Check current flight, airport, entry, border and travel warning information that could affect a trip to Panama.
Panama Status
WATCH
Travel to Panama is operating normally overall. International flights, airports and ordinary tourist travel continue, but severe security warnings apply to parts of the Darién region near the Colombian border and several other areas have elevated crime risks.
Current Travel Conditions
What Travellers Should Know
Ordinary tourism continues
There is no significant current nationwide disruption affecting ordinary tourism, international flights or Panama’s principal tourist destinations.
Tocumen International Airport
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City remains Panama’s principal international aviation hub and continues to handle scheduled passenger services.
Darién region
Travellers should pay particular attention to warnings covering parts of Darién Province close to Colombia. Organized criminal groups, drug traffickers and human traffickers operate in the region.
Darién Gap
There is no road connecting Panama and Colombia through the Darién Gap. Travellers should not attempt to cross this remote region on foot.
Colombia border
Current Canadian guidance advises against all travel to areas south of Metetí in Darién Province toward the Colombian border because of extremely high levels of violent crime.
Mosquito Gulf
Current U.S. guidance also says not to travel to the Mosquito Gulf, a remote Caribbean coastal region where drug trafficking and other criminal activity occur.
Costa Rica border
The land border between Panama and Costa Rica remains an established international travel route. Travellers entering Panama by land may be asked to provide proof of onward travel.
Entry requirements
Visa requirements depend on nationality. Immigration officials may ask travellers to show a return or onward ticket, details of accommodation and evidence that they have sufficient funds for their stay.
Biometrics
Foreign visitors may have fingerprints and a facial image recorded when entering Panama.
Entry stamp
Make sure immigration officials properly record your arrival. Failure to obtain the required entry record can create problems when leaving the country.
Digital customs and immigration declaration
Panama is transitioning towards a digital immigration and customs declaration system. Paper declarations remain accepted during the phased transition, but authorities recommend completing the digital form before travelling.
Crime
Crime levels vary considerably by location. Travellers should take additional precautions in specified higher-crime areas, including parts of Panama City, Colón Province and San Miguelito.
Latest Travel Changes
U.S. advisory updated
The U.S. State Department issued an updated Panama travel advisory on 19 August 2026. Panama remains Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution because of crime.
Unrest indicator removed
The August 2026 U.S. update removed unrest as a separate risk indicator, while retaining the Level 2 national advisory and strong regional warnings.
Canada recommends normal precautions nationally
Canadian guidance updated on 24 September 2026 recommends normal security precautions for Panama overall.
Darién warning remains
Canada continues to advise against all travel south of Metetí toward the Colombian border because of extremely high levels of violent crime.
No major nationwide transport disruption identified
No significant current nationwide flight, airport or border shutdown affecting ordinary travel to Panama has been identified.
Before You Travel
Check your airline and flight status before departure.
Confirm the visa and passport requirements applying to your nationality.
Carry proof of onward or return travel and be prepared to provide evidence of sufficient funds if requested by immigration officials.
Complete Panama’s recommended digital immigration and customs declaration before travelling where applicable.
Do not attempt to cross the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia by land.
Check current security advice before travelling into Darién Province, the Mosquito Gulf or other remote border regions.
Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.