Safety & Health

Panama is considered one of the safest countries in the Americas. Pinkerton Intelligence Services gives the country the highest rating for tourist safety.  As a country accustomed to being an international crossroads, Panama is more than visitor-friendly, it`s welcoming. The crime rate in Panama is the lowest in Latin America ; pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are rare and taxi drivers are honest.  Moreover, Panama has a special tourism police force dedicated to protecting tourists. 

Panama is also positioned geographically for safety.  The country does not experience destructive hurricanes or earthquakes as do Panama ’s Central American neighbours. The tap water in Panama City is excellent; and it is the only Latin American capital where it is safe to drink the tap water. As with all countries, however, there is information relating to health and safety risks of which visitors should be aware.

Health Care Facilities and Considerations
Panama City has a wide selection of state-of-the-art reliable medical facilities with American and European trained doctors.  Because some hospitals, such as the Hospital Nacional, are on a par with U.S. hospitals at about 50% less cost, Panama is carving out a niche in “health tourism”.  Private hospitals and clinics are often very good; public hospitals and clinics do not offer services comparable to Canadian facilities.  Medical facilities outside the capital are limited.  Expect to pay for medical services at the time of the visit; credit cards are accepted at most hospitals for hospital charges but not doctor’s fees.

Hospitals and clinics:

Centro Medico Paitilla (tel. 265-8800/269-5222)
Clinica Hospital San Fernando (tel. 229-3800/229-0300)
Clinica Hospital San Fernando Hospital Pediatrico (tel. 229-2299/229-2477)
Hospital Nacional (tel.207-8100) 

Food and Water Precautions
Tap water in Panama City is potable.  Water in main cities is normally chlorinated and safe.  Sterilize or drink bottled water outside the capital.   Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Immunization & Vaccination
Routine  Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, typhoid and rabies are recommended depending on the area of Panama. Insect protection measures such as Deet are advised. Depending on the area, precautions should be taken against malaria and dengue fever.  There is no malaria risk in Panama City or in the former Canal Zone .

Panama City

Panama City, with its first rate facilities, is a fabulous, world-class city that offers excellent lifestyle prospects.  It is safer than most capital cities throughout the world though robberies and pick-pocketing have occurred in some areas of the city.   Exercise the same caution you would in any major metropolitan center.  Pay attention to your pockets, especially along the famous Central Avenue, a popular pedestrian-only shopping zone where a bargain can be found on every corner. Be vigilant at airports, bus terminals and other public places.  Avoid the impoverished El Chorrillo district of Panama City.  Do not stroll around at night in the neighbourhoods of Veracruz Beach , Ancon, Curundu , Panama Viejo, San Miguelito, Rio Abajo and the Madden Dam overlook as incidents typical of metropolitan areas been reported there.  Don’t make overt displays of affluence or carry large sums of cash.  The moderate and growing rate of crime in Panama is particularly due to youth gangs, however Panama has taken measures to curb crime.

Safety Measures
Panama City has a curfew for persons under 18 years of age.  By law, students attending night classes must have a carnet or permit, issued by the school or, if employed, a Certificate of Employment.  Minors detained for a curfew violation can expect to be confined at a police station until parents or legal guardians can arrange for them to be released into their custody.  Parents or legal guardians may be fined up to US $50.00 for the violation.

Weekend police checkpoints are also commonplace on roads in Panama City and Colon .

Colon
Colon is one of the most important distribution centers in the world for imports and re-exports for Latin America .  Panama ’s Free Zone, located in Colon , is 45 minutes from Panama City by car.  It is the largest free zone in the Americas, the world`s second-largest, and a duty free shopping area.  While Zona Libre and Hotel Washington are safe, Colon has a serious crime problem.   Taxis are the recommended means of transportation when one is not travelling with a guide or large group.

Darien Province
Darien National Park is considered by many to be relatively safe.  Canadian and American authorities, however, advise visitors to stay away.  Trails can be ill-defined, and travel in Darien National Park should be accompanied by a guide.  Though Panama has excellent telephone, satellite and international cable services, this area lacks reliable communications and medical infrastructure.

The Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama is an impassable jungle.  The Pan-American Highway ends at this point and continues again in Colombia as a result.  The presence of drug smugglers, bandits and Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary forces render the border area of Darien Province between Yaviza and the Colombian border along the upper Tuira River unsafe. (The Secretary of State has designated the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.)

While U.S. citizens are warned not to travel to Darien Province,   Foreign Affairs Canada advises against all travel beyond Yaviza, defining a smaller danger zone beginning at the end of the Pan American Highway and extending to the Columbian border.  U.S. Embassy personnel are only allowed to travel to Darien Province on official business with prior approval of the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. Darien National Park as well as privately owned nature reserves and tourist resorts are included in these restrictions. While no incidents have occurred at these resorts, U.S. citizens, other foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have been the victims of crime in this general area.

Beaches and Boating
Panama is paradise for those who love the water.  Its gorgeous beaches, islands and waterways offer a rich variety of safe and exciting opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing and windsurfing, sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing and river rafting.  Some favourite beaches are La Cabaña Beach on Colón Island and Boca del Drago Beach in Bocas del Toro Province. Other beautiful popular beaches are Cermeño, Gorgona, Coronado, Punta Barco, Las Lajas, El Palmar, Río Mar and Santa Catalina beaches in Veraguas Province.

Though there is a plethora of safe beaches, exercise caution when swimming and wading in unknown waters.  Some beaches with dangerous currents and undertow post no warning signs.  Beaches on the Pacific Ocean tend to be more dangerous than on the Caribbean side. Drowning deaths occur every year. 

With the highest ratio of coastline to land area of any Latin American country, Panama is a boater`s dream come true. Caution should be taken in some areas.  Boaters should be wary of vessels on the Pacific coast due to Columbian northbound narcotic traffic. For the same reason, avoid the southeastern coast of Kuna Yala Comarca (San Blas Islands), south of Punta Carreto.  Local maritime search and rescue capabilities are limited when compared to U.S. and Canadian standards.  

Coiba Island
There are thousands of beautiful and safe islands to visit in Panama .  Permission to visit one is required.  Coiba Island , a former penal colony which still has about 20 inmates, requires permission from the Ministry of Government and Justice and the National Environment Authority.

Roads and Traffic
Panama ’s beautifully pleasant tropical climate has an average temperature of about 27 degrees Celsius (80 F).  The country experiences a variation of only a few degrees between seasons, called the rainy season and the dry season.  The former occasionally brings flooding that can make some city streets impassable.  Occasionally, some interior roads can be washed out.

Panamanian roads, traffic and transportation systems are generally safe.  As in Canada and the U.S. , traffic moves to the right.

Though roads in Panama are largely pothole-free, drivers do encounter road conditions that differ from American and Canadian roads.  One can encounter ineffective signs, lack of traffic signals, dense driving, poor lighting and driving habits that create challenges at times.  Traffic lights may not be present even at busy intersections.  Conditions can vary: urban roads and maintenance are fair to excellent though rural are poor.  Roadside assistance is fair though limited in rural areas.  The old Panama City – Colon highway can be hazardous for night driving.

Public transportation is fair and relatively safe and retirees have the benefit of discounted fares.  Conditions of buses and taxis vary due to lack of regulatory enforcement.

Auto insurance is not mandatory, and many drivers are uninsured as a result.  By law, vehicles involved in an accident must remain in place until police arrive.  Seat belts are required by law as well.

Exciting Carnival
Though most people think of Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans when they think of Carnival , Panama City has the second largest Carnival in the world.  Many consider Las Tablas, with its tradition high street/low street rivalry for fanciest costumes and inventive floats, to be the best place in Panama to celebrate Carnival.  Work comes to a complete stop during Carnival days and the main streets are filled with parades, floats, masks, costumes and confetti.  Exercise caution when driving in the interior during Carnival, which begins the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday and lasts four days.

For the latest advisories call:

• U.S. State Department`s Citizen`s Emergency Center (202-647-5225)
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (800-267-6788 in Canada ; 613-944-6788 from outside the country)
• British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (0171-238-4503)
• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Consular Operations Section (02-6261-3305)