Bella Vista

Panama City, Panama

Overall Safety
Good
3.7 / 5
Based on 12 Safety Metrics

Your Personal Safety Guide

Know exactly what YOU should do to stay safe in Panama City — based on your personal experience level and travel style.

Summary

Upscale district with high-rises and nightlife on Via Argentina and Calle Uruguay. LGBTQ+ friendly with a couple main venues. Safe but expensive, feels pretty international and generic.

Upscale and cosmopolitanSkyline views and high-risesVibrant nightlife sceneLGBTQ+ friendlyInternational dining
Details

Bella Vista is the high-rise skyline area - upscale condos, shopping malls, trendy restaurants and bars. Includes sub-neighborhoods like Obarrio and Campo Alegre. Via Argentina and Calle Uruguay have most of the nightlife. Business people at lunch, young professionals at happy hour. English widely spoken since this is where international business happens. LGBTQ+ scene is here - El Sótano and El Apartamento are the main spots. Eating alone is normal at the restaurants. Stays busy late with decent lighting and security around the main venues. Everything costs more than local neighborhoods, and it feels pretty generic and international - could be any big city.

Safety Ratings

Daytime Safety

Excellent

Night Walking Safety

Good

Harassment Risk

Moderate

Public Transport Safety

Good

Pickpocketing Risk

Moderate

Scam Risk

Moderate

Police Visibility

Good

Emergency Services

Excellent

Evening Venues

Good

Solo Dining

Excellent

Drug Activity

Low

Homelessness Visibility

Low

Getting By in English

Excellent

Is This Neighborhood Right for You?

Get personalized neighborhood recommendations matched to your travel style and safety comfort level in your free Panama City Safety Guide.

Recommended Places

Cafes

  • Azahar Panama
  • Upscale hotel cafes
  • Via Argentina coffee shops

Restaurants

  • Filomena
  • American Bistro
  • Bella's (JW Marriott)

Bars

  • El Sótano
  • El Apartamento
  • La Brasserie Pub

Other Spots

  • Via Argentina (nightlife street)
  • Calle Uruguay (bars and clubs)
  • Upscale shopping malls
Impressions & Tips

"Safe and sophisticated with great restaurants for solo dining"

"LGBTQ+ friendly venues made me feel welcome and included"

"More expensive but worth it for the safety and atmosphere"

"Easy to find English-speaking staff at restaurants and hotels"

"Great nightlife but stick to main streets like Via Argentina"

Similar Neighborhoods in Panama City

Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers

El Cangrejo

4.0
Panama City, Panama
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskModerate
Transport SafetyGood
Bohemian and multiculturalStrong expat communityMost walkable neighborhood+2

Where most expats and digital nomads end up living. Walkable, two Metro stops, lots of restaurants and cafes. More lived-in feel than the upscale districts, safer at night than most of the city.

34

Marbella

4.0
Panama City, Panama
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Exclusive and upscaleBusiness district atmosphereModern high-rises+2

Business district next to finance area. Safe and has good restaurants, but no real character. Quiet after work hours. Fine if safety matters more than atmosphere.

23

San Francisco

4.0
Panama City, Panama
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Residential and suburbanExtremely safeFamily-friendly+2

Residential neighborhood with good security, Parque Omar, and quality cafes. Quiet and safe but not much nightlife. You'll probably go elsewhere for evening entertainment.

43

Share this Guide

Help other women stay safe in Bella Vista

Is this guide helpful?

Help us improve! Share your feedback or let us know what's missing.

Safety Reminder

Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.

Her Safe Voyage

Empowering solo female travelers with comprehensive safety guides and neighborhood ratings for destinations worldwide.

Always trust your instincts and stay aware of your surroundings while traveling. Safety information is carefully curated and researched, and should be used as a guide only.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Share This Site

Help other women travel safely by sharing our guides

© 2024-2026 Her Safe Voyage. Empowering solo female travel worldwide.