Is Moving to Panama a Good Idea?
If you’d like to relocate to Central America, Panama is a great choice. Many parts of Panama are safe and welcoming for digital nomads and expat retirees. Panama’s crime rates are lower than many other countries in the region. In addition to the relatively low crime rate in Panama, you'll find a very affordable cost of living, cultural attractions, natural beauty, great food and quality medical facilities. The eastern border with Colombia is unsafe, so the safest places to live in Panama are in the center and west of the country.
Is Panama a Safe Place to Live?
According to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2023 Global Peace Index, Panama’s safety ranking was 68 out of 163 countries (with 1 being the best rank). In comparison, Australia was listed at 22, Thailand at 92 and the United States was ranked at 131. Panama’s homicide rate, 11.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, is about average for Central America.
In Panama, the Panama National Police oversee law enforcement needs. The police have a Tourism Police Unit, which handles crimes against tourists and foreigners. This unit takes its work seriously and can be relied upon to investigate crimes.
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How We Identified The Safest Places in Panama
Information from the 2023 Panama Country Security Report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State provided information about the most dangerous parts of Panama. Travel advice from other governments, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, also indicated which neighborhoods and cities were unsafe. Numbeo delivered crowd-sourced insights into concerns about crime, including break-ins, muggings and violent crime.
Because this is a list for expats, we considered the most popular destinations for expats, particularly retirees. It isn’t useful to include a town or city on the list of safest places if no expatriate would want to live there!
Where Is the Safest Place to Live in Panama?
Expats, from digital nomads to retirees, tend to gather in safe communities in Panama. The areas where they live are therefore some of the safest in Panama. Yet there’s still a lot of variety in Panama’s safest cities, towns and villages. You can safely live on an island, at the base of a volcano, in the mountains or on the coast.
1. Boquete
Boquete is a beautiful town with a low crime rate. Located in the Chiriqui highlands, which are in the westernmost Chiriqui province, Boquete is just 40 miles from the border with Costa Rica. Boquete has gated communities for those who want extra safety, but you should feel safe no matter where you live in this town.
There’s a lively expat community in Boquete. Retirees in particular appreciate the town’s charms. Boquete’s mountain location gives it a cooler climate than much of the rest of Panama. But Boquete is also relatively close to the province’s Volcán Baru, a potentially active volcano. If you decide to live here, protect your safety by talking to local authorities about the precautions you should take in case Volcán Baru erupts.
2. Coronado
Coronado is another great place to live if safety is a top concern. Police here take their duties seriously. This resort town also offers breathtaking beaches on the Pacific Coast, and it’s just an hour away from Panama City. Both locals and the expat community are friendly.
The Coronado Es Vida development is a gated area that covers a large part of Coronado. If you buy property here, you can become a member of the Coronado Golf Country Club. Other gated communities in Coronado provide residents with a feeling of security.
3. Bocas del Toro Town
Bocas del Toro Town, also known as simply Bocas Town, is on the southern end of Colón Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. This places the town in the west of Panama, right on the Caribbean. Tourists flock here, as do expatriates. Retirees in particular like the beaches and activities like snorkeling and boating.
Bocas Town is small, but that helps make it a very safe place to live. Being able to learn who the people around you are should increase your feeling of security.
4. Chitre
Chitre, capital of the Herrera province, is another safe location in Panama. You’ll find Chitre on the Azuero Peninsula in the center of Panama on the Pacific coast. It only takes a few hours to travel from Panama City to Chitre.
Many foreigners have flocked here. In addition to safety, they’ve found beautiful beaches and can enjoy the annual Carnaval festival in February.
5. Volcan
Volcan is in the western Chiriqui province, close to Boquete. It’s a great destination for people who want both safety and the slightly cooler weather of a highlands location. Because Volcan is a smaller town, with a population under 20,000, you can get to know more of your neighbors, expats and locals alike.
