Safety update for Panama based on recent experience and community reports:
General Safety Level: Higher risk than average — stay vigilant.
Common Risks:
- Drink spiking at bars — watch your drinks
- Tourist pricing — negotiate or walk away
- Romance scams — be skeptical of offers
Areas to Avoid:
Avoid the area around the bus station at night.
Police Situation:
Corruption exists but tourists rarely targeted.
Stay safe out there.
Common scams in Panama and how to avoid them
Started by EuroExplorer · 25 Mar 2026 · 927 views
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25 Mar 2026 at 13:33
Euro Explorer — Boston, MA
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Location: Dallas, TX
25 Mar 2026 at 16:38
Nice report. Heading there next month — exactly the intel I needed.
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Location: Boston, MA
25 Mar 2026 at 19:33
+1 on this. Exactly my experience too. Solid destination.
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Location: Newark, NJ
26 Mar 2026 at 00:38
Been going for years. Scene has shifted a bit but still good.
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Location: Newark, NJ
26 Mar 2026 at 04:38
What was your total spend roughly? Trying to budget for mine.
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Location: Sydney, Australia
26 Mar 2026 at 08:38
Also recommend downloading Google Translate before you go. Essential.
Ozzie Travels — Sydney, Australia
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Location: Portland, OR
27 Mar 2026 at 06:33
Quick question — how was the hotel security?
Portland, OR | 20 countries visited
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Location: Orlando, FL
28 Mar 2026 at 03:33
+1 on this. Exactly my experience too. Solid destination.
Do your research, respect the locals, stay safe. — Orlando Oscar
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