Panama Travel Risk Overview
Is Panama safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026
Panama scores 49/100 on our travel risk index (Moderate). The US State Department rates Panama Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution, updated 19 Aug 2026); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories). No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Panama has a Travel Risk Calculator score of 49 out of 100 (moderate risk tier); city-level files are available for 15 cities. The score combines five layers (security, crime and scams, health and medical access, natural hazards, current alerts) built from government advisories and open data. This page also covers nine safety categories (crime, disease & health, government advisory, political & civil unrest, natural disaster & weather, transport & route, environmental, digital security, money safety), the current US State Department advisory, GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices for Panama, recent news headlines, plus links to every city we have an editorial file for.
Run a personalized Panama assessmentAI safety snapshot · refreshed Oct 15, 2026
Panama maintains a moderate risk level with a US State Department Advisory Level 2 and an active green flood alert. Following a recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake off the Pacific Coast, Panama City remains open to tourists while officials continue to monitor natural disaster alerts.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Oct 16, 2026 03:37 UTC
How safe is Panama to visit in 2026?
Panama currently sits at 49/100 on Travel Risk Calculator's five-layer score, which puts it in the moderate-risk tier. Most travelers will be fine in Panama with normal preparation, but a few risk categories warrant attention. The full live US State Department advisory text for Panama, current GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices, and recent news headlines are shown in the Live conditions section below. For city-specific files (Panama City, Bocas del Toro, La Chorrera), see the City Risk Files section below — they include neighborhood-level scam patterns, transport notes, and medical-access details where available.
Country score
Driven by: security (50/100) and crime and scams (62/100).
Panama's score of 49 is higher than the scores of 65% of the 241 countries we cover.
Data file
| Source | Editorial regional baseline 2026-05-15 (GPI + State Dept advisory + WHO health/transport + INFORM disaster) |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 2026-05-18 02:25:55 |
| City files | 15 |
Assessment memory
Anonymous assessments help Travel Risk Calculator identify which country and city files deserve deeper review.
| Saved assessments | 0 |
|---|---|
| Average composite | No saved signal yet |
Score layers
Safety categories
Official Government Travel Advisories
Cross-referenced official travel advice from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, normalized to a unified 1–4 risk scale.
Department of State
Exercise increased cautionin Panama due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory. U.S. government employees working in Panama n…
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCDO travel advice for Panama. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
Global Affairs Canada
Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
UK content contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canadian advice provided by Global Affairs Canada under open government terms. US advice provided by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Entry Requirements & Local Laws
Official travel advice summary from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
🛂 Entry Requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Panama’s current rules for the most common types of travel. The authorities in Panama set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK. Passport validity requirements If you are visiting Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave Panama. If you live in Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive. Your passport must have at least one blank page. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passpor
Summary of UK FCDO advice, updated Oct 9, 2026 · Full requirements →
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Travel Advisory Level History
Historical official advisory level changes over time.
Protests, Strikes & Closures This Week
Verified recent event reports monitored for Panama within the last 7 days.
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Nature World News · Oct 14
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Reuters · Oct 11
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CGTN · Oct 10
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Facebook · Oct 10
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CBS News · Oct 9
What Changed This Month in Panama
Chronological record of verified security, advisory, health, and hazard updates over the past 30 days.
- Oct 12, 2026 GDACS Alert Green earthquake (Magnitude 6.1M, Depth:10km) in Panama 12/10/2026 23:20 UTC, 1 thousand (in MMI>=VII). (green).
- Oct 2, 2026 CDC Notice Level 1 - Global Dengue (Watch).
- Sep 23, 2026 CDC Notice Level 2 - Global Polio (Alert).
- Oct 14, 2026 Score Change Aguadulce risk score moved from 46 to 51 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 14, 2026 Score Change Ancón risk score moved from 48 to 49 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 14, 2026 Score Change Arraiján risk score moved from 48 to 49 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
City Risk Files in Panama
Showing 15 destination files with city-specific safety data in Panama, ranked by demand and population.
