Tour & Activity Scams in Panama City, Panama
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Panama City — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Willemstad, Havana, and Montego Bay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Tour & Activities Scams
10
Total in Panama City
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
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.
See all scams in Panama City
10 total warnings across all categories