Volcan’s stunning natural rainforest beauty makes it a wonderful place to live—though a rainforest climate does come with periods of heavy rainfall. In addition, as the name suggests, Volcan is at the base of a volcano, Volcán Baru. Volcán Baru is a potentially active volcano. For your safety, ask local authorities what steps you should take in the event of a volcanic eruption.
6. Pedasi
Like Chitre, Pedasi is on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama’s center. The town has an active police force, which helps make sure there’s very little crime in Pedasi. Even with a population of just 2,500, more and more immigrants have begun to embrace this locale. Pedasi’s rural setting has another benefit: it’s easy to get to know your neighbors.
Pedasi’s Pacific coast location draws beach lovers and surfers. Retirees and other expats also appreciate the comfortable coastal climate and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. About 10% of Pedasi’s population is now made up of immigrants, so you shouldn’t feel isolated living there.
7. Puerto Armuelles
Puerto Armuelles is a city in Panama’s western Chiriqui province, and is one of the safest cities in Panama. The Chiquita Banana Company was once a big business in Puerto Armuelles. In addition to safety, today’s foreign workers and retirees appreciate the larger homes that Chiquita Banana constructed in its heyday.
Puerto Armuelles has gorgeous beaches. However, earthquakes and tsunamis are potential safety concerns for this city. If you decide to live here, check the elevation level of your home to determine your tsunami risk level. You should also talk to local authorities to ask about evacuations and other ways to best prepare for these unlikely, yet dangerous, events.
Where Do Most US Expats Live in Panama?
You’ll find the most U.S. transplants in Panama City, the country's capital. The city, with its population of nearly 2 million, is by far the biggest in the country. Some work in the city’s bustling financial sector. Panama City also has restaurants, shopping, and excellent hospitals and medical facilities.
There are very safe areas in the city, such as El Cangrejo, Punta Pacifica, El Dorado, the Area Bancária, the Casco Viejo and Paitilla. In those spots you should feel secure going out at any time of day or night. Of course, even in those locations, try to stay vigilant, as some criminals like to target foreigners.
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However, when safety is your top concern, you might not want to live in Panama City, at least until you learn which places it’s best to avoid. Unsafe areas in and around the city include El Chorrillo, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Cabo Verde, Curundu, Veracruz Beach, Santa Librada, Rio Abajo, San Miguelito, Juan Diaz, Pedregal, Tocumen and Panamá Viejo.
Panama City had a homicide rate of 38.1 per 100,000 in 2022. Many of these murders took place in the city’s dangerous neighborhoods. These places are why the capital didn’t make our list of the very safest places to live in Panama.
Dos and Don'ts in Panama
While choosing safe places to live is important, there are things you can do and not do to keep yourself secure wherever you go. We researched the best practices for avoiding crime and other dangers while living and traveling in Panama.
Safety "Do's" for Panama
- Do: Consider living in a secure gated community in Panama. Residential burglary is common in Panama, but gated communities experience fewer break-ins and burglaries. Many Panamanians and expats choose to live in these communities.
- Do: If a gated community isn’t right for you, take some simple steps to protect your house or apartment. Security features to consider include window grilles, alarms and lots of outdoor lighting.
- Do: Think about getting a dog. Many people in Panama rely on their dogs to scare away would-be burglars.
- Do: Learn Spanish. Panama is safe for non-Spanish speakers, but speaking the language will help you get to know your neighbors. This will not only improve your daily life in Panama, it can also keep you safer because you’ll know the people living near you. And speaking Spanish will make it easier to ask for help in case of an emergency.
- Do: Remember that crime isn’t the only risk in Panama. Depending on where you live, you could experience hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast. You should also prepare an emergency kit in case you need to evacuate.
Safety "Don'ts" for Panama
- Don't: Get distracted in crowded areas. Some criminals target foreigners who are shopping or strolling in markets or crowded streets. If you stay alert, you’re less likely to be the victim of petty crime.
- Don't: Take unregistered taxis, or share a taxi with unknown passengers. It’s safer to stick to registered taxis and to be the only passenger. You can also safely use ride-sharing services where they’re available in Panama.
