No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Panama’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Panama set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK.
\n\nIf you are visiting Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave Panama.
\n\nIf you live in Panama, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
\n\nYour passport must have at least one blank page.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nMake sure immigration officials stamp your passport with the date you arrived in the country.
\n\nAt Panamanian border control, you may need to:
\n\nYou must complete an immigration and customs declaration form when entering Panama. Whilst paper declarations will still be accepted during the phased transition to a fully digital system, the Panamanian authorities recommend you complete the digital form before you travel.
\n\nYou can visit Panama for up to 3 months without a visa if you arrive by land or air. There are different visa requirements for sea arrivals.
\n\nYou cannot normally extend your stay, unless you apply to change your immigration status (for example, for business purposes or marriage) within the 3 months.
\n\nIf you try to extend your stay by visiting a neighbouring country and returning to Panama, immigration officials may detain you. The British Embassy cannot intervene in decisions made by Panama’s immigration officials.
\n\nIf you arrive on a vessel that is not a cruise ship, you must have a visa to enter Panama. You must pay a fee of 100 US dollars, plus 5 US dollars registration, for each passenger or crew member. There may be other fees, for example for cruising permits. Check in advance what permits you will need and how to get them.
\n\nIf you arrive on a cruise ship or are travelling through the Panama Canal, you do not need a visa unless you are staying in Panama for more than 3 months. Immigration authorities will stamp your passport if you leave the ship. They do not board cruise ships travelling through the Canal to check passports.
\n\nIf you need a visa, apply through the Embassy and Consulate of Panama in the UK. They can give you more information on entry requirements.
\n\nFor information on extending your stay, check with the Panama National Migration Service (in Spanish).
\n\nThere is a charge of 40 US dollars on departure. This is usually included in the price of your ticket. Check with your airline.
\n\nTo enter Panama, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Panama guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Panama. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there is no recent history of terrorism in Panama, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nOn 29 June, the Panamanian government lifted the ‘state of urgency’ in Bocas del Toro that had been in place in response to violent protests in May and June. However, a curfew for unaccompanied minors remains in place between 8pm and 5am. If you are in the province, stay away from protests, pay attention to good local advice and be alert to further announcements by the local authorities.
\n\nProtests can be unpredictable, occur at short notice and escalate quickly. Avoid protests and demonstrations, monitor local media and follow advice from local authorities. Avoid travelling around protest-affected areas at night. Protests may be particularly large in Colón City.
\n\nProtests often involve informal road blocks and can affect access to the border crossing into Costa Rica at Paso Canoas and international airports. Check your route and alternatives before travelling. If you are unable to reach an airport for a planned flight, contact your airline to make alternative arrangements.
\n\nIf you are the victim of a crime in Panama and want to report the incident, do so before you leave the country, otherwise the police may not investigate.
\n\nStreet crime can happen anywhere, but these areas of Panama City have higher levels of crime:
\n\nThere is a risk of pickpocketing in busy areas, on buses and at bus stations. You can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including:
\n\nPeople have been attacked after withdrawing cash from ATMs. Where possible, use an ATM inside a bank or shopping centre.
\n\nTake sensible precautions to avoid mugging, particularly in main shopping areas and tourist sites, including:
\n\nBe wary if visitors approach you to get access to your accommodation. Criminal gangs have used this method to commit burglaries. If you’re in any doubt, call the police.
\n\nThere have been violent attacks, including sexual assault, in tourist destinations in Panama City and across the country. Use the same level of caution you would in the UK when travelling at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and do not walk on your own.
\n\nSee advice for women travelling abroad.
\n\nThere have been incidents of targeted gang assassinations, some in tourist areas. Most of these crimes are between members of rival drug gangs.
\n\nAs a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy.
\n\nIn August 2024, Panama introduced a night-time curfew for unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 in Colón province. Limited exceptions apply. This is part of government efforts to tackle criminal groups and organised crime.
