City safe for solo travelers?
Panama City has documented scams that specifically target solo travelers. Key advice: stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share your itinerary with someone at home, use app-based transport at night, and avoid isolated areas after dark. Review the full scam list for Panama City before traveling alone.
What are the most dangerous areas in Panama City for tourists?
Based on documented incident reports, the highest-risk areas in Panama City 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. Tour agencies near Casco Viejo and hotel lobbies in the financial district. These areas are associated with taxi & transport, tour & activities, other scams incidents.
Is Panama City safe at night?
Nighttime risk in Panama City is primarily concentrated around bar and nightlife districts, where overcharging, spiked drink incidents, and fake police are more common. Using official or app-based transport after dark and staying in well-lit, populated areas reduces risk significantly.
Is Panama City safe for female travelers?
Panama City is broadly accessible for female travelers with standard precautions. General guidance: use verified accommodation with secure entry, avoid sharing ride details publicly, dress in line with local customs to reduce unwanted attention, and keep emergency contacts accessible. Travel communities like r/solotravel and r/TravelHacks have current firsthand reports.
What scams should I watch for in Panama City?
The top documented scams in Panama City are: Express Kidnapping in Unlicensed Night Taxis, Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge, San Blas Islands Boat Tour Fraud, Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers, Casco Viejo Fake Mola Craft Sellers. The full database covers 13 individual scams across 8 categories. Reviewing each scam's description and avoidance tips is the most effective pre-trip preparation.
Should I get travel insurance for Panama City?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Panama City. Beyond scam-related losses, insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and theft — all documented risk categories here. Look for policies that include 24/7 emergency assistance and explicit coverage for mugging or pickpocketing. Compare policies on comparison sites before purchasing.
Is Panama safe to visit in 2026?
Panama as a whole is a popular tourist destination with documented scam activity across multiple cities. Panama City specifically has 13 documented scams with a generally safe safety rating. Check the full Panama country guide for a regional overview and safety comparisons across all covered cities.

Editorial note: This safety assessment for Panama City is based on 13 verified scam reports in the Before You Go database, compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Safety conditions change — always cross-reference with current government advisories before travel. Read our methodology →