- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Panama
When travelling to Panama, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Panama.
| Panama overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 13 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Darien Gap beyond Yaviza | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Local Travel (travelling along Pacific and Atlantic coastlines) and Entry and Exit Requirements (departure tax). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Panama because of the high levels of criminal activity and incidents of civil unrest.
- Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- If you are arriving from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela, you will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be allowed entry into Panama.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to the Darien Gap, beyond Yaviza, because of the risk of violent criminal activity.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
- Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Panama. The Canadian Embassy in the capital, Panama City, provides consular assistance to Australians in Panama (except the issue of passports). You should register your presence online with the Canadian Embassy as well as with the Australian Embassy in Mexico which can also provide consular assistance to Australians in Panama.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
