Is It Safe to Live in Panama? What You Should Know

Which areas need more caution?

• In the cities, as in any capital, some neighborhoods have more crime than others: find out before renting and visit the area at different times of day.
• The Darién border region with Colombia is a remote area with irregular migration routes; many countries advise against travel to parts of it.
• Always check the travel advice published by your country's government, which is updated frequently.

How to act in an emergency or after a crime

• For emergencies, call 911.
• If you are the victim of a crime, file a report with the Public Prosecutor's Office or the National Police; you will also need it for insurance or to request replacement documents.
• If your passport is stolen, notify your consulate; if you lose your resident card, request a replacement (see permanent resident ID card).
• Always carry your ID: your resident card or your passport.

What about natural risks?

Panama is generally outside the usual path of Caribbean hurricanes, but it has a long rainy season with local flooding and some seismic activity, especially in the west of the country. When buying or renting, ask whether the area floods and check the condition of access roads (see where to live in Panama).

Which precautions are most useful?

• Choose a home in areas you know and, if you can, in buildings or developments with controlled access.
• Be wary of rental and sale scams: check ownership in the Public Registry before paying (see renting a home).
• Do not carry large amounts of cash and use bank accounts for major transactions.
• Have health insurance and emergency numbers at hand (see health insurance).