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TRAVEL REPORT
Panama

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.

Section 2 has been updated (hurricane season).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Panama

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Although the security situation is stable, Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution in Panama due to high crime rates.

Demonstrations and protest marches over various social and political issues occasionally occur in Panama City near the university, and on main streets and highways. Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations and the potential for violence, Canadians should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and monitor local news reports.

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel beyond the town of Yaviza in Darién Province. The danger zone begins at the end of the Pan American Highway (past Yaviza, about 230 km southeast of Panama City) and ends at the Colombian border. This area includes parts of Darién National Park and privately owned nature reserves and tourist resorts. Due to the presence of Colombian guerrilla groups and drug traffickers, levels of violent crime in this zone are extremely high, with numerous reports of kidnapping, armed robberies, deaths and disappearances.

The hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30. For more information, please see our Global Issue on the hurricane season.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Crime

Petty theft is common in rural and urban areas of Panama, especially in Panama City and Colón. Violent crime is rare, but does occur throughout the country.

Theft from hotel rooms occurs in both urban and resort areas. Travellers should stay in busy, reputable and well-protected hotels. They should always verify the identity of a visitor before opening their door, and ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.

In Panama City, high-crime areas include Calidonia, San Miguelito, Rio Abajo, El Chorillo, Ancon, Curundu, Veracruz Beach, Parque Soberania and Tocumen, as well as bus stations and shopping areas on Avenida Central. Travellers should not walk alone after dark in Panama City and should stay within well-known tourist areas. It is recommended that they remain vigilant in all public places, especially at airports and bus terminals. Travellers should avoid displaying signs of affluence or carrying large sums of cash, and be alert to their surroundings when using ABMs in public places.

Local police can be reached at phone no. 104 and the fire department at 103 from any telephone.

Boaters should be aware that the southeastern coast of Comarca Kuna Yala, on the Caribbean, and Coiba Island on the Pacific coast, as well as the entire length of the Pacific coast, are known as transportation corridors for narcotics. Tourists wishing to visit the national park on Coiba Island need to obtain special permission from the Panamanian Ministry of Government and Justice and the National Environment Authority.

Safety at the beach

Some beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts can be dangerous, as there are strong currents and undertows. Most beaches lack sufficient rescue equipment and are not adequately monitored or marked. Drownings, therefore, do occur.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from authorities in Panama. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Panama or its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians travelling to Panama. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa or a tourist card.

Tourist card: Required (available upon arrival)
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required

Tourist cards are the most common entry document for short stays (valid for 90 days). Cards may be purchased in advance from your travel agent or airline, or upon arrival at a land border, or at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Travellers can request an extension to their tourist card prior to the expiry date (maximum additional 30 days); however, the migration authorities in Panama may refuse the request.

Visitors to Panama are required to have the equivalent of US$500 or a credit card, plus a return or onward ticket. 

A US$40 airport tax (cash only) is charged upon departure, although it is often included in the price of the airline ticket.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Panama - PANAMA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Torres de Las Americas, Tower A, 11th Floor, Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama
Postal Address: P.O. Box Apartado 0832-2446, Panama City, Panama,
Tel.: (507) 294-2500
Fax: (507) 294-2514
E-Mail: panam@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.panama.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Panama City and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Panama City has very good private hospitals and clinics, whereas the public hospitals and clinics do not offer services comparable to Canadian facilities. Medical facilities outside Panama City are limited. Expect to pay in advance for medical services, including emergency care.

As in many other areas of the Caribbean, Central America and Latin America, travellers are advised to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever.

Malaria is a risk throughout the year in Boca del Toro, Darién and Kuna Yala but not in Panama City. For information and recommendations, see the PHAC website.

The level of HIV/AIDS infection in Panama is high. As such, travellers should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

Due to the risk of water-borne and food-borne diseases, travellers outside of urban areas should boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Panamanian law requires all individuals to carry official identification documents at all times. Failure to produce identification upon request may result in travellers being taken to jail and charged a fine.

Penalties for use or possession of illegal drugs in Panama are very strict. Offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Under the Panamanian penal code, knowingly infecting others with a sexually transmitted disease is a crime.

Although homosexual activity is not illegal, discretion is highly recommended in public places since homosexuality is not socially acceptable in all areas.

There may be curfews for minors under 18 years of age in Panama City. Minors circulating alone late at night in Panama City may be detained by police until their parents can be contacted if the police deem that they are involved in suspicious activities. Fines may be imposed.

Travellers should ask permission before taking photographs of individuals, particularly of children and women. When taking pictures of indigenous persons, it is not uncommon to be asked to pay a small fee.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Poor road conditions, dangerous driving habits, and poorly lit streets and vehicles are hazards. Travellers should keep windows closed and doors locked at all times.

Night construction on the Pan-American Highway is frequent. Be prepared for possible roadblocks.

Canadian tourists can use their provincial driver’s licenses in Panama for periods of up to 90 days.

Although vehicle insurance is compulsory, many Panamanians drive without it. In the event of an accident, call the police at phone no. 104 and do not move the vehicle until you are advised to do so by a police officer.

Registered taxis are the safest way to travel in urban centres. Sharing a taxi with strangers is not recommended, and passengers should sit in the back of the vehicle. Taxis are not metered, and fares are calculated according to the number of zones crossed to get to a destination. As many fees are inflated for tourists, you should agree to a fare before departure.

Local buses do not follow a permanent route, and are relatively unsafe. Therefore, travelling by local bus is not recommended.

Maintenance and crew standards of Panamanian airline carriers serving domestic routes may not meet Canadian and international standards. As well, many airfields served by domestic carriers are small, have rough, narrow runways, and lack even rudimentary safety equipment or standards.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The official currency in Panama is the Balboa (PAB), which is used interchangeably with the U.S. dollar (USD). Because of problems with counterfeit US$50 and US$100 bills, travellers are encouraged to carry small denominations of U.S. dollars.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the website of the U.S. government’s National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.

The rainy season extends from April to December. Occasional flooding can occur and make some city streets impassable. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

Western Panama is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians are encouraged to use Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s registration system (see Section 2) in order to be contacted in case of emergency.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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