Is It Safe to Travel to Panama in 2026?
Panama - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is a country located at the southern end of Central America, bordering South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
Is It Safe to Travel to Panama in 2026?
Panama is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Panama due to crime and potential for civil unrest. Crime occurs in Panama, including theft and residential break-ins, particularly in tourist areas.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Exercise increased caution due to crime and potential for civil unrest., Demonstrations periodically occur due to local issues and have disrupted travel patterns..
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from street crime, particularly in tourist areas, where theft and pickpocketing are common.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to civil unrest and crime, but major urban areas generally provide reliable infrastructure.
Families with children should be cautious due to limited healthcare access in rural areas and the risk of infectious diseases requiring preventive measures.
Remote workers may find decent connectivity in urban centers but should avoid rural areas with limited internet access and health risks.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Panama.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Mosquito Gulf
- Darién Region
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel2 regions
▶Darién Region
Do not travel due to crime and human trafficking networks.
▶Mosquito Gulf
Do not travel due to crime and drug trafficking activities.
Panama has 2 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Panama has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 83/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Balboa / US Dollar (PAB/USD)
Language
Spanish
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, primaquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchOropouche in the Americas: Areas in several countries are reporting a low number of cases of Oropouche, which is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes.
- watchGlobal Measles: 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.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Panama
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Panama?
▶Is it safe to travel to Panama right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Panama?
▶What vaccines do I need for Panama?
▶Is Panama safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Panama?
More Panama Data
Free — 83/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.