- Don't: Withdraw large amounts of cash at one time. A would-be thief might see your withdrawal at the ATM and decide to target you. Why take the risk of losing a large sum of money?
- Don't: Leave any valuable items visible inside your car or truck. Property theft by breaking into vehicles is a risk in urban settings.
- Don't: Visit the Colombian border or the Mosquito Gulf. Criminals are active in these areas.
- Don't: Stay on the street when there’s an ongoing demonstration. The police sometimes tear gas or block in protesters, and you don’t want to deal with being gassed or getting stuck in an angry mob.
- Don't: Drive in Panama, if you can avoid it. Roads sometimes lack adequate lighting, and your fellow drivers may take unnecessary risks.
Other Questions About Safety in Panama
If you’d like to relocate to Central America, Panama is a great choice. Many parts of Panama are safe and welcoming for digital nomads and expat retirees. Panama’s crime rates are lower than many other countries in the region. In addition to the relatively low crime rate in Panama, you'll find a very affordable cost of living, cultural attractions, natural beauty, great food and quality medical facilities. The eastern border with Colombia is unsafe, so the safest places to live in Panama are in the center and west of the country.
Is Panama a Safe Place to Live?
According to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2023 Global Peace Index, Panama’s safety ranking was 68 out of 163 countries (with 1 being the best rank). In comparison, Australia was listed at 22, Thailand at 92 and the United States was ranked at 131. Panama’s homicide rate, 11.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, is about average for Central America.
In Panama, the Panama National Police oversee law enforcement needs. The police have a Tourism Police Unit, which handles crimes against tourists and foreigners. This unit takes its work seriously and can be relied upon to investigate crimes.
Get our monthly newsletter filled with tips and information for people living, moving, and traveling outside of their home country.* *By submitting your email, you agree to receive monthly updates for expats, digital nomads, retirees, and more.
How We Identified The Safest Places in Panama
Information from the 2023 Panama Country Security Report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State provided information about the most dangerous parts of Panama. Travel advice from other governments, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, also indicated which neighborhoods and cities were unsafe. Numbeo delivered crowd-sourced insights into concerns about crime, including break-ins, muggings and violent crime.
Because this is a list for expats, we considered the most popular destinations for expats, particularly retirees. It isn’t useful to include a town or city on the list of safest places if no expatriate would want to live there!
Where Is the Safest Place to Live in Panama?
Expats, from digital nomads to retirees, tend to gather in safe communities in Panama. The areas where they live are therefore some of the safest in Panama. Yet there’s still a lot of variety in Panama’s safest cities, towns and villages. You can safely live on an island, at the base of a volcano, in the mountains or on the coast.
1. Boquete
Boquete is a beautiful town with a low crime rate. Located in the Chiriqui highlands, which are in the westernmost Chiriqui province, Boquete is just 40 miles from the border with Costa Rica. Boquete has gated communities for those who want extra safety, but you should feel safe no matter where you live in this town.
There’s a lively expat community in Boquete. Retirees in particular appreciate the town’s charms. Boquete’s mountain location gives it a cooler climate than much of the rest of Panama. But Boquete is also relatively close to the province’s Volcán Baru, a potentially active volcano. If you decide to live here, protect your safety by talking to local authorities about the precautions you should take in case Volcán Baru erupts.
2. Coronado
Coronado is another great place to live if safety is a top concern. Police here take their duties seriously. This resort town also offers breathtaking beaches on the Pacific Coast, and it’s just an hour away from Panama City. Both locals and the expat community are friendly.
The Coronado Es Vida development is a gated area that covers a large part of Coronado. If you buy property here, you can become a member of the Coronado Golf Country Club. Other gated communities in Coronado provide residents with a feeling of security.
3. Bocas del Toro Town
Bocas del Toro Town, also known as simply Bocas Town, is on the southern end of Colón Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. This places the town in the west of Panama, right on the Caribbean. Tourists flock here, as do expatriates. Retirees in particular like the beaches and activities like snorkeling and boating.
