If anyone knows a story or two of Safety issues in Panama City or the outskirts, please let us all know.

Frankly as a Gringo I have always felt safe traveling the roads and walking the streets of Panama late at night and have never had a problem. Coming back from the Veraguas area late one evening on the Panamerican Highway I got a flat and had to change the tire myself on that very dark road with a only a quarter moon and a few side street lights to guide my way. A few guys went buy on bicycle, and did not bother to even blink a message of aid to me, however they did not trouble me either. Considering that I was out in the middle of no where with a flat tire and a good amount of Balboa, I found this pretty refreshing.

When I read the information about neighboring Columbia however, especially about Medillin, it makes me a bit uneasy. Many Gringos are investing mucho in Panama Real Estate these days. I am beginning to wonder how safe this part of the world will be in the future if it ever gets destabilized again from some Columbian drug dealing insurgence, and we go back to a Noriega-esk kind of police state there.

I am told as well, that the Panamanian banks launder most of the Columbian-USA drug trafficing money. I guess this can be looked at being a good and bad thing depending on how you frame it.

The locals also tell me there has been a sudden increase in gang style murders, robberys and other petty thefts, break-ins, etc over the past year in Panama City. I wonder if the tide is changing there for the worst.

Posts like this on Noriegaville don't help either;

"It is generally not to be advised to travel down the Corredor Sur from the airport to the city. In the past, the police was routinely involved in robberies of tourists and businessmen arriving in Panama."

SP -

Not that history never repeats itself, but I seriously doubt Panama will regress back to what it was during the Noriega era. I think the lesson was well received and retained.

A country's stability is directly connected to it's economy. But what confuses me is that Panama's economy is booming, yet there seems to be an up-tic in crime...likely, the money is not trickling down to everyone.

Also, seems there is more gang activity. Not that it never existed before, I´m hearing about it more often.

The point you make about Panama banks laundering money for the Colombian cartels...seems I heard somewhere that there was an agreement to contain Colombia's problems within Colombia and keep Panama as a safe-haven for Colombia's elite families. Yet, a Colombian businessman was shot to death in a high rent apartment not too long ago...obviously drug related.

Yes, Panama has its problems. But I think any seasoned mongerer can navigate Panama safely as long as they use common sense...like take taxi´s rather than walk, especially after dark. Don´t go alone into PC's known bad areas (like La Meyor in Chorillo)...hire your cab driver to be your buddy for a couple hours...buy him all the beer he can drink and tip him $10 or $20, depending how much time he worked for you.

Also, when in Panama be sure to photocopy your passport, including the entry stamp when you arrive. Then keep your passport locked in the hotel safe or security lock box. Do this for all your major ID's including driver's license. I got stopped last week by two cops on Via Espania...showed my photocopy of my passport...the cops hummed and hawed a little that I did not photocopy the entry stamp, but let me continue given I obviously was doing nothing wrong. PS - It helps if you are friendly...I smiled a lot...chatted about how I loved Panama and how I return every year on vacation and how one day I will retire in Panama. I did a little name dropping too by suggesting I knew a lot of retired Americans in Panama who were married to local women...no specific names dropped, but the cops were smart enough to figure I probably knew somebody who knew somebody and they might catch hell if they slipped beneath board. They let me go, then waved hi to me an hour later when I passed heading back to my hotel. So be cool headed, friendly, don't play the "you violated my rights by stopping me...you racially profiled me because I am a gringo"...remember, this is their country and they have a right to stop you to make sure you are legit.

Starting my third week in Panama today, having a great time...went native for 4-days with my novia, her friends and their family in Chiriqui...went with no ac except when driving in the SUV, drank beer for breakfast, too cold trickling showers...when we had water. Ate local cuisine of fried name the animal, fried plantain bananas, fried name the fish, eggs, and soup with you name the bird floating in it.

Only my novia and her 11-year-old nephew spoke any English...so I used a lot of survival Spanish.

First night arriving I was introduced to the family...then my novia told me to get into the truck with 3 men (one family member and 2 of his buddies...all in their late 20s or early 30s). The kid came along to help translate. Needless to say, I was a little nervous...they spoke no English, but the mission was clear. We were going somewhere to get beer. At the time I did not understand that due to holy week we could not buy beer in the super market a few blocks away. Instead, we headed into the blackness of night and into the jungle on a dirt road. After 20 minutes of driving listening to blasting accordion salsa music we arrived at a cabin...the 3 men jumped out returning a few minutes later with 3 cases of Soberana, Atlas, and Panama brand beer...beer caps started popping and we all were drinking on our way out of the jungle back to...a more civilized part of the jungle. I'll tell you...that beer was ice cold and tasted great...I drank 3 bottles on the trip back and perhaps another 5 or 6 that night.

