Safety in Panama: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 19 February 2026.
Safety
- Darién border — Travel into the eastern part of Darién province, on the border with Colombia, is advised against. Remnants of Colombian guerrilla and paramilitary groups are reported to still be present there.
- Districts to avoid — Keep out of the outer districts of the capital and the large cities, among them Curundú, Chorrillo, San Miguelito, the Vera Cruz area and the Playita district, and out of poorly lit places away from the usual tourist circuits. In Colón, non-essential stays are discouraged after the recent violence: take particular care in the centre and the port area, avoid moving around in the evening and at night, and be careful in public venues.
- Kidnapping and theft — Recent crime, kidnappings included, has been aimed at resident foreigners, business people and tourists, so take proper precautions in areas you do not know and when using transport. Do not show cash or valuables, and be aware that bag snatching is frequent even in tourist areas. Carry photocopies of your documents and only the money you actually need.
- Protests and roadblocks — Protests are often unpredictable and can escalate suddenly into roadblocks, particularly in the city of Colón, and they can affect access to the Paso Canoas border crossing and the international airports. Stay away from them, do not drive through affected areas, above all at night, and follow local media and the authorities' instructions.
- Rainy season — In the rainy season, roughly late April to late December with the heaviest rain in October and November, serious disruption and emergencies are possible. Travel into the remote parts of the country, in particular the Atlantic coast, is best avoided because of frequent flooding, landslides and the road closures that follow.
- Curfew for minors — Since 30 August 2024 a night curfew for unaccompanied under-18s has been in force in Colón province, from 20:00 to 05:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 21:00 to 06:00 on Friday and Saturday, and unaccompanied minors found out at those hours are detained. A curfew for unaccompanied minors from 20:00 to 05:00 also remains in force in Bocas del Toro, where the state of emergency was lifted on 29 June 2025.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 19 February 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Panama before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 19 February 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.