Bocas Town is small, but that helps make it a very safe place to live. Being able to learn who the people around you are should increase your feeling of security.
4. Chitre
Chitre, capital of the Herrera province, is another safe location in Panama. You’ll find Chitre on the Azuero Peninsula in the center of Panama on the Pacific coast. It only takes a few hours to travel from Panama City to Chitre.
Many foreigners have flocked here. In addition to safety, they’ve found beautiful beaches and can enjoy the annual Carnaval festival in February.
5. Volcan
Volcan is in the western Chiriqui province, close to Boquete. It’s a great destination for people who want both safety and the slightly cooler weather of a highlands location. Because Volcan is a smaller town, with a population under 20,000, you can get to know more of your neighbors, expats and locals alike.
Volcan’s stunning natural rainforest beauty makes it a wonderful place to live—though a rainforest climate does come with periods of heavy rainfall. In addition, as the name suggests, Volcan is at the base of a volcano, Volcán Baru. Volcán Baru is a potentially active volcano. For your safety, ask local authorities what steps you should take in the event of a volcanic eruption.
6. Pedasi
Like Chitre, Pedasi is on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama’s center. The town has an active police force, which helps make sure there’s very little crime in Pedasi. Even with a population of just 2,500, more and more immigrants have begun to embrace this locale. Pedasi’s rural setting has another benefit: it’s easy to get to know your neighbors.
Pedasi’s Pacific coast location draws beach lovers and surfers. Retirees and other expats also appreciate the comfortable coastal climate and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. About 10% of Pedasi’s population is now made up of immigrants, so you shouldn’t feel isolated living there.
7. Puerto Armuelles
Puerto Armuelles is a city in Panama’s western Chiriqui province, and is one of the safest cities in Panama. The Chiquita Banana Company was once a big business in Puerto Armuelles. In addition to safety, today’s foreign workers and retirees appreciate the larger homes that Chiquita Banana constructed in its heyday.
Puerto Armuelles has gorgeous beaches. However, earthquakes and tsunamis are potential safety concerns for this city. If you decide to live here, check the elevation level of your home to determine your tsunami risk level. You should also talk to local authorities to ask about evacuations and other ways to best prepare for these unlikely, yet dangerous, events.
Where Do Most US Expats Live in Panama?
You’ll find the most U.S. transplants in Panama City, the country's capital. The city, with its population of nearly 2 million, is by far the biggest in the country. Some work in the city’s bustling financial sector. Panama City also has restaurants, shopping, and excellent hospitals and medical facilities.
There are very safe areas in the city, such as El Cangrejo, Punta Pacifica, El Dorado, the Area Bancária, the Casco Viejo and Paitilla. In those spots you should feel secure going out at any time of day or night. Of course, even in those locations, try to stay vigilant, as some criminals like to target foreigners.
Cigna Global Medical Plan
- Flexibility to tailor plans to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s network of trusted doctors
- Convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
However, when safety is your top concern, you might not want to live in Panama City, at least until you learn which places it’s best to avoid. Unsafe areas in and around the city include El Chorrillo, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Cabo Verde, Curundu, Veracruz Beach, Santa Librada, Rio Abajo, San Miguelito, Juan Diaz, Pedregal, Tocumen and Panamá Viejo.
Panama City had a homicide rate of 38.1 per 100,000 in 2022. Many of these murders took place in the city’s dangerous neighborhoods. These places are why the capital didn’t make our list of the very safest places to live in Panama.
Dos and Don'ts in Panama
While choosing safe places to live is important, there are things you can do and not do to keep yourself secure wherever you go. We researched the best practices for avoiding crime and other dangers while living and traveling in Panama.
Safety "Do's" for Panama
- Do: Consider living in a secure gated community in Panama. Residential burglary is common in Panama, but gated communities experience fewer break-ins and burglaries. Many Panamanians and expats choose to live in these communities.
