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Travel Related
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SAFETY AND THE POLICE |
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Panamá has something of a reputation as a dangerous place to travel,
but though violent crime is a problem - most shops, banks and hotels
have private armed guards - outside certain areas Panamá is really no
worse than anywhere else in Central America. You should take special
care in Colón and in Panamá City (particularly in the San Felipe, El
Chorillo and Calidonia districts), where mugging is a real threat, and
always ask local advice about the relative safety of different areas.
Other than your passport , which you are required to carry at all times,
leave your valuables in your hotel when you can, keep them close to your
body when you can't, and carry a few dollars separately so that muggers
do not search you for more (or become violent with disappointment). Late
at night or when carrying luggage, it's a good idea to take a taxi -
think of it as a cheap insurance policy. If you are driving , never
leave your car unattended and, in Panamá City and Colón, keep your doors
locked and windows closed to avoid being hijacked.
Outside Colón and Panamá City, the only area where there is any
particular danger is Darién and the easternmost part of Kuna Yala . This
wilderness frontier with Colombia has long been frequented by Colombian
Marxist guerrillas, bandits and cocaine traffickers, but since 1996 the
situation has deteriorated dramatically, and several travellers
attempting to cross overland to Colombia have been kidnapped, killed or
have simply disappeared. It is still possible to visit Darién, including
parts of the national park, and the situation may well get better, but
at present we do not recommend travel in this area . Even when the
situation has improved, you should check with the ANAM office in Darién
by phone and in the press in Panamá City before going, and register with
the police in every town. And if you are planning to travel to Colombia
by sea, you should be aware that many of the boats that ply the coast
are involved in smuggling.
If you are robbed or otherwise become the victim of a crime, you should
report it immediately to the local police station, particularly if you
will later be making an insurance claim. If treated respectfully,
Panamanian police are generally honest and helpful. In Panamá City the
tourist police ( policia de turismo ) are better prepared to deal with
foreign travellers and more likely to speak English - they wear white
armbands and are often mounted on bicycles.
Emergency numbers
Police tel 104 Fire tel 103 Tourist Police tel 226 7000 ext. 280 or 269
8011
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