North and Central America and Caribbean
Panama
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Still current at: 03 December 2008
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Updated: 01 December 2008
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(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is severe flooding in the west of Panama (provinces of Bocas del Torro, and Chiriqui). A state of emergency has been declared. Various roads and bridges have been washed away from torrential rain, swollen rivers and subsequent landslides. Thousands of people are displaced or affected and there have been 4 reported deaths. Visitors should exercise caution and seek advice from the local authorities and tour operators if they are planning to travel to this area.
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Travel to the Darien province should be conducted only with an organised group, and to recognised tourist destinations protected by the Panamanian police. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
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If you transit the United States on your way to Panama, you must have a machine-readable passport or a valid US non-immigrant visa.
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There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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In 2007 13,928 British nationals visited Panama (Source: Panamanian Immigration Department). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Panama in 2007 were: replacing lost or stolen passports; dealing with victims of assault; and hospitalisations.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You are advised to check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
There is a risk of street crime. 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 Espana and Avenida Central, the area of Caledonia, 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.
Occasional armed hold-ups occur in restaurants in Panama City, Colon and elsewhere. There have also been recent attacks on individuals at gunpoint in broad daylight. Local police report that other high crime areas around Panama City are San Miguelito, Rio Abajo, El Chorillo, Ancon, Curundu, Vera Cruz Beach, and Parque Soberania.
Since June 2006, there have been incidents of serious assault, some involving taxi drivers. Some incidents have occurred during broad daylight. You should use registered taxi companies, and whenever possible call a taxi company rather than hail a taxi in the street. It is advisable to travel accompanied by someone you know and not to sit in the front seat of a taxi. Ensure that you do not get in a taxi with unknown passengers and instruct the driver not to stop and pick up any additional passengers.
In February 2007, there were reports of burglaries being committed by organised criminal gangs. It is reported that the perpetrators use ruses, such as door-to-door sales and household cleaning suppliers, to gain the trust of the victims and gain access to their homes. The criminals then gather information about the victim’s movements and routines. In some instances, the criminals are suspected of using various symbols or drawings marked on perimeter walls or fences to communicate with other gang members. An organised robbery with several other gang members is then committed. You are advised to be cautious if approached by visitors seeking access to your property. If you are in doubt about the motives of any visitors, you should alert the police.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Political demonstrations occur occasionally in Panama City, mainly around Panama University, and the main road known as the Transisthmica. You should avoid being caught up in any demonstration.
In February 2008 there were violent demonstrations throughout Panama City and other parts of the country. This was due to the death of a construction worker who was shot by the Panamanian Police. The demonstrations were mainly located near to numerous construction sites and the demonstrators threw rocks, stones and other items at passing cars and clashed with police.
Local Travel
You should travel to the Darien province by air, and only with an organised group to recognised tourist destinations protected by the Panamanian Police. Please contact the British Embassy in Panama City for details. 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 Pina 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. Two Spanish nationals were kidnapped near the border with Colombia on 20 January 2006. Foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, kidnapping and murder in this area.
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. Most of the central Inter-American Highway is still only one lane each way and it is not well lit at night. There is often night construction on this road with few signs alerting drivers to such construction.
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. You are warned that motor insurance is not compulsory in Panama, even for third party damage and injury, and many Panamanians drive without it. If you are involved in a car accident, Panamanian law requires that you should wait with the vehicle until the traffic police (Transito) arrive.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
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 River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
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 and not comparable to those in the UK. You must be aware that 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 Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
As a British nationals you do not require a visa to visit Panama but you 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 30 days is granted upon entry. Extensions of stay can be obtained from the Panamanian immigration authorities.
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 30 days. Immigration officials do not board transiting cruise ships to check passports.
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 30 days. Immigration officials do not board transiting cruise ships to check passports.
Passport validity
Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country and that it has a plentiful supply of unused pages.
Yellow Fever
A certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination is not required for entry to Panama.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries required documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Health
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 is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.
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.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 19,000 adults aged 15 or over in Panama were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate 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 the "HIV and AIDS" page of the FCO website.
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 Travel Health.
Malaria and dengue fever are common to parts of Panama, including in some outlying areas of Panama City. Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.
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.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 19,000 adults aged 15 or over in Panama were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate 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 the "HIV and AIDS" page of the FCO website.
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 Travel Health.
Natural Disasters
There is currently severe flooding in west Panama (provinces of Bocas del Torro and Chiriqui). President Torrijos declared a state of emergency on 25 November 2008. Various roads and bridges have been washed away from torrential rain, swollen rivers and subsequent landslides. Thousands of people are displaced or affected and there have been 4 reported deaths. Visitors should exercise caution and seek advice from the local authorities and tour operators if they are planning to travel to this area.
There is a possibility of earthquakes in Panama. The last major one struck the border between Panama and Costa Rica on 19 November 2008, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale. There was no major damage caused. Prior to this, the last one was in a similar area of Panama in December 2003, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.
There is a possibility of earthquakes in Panama. The last major one struck the border between Panama and Costa Rica on 19 November 2008, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale. There was no major damage caused. Prior to this, the last one was in a similar area of Panama in December 2003, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.
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
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Passports
The British Embassy in Panama can assist with Temporary or Emergency Passports but only in emergencies. However, the British Embassy in Panama does not issue standard passports. These applications are sent to the British Embassy in Costa Rica for processing. Processing can take up to 15 working days. If a courier is used, you will have to bear the cost. The service will normally take 6 working days. Further guidance can be obtained from the British Embassy in Panama.
Trips via the US
Since many trips to Panama are made via the United States, it is important to note that all passport holders who wish to enter the US or transit the US to onward destinations under the Visa Waiver Programme must present an individual machine-readable passport. If you do not have a machine-readable passport you must obtain a non-immigrant visa from the nearest US Embassy prior to travel (see also above for British passports). For further details, in particular concerning children travelling on a parent's passport, please contact the US Embassy.
Airport tax
A US$20 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.
Money
Ensure you have enough money for your stay and return. Bank transfers are difficult, expensive and can take several days, although Western Union offers 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-thru’s 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.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Panama, Panama City, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
MMG Tower
Calle 53
(Apartado/PO Box number 0816-07946
Panama City
Telephone:
(507) 269 0866
Fax:
(507) 223 0730
Email: britemb@cwpanama.net
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 1230-1800 / 1900-2130
Fri: 1230-1730
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0730-1300 / 1400-1630
Fri: 0730-1230
