Panama City dazzles visitors with its glittering skyline, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Your trip here promises incredible experiences, from exploring the historic Casco Viejo to marveling at the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal. But like any major urban center, certain neighborhoods and areas deserve a bit more caution than others.
Knowing which spots to skip or approach carefully can make the difference between a memorable vacation and a stressful one. This isn’t about fear-mongering or painting the city as dangerous. Panama City welcomes millions of tourists every year who have fantastic, safe experiences.
What follows is your practical guide to making smart choices about where you spend your time. These insights come from local knowledge, traveler experiences, and current safety data that can help you focus on the amazing parts of Panama City while steering clear of unnecessarily risky situations.
Places to Avoid in Panama City
Each area below has specific concerns that make it worth reconsidering for your itinerary. Some are high-crime neighborhoods, others are tourist traps, and a few simply don’t deliver on their promises.
1. Curundú
This neighborhood sits just west of the city center, and you’ll want to keep it off your walking route entirely. Curundú has consistently high crime rates, particularly after dark, with frequent reports of armed robberies and gang activity. The area lacks the tourist infrastructure you’ll find elsewhere, meaning you won’t have much reason to visit anyway.
Local authorities have worked to improve conditions here, but progress has been slow. If your taxi or Uber route takes you through Curundú during daylight hours, you’re generally fine staying in the vehicle. Getting out to explore, however, puts you at unnecessary risk. The neighborhood’s proximity to more affluent areas means criminals sometimes target people who accidentally wander in.
Your best approach? Simply plan routes that avoid passing through this area when possible. Most of Panama City’s attractions lie in completely different directions, so this shouldn’t limit your experience at all.
2. El Chorrillo
El Chorrillo presents one of Panama City’s most complicated stories. This densely populated neighborhood carries deep historical significance but also faces serious poverty and crime challenges. Gang presence here is significant, and violent incidents occur regularly enough that even many locals avoid the area.
The neighborhood does offer some interesting street art and authentic local culture. But here’s the thing: the risks far outweigh any cultural experiences you might gain. Tourists stand out immediately, making them prime targets for theft or worse. Even during daytime hours, walking through El Chorrillo invites trouble you don’t need on your vacation.
If you’re determined to see this side of Panama City, hire a reputable local guide who knows the area intimately. Going alone or with just your travel companions is genuinely dangerous. That said, dozens of other neighborhoods offer authentic Panamanian culture without the safety concerns.
3. Santa Ana After Dark
Santa Ana occupies an interesting position in Panama City’s landscape. By day, it’s a working-class neighborhood with legitimate businesses and decent foot traffic. The streets bustle with activity, markets sell fresh produce, and you can grab authentic local meals at reasonable prices. But when the sun goes down, Santa Ana transforms into something else entirely.
Nighttime brings increased crime to these streets. Muggings spike dramatically after 8 PM, targeting both residents and the occasional tourist who didn’t get the memo. Lighting in many areas is poor, creating dark corridors perfect for opportunistic criminals. Drug activity becomes more visible, and the overall atmosphere shifts noticeably.
Plenty of travelers visit Santa Ana during daylight hours without incident. Just make sure you’re out before evening sets in, and even during the day, keep your valuables secure and your awareness high.
4. The Cinta Costera at Night
This surprises many visitors because the Cinta Costera is legitimately beautiful. This waterfront promenade stretches along Panama Bay, offering stunning skyline views and cool ocean breezes. During daylight hours, it’s packed with joggers, cyclists, and families enjoying the public space.
Everything changes after sunset. The Cinta Costera becomes significantly less safe once darkness falls. Police presence drops, lighting is inconsistent in many sections, and isolated stretches of the path become prime spots for robberies. Several tourists have reported being mugged while walking or jogging here after dark, some at knifepoint.
Your evening strolls are better spent in well-lit, populated areas like Casco Viejo or the Amador Causeway. Save the Cinta Costera for morning jogs or afternoon walks when you can actually enjoy the scenery without constantly looking over your shoulder. The views are the same during daylight, and your safety improves dramatically.
5. Tocumen Beyond the Airport
Tocumen is known primarily for hosting Panama City’s international airport. Most visitors see nothing but the terminal building, which is perfectly fine. The surrounding Tocumen district, however, presents significant safety concerns that make exploration inadvisable.
This area has high rates of theft and violent crime. The neighborhood lacks tourist attractions, so you won’t miss anything by skipping it. Some budget hotels market themselves as “near the airport” and technically sit in Tocumen proper. These accommodations might save you a few bucks, but the trade-off isn’t worth it when safer options exist just slightly further away.
If you need to stay near the airport for an early flight, look for hotels in Costa del Este or other nearby areas with better security and infrastructure. The small extra distance won’t impact your travel time significantly, and you’ll sleep better knowing you’re in a safer location.
6. Calidonia’s Seedier Blocks
Calidonia encompasses a large area near Panama City’s center, and painting the entire neighborhood with one brush would be unfair. Parts of Calidonia are perfectly safe and actually quite pleasant. But certain blocks, particularly those farther from the main avenues, have earned their sketchy reputation for good reason.
These problematic sections feature a concentration of budget hotels that double as hourly rentals, street-level drug dealing, and a general atmosphere that feels uncomfortable even for experienced travelers. Women traveling alone have reported frequent catcalling and unwanted attention. Petty theft is common, with pickpockets working the crowded streets looking for distracted tourists.