My novia´s friends told the home owners that my girl and I were married...so we could sleep together. First thing my novia pointed-out was the bed we would sleep on makes lots of noise and the ceiling above the walls were open so everyone could easily hear. At first she told me I could not fuck her...but then I showed her we could by fucking very slowly and quietly. Nothing more enjoyable than reaching climax and forcing yourself to be quiet...hot, sweaty whispered moans in each other's ears...I suspect we were heard...oh, well...love in the jungle.

I had a great time...learned a lot...have more appreciation for the luxuries I often take for granted. Will I repeat? Yes, but at the end of the night I will sleep in a hotel with cold ac and consistent hot water.

AJ

Dude!

Sounds like you had a blast! Great to hear of your Tantric love experience as well with your Novia. I agree, that is great and appreciate the slow fuck and caress under the covers; better when it's freezing cold outside, and you've got a window open a crack at the ski lodge; where is that famous ski lodge in Panama?

I have tried to get my Novia into more Tantric love but it always winds up getting so fucking crazy that we wind up slam fucking and ass slapping in the end..........youth.......she's 21. I am becomming tired of avoiding the "why not marry this beautiful girl" questions every time I meet the family. She too, is becomming tired of saying, "mucho cosas es complicado." I have to figure this has to end sometime soon with the old time American girl debutante demand; "Love me forever NOW!" As Meat Loaf says in that song "Paradise by the Tocumen Airport Lights," ".....let me sleep on it....bebe bebe let me sleep on it."

Anyway I am nowhere near retirement, but it sure sounds like you have a good thing going here with this Novia. She really seems to want to take care of you. Whether or not you like to admit it, I believe you are in love dude.......... take it or leave it.

Back to money and politics; polarization of communities like Panama City happen all the time as cities expand and bring in more yuppies; in the case of Panama City more and more foreign Yuppies are going to be moving in as the economy grows. If the Free Trade agreement ever gets signed, this polarization will happen more acutely. The Panamanians who have live in the city for a long time will be kicked out eventually and the whole place will become like NYC over time; only the rich can afford to live there. I believe the Panamanian people know this is happening as people come to their country to buy up land and condos. The Free Trade agreements only serve the rich; the local farmers and shop keepers will be screwed like they are in the USA. I believe as more money comes into Panama this may create more gang activity as right wing Panamanians, rightly so, want to preserve their culture that is now more or less being dissolved into Gringo Disneyland; their land is no longer theirs; their beautiful women all want Gringo husbands; their kids no longer appreciate the old ways and their own culture..................you know the deal. We all know the Panamanian people are not going to be totally affected by the increased Panamanian economy. The new money coming into Panama will never reach more than 90% of the Panamanian people, the ones who struggle to eat and survive each day. Some of the ones who walk the streets and fuck you in your cab for $30.

As a result, I see more police activity in Panama to protect the rich over the next 10 years and more gang activity before it all stabilizes out into some kind of compromise. The worst case scenario of course would be if some right extremist group were to gain power by military coup and kick everyone out like me and you, freeze all the bank accounts and take over all the property............unlikely? As you say, history has a strange way of repeating itself. But lets thing positive! Perhaps this sudden rise in crime is just a phase and it will be over at some point soon. Lets see.

News Flash!!!! Update on crime & safety in Panama...

I talked to my novia today. She said two gringos were robbed at gun-point last night as they drove their rental car from Tocumen to PC via Corridor del Sur (the southern freeway along the Pacific coast).

From what she told me, the banditos followed the two gringos, then pulled up next to them and bumped fenders. The gringos thought it was just an accident...so they stopped and got robbed of everything including their rental car. Fortunately, they walked away with their lives.

For the time being...recommend taking Corridor del Sur only during the day when well traveled by others. Late night you should consider going the long way through populated areas.

Also, instruct your driver to avoid allowing anyone to loiter next to your vehicle when on Corridor del Sur...recommend your driver stomp on the gas and drive fast...if bumped by another car...realize chances are pretty good it is not an accident.

