Central America·Panama

Is Panama City Safe in May 2026?

May is wet season / lower tourist volume in Panama City. Wet season brings fewer tourists — scam operators are still active but encounter fewer targets, which can mean more aggressive tactics on remaining visitors.

Lower

May risk

13

Scams documented

Lower

Crowd level

Season

Low Season

Crowd level

Lower

May scam risk

Lower

Year-round scams

13

AprilMayJune
May travel

Safety tips for Panama City in May

Season-specific guidance based on wet season / lower tourist volume conditions and how they interact with documented scam patterns.

01

May is low season in Panama City — you will encounter fewer tourists, but scam operators who work year-round may use more aggressive approaches with fewer targets.

02

Lower demand means better accommodation deals, but verify listings carefully — low-season closures and bait-and-switch tactics increase when competition drops.

03

Transport operators have fewer customers in May. Negotiate fares in advance or use app-based services to avoid inflated pricing on quiet routes.

04

Some attractions and services reduce hours or close entirely during low season. Verify operating schedules before travelling to avoid finding closed sites.

05

Regardless of season, the documented scams for Panama City remain the same — review the full list of 13 warnings before you travel.

06

Travel insurance is recommended for any trip to Panama City. Policies covering theft, medical emergencies, and trip disruption are essential regardless of when you visit.

What to watch for

Top scams in Panama City (active in May)

These scams operate year-round and remain active during May. Lower tourist numbers may reduce frequency but operators remain active.

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.

Taxi Flat Rate Overcharge

medium

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 to avoid: Use Uber (available in Panama City) or confirm the exact zone fare from the official rate card before getting in.

San Blas Islands Boat Tour Fraud

medium

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 to avoid: 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.

Canal Tour Unofficial Ticket Sellers

medium

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 to avoid: Buy Panama Canal visitor tickets directly at the official miraflores.com.pa website or at the on-site ticket desk.

Casco Viejo Fake Mola Craft Sellers

low

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 to avoid: Buy Mola textiles from Kuna artisans at official craft markets. Authentic molas show careful hand-stitching on both sides; mass-produced copies look printed and identical.

Scam types

What types of scams occur in Panama City?

Tour & Activities

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

3

Money & ATM Scams

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

3

Taxi & Transport

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

2

Street Scams

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

1

Restaurant Scams

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

1

Other months

Is Panama City safe in other months?

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Common questions

Panama City in May — answered

Is Panama City safe to visit in May?

Panama City is lower risk for tourists in May. This is wet season / lower tourist volume for the Central America region. Our database documents 13 scams year-round — during May, wet season brings fewer tourists — scam operators are still active but encounter fewer targets, which can mean more aggressive tactics on remaining visitors. The most common risks are tour & activities, money & atm scams, taxi & transport.

Is May a good time to visit Panama City?

May is the quietest period for tourists in Panama City. Fewer tourists mean lower prices and shorter queues, but some services may be reduced. Scam operators remain active year-round.

What scams are most common in Panama City during May?

The documented scam types in Panama City are consistent year-round: Tour & Activities, Money & ATM Scams, Taxi & Transport, Street Scams. During May (wet season / lower tourist volume), frequency drops but remaining operators may be more persistent. The specific scams and their locations remain the same regardless of season.

Is it crowded in Panama City in May?

Tourist crowd levels in Panama City during May are lower. You will have more space at attractions and easier access to accommodation and transport. Some services may operate on reduced schedules.

Should I get travel insurance for Panama City in May?

Travel insurance is recommended for Panama City regardless of when you visit. Low season brings weather-related risks and potential service disruptions from closures. Look for policies covering medical emergencies, theft/mugging, trip cancellation, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

What should I pack for Panama City in May?

Beyond weather-appropriate clothing for May in Central America, pack with scam prevention in mind: a cross-body bag with RFID-blocking (pickpocketing is documented in Panama City), photocopies of your passport stored separately from the original, a phone case with a wrist strap (phone theft is reported), and a portable charger to maintain access to transport apps and maps. Avoid visibly expensive jewelry or electronics in high-risk areas.

Editorial note: Seasonal risk assessments for Panama City are based on 13 year-round scam reports cross-referenced with regional travel patterns. Scam data is compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Conditions change — always check current advisories before travel. Read our methodology →