The challenge with Calidonia is that good blocks and bad blocks sit right next to each other. Unless you know the area well, distinguishing between them is difficult. If you’re staying in Calidonia, stick to the main streets like Via España, and don’t wander down side streets after dark. Better yet, choose accommodations in neighborhoods with more consistent safety profiles.
7. Colon (The City, Not the Province)
Technically, Colon sits outside Panama City proper, but many visitors consider it part of their Panama trip itinerary because of the cruise port and proximity to the canal. Here’s what you need to know: Colon city has one of the highest crime rates in all of Panama. Violent crime, including armed robbery and assault, occurs frequently enough that most embassies explicitly warn their citizens against unnecessary visits.
The cruise port area, Colon 2000, maintains heavy security and is generally safe while you’re within its boundaries. Step outside those gates, though, and conditions deteriorate rapidly. The contrast is stark and immediate. Local police presence is limited, and criminals know cruise ship passengers often carry cash and valuables.
If you’re on a cruise that stops in Colon, either stay in the secure port area or book excursions through reputable companies that transport you directly to attractions like the Gatun Locks or Portobelo. Walking around Colon city to “see the real Panama” isn’t adventurous; it’s reckless. The real Panama has plenty of safe places to explore.
8. Street Markets in Unfamiliar Areas
Panama City has wonderful markets selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted souvenirs. Markets in established tourist areas like Mercado de Mariscos or the craft markets in Casco Viejo operate safely with good security. But venturing into street markets in neighborhoods you don’t know well can quickly become problematic.
These markets often pop up in residential areas where tourists are uncommon. Your presence attracts attention, and crowded conditions create perfect opportunities for pickpockets. Vendors in these markets typically speak little English, making communication difficult when problems arise. You also have no way of judging whether you’re getting fair prices or being grossly overcharged.
Quality varies wildly in these informal markets. That “authentic” souvenir might be mass-produced junk marked up specifically for tourists. Food safety standards are essentially nonexistent, so sampling street food here means taking real health risks.
Stick to markets that have established reputations and appear in legitimate travel guides. These venues offer the same cultural experience with better security, clearer pricing, and higher-quality goods. You’re supporting local businesses either way, so choose options that protect both your wallet and your safety.
9. Isolated ATMs
Panama City has ATMs everywhere, but not all of them are equally safe to use. Standalone machines in poorly lit areas, quiet side streets, or sketchy neighborhoods present obvious risks. Criminals target these locations specifically because users are distracted and often withdraw large amounts of cash.
ATM skimming remains a problem throughout Latin America, including Panama. Thieves install devices that capture your card information and PIN, then drain your account before you realize what happened. Isolated machines are more likely to have these devices because they’re checked less frequently.
Some criminals go old-school, simply waiting for someone to make a withdrawal then robbing them immediately afterward. This happens even in better neighborhoods if the ATM sits in a secluded spot.
Your safest bet is using ATMs inside bank branches during business hours. These machines are monitored by security cameras and staff, making both skimming and robbery far less likely. ATMs in major shopping malls like Albrook Mall or Multiplaza also offer good security. Plan your cash withdrawals around these safer locations rather than using whatever machine happens to be convenient.
10. Unlicensed Tour Operators and “Deals”
This final warning applies throughout Panama City but deserves special attention. Unlicensed tour operators set up shop near major tourist attractions, offering amazing deals on popular excursions. The Panama Canal, San Blas Islands, or rainforest tours might be advertised at prices significantly below established companies.
These deals are red flags, not bargains. Unlicensed operators lack proper insurance, maintenance standards, and safety protocols. Their guides often have minimal training. When things go wrong, which happens more often than you’d think, you have zero recourse. Several tourists have been injured on poorly maintained boats or abandoned at remote locations when unlicensed operators simply failed to show up for return trips.
Some of these operations are straight-up scams. You pay upfront, show up at the meeting point, and nobody appears. Your money is gone, and you have no way to track down the “company” that took it.
Legitimate tour operators in Panama must be licensed and registered. They display credentials, have physical offices, maintain online reviews, and accept credit cards. Yes, you’ll pay more. That extra cost buys insurance, reliable service, and peace of mind. Book through your hotel concierge or established platforms like Viator where companies are vetted. The few extra dollars spent on legitimate tours might save you hundreds in losses or, more importantly, keep you safe.
Wrapping Up
Panama City offers incredible experiences that make it one of Central America’s most exciting destinations. Your trip doesn’t need to involve any of these risky areas to be authentic, adventurous, or memorable. Focus your time and energy on the neighborhoods and attractions that showcase Panama City at its best.
Smart travel means recognizing that avoiding certain areas doesn’t make you paranoid or closed-minded. It makes you practical. You’re protecting your vacation investment, your personal safety, and your ability to actually enjoy everything this beautiful city has to offer. The precautions above let you explore confidently, knowing you’re making informed choices about where you go and what you do.
Panama City is waiting for you with open arms. Make the most of it by staying in the right places.
Panama City dazzles visitors with its glittering skyline, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Your trip here promises incredible experiences, from exploring the historic Casco Viejo to marveling at the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal. But like any major urban center, certain neighborhoods and areas deserve a bit more caution than others.
Knowing which spots to skip or approach carefully can make the difference between a memorable vacation and a stressful one. This isn’t about fear-mongering or painting the city as dangerous. Panama City welcomes millions of tourists every year who have fantastic, safe experiences.
What follows is your practical guide to making smart choices about where you spend your time. These insights come from local knowledge, traveler experiences, and current safety data that can help you focus on the amazing parts of Panama City while steering clear of unnecessarily risky situations.
