Is it safe to travel to Panama?
Is it safe to travel to Panama?
The media has offered extensive, well detailed and accurate coverage regarding the return of ex-dictator Noriega to Panama. While this is certainly newsworthy information the potential traveler may associate Panama's violent political past with the present and allow that to influence their decision. So, is it safe to travel to Panama? This is a question that deserves objective answers unattached to any preconceived notions related to Noriega or anything else. It would be presumptuous to say that this article will answer all your questions or doubts, but will attempt to remain objective and point you in the right direction if nothing else.
Crime:
It's been said that Panama is a "gringo friendly" country and ranks among one of the safest countries in Central America relatively speaking. In a report by United States Department of State "Violent crime in Panama started to rise in 2007" However this same report announced that crime declined in 2010. (Panama 2011 Crime and Safety Report , 2011). Like any country including the U.S. Panama is not free of any crime be it gangs, trafficking, smuggling or anything else but do not allow statistics alone be your only deciding factor.
Often times your best source of information comes from "word of mouth" or other well known and reputable travel sites. It is however recommended to read the entire article published by the U.S Department of State. The article published by OSAC covers more factual data such as places to avoid, driving in Panama and what to do in the event of a medical emergency, this is especially important because your current healthcare coverage may or may not be valid when traveling outside the U.S. It's always a good rule of thumb to prepare for the unexpected.
The "bottom line" do not allow anyone to make an informed decision for you; otherwise you might be missing out on what could possibly be a great travel experience. The fact remains that a traveler must always do their own due diligence prior to traveling outside the U.S. So the question remains, is it safe to travel to Panama? That depends on who you ask and up to you to decide.
You may also continue reading more articles on: [http://bit.ly/HY7wCO] or http://exm.nr/JtJoVG
Reference:
Panama 2011 Crime and Safety Report . (2011, April 7). Retrieved March 29, 2012, from Overseas Security Advisory Council. Bureau of Diplomatic Security: https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=10788
The media has offered extensive, well detailed and accurate coverage regarding the return of ex-dictator Noriega to Panama. While this is certainly newsworthy information the potential traveler may associate Panama's violent political past with the present and allow that to influence their decision. So, is it safe to travel to Panama? This is a question that deserves objective answers unattached to any preconceived notions related to Noriega or anything else. It would be presumptuous to say that this article will answer all your questions or doubts, but will attempt to remain objective and point you in the right direction if nothing else.
Crime:
It's been said that Panama is a "gringo friendly" country and ranks among one of the safest countries in Central America relatively speaking. In a report by United States Department of State "Violent crime in Panama started to rise in 2007" However this same report announced that crime declined in 2010. (Panama 2011 Crime and Safety Report , 2011). Like any country including the U.S. Panama is not free of any crime be it gangs, trafficking, smuggling or anything else but do not allow statistics alone be your only deciding factor.
Often times your best source of information comes from "word of mouth" or other well known and reputable travel sites. It is however recommended to read the entire article published by the U.S Department of State. The article published by OSAC covers more factual data such as places to avoid, driving in Panama and what to do in the event of a medical emergency, this is especially important because your current healthcare coverage may or may not be valid when traveling outside the U.S. It's always a good rule of thumb to prepare for the unexpected.
The "bottom line" do not allow anyone to make an informed decision for you; otherwise you might be missing out on what could possibly be a great travel experience. The fact remains that a traveler must always do their own due diligence prior to traveling outside the U.S. So the question remains, is it safe to travel to Panama? That depends on who you ask and up to you to decide.
You may also continue reading more articles on: [http://bit.ly/HY7wCO] or http://exm.nr/JtJoVG
Reference:
Panama 2011 Crime and Safety Report . (2011, April 7). Retrieved March 29, 2012, from Overseas Security Advisory Council. Bureau of Diplomatic Security: https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=10788
