*Elite; $20 all you can drink. Considering the high quality talent and my capacity for alcohol - a good deal.
It’s natural. You want to learn about [tag]Panama[/tag] before you leave home. You wonder if its safe, where to go, what to do, and how you can get your moneys worth at the local strip club*. So you read the books, talk with fellow travelers, [tag]study Spanish[/tag], flirt with the hot Nica working Wendy’s drive thru window, and of course, you surf the web. But even with all that, your knowledge is incomplete.
I feel your pain. I was like you once. In the dark, and on the bent-penis path. I looked everywhere for information. In desperation, I even turned to the experts. Pro web sites boasting wisdom gleaned from years of experience. And I discovered there’s a lot of disinformation out there.
I’m here now. The damage is done. I still surf the web seeking information and news on Panama. Only now its different. Now I have some first hand experience. I’m better able to see through the feculence. So, from time to time, I review these sites to see what’s up.
In researching this particular article (yes - really) I did a simple Panama search, and up came the apparent holy grail of information, panamaexpertos.com. “Everything About Panama” the link boasts. Cool. I want to know everything. As I move to click their link, I’m a little put off. I see it’s a paid [tag]google ad[/tag]. That’s where someone pays good money to come to the top of a google search. Usually because their site can’t generate enough traffic on its own merits.
Inside, as the name implies, panamaexpertos.com. is claiming expertise, insider knowledge. It has the usual stuff; ads for [tag]real estate[/tag], links to sketchy realtors, and articles claiming to give you the inside scoop. It’s an impressive collection of text, pics, and links. Clearly they know something I don’t. At the very least they’re working with a bigger budget. I click on a random link, a story called “Crime and Safety in Panama.”
Ah, I know what you’re thinking, a tropical Dostoyevsky, this should be good. The story has been cobbled together by a man claiming to be former cop. We trust cops right? I don’t, but I assume you do. This one begins by parroting conventional wisdom. The ubiquitous “Panama is safer than the US” mantra found on most commercial web sites. Naturally, they’re selling you things. They need [tag]retirees[/tag] and tourists to come to Panama and buy their land or services. Its important for you to believe this is a tropical paradise.
“Remember” he sagely tells us, “Panama as a nation has much less violent crime in a year (a mere fraction) than what New York City has in one day.”
Sure, it also has less crime than [tag]Baghdad[/tag]. But neither is on my short list of retirment destinations. New York City vs Panama is like comparing King Kong with a mouse. One’s big, hairy, and has balls the size of a Volkswagen, The other nibbles queso. And does anyone really know how much crime there is in Panama? How could they? I wager most of it goes unreported. If the newspaper accounts can be believed, the government, and police force are corrupt and ineffective. When people get robbed or raped they don’t necessarily run to the authorities.
“Panama is far safer than North America. Violent crime in Panama is relatively unheard of … Armed robberies are vely unheard of.” he argues.
Huh, really? Just last week armed bandits robbed the Veneto Casino down the street. Would that qualify as violent crime? I don’t have to go far for another example, in Obario, two women murdered during a robbery. How about the brinks heist two weeks back that had thieves wounding guards with [tag]AK-47’s[/tag]. It took me sixty seconds to find these recent incidents. Incidents that occurred in “safe” neighborhoods. I’m not talking Curundu here. Truth is, I’ve heard several tales of poor Panamanians being robbed at knife or gun point. So if you’re rich or middle class imagine how tasty you’d look to a maleante.
Here’s another gem:
“Rapes are again not a likely occurrence “
He better talk to my girlfriend. She was raped at 16. While I’ll grudgingly admit its not likely that many fat, gray haired, retirees are going to get raped. [tag]Rape[/tag] is hardly rare here. If you know anything about machismo culture you know there’s a lot of non-consensual/coercive sex going on. And yes, full on rape.
There’s more:
“Bars on windows are common in Panama. Again children can become thieves of opportunity.”
Hey now ossifer, it wasn’t mischievous children who took a pry bar and smashed through two doors (iron and wooden) and then robbed my neighbor of all his worldly goods last Christmas. It was three adult males.
“Most apartment buildings have security guards 24/7 who are sharp and vigilant.”
I love that last part “sharp and vigilant.” Thats a great touch. I actually laughed out loud. Tell me, how sharp and vigilant do you think you’d be in tropical heat, making 300$ a month? Truth is these underpaid souls are often implicated in robberies and break ins. They tip the thieves where to rob. The crimes I noted above were alleged to have been inside jobs, security giving up info to the thieves. Very common here.
Indeed, even though my neighbor was robbed, my building association voted against hiring a guard for this very reason. And also because we felt it was better for each of us to spend the money on a multi lock door. Even with a steel inner and outer door, I still prefer to leave someone behind to watch my flat when I’m traveling for any length of time.
“There is a marked absence of homeless people living in the streets, never saw any in Panama City..”
He uses past tense so maybe he’s gone now. Maybe he hasn’t spent much time on the streets. A problem for many visitors and expats who claim expertise. They come down for three of four months. While they’re here they stay in 4 star hotels, or high rise condos, and ride about in cars and taxis. They never really hit the streets. So they miss a lot.
I don’t own a car. I walk or hike most every day. There’s a cool guy with bad legs who hangs out on the corner of Via Veneto. He can’t afford a wheel chair so he sits in the filth. You can find him sleeping there too if you know where to look. I just finished lunch in Manolos and there was a guy dozing in the bushes along the patio. Hell, there’s a couple of homeless older guys living in the vacant lot across from my building.
Truth is, like any major city, there are people living in the nooks and crannies. But you might not meet then if you’re being chauffeured around. Its not as bad as San Jose Costa Rica for example, where you stumble over sleeping bums, drunks, and crack addicts on your way to the hotel. But there are street people here. Believe it.
“If you are a recreational drug user I would strongly suggest you look for another country to live in.”
An enormous amount of drugs passes through Panama on its way to the US. When I was in Bocas people were smoking mad weed. In Panama City people are more careful. They take their drugs in hotels and the privacy of their homes. As I noted the police force is ineffective. But, its also corrupt. Recently a group of cops went around forcing their way into houses looking for drugs and money to resell. Its alleged they sexually assaulted one woman during these home invasions. In Panama you can get locked up for nothing. And don’t get me started on the judicial system, your case might not come to trial for years. Point is, you should watch your ass no matter what you’re doing - be discrete.
*the eraser: (el borrador) a nickname given to the bus because it kills so many people in Panama.
I could go on. I am only scratching the surface. But, the problem with Panamaexpertos.com is that they are claiming authority and knowledge that they just don’t seem to posses. Most of the assertions here are false. The author is either ignorant or deliberately distorting facts. In light of this, I must regretfully schedule Panamaexpertos.com for an appointment with el borrador (the eraser*). That’s where I metaphorically throw these weasels under the bus. If you cant trust what they tell you how can you use their services? You cant. So don’t. Consider yourself warned.
A final note or disclaimer; I do not want you to get the impression that I think Panama City is big, scary and dangerous. I lived in Boston for 8 years, worked in NYC, spent time in LA and San Francisco. I believe Panama City is safer than these US cities. I also feel much safer here than in [tag]San Jose Costa Rica[/tag], a popular destination for retirees.
I have been warned by locals not to walk the streets, or take buses in Panama City . I do it all the time. I’ve had a few folks try to grift me. One pickpocket tried to get into my bag in busy Caledonia. A flower vender has threatened me with bodily harm because I won’t buy his flowers. But for the most part Panama City is tranquil. I love it here. And I think with the influx of tourists, investments, retirees, and the cleaning of the bay, things will only get better.
Postscript: Ok, the website’s crap, but I love Panama. And I’m not the only one who thinks highly of the city. Check this out:
PANAMA CITY 4/26 (Reuters) — For all you high rollers nervous about buying into Panama. It’s been reported that Donald Trump is attaching his name to a 65-story complex in Panama City, costing in excess of $220 million. The plan calls for over 300 hotel units, 500 luxury condos, a casino, private beach and a marina. Read the full story here; THE DONALD
Great read.. very imformative. Im curious on retires who have a flashy car in Panama. Do you think it is a toss up on being a marked person of a crime? Do you feel the criminals are more resistent to rob a gringo?