\n\nIn Colón the curfew is from Sundays to Thursdays from 8pm to 4am and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm to 5am. Unaccompanied minors who do not comply with the curfew face arrest by the police.
\n\nIt is illegal to smoke in public places. You could be fined 25 to 100 US dollars if you are caught smoking where it’s not allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is also banned in public places.
\n\nDo not become involved with drugs of any kind. You can get a prison sentence for possessing even a small quantity of drugs.
\n\nThe judicial process is slow and sentencing may take up to 2 years, during which you are likely to be detained. Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Panama are often harsh. Most facilities are overcrowded with limited access to healthcare. There have been recent cases of riots resulting in prisoner deaths.
\n\nSame-sex civil unions are illegal, but same-sex relationships are legal in Panama. Most Panamanians are generally tolerant of LGBT+ travellers. However, Panamanian law does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There have been incidents of police officers detaining LGBT+ couples on the grounds of public indecency. Showing affection in public can lead to unwanted attention. Casco Viejo is considered a safe place for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nTake care when wading, swimming or taking part in water sports on Pacific and Caribbean beaches. Some beaches have strong currents and undertows and there are rarely warning signs. People drown every year.
\n\nDo not swim in the Bay of Panama as it is highly polluted with untreated sewage and industrial waste.
\n\nSee advice on safe swimming from ABTA and holiday water safety from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf hiking in the hills around Boquete and the Province of Chiriqui you should consider going with an experienced guide. Trails may not be well marked, and mobile phone coverage is unreliable. Tourists have gone missing and died hiking without a guide. Seek local advice before setting out.
\n\nIf you are planning on driving in Panama, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Panama for up to 3 months. The Panamanian authorities will not accept a paper licence – you can update it to a photocard licence. Carry a copy of your passport with the dated entry stamp as proof you’re still within the 3 months permitted.
\n\nDrivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts. Children aged 4 and under must travel in the back in fitted child seats.
\n\nDrink-driving is a serious offence in Panama. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, have your licence revoked and your car impounded.
\n\nDriving standards can be poor. Traffic accidents are common. Roads are often poorly lit and can have potholes and unfinished repairs. Darien Province and other remote rural areas may have very few surfaced roads.
\n\nTraffic can be heavy in populated areas especially in and close to Panama City.
\n\nRepair work and construction sites are common in these areas.
\n\nIf you are involved in a traffic accident with another driver, wait inside your vehicle for your insurance representative and the traffic police to arrive. Avoid any type of confrontation with other drivers or passers-by.
\n\nTaxis can be in poor condition and accidents, due to poor maintenance and driving standards, are common. To reduce your risk, use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged transport only.
\n\nSee extreme weather and natural hazards for information about how to prepare, and how to react if there is a warning.
\n\nThe Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricanes do not directly affect Panama but often cause heavy rain. There may be flash floods and landslides. October and November have the heaviest rainfall.
\n\nMonitor local news, check World Meteorological Association weather reports for Panama and follow local advice.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in Panama. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.
\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of Panama. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nThere is a risk of violence near the Colombia border in an area east of a line drawn between:
\n\nYou should only travel to the east of this line in an organised group, and make sure local police and security authorities are aware of your visit. Follow local security advice and do not stray from your group.
\n\nColombian criminal violence can spill over into the region of Panama bordering Colombia where there is a threat from Colombian and other armed groups. Foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, kidnapping and murder in this area.
\n\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 103 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nCall 911 for emergencies.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Panama, including:
\n\nTap water is safe to drink in most of the country. Follow local recommendations in rural and island areas, where there can be a risk of contaminated water.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Panama. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nPanama City has some good private hospitals and clinics, but medical facilities outside the capital are limited.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Panama where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nYou can also call specific emergency numbers.
\n\nAmbulance: 103
\n\nFire: 103
\n\nPolice: 104
\n\nTelephone: +507 6330 2520
\n\nEmail: contact@atp.gob.pal
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Panama on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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