North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• The Panamerican highway in Panama has reopened after being temporarily closed by demonstrators.  But there remains a possibility of further protests and road blockages along the highway and in areas near David and Volcan in Chriqui in the west of Panama.  Travellers should check the situation in the local media and with their tour operators before travelling.  Travellers already in the affected areas should exercise caution, avoid crowds and follow the advice of local authorities.     
  
   
• Between 2010 and May 2011, 15,000 British nationals visited Panama (Source: Panamanian Immigration Department).  Most visits are trouble-free.  Ten British nationals required consular assistance in Panama in the period April 2010 - March 2011. See General - Consular Assistance statistics.
  
   
• Travellers should be aware of the risks of Dengue Fever and heat related sickness when planning a visit to Panama.  See Health
  
  
• Travel to the Darien province should be conducted only with an organised group, and to recognised tourist destinations protected by the Panamanian police. See Safety and Security - Local Travel.  
  
   
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see our Terrorism Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Crime
There is a risk of street crime.  In the last year, the official crime statistics have shown increased levels of robberies, murders and assault in San Miguelito, El Chorillo and Juan Diaz.  The majority of these crimes are amongst members of rival drug gangs. Nevertheless, travellers should take sensible precautions.  

You should not carry large sums of cash or valuables in public. Deposit them in hotel safes wherever possible. Be vigilant when using ATM cash machines installed in public places, usually outside banks. There have been cases of people being attacked after drawing cash from these machines. There have also been instances of devices being inserted in ATMs, which allow cards to be cloned.  Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. 

Beware of pickpockets in busy thoroughfares, on buses and at bus stations. Be alert for muggers particularly in the main shopping areas especially Via España and Avenida Central, the area of Calidonia, as well as in the old town (Casco Viejo) in Panama City, and in the old Panama ruins (Panama Viejo), the Madden Dam area - off the main Panama to Colon road, and the city of Colon, where unemployment, street crime and drug usage are high.

The border area with Colombia is particularly dangerous (beyond a line drawn from Punta Carreto in the Comarca de San Blas on the Atlantic coast, through Yaviza in the eastern Darien province, to Punta Piña on the Pacific coast). Political and criminal violence in Colombia can spill over into Panama. There are regular incursions by Colombian guerrillas and other armed groups. Foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, kidnapping and murder in this area.  

You should use registered yellow taxi companies.  Picking up multiple travellers in Panama is common practice.  Nevertheless, travellers should insist that taxi drivers do not do this.   

You are advised to be cautious if approached by visitors seeking access to your property.  We are aware of instances where criminal gangs have used this method to enter then commit burglaries.  If you are in doubt about the motives of any visitors, you should alert the police. 

For more general information see our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
If travelling to the Darien province, you should do so by air, and only with an organised group to recognised tourist destinations protected by the Panamanian Police.  You should not stray from the immediate vicinity of the protected resort area. Expedition companies based in Panama also sometimes organise expeditions to Darien. Check carefully that police protection is included.   

The border area with Colombia is particularly dangerous (beyond a line drawn from Punta Carreto in the Comarca de San Blas on the Atlantic coast, through Yaviza in the eastern Darien province, to Punta Piña on the Pacific coast). See Safety and Security - Crime 

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
Standards of driving and traffic management are both poor. Panama has a reasonably good road system, except in Darien Province where there is hardly any paved road at all.  Road maintenance throughout the country is variable and drivers need to take precautions to avoid unseen holes or unfinished repairs.  Since the construction of the new Metro system there is often night construction in certain areas, including: Via Espana, La Vista Hermosa, La Transismica, Los Andes and Albrook with few signs alerting drivers to such construction.  Drink driving is not strictly monitored and road accidents are a frequent occurrence. 

By law seat belts must be worn by drivers and front seat passengers, and children under five must travel in the back in fitted child seats. If you are involved in a car accident, Panamanian law requires that you should wait with the vehicle until the traffic police (Transito) arrive.

Buses, also known as Diablos Rojos (Red Devils) and taxis are generally in poor condition; there have been numerous accidents involving both due to poor maintenance and driving standards.  

From 2011 the new Metro bus system has been replacing the Diablos Rojos.  By March 2012 the Metro Bus should be fully running.

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Sea Travel
You should be extremely careful when wading or swimming on Pacific and Caribbean beaches as in some locations there are strong currents and undertows. These beaches seldom have signs warning of the dangers. Drownings occur every year. Do not bathe in the Bay of Panama; it is polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste. For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Panama Country Profile 

Political demonstrations occur occasionally in Panama City, mainly around Panama University, and the main road known as the Transismica.  Some demonstrations by construction workers and students have turned violent in the past. You should monitor media and avoid all demonstrations, and try to leave the area immediately should you get caught up in one.