Also what is your opinion on gated communities?
thx
JB
Comment by JB — December 16, 2006 @ 3:21 pm
thanks. hmm, flashy cars … when i got here 3 years back i was surprised by how many people drive new cars. because of the heavy rains there are lots of new suv’s and 4×4’s. so, if it’s just new, i doubt you’ll be a marked man. but if you’re driving a jag you’re only advertising that you’re wealthy. probably not a good plan. this is still the third world.
Panamanians are good people. and there’s great respect for the elderly. but every city (especially cities surrounded by the poor) has its share of criminals. i’m not an expert, but i would imagine that thieves prefer easy targets. it’s not so much about gringos vs latinos.
sure, they assume that if you’re white you’ve got more money than they have. that could mean you’ll get more respect, or it might make you a target. a target for a sales pitch, a panhandler, a hooker, or a pickpocket.
there are some who love gated communities. they feel safer there. but i didn’t travel all this way to hide behind high walls and crocodile filled moats with a pack of graying gringos.
just depends on your comfort level and what you’re into i guess. bottom line. i feel safe walking, riding buses, and riding in taxis in panama city. and outside the city it even safer.
Comment by Cojito — December 16, 2006 @ 9:46 pm
Thanks for the info. My husband is going to be going on a business trip there for 8 weeks. I am going to visit him for a week. I was having problems trying to figure out the true story on crime in Panama. You addressed my questions and I like the fact you live there and can say for sure. Is the night life safe, and are the strip clubs “dirty”? I mean are the dancers prostitutes or anything? Are the night clubs safe? The streets dont swell up with bad guys at night do they? lol
Thanks!
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — April 5, 2007 @ 12:38 am
thanks sarah. yes, in many strip clubs the girls can be taken home for a price. some of them can be had on site.
in my experience, the night clubs and streets are safe in panama. i was out last night at 3am with no problems.
just use common sense in panama city. stay out of bad areas of town. don’t get buzzed, and then wander the streets late at night. when clubbing, just take enough cash for the night.
and taxis are cheap, easy, and a safe way to get around at night.
Comment by cojito — April 5, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Hi I am from Panama. Sorry for my english but I do have to say that I live from 1st hand a horrible crime of a friend but I do have to say since that happened Ive done a google search about usa crime and is huge in comparison than Panama. No question about it.
I live here but I dont feel safe anymore and is not because is unsafe is because of the marks that really make you change even if you dont want to.
Is just the same living in USA and knowing that just around two blocks from where you live they have murder a person that you know all your life.
Wouldnt you be scared and thinking that is not safe anymore?
It happens in all the countries….Central America Panama is one of the countries with lower crime. Costa Rica is not as safe as it use to. Colombia is amazing but guerrillas, drugs thats the problem but thats how it is.
I love Panama but what can we do with people that are sick and dont want to be better and are drug dealers….i mean we cannot stop that. We have to fight it.
The only thing that we have to do is try to leave our lifes normal and always paying attention to try to prevent things.
Comment by Jessica — July 18, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Jessica; I feel sad for you I know the feeling of having someone you know and maybe even love being the victim of crime. Some become scared I became angry, but it is not possible to fight criminals when the criminals are the people responsible for protecting the innocent. Like police, judges, lawmakers, even the president. When there is no honor, morals or ethics, there is only sadness, for everyone.
Comment by fastfreddie — July 18, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
I was born in Panama and came to the U.S. on or about eighteen years of age. I recently retired in the U.S. and returned to Panama to spend five months to see if I wanted to move back to my homeland. To my surprise, I found that Panama had changed for the worst and has become a very dangerous place. I found that juveniles commit serious crimes on a regular basis and the judiciary does nothing about it.
To start, upon arrival in Panama, I was told by every one that I knew to take off my watch, gold chain & gold rings. Not withstanding, I live in Atlanta Georgia, one of the most violent Cities in the United States for 20 years, and never encountered a problem while wearing my jewelry.
My second day in Panama, I observed three THUGS beating the living hell out of a yound lady infront of the Legislative Palace in broad daylight in an attempt to rob her. Upon arrival at the location to assist,I found out that the young female was a U.S. citizen working for an American company in Panama.
The three young men beat and robbed the young lady while a group of men stood accross the street observing the brutality and did nothing to help. By the time I came back to the sceene, the three GANG THUGS were walking back into San Miguel a ghetto area in Panama City. I confronted the men standing accross the street and they all told me that the young men were armed with an automatic weapon and they did not want to take any chances.
