Is Pedasí safe?
Safe, small-town Panama with normal care. Rip currents, sun and dengue are bigger risks than crime; quiet beaches are where valuables go missing.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-08-18.
- Homicide rate in Panama: 11.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Panama: 13.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 104 · Fire 103 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Pedasí at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Opportunistic theft from rooms, beach bags and parked cars; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet and generally safe in town; few streetlights outside the centre, so use a taxi at night. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in town and surf hostels; use ordinary precautions at remote beaches. |
| Other risks | Rip currents at Playa Venao and other Pacific beaches; Dengue; use repellent; Sun and heat exhaustion |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Inflated tourist prices for boats and taxis without agreeing a fare first
Take care
- Empty beaches at night: poor lighting and thefts
- Playa Venao: strong rip currents even for experienced swimmers
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- You must carry your passport or official ID at all times; fines or detention otherwise.
- Smoking and vaping are banned in public places, with fines of US$25–100.
How Pedasí compares in Panama
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Boquete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Blas Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Santa Catalina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pedasí | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Panama City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bocas del Toro | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Pedasí safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in town and surf hostels; use ordinary precautions at remote beaches.
Is Pedasí safe at night?
Quiet and generally safe in town; few streetlights outside the centre, so use a taxi at night.
What is the crime rate in Pedasí?
Opportunistic theft from rooms, beach bags and parked cars; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Panama records 11.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Pedasí?
Police 104 · Fire 103 · All emergencies 911.
More about Pedasí
Going to Pedasí solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ministerