Embassy of Panama in San Jose, Costa Rica; address La Granja neighborhood, San Pedro de la Bomba de Higueron, 200 meters South and 25 meters East, San José…
Head of mission: Luis Carlos Cabezas Moreno, Ambassador (as of 2025)
Panama offers a unique combination of cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, enhancing its appeal as a tourism destination. It plays a significant role in regional tourism and attracts a diverse range of visitors. With around 600,000 Costa Ricans traveling abroad annually, a portion may find Panama an appealing choice for their travels.
Panama is generally safe for tourists, but it has a higher crime rate compared to Costa Rica. According to the Global Peace Index, Panama ranks 94th out of 160 countries, while Costa Rica ranks 56th. The murder rate in Panama is 12.7 per 100,000 people, slightly higher than Costa Rica's rate of 11.4. In terms of organized crime, Panama scores worse than Costa Rica in several categories, including mafia presence (7.5 vs. 6.5) and state crime (7.5 vs. 1.5). Additionally, Panama has higher indices for human trafficking (8.0) and cocaine trade (8.5) compared to Costa Rica. While tourists can visit Panama safely, it's advisable to stay informed and take standard precautions.