Two days later, while in the Juan Diaz area, I observed two juveniles shoot another young man in the head. To be honest, this incident was gang related in scope and in nature.
However, wide spread violence is still the norm in Panama and it is evident that the country needs social reform, crime is all over and extreem caution must be shown, it’s sad to see the evil doers constantly intimidating and terrorizing the decent people and the protective forces are incapable of providing protection.
Unfortunately, they themselves are afraid of the criminals. Since the U.S. left Panama, poverty has increased by 30 or 40 percent and we all know that destruction of poor people is poverty. I predict that if the government dont address the problems faced by the poor in Panama, the crime situation will increase and all the expats are going to be running back to the good old USA.
Comment by Pedro — August 20, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
pedro…while i dont doubt your story…im amazed at how in such a short period of time you witnessed personally 2 such extreme violent acts here. I have been coming here 3 years and living here almost 2…and have not witnessed one violent act or crime…outside of maybe throwing a coke can out a bus window. sure…theres plenty of crime and poverty here as well as throughout the world…even atlanta as you mention. in most cases though…it is most likely to happen in poor, drug infested neighborhoods…which you seem to happen to like romping around.
you want real street crime, try costa rica…or nicaragua. relatively speaking…i’ll take panama. just stay out of “juan diez”, Chorillo, and other exciting hot spots and you are likely safer here than in atlanta.
Comment by Tman — August 21, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
i agree with tman. i have been coming to panama for 3-6 weeks at a time regularly since 2005. i don’t set foot in the areas known to be unsafe — same as in the U.S. i agree that poverty is a problem in panama, but it certainly isn’t the only country. my impression has been that poor panamanians are much kinder and more honest than my fellow “needy” americans. they certainly take more pride in their attire and their behavior than even my middle class countrymen. since, in my lifetime, i have been robbed twice at gunpoint in the u.s and ripped off numerous times, it will take more than one bad expei=rience to sour me on panama.
Comment by marcopolo — August 25, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
hi,just going to panama to investigate if it’s a nice and safe place to live with my family.is it safe to take taxi’s from the airport to my destination?is it safer to rent an apartment or stay in a hotel?is there a lot of gun violence?i checked costa rica last year and didn’t like the people’s unfriendly nature but didn’t see any violence and also didn’t feel unsafe walking through san jose.
Comment by ted — July 30, 2008 @ 7:59 am
Spent 3 months in Panama. Have been witness of 2 minor crimes only but heard from everybody that crimes are on the rise and to be extremely careful because there are more and more youth gangs and the police is inefficient
Comment by Jan — August 5, 2008 @ 12:20 am
ted - it depends on where you go.
i really like the people of panama. the natives i encounter are honest and kind. i’ve lived in Panama City for about 5 years. i don’t have a car so i walk a lot. i’ve never had any problems. like any city there’s crime, but if you use common sense you should be fine.
i’m in arizona at the moment, and even with a zillion dollar budget and america’s toughest sheriff, the crime stats are much higher.
Comment by cojito — August 5, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Hi: your web-page started ON THE NEGATIVE most people don’t read the end of the page; they just get on to hunting for another paradise; instead of realizing that you find it lovable here, otherewise you’d not be here…right?
My advice is…drive agressibly and live agresibly!!! “Be ware” no matter where you live!
I once lived in a very safe neighborhood in Oklahoma, no one locked their cars or homes and then one day we all awoke to boken cars and homes, I mean they even took the seats off my car!!! Since then I live as my wonderful husband says “prepare for the worst and hope for the best”
My sons are “gringos” we take the bus from Chorrera to Panama city.Wherever I go people think I’m loaded with money; I’ve done my research,know what it costs to go from point A to point B so I get my deal before gettin into a taxi, and as with ANY OTHER PLACE on earth am aware of my surroundings!!!I’ve lived in the states 31 years, seen some pretty ugly things even in the goverment and police. I love coming home; the people are humble and take pride in themselves, no matter how poor they are their homes are spotless and their appearance is dignifying, even their old clothes are ironed! Yeah there is the problem of garbage pick up just like Detroit and LA, Miami not so bad. Every paradise has it’s storms! welcome to Panama
Comment by Yocheved — January 8, 2009 @ 2:13 pm