Here’s what the data show about snakebite deaths in Panama — based on health and epidemiology reports:

🐍 How Many People Die from Snakebites in Panama Each Year

Panama records around 1,800–2,300 snakebite incidents annually according to health data, which makes it one of the higher-incidence countries in Latin America.

Based on health ministry figures, about 2–3 % of these bites result in death.

That works out to roughly 15–20 fatalities per year on average from venomous snakebites.

This isn’t an exact number each year because reporting varies (especially in rural areas), but multiple studies and statistics point to teens of deaths annually, not hundreds.

🩺 What This Means for People Traveling in Panama

Most bites don’t occur in tourists — they tend to happen to people working in rural, agricultural, or forested areas where snake exposure is higher.

With prompt medical care (antivenom and hospital treatment), the likelihood of death from a venomous bite goes down significantly.

🐾 So How Dangerous Is It?

Compared to many other risks travelers face (traffic accidents, falls on wet trails, dehydration), snakebite deaths in Panama are rare overall. Even though the number of bites annually may be relatively high, fatalities are a small fraction of those incidents.

If you’re hiking, staying on trails, watching where you place your feet and hands, and getting prompt medical help if a bite does occur, the risk of death from a venomous snakebite remains very low.