Panama City
Tier APanamá
Bocas del Toro
Tier ABocas del Toro
La Chorrera
Tier BPanamá Oeste
Puerto Caimito
Tier BPanamá Oeste
Colón
Tier BColón
Penonomé
Tier BCoclé
Nuevo Arraiján
Tier BPanamá Oeste
Chitré
Tier BHerrera
Kusapín
Tier BNgäbe-Buglé
Chilibre
Tier BPanamá
Pacora
Tier BPanamá
Jaqué
Tier BDarién
San Miguelito
Tier BPanamá
Arraiján
Tier BPanamá Oeste
Almirante
Tier BBocas del Toro
All towns in Panama (22 additional local facts pages)
These localities carry verified regional geography, nearest hospitals, airports, and natural hazard records with the country baseline risk score.
Live conditions in Panama
Country-scoped real-time data — official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For city-specific weather and air quality, open any city page below.
Official travel advisory
Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution
Panama - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Track Panama’s advisory
Get one email if the US State Department travel-advisory level for Panama changes. No account, unsubscribe anytime.
Traveller notes from government advice
Advice for women travellers
There have been violent attacks, including sexual assault, in tourist destinations in Panama City and across the country. Use the same level of caution you would in the UK when travelling at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and do not walk on your own.
See advice for women travelling abroad.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Oct 2026. Full advice
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex civil unions are illegal, but same-sex relationships are legal in Panama. Most Panamanians are generally tolerant of LGBT+ travellers. However, Panamanian law does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There have been incidents of police officers detaining LGBT+ couples on the grounds of public indecency. Showing affection in public can lead to unwanted attention. Casco Viejo is considered a safe place for LGBT+ travellers.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Oct 2026. Full advice
Local laws and customs
Personal ID
As a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy.
Curfews
Local authorities occasionally impose night-time curfews for adults and/or unaccompanied minors under the age of 18. These are usually in place for several weeks and limited exceptions apply. This is part of government efforts to tackle criminal groups and organised crime.
Those who do not comply with the curfew face arrest by the police. They are not usually applied in tourist areas, but seek local advice if a curfew is introduced in an area you are visiting.
Smoking and e-cigarette bans
It is illegal to smoke in public places. You could be fined 25 to 100 US dollars if you are caught smoking where it’s not allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is also banned in public places.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Read the full UK government advice
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Oct 2026. Full advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Panama’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Panama set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
If you are visiting Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave Panama.
If you live in Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
Your passport must have at least one blank page.
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Oct 2026. Official entry requirements
Disaster alerts
Active Disaster Alerts
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Green earthquake (Magnitude 6.1M, Depth:10km) in Panama 12/10/2026 23:20 UTC, 1 thousand (in MMI>=VII). GREEN · country-wide · 2026-10-12
On 10/12/2026 11:20:36 PM, an earthquake occurred in Panama potentially affecting 1 thousand (in MMI>=VII). The earthquake had Magnitude 6.1M, Depth:10km.
“~N km away” = event centroid within ~500 km of this location; “country-wide” = a national/regional alert that may not be near this specific city. Source: GDACS · fetched 2026-10-16 03:37:34 UTC
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
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Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-10-02
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Mar
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Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-09-23
Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig
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Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-15 19:24:31 UTC
Recent headlines
Recent Headlines · Panama
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Is it safe to travel to Panama? Latest travel advice after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes the Pacific Coast
Time Out Worldwide · 3d ago
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Panama City Remains Open to Tourists Following Earthquakes, Tourism Authority Confirms
TravelPulse Canada · 3d ago
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Natural Disaster Alert – U. S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (October 9, 2026)
U.S. Embassy in Panama (.gov) · 6d ago
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Panama's main airport halts takeoffs, landings amid aftershocks
Xinhua · 5d ago
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Powerful earthquake shakes Panama, followed by large aftershocks
CNN · 6d ago
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Panama Was Hit by 2 Major Earthquakes and More Than 100 Aftershocks—Here’s What It Means for Travelers
Travel + Leisure · 2d ago
Source: Google News · headlines verbatim, dates from publishers · fetched 2026-10-16 03:15:39 UTC
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit Panama
The most weather-stable two-month window for Panama is January–February, when typical daily temperatures run from about 24°C to 30°C and monthly rain averages 38 mm.
Seasonal planning flags include heavy rain season in May–October; hurricane season in June–November. These are climate patterns, not forecasts.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Aug 20, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Diplomatic assistance
Embassies in Panama City
Consulate of Costa Rica and Delegation of the European Union and 3 other embassies are mapped in Panama City.