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind or in any way.  Possession of even very small quantities can lead to heavy terms of imprisonment (up to 15 years).  The judicial process is slow and conditions in Panamanian prisons are harsh.

Simply being in the company of someone who is using drugs is sufficient grounds for arrest.  From the time of arrest, it can take upwards of 12-24 months before you even appear before a judge. For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British nationals do not require a visa to visit Panama but are required, on arrival, to have a return or onward ticket and have the equivalent of US$500 or a credit card. An initial stay of 90 days is granted upon entry. Extensions are not normally granted unless the visitor applies to change their immigration status within the 90 days. (i.e. for business purposes, marriage etc). For further information on entry requirements, you are advised to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Panama in London.

When transiting the Panama Canal, if you disembark the ship your passport will be stamped by the immigration authorities. You do not require a visa unless staying for more than 90 days. Immigration officials do not board transiting cruise ships to check passports.
 
Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Panama. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of exit from Panama. Your passport must also have a plentiful supply of unused pages.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever
A certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination is not required for entry to Panama.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Panamanian Embassy in London.

Panama City has some good private hospitals and clinics but medical facilities outside the capital are limited.

Malaria and dengue fever are common to parts of Panama, including in some outlying areas of Panama City. Dengue fever can occur throughout the year and there is no vaccine or treatment.  There have been reports of an increase in incidences of Dengue Fever in Panama City. We recommend visitors take additional precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Areas that seem to be most affected are: San Miguelito, Chilibre, Las Cumbres, 24 de diciembre, Mañanitas, Tocumen, Pueblo Nuevo, Curundú, Bethania, Juan Diaz, Parque Lefevre, Rio Abajo, San Francisco, Bella Vista and Calidonia.

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in the provinces of Darien, San Blas, or east Panama. This does not include Panama City and the Canal Zone. Visitors should seek specialist advice about the need to receive Yellow Fever vaccine if travelling to these areas. Travellers planning to visit these provinces should obtain a yellow fever vaccine ten days prior to travel.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 20,000 adults aged 15 or over in Panama were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.9% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV/AIDS page.

In June 2010 there were several cases of Equine Encephalitis identified in the Darien. Those travelling in this part of Panama should take particular care to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Panama and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. You should take all precautions to avoid mosquito bites at all times of the day or night. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel For more general information on how to do this see or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see our Travel Health page.

Natural Disasters - Earthquakes
There is a possibility of earthquakes in Panama.  The most recent one, at a magnitude of 5.5, struck on 23 January 2010 in the west of the country in the province of Chiriqui, near the border with Costa Rica.  The last major one struck the north of Panama on 4 July 2009, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.  There was no major damage caused on either occasion.

Natural Disasters - Rainy Season
During the rainy season (April to December) occasional flooding and land slides occur in rural areas and some city streets become temporarily impassable due to flooding. October and November normally have the heaviest months of rainfall. You should monitor regional weather forecasts and take local advice, and plan accordingly.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Passports
British passports should be sent to the UK Passport Service for the Americas & Caribbean in the British Embassy, Washington.  Full details, renewal instructions and timescales can be found on our Embassy website.    

The British Embassy in Panama issues Emergency Travel Documents (ETD) for people who need to travel urgently. When these documents are issued applicants are responsible for gaining any relevant entry visas or residency stamps for their onward journeys.

General - Airport tax
A US$40 airport tax (payable only in cash) is charged upon departure but this is sometimes included in the airline ticket fare. You should check with your carrier.

General - Money
Ensure you have enough money for your stay and return. Bank transfers are difficult, expensive and can take several days, although Western Union or Money Gram offer a quicker service. Foreign cheques cannot be cashed in Panama. Travellers' cheques are difficult to exchange and rates of commission are very high, so these are best avoided.  

ATM machines are widely available in banks, shopping malls, drive-thrus etc, and they accept most major British credit and debit cards. The daily withdrawal limit varies between banks, as does the commission or fees charged for its use.

Credit/debit cards are also widely used for payment in establishments. Many restaurants, hotels and shops will only accept US$20 notes or require identification for use of larger value notes because of problems with counterfeit $50 and $100 notes.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Between 2010 and May 2011 15,000 British nationals visited Panama (Source: Panamanian Immigration Department). Most visits are trouble-free. Ten British nationals required consular assistance in Panama in the period April 2010 - March 2011 for the following type of incident; one death; two hospitalisations; and five arrests, for a variety of offences.