Consider wearing a money belt stuffed down in your crotch with all your money and important stuff. I also carry a spare "decoy" billfold filled with photocopied Ccards and IDs...with a little spending money...maybe $40...just in case I get robbed I can deliver something in lieu of taking a bullet.

I doubt these banditos will make you strip or look for money belts...they want your wallets, bags and electronics...then to get away as quickly as they can.

Be careful traveling Corridor del Sur.

AJ

I just found an article confirming what I outlined above...

Arriving Tourists Robbed Leaving Airport
Tuesday, September 12 2006 @ 10:04 AM EDT
Contributed by: Don Winner
Views: 30
Last night at about 7:30 pm three tourists (one each from Spain, Italy, and Venezuela) were robbed at gunpoint after having arrived in Panama. They rented a car at the airport and were driving towards their hotel in the center of town when they were hit by another small sedan in a side-to-side collision under the overpass just after the entrance to Via Lucre near the old Roosevelt monument. Thinking they had been in a simple accident the tourists stopped the car and four theives exited the other vehicle and took control of the victims at gunpoint. They stole their luggage, cash, and personal belongings and left the area in two other vehicles that came in and picked them up. The tourists were unharmed in the incident. Police are investigating. (Editor's Comment: This kind of thing happens periodically. The airport is a public area and it's easy for theives to have a spotter at the airport to identifiy easy pickings and to relay information to accompliances who are waiting outside of the airport security perimiter. In any case if you are involved in a traffic accident in Panama anywhere and you don't feel completely safe, take off and find a cop. If it turns out you were just being paranoid, just explain yourself. Better safe than sorry.)

It looks like Panama is having security problems. This hasn't happend to me in my Medellin trips. Security is very tight around the airport.

Well, it seems the beltway corridors that encircle the city to the North as well as the South simply are not policed.

The tolls on these roads deter everyone from traveling on them but the well-to-do. Naturally, the long spans on these freeways make them too costly to effectively patrol. Therefore "rich" people "not protected" in Panama equals trouble.

Actually it has been a long-time since I last wrote about someone getting robbed on their way from the airport...probably since last spring.

Therefore, two highway robberies in about a year isn't really that much given the traffic I've seen in past.

However, what concerns me is that the bandits had the balls to rob 3 men and the bandits apparently had 3 cars. That means they can follow the victim as well as block the road ahead.

I think next-time I go to Panama...if I arrive during daylight hours...I'll take corridor del Sur (South). If I arrive after dark...I'll simply take the long route thru the city.

I always use the same driver...I know he is aware of the threats...chances are slim for anyone that they will be robbed the same way these guys were robbed.

I also suspect that the bandits will not strike again anytime soon given the immediate attention they have drawn to themselves...so SP...chances are you'll get in and out of Panama before they strike again...I hope.

AJ

Last weekend I called my hotel before I left and had them send a taxi for me. $25, no tip, was an old Mercedes but the piece of mind was worth it.

Brasil is the same way, if you can speak passable Portuguese you can find an honest taxi from the airport to wherever and spend $15, or you can just do a radio taxi for around $30 and not have to worry about it.

Oh well, I guess I can take the opposition stance on this issue;

Must have been a random theft not unlike any mugging in any city in the world.

I happend to be in PC the day they opened the Corridor Del Sur several years ago. I recall how quick and convenient the route was compared to the old route via the 2 lane road through the city; Devoid of traffic, sit in demonstrations, broken down cars, traffic lights etc. Well worth the extra $2.50+/- and time savings.

I have taken taxis/limos that have had flat tires, overheated radiators, no problems at all, stopping for gas, drinks/coffee/beer and never had a problem.

Maybe lucky or just maybe the norm of the thousands of cars that transgress this local toll road daily. Think of how many cars transgress local toll roads in your city???

One mugging does not a trend make. I'll always ask to go this route just for sheer time savings and the view is spectacular.....coming and going.

Jeeeesz guys. Don't judge a city/route by one report of a hold up. Look in the archives and see if there have been any others in the past 4-5 years??

Now, you want to talk about muggings, go to the Brazil reports.

Panama.....NAWWWWW! You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery.

You are probably right Sandman...but there is a genuine fear expressed by my driver...he DOES NOT like to drive the Corridors. Seems there is more to this than just what I picked-up via the Internet.