- Do: If a gated community isn’t right for you, take some simple steps to protect your house or apartment. Security features to consider include window grilles, alarms and lots of outdoor lighting.
- Do: Think about getting a dog. Many people in Panama rely on their dogs to scare away would-be burglars.
- Do: Learn Spanish. Panama is safe for non-Spanish speakers, but speaking the language will help you get to know your neighbors. This will not only improve your daily life in Panama, it can also keep you safer because you’ll know the people living near you. And speaking Spanish will make it easier to ask for help in case of an emergency.
- Do: Remember that crime isn’t the only risk in Panama. Depending on where you live, you could experience hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast. You should also prepare an emergency kit in case you need to evacuate.
Safety "Don'ts" for Panama
- Don't: Get distracted in crowded areas. Some criminals target foreigners who are shopping or strolling in markets or crowded streets. If you stay alert, you’re less likely to be the victim of petty crime.
- Don't: Take unregistered taxis, or share a taxi with unknown passengers. It’s safer to stick to registered taxis and to be the only passenger. You can also safely use ride-sharing services where they’re available in Panama.
- Don't: Withdraw large amounts of cash at one time. A would-be thief might see your withdrawal at the ATM and decide to target you. Why take the risk of losing a large sum of money?
- Don't: Leave any valuable items visible inside your car or truck. Property theft by breaking into vehicles is a risk in urban settings.
- Don't: Visit the Colombian border or the Mosquito Gulf. Criminals are active in these areas.
- Don't: Stay on the street when there’s an ongoing demonstration. The police sometimes tear gas or block in protesters, and you don’t want to deal with being gassed or getting stuck in an angry mob.
- Don't: Drive in Panama, if you can avoid it. Roads sometimes lack adequate lighting, and your fellow drivers may take unnecessary risks.
Other Questions About Safety in Panama
There are locations to avoid in Panama for your own protection. In the Darien province in the east of the country, don’t go any closer to the Colombian border than the town of Yaviza. Violent crime is commonplace there.
You should also avoid the Mosquito Gulf, where a lot of organized criminal activity takes place. The city of Colon is a site for drug activity and had a 2022 homicide rate of 41.0 per 100,000. In fact, the entire province of Colon, whose population is roughly 300,000, is best avoided.
Theft is the most common type of crime in Panama. Having your wallet stolen while you’re in town, or dealing with the loss of precious jewelry or an important laptop after a break-in is awful. However, this type of crime doesn’t result in lasting physical harm.
Murders in Panama usually take place in areas that are known to be dangerous, such as certain parts of Panama City, the city of Colon, the Mosquito Gulf and the Darien Province around the border with Colombia in the eastern part of the country.
Plenty of retirees consider Panama to be an extremely safe location to enjoy their golden years. The country offers a lower cost of living and wonderful weather. Panama also has a visa specifically for retirees, the "Pensionado Visa," which comes with discounts on everything from airline tickets to utility bills.
U.S. retirees also appreciate the financial security of Panama using the U.S. dollar. Not only can you pay for all your purchases with dollars, you don't have to worry about exchange rates when you consider your savings or Social Security income. Panama does have its own currency, Panamanian balboas, but these have the exact same value as U.S. dollars.
Is It Safe to Walk Around Panama?
Determining how safe you’ll be walking around Panama depends on several factors. As in most other countries, it’s safer to walk around during the day than at night. Your location is another important factor. Nighttime walking in a gated community in Coronado should be safer than going out at night in Panama City. Expat-friendly settings are usually safer to walk around in, though pickpockets and thieves may be active in these locations.
Wherever you are in Panama, you’ll always be safer if you’re familiar with your surroundings. Before walking around at night, ask fellow expats and the police if there are any dangerous areas to avoid, then stay away from them during your walk.
During your walk, do your best to pay attention to your surroundings, especially if you’re by yourself. If you can, walk with another person or in a group. If a street isn’t well lit, try to find a different route.
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