Panama City, Panama
Planned American-style community near the airport. Safe, walkable, modern amenities. Good for business travelers who want familiar suburbia, but zero local character.
Costa del Este looks like American suburbia dropped in Panama - wide streets, glass buildings, modern shopping centers. Built as a planned community where you can walk to parks, stores, and restaurants. Attracts business executives and expats who want organization and quiet away from the city center. Good security with gated communities and private guards. Airport is 10 minutes away, which is convenient if you're flying a lot. The trade-off is it feels completely removed from Panama - could be any American suburb. English widely spoken because of all the multinational offices. Very quiet at night, which either means good sleep or boredom depending on what you want.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Excellent"Extremely safe but feels like American suburbia, not Panama"
"Perfect if you're flying in/out frequently with airport so close"
"Very clean and organized but completely lacking local culture"
"Great for families and business trips, boring for solo travelers"
"Safe place to sleep but you'll go into the city for anything interesting"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Luxury waterfront with Johns Hopkins hospital. Very safe but completely sterile and disconnected from actual Panama. Quiet at night. Good for medical tourists or maximum security, not much else.
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.
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.
Help other women stay safe in Costa del Este
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.