Panama is a wonderful travel destination for backpackers, digital nomads, and family vacations alike. It is a beautiful country filled with luscious natural landscapes, rich culture and kindhearted local people who are eager to interact with and assist tourists. From my own experience travelling in Panama, I can tell you that I have felt safe and welcome at almost all times. However, there are several things to watch out for when travelling in Panama:
Dangerous Animals
One of my personal favorite things about Panama is the abundance of amazing wildlife that can be seen: sloths, monkeys, birds, and even capybaras. However, not all animals in Panama are cute and cuddly. Here are some of the top animals that you should keep your distance from:
Pit Vipers - There are several different kinds of pit vipers in Panama, the most dangerous of which is the fer-de lance. These snakes have broad, flat heads, are typically light brown with darker brown blotches down their bodies, and range from about 4 to 6 feet in length (1.2 to 1.8 meters). Fer-de-lances are particularly dangerous because they often live near humans. (Check out this article to find out what to do if you are bitten by a snake:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15647-snake-bites/management-and-treatment)
Venomous Spiders - There are a few species of venomous spiders in Panama, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Spiders, in my experience, are not very aggressive; however, a run-in with a defensive spider could potentially put you in the hospital. The Panama Blonde Tarantula is a particularly easy-to-spot venomous spider. They can be 12 to 14 centimeters in length and, as their name suggests, they are covered in light pink and blonde hairs.
Kissing Bugs - These insects may seem harmless at a glance, but they are the primary carriers of Chagas disease, which can be fatal if not properly treated. They’ve earned the name “kissing bugs” because they often bite the lip of a human host to feed on their blood, which can transmit the disease. (To learn more about prevention and diagnosis of Chagas disease, check out the Center for Disease Control’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/index.html)
Unpredictable Weather
Panama is classified as a Tropical Monsoon Climate and has two main seasons: la seca (dry season) which stretches from December to April, and la lluviosa (rainy season) which stretches from May to November. In general the Pacific coast of Panama is drier than the Caribbean coast. But during the rainy season, you can expect at least one period of rainfall per day regardless of where in the country you are. Here are some unpredictable weather patterns you should watch out for in Panama:
Irregular Rain - Imagine you are on your vacation in Panama and you have planned to go hiking. You wake up in the morning and see nothing but clear skies. You check the weather forecast and it says it’s going to be clear and sunny. You should probably leave that raincoat at the hotel, right? Wrong. Rain patterns in Panama are far more unpredictable than in more moderate climates and clear skies can often be replaced by torrential downpour within a matter of minutes. So just to be safe, pack that raincoat, that waterproof phone case, and whatever else you need to keep yourself and your things dry.
Unpredictable Wind - Due to the fact that a large portion of Panama is coastal, much of the country is affected by coastal winds. This results in wind patterns that are very unpredictable. This can make road conditions and hiking conditions increasingly dangerous, especially in the mountains. Take care when driving or hiking on particularly windy days.
Power Outages - Due to heavy wind and rain and a less-than-great power infrastructure in Panama, power outages occur pretty regularly. Be prepared with a flashlight or a fully-charged smartphone for when the lights shut off. More often than not, power outages in Panama only last from a matter of minutes to an hour, but it's best to be prepared for long periods without power. And yes, that means no WiFi.
High-Risk Cities/Districts
Do not be discouraged from visiting this wonderful country, but there are certain cities and districts that should be avoided by foreigners due to higher likelihoods of violent crime. Some of the highest-risk places include:
Colón - This city is located north of Panama City on the Carribean coast at the entrance to the Panama Canal. This city is a hotbed of gang violence in Panama and the local government has issued warnings to foreigners about entering the city.
Certain Neighborhoods of Panama City - El Chorrillo is a particularly dangerous part of Panama City that lies between the Amador Causeway and Casco Viejo. Locals recommend not walking through it day or night. Santa Ana is another area bordering Casco Viejo that should be avoided after dark. Casco Viejo itself is quite safe during the day and is often brimming with tourists, but at night can be a potentially risky area, so it is best to go out with a large group if you want to enjoy Casco Viejo’s nightlife. The smaller city of San Miguelito just outside the border of Panama City and the Madden Dam region on the road from Panama City to Colón are also high-risk areas for foreigners.
The Darién Gap - Located south of the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway before South America, the Darién Gap runs from the town of Yaviza to the Colombian border. This area is widely considered completely off-limits due to political unrest and high rates of violent crime related to narcotics trafficking.
Being Taken Advantage of as a Tourist
Taxis - Be sure to confirm the price of your cab ride before you get in the cab. Taxi drivers, especially in more metropolitan areas, may take advantage of tourists who speak little or no Spanish by taking them to their destination and then charging them more than they should. Ask the price before you get in the cab, and if you don’t speak Spanish, pull your phone out and use Google translate or simply type out the price that you wish to pay. Even just asking the price of a cab ride before getting in will discourage the driver from trying to take advantage of you.
Theft/Pickpocketing - While the majority of Panamanians are upstanding, honest people, every country has people who look to steal from unassuming tourists. It is especially important to be aware of theft in the cities, where the majority of this kind of crime occurs. Keeping important items in zipped pockets can help decrease the chance that you will lose something valuable. Also, just being careful not to leave your items where they could be easily stolen is a must. Carrying around a photocopy of your passport and leaving your actual passport at the hotel is always a good idea.
Tourist Prices - When travelling to a foreign country, you are almost always going to get charged extra because you are a tourist, particularly at street markets. However, in Panama, it is an acceptable practice to bargain with vendors and try to get them to lower the price. You probably won’t end up paying the same as a Panamanian would, but at least you won’t be paying a completely outrageous price. Knowing the currency exchange rate will also help you avoid getting overcharged. For tourists from the United States it’s easy, U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere in Panama!
While there are certain things that foreigners travelling through Panama need to be wary of, you should not be discouraged from planning a trip to this wonderful country. Panama in general is relatively safe, and it would be a shame to miss out on all the amazing things that this country has to offer.