Planning travel to Panama City? Speak with a security consultant.
Panama City is the capital of Panama and the country’s commercial, financial, and logistical centre. The city sits at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and handles a significant share of global maritime freight. Panama’s dollarised economy, developed banking sector, and Colon Free Zone make it the most significant financial hub between Mexico City and Bogota.
For international business, Panama City offers a functioning infrastructure with good air connectivity, US dollar operations, and a regulatory framework that is more developed than most Central American neighbours. It also carries the security profile that comes with being the transit point for narcotics moving north from South America, which shapes the organised crime environment.
The financial centre context
Panama has faced significant scrutiny over money laundering and financial transparency since the Panama Papers revelations of 2016. The country has made regulatory progress since then and was removed from several international grey lists, but the underlying infrastructure that made Panama attractive for opaque financial flows has not entirely changed. Business visitors in banking, legal, and compliance roles should be aware of the reputational and due diligence environment they are operating in.
Security for corporate visits
The established hotel and financial district areas (Punta Pacifica, Miraflores, San Francisco) present manageable risk for professional visitors. The city’s police presence in commercial areas is reasonable. The elevated risk is in peripheral districts and through the organised crime environment that produces occasional spill-over crime in business areas.
A pre-booked driver is the practical baseline for all visits. Familiarity with which districts are on and off the corporate itinerary, and using pre-booked transport rather than street taxis for evening movement, covers the majority of risk for standard business visits.
Sources: FCDO Panama travel advice, May 2026. US State Department Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (higher advisories for Darien). For comparable operating environments in our network, see our Bogota city briefing and Mexico City city briefing.
What are the main security threats in Panama City?
Organised Crime and Drug Trafficking
Panama's geographic position as the isthmus between South and North America makes it a significant transit corridor for narcotics. Organised crime groups (including Colombian Clan del Golfo affiliates) are active in border areas. Panama City's financial sector has experienced money laundering concerns. For business visitors, the drug corridor creates a crime environment in peripheral areas and elevates the overall organised crime presence. Source: FCDO Panama travel advice, May 2026.
Petty Crime and Robbery
Petty crime including pickpocketing, bag snatching, and robbery is present in tourist areas and city centre locations. The Casco Viejo (historic district) and the Calidonia area carry higher theft risk for visitors. Express robbery (short-term forced ATM withdrawal) has been reported. Evening movement in unfamiliar areas should be by pre-booked vehicle rather than on foot.
Armed Robbery
Armed robbery targeting business visitors and their vehicles has been reported, primarily in peripheral city districts. Carjacking at traffic stops occurs. Use vetted drivers and avoid predictable patterns for high-value-profile visits.
Darien Region Risk
The Darien province on the Colombian border is a no-go zone. Narco-trafficking organisations, FARC dissidents, and other armed groups operate in the Darien. FCDO advises against all travel to the Darien region. This advisory is for the border region only and does not apply to Panama City.
Civil Unrest
Panama City experienced significant protests in 2022 and 2023 linked to corruption concerns, cost of living, and the Cobre Panama mine dispute. Protests disrupted roads and included incidents of violence. While the immediate triggers have partially resolved, the underlying social pressures remain and future unrest cannot be excluded.
Vetted operators with direct experience in Panama City
What security services are available in Panama City?
Security Drivers
Vetted drivers for airport transfers and business movement. The practical baseline for all corporate visits to Panama City.
Bodyguard Hire
Close protection for higher-profile visitors and those in sectors with elevated threat profiles.
Executive Protection
Security details for senior executives in finance, energy, and related sectors.
Risk Assessment
Pre-travel assessment covering Panama City's current security environment and sector-specific threat factors.
What are the rules for private security in Panama City?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Panama City.
Firearms Policy
Firearm carry licences for the guards and security chiefs of a licensed agency are issued by the Ministerio de Seguridad Publica through the Direccion Institucional en Asuntos de Seguridad Publica (DIASP), under Law 57 of 27 March 2011 on firearms and ammunition. An armed guard must be over 21 and hold Panamanian nationality, with a medical certificate, a clean record and proof of training in handling the weapon. Ask any provider for the carry licence of each armed officer before engagement.
Licensing
Private security agencies in Panama are regulated by Executive Decree 21 of 31 January 1992, and their guards (vigilantes jurados) and security chiefs by Executive Decree 22 of the same date. Applications go to the Ministerio de Seguridad Publica's Direccion Institucional en Asuntos de Seguridad Publica (DIASP), which approves each guard and security chief after a public examination on firearm handling and the legal framework. Members of the Fuerza Publica may not own, direct or act as security chief of an agency.
Foreign Operators
Guards and security chiefs approved under Decree 22 must hold Panamanian nationality, so a foreign officer cannot be licensed as a guard in Panama. A visiting team should work alongside a DIASP-licensed Panamanian agency and take local legal advice on what its own members may do.
Sources, checked : Ministerio de Seguridad Publica, DIASP, application for approval of a jefe de seguridad and vigilante jurado (2023 form; cites Executive Decrees 21 and 22 of 31 January 1992 and Law 57 of 2011); Ministerio de Seguridad Publica, DIASP, application for a firearm carry licence for private security agencies.
Which areas of Panama City carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Punta Pacifica and Punta Paitilla: Upmarket residential and hotel areas adjacent to the bay. Good security infrastructure, international hotel presence.
- Miraflores and San Francisco: Commercial and residential areas with lower crime risk for corporate visitors.
- Casco Viejo (daylight): UNESCO-listed historic district, visited safely during the day with basic awareness. Higher risk after dark.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Calidonia and Santa Ana: Inner-city areas with elevated crime. Avoid on foot.
- El Chorrillo: Adjacent to Casco Viejo, high-crime neighbourhood. Not on corporate itineraries.
- Colon Port area: Port city 80km from Panama City with significantly higher crime rates. Separate assessment required.
Deploying to Panama City? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in Panama City?
Police (SNP)
104
Emergency (all services)
911
Fire
103
Ambulance
911
What travel advisories apply to Panama City?
- FCDO advises against all travel to the Darien region bordering Colombia. Panama City is not covered by this advisory but the proximity of narco-trafficking corridors informs the wider organised crime environment.
- The 2022-2023 protests disrupted main roads including the Pan-American Highway. Monitor current events and have alternative routes identified if protests emerge.
- Casco Viejo is safer during daylight hours with awareness. After dark, use only pre-booked transport rather than walking between venues.
- The US dollar is Panama's currency. ATM fraud and card skimming are reported at some locations. Use ATMs inside banks or hotel lobbies rather than street ATMs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Panama City an important business destination?
Do I need close protection in Panama City?
How does Panama City compare to other Latin American cities for security?
What is the situation with protests in Panama?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.