Is Panama Safe or Dangerous?
Panama is amazingly safe. Many people have heard of how dangerous places like Columbia and Costa Rica can be so they assume Panama is just as dangerous because of its proximity to these countries. Panama does not have the kidnappings you have likely heard of in these other countries (except near the Columbia border where nobody sane goes anyway). Crimes against persons are not tolerated by law enforcement in Panama. Child molesters, murderers, wife beaters are quickly dealt with. If they are not a Panama citizen they are quickly deported. These types of offenders are not “catered” to like in the US or Canada. I remember my first impression, coming to Panama from Canada. I thought Panama must be very dangerous. Everywhere I looked private homes had bars on the windows. I thought to myself. This is like downtown Detroit! Fortunately, after a while, I discovered this was not the case. Panamanians were brought up with bars on the windows and tight security, from the days when Panama was pa
