Panama is generally a safe country to visit, but it's important to take precautions when travelling in major cities and at night. Pickpocketing is common, and robberies and violent crime can occur. Be extra vigilant when travelling in Panama, especially when visiting the world-famous Panama Canal. The Miraflores Locks are a must-see for anyone interested in engineering or looking for an incredible story.
It's also a great idea to rent a car to explore the surrounding mountains, but there are also plenty of excursions available if you don't have your own vehicle. The Panama Canal is a bridge between two worlds, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It's located on the isthmus that forms the land bridge between North and South America, and it's one of the most important maritime routes in the world. There are some parts of Panama that should be avoided, such as the border region between Panama and Colombia (which is extremely dangerous due to rebel groups and Colombian drug traffickers), most of Colón city, El Chorrillo neighborhood in Panama City, Curundu and El Marañón neighborhoods (which are poor and crime-ridden).
However, the main attraction is still the Panama Canal, which can be seen from an aerial view with a local operator. You can even take acrobatic flights with veteran Air Force pilots or skydive over this engineering marvel.