OpenStreetMap coverage is a location aid, not an official diplomatic directory. Before travel, save the address and emergency contact details published by your own foreign ministry.
Emergency Numbers
| Police | 911 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 911 |
| Fire | 911 |
| General emergency | 911 |
Backfilled from the public international emergency-number registry. The GSM standard 112 (and 911 in the Americas) is redirected to local emergency services on mobile networks in most countries. Verify locally on arrival.
Essential local emergency phrases
Show this screen to first responders, hotel staff, or passersby if you cannot speak the local language during an emergency.
Latest AI-assisted briefing for Panama
Panama City and central regions are managing recovery following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and ongoing aftershocks. Health authorities have also identified local malaria cases near a capital city market, while official advisories remain at Level 2.
Top risk drivers
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Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake and Aftershocks
· disaster
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Panama with over 100 aftershocks affecting infrastructure in provinces such as Veraguas, Coclé, Los Santos, and Herrera.
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Capital Malaria Cluster
· health
Authorities have detected 34 malaria cases near a city market in the capital region.
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Government advisory
· Advisory
Official advisories indicate caution.
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Money safety
· Money
Card skimming, ATM fraud, or counterfeit-cash patterns.
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No airport transfer planned
· Transport
Unsolicited taxis are a recurring scam vector at major airports.
Recent intelligence
- On October 9, 2026, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the province of Herrera, near Pitaloza Arriba in central Panama [source]
- Panama Detects 34 Malaria Cases Near a City Market [source]
Live intelligence cited 8 public-source snippets. Every claim above is grounded in one of them — verify any specific detail by following the snippet links on the full assessment page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Panama safe to visit right now?
Mostly safe with normal precautions. Panama has a few categories that warrant planning — read the breakdown below and check the live US State Department advisory. Composite baseline: 49/100 (Moderate risk). Always cross-check with your home country's foreign-ministry advisory within 7 days of departure; the live US State Department advisory is shown above. Last refreshed October 2026.
What is the current travel advisory for Panama?
The current US State Department advisory level for Panama is shown in the Live conditions section above and is re-fetched every 6 hours from the official RSS feed. UK FCDO, Canada GAC, and Australia DFAT also publish advisories — for high-stakes trips, cross-check at least one foreign-ministry advisory in addition to your home country's. See our travel advisory guide for how to read each tier system.
Is it safe to visit Panama in October 2026?
For October 2026, the baseline composite for Panama is 49/100 (Moderate risk). Live data — advisories every 6 hours, disaster alerts every 30 minutes, health notices every 12 hours, news every hour — is shown in the Live conditions section above. For a personalized risk briefing for your specific trip and traveler profile, use the Travel Risk Calculator linked above.
How are these country-level travel risk scores calculated?
Each category is scored 0-100 from government advisories (US State Dept), crime indices, Global Peace Index data, WHO/CDC health context, and curated regional editorial knowledge. The composite is a weighted sum across nine categories — see /methodology for the full weight breakdown. Live data (advisories, news, disaster alerts, health notices) is layered on top of the baseline at request time.
Where can I find city-specific safety information for Panama?
City-specific files for Panama are listed in the City Risk Files section above. Each city page covers the same nine categories at city scope, plus city-specific scam patterns, transport-hub safety notes, medical-access detail, and (where available) neighborhood-level guidance. Use the header search to find a specific city directly.
When was this page last reviewed?
The baseline scores for Panama were last reviewed on May 18, 2026. Live intelligence (advisory, disaster alerts, health notices, news) refreshes automatically on the cadences described above.
Is this a substitute for an official travel advisory?
No. Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated risk information for planning purposes only. Always check your home country's official travel advisory and any health notices from your national health authority before traveling.
When is the best time to visit Panama?
January–February is the most weather-stable two-month window in the stored 1991-2020 normals. The most weather-stable two-month window for Panama is January–February, when typical daily temperatures run from about 24°C to 30°C and monthly rain averages 38 mm.
What is the rainy, hurricane, or severe-weather season in Panama?
heavy rain season: May–October; hurricane season: June–November.
Community Safety Sentiment
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Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.