Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Panama City at 54/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Panama's national picture overall (68/100 vs 70/100).
City page · part of Panama
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Panama City report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside Panama's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
46.5
Safety Index
53.5
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as Panama's national page, with crime swapped for Panama City's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Panama City, specifically
- • Areas: Be careful in Casco Viejo and the Panama Viejo ruins area.
- • Stay out of El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Curundu and San Miguel.
- • The central neighborhoods of Marbella, El Cangrejo, Obarrio, San Francisco, and the Banking Area are generally the most safe.
- • Taxis: It's always a good idea (in any country really) to spend a few minutes to find out exact taxi fares before taking a taxi and always have exact change for the correct fare.
- • Outside of Multiplaza, Albrook and Multicentro are some very good looking Taxis.
- • Some taxis at the main bus station prey on visitors.
Legal status (national law)
Legal since 2008+ UN decl. sign.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 110V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 911 / ambulance: 911 / fire: 911
Cash vs. Card
You can typically use a credit card at all hotels in the capital, and in medium-sized regional cities (David, Las Tablas, Colon, Santiago, Bocas del Toro, etc.) Restaurants, supermarkets, and department stores in major cities will also usually take credit cards and even debit cards. However, outside the capital using your card could be difficult.
How this compares to Panama
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Panama City at 54/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Panama's national picture overall (68/100 vs 70/100).
See the full Panama page and all receipts →