Is Panama Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Patrolling is frequent in major cities, and populated places like the downtown districts, and Panama City's Casco Viejo neighborhood. However, solo female travelers need to be aware of their surroundings, stick to well-lit areas, and avoid seedy neighborhoods. The use of taxis or Uber for night transportation is recommended over walking alone.

Public transportation in Panama generally tends to be safe, with buses, mini-buses and metro serving as common means. However, it might get very crowded during rush hours and instances of pickpocketing are not uncommon. The drivers are also known to drive fast and erratically at times. It is recommended to stay vigilant, especially when the vehicle is crowded.

Panama is generally a safe country for solo female travelers. However, like any other place, street harassment can happen but it's not prevalent. Women may occasionally encounter catcalling or lewd comments, especially in bigger cities like Panama City or Colon. That being said, such incidents tend to be more annoying than threatening. As with any destination, it's recommended to remain aware of your surroundings, avoid less crowded and poorly lit areas especially at night, and dress conservatively to blend in.

The level of petty crime in Panama is moderate. It's common to encounter instances such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, especially in crowded areas and tourist hubs such as Panama City and Bocas del Toro. Therefore, it's essential to be vigilant, use common sense and keep your belongings close and secure at all times. However, if you take pre-emptive measures and stay alert of your surroundings, you should be able to avoid most potential risky situations.

In Panama, it's often best to avoid drinking tap water. While the water may be safe in major cities such as Panama City, in many rural areas, it's not treated and may contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants. For this reason, it's generally recommended to drink bottled, boiled, or filtered water when traveling in Panama.

The United States Government advises exercising increased caution in Panama due to crime. Some areas pose an increased risk. Check the full travel advisory.

The Canadian Government advises taking normal security precautions in Panama. Check the full travel advisory.

The Australian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Panama overall due to the threat of violent crime. Check the full travel advisory.