And yes, there have been other highway robberies in past-times...mostly against foreigners traveling to PC from the airport. The last one I recall was against a Colombian (likely carrying drug money).

Locals speculate that somebody spots a foreign target at the airport...then his/her buds ambush them ont he Corridor.

Since most of us on this board are foreigners when in Panama...best to at least have this knowledge so that you can make an informed decision to take the fast (potentially more dangerous) route or the longer (safer) route.

Like I've said...I'll take the Corridor during the day because there is regular traffic making it hard for a "hit" without a passerby witnessing the event.

I will probably not take the Corridor at night.

I definitely will not take the Corridor if I am screened and "somebody" at the airport discovers that I (normally) carry a couple grand, in cash, on me when entering to play in Panama.

AJ

I think the answer is to just use a reputable taxi. We drove to Plaza Pacifica from the airport at 10:30 PM on a Friday night and we were the only car on the road.

The article mentions two main points - foreigners in a rental car (big target in Florida as well, remember) who stopped on the highway. My opinion is, never stop unless a cop is there. If they want to follow you, at least go to a public place before you stop. Don't pull over on the side of a rural highway for any reason at all.

I rent a car and take the corredor dur at night all the time since varying girlfriends live right off of the exits close to the airport; I've never had a problem. But thanks AJ! I will be on the alert. I am 6 foot 5 with a muscular build with a shaved head and a beard; in my jeans I can look like a hells angel dude, so hopefully they take a look and don't want to fuck with me, which I believe is part of my success walking around late at night in most cities anyway. Always traveling light and wearing your torn jeans works well too. Don't look like a good target.

AJ, your ongoing committment to updating the Panama scene is noble! Thanks for all your work over the years,

The notably now infamous on this site;

SP

AJ

Point well made and taken. Kind of like telling guys not to walk home from Help at night.

AJ,

Why do you carry so much cash with you? I took about $85 with me and used three different ATMs there and had zero issues with any. No fees from my bank and no POS fees at the ATM, does your bank hit you up for international withdrawals or something? There shouldn't be the new 1% fee for currency exchange or whatever all the US banks seem to be charging these days, since all withdrawals are in dollars.

Cat -

I do it so that my wife doesn't see me withdrawing large amounts ($500) frequently in Panama.

6-months or so before I depart on a trip I will step-up petty cash ATM runs...$500 per pop maybe two, sometimes three times a month. Then I'll skim a couple hundred bucks from the top of each withdrawal...I hide this money in my office at work.

The other half I will put where we keep our petty cash in the house and routinely spend it. If the petty cash lasts too long, I'll skim from that pile too and claim I ate lunch out all week.

So, over a 6-month period I may save a $2-3K "fun money" in my desk at work.

Then when I go to Panama I stay at the cheaper hooker hotels while I'm fucking my brains out at $60-$80 a pop. While in Panama I might make only one...maybe two ATM withdrawals for show. And I will use the Ccard if shopping or dining alone.

When I return from my trip...my "expense" story checks-out with the wife...she's see expenses of maybe $2,800 for 2-weeks, including the price of an airline ticket. When I show her how expensive it would be for me to do the same fishing trip in the States...she practically insists that I do all my fishing in Panama.

I know...I'm terrible...

AJ

Ok, so why not just open up a checking account that your wife doesn't know about, keep the ATM card in your safe at work, make work your mailing address for that account or better yet, a PO box your wife doesn't know about, keep the PO box key in your safe at work as well.

I recommend to everyone - keep an account or two to yourself. That's good policy in general, excellent policy for all married mongers.

The things we do to keep stuff from our wives.

Thank god for my divorce and a rock solid prenup.

Now I do what the fuck I want.

Cat -

Doing what I do shields me better than if I were to create secret accounts in my name only with a PO Box or business address.

If I create other accounts, in my name only, and with an address different than my wife's...somebody could discover my deception from my wife, then start inquiring...such as a divorce lawyer running a credit check by my wife's request.

No...for me it is best that I hide my deeds in plain sight where investigators can't or don't think to look.

Does this make sense?

AJ

I'm am wakin day and night about 20 minutes from
Hotel Costa Azul...near Hotel California....down
the road to Veneto Casio. I've waked this route
the last three days and as late as Midnite....NO
Problemo......and I have Gringo written all over me....
There are definitely parts of PC I would not venture like this.......but that is true about
Los Angeles also.......
I do need a tall darker Chica to make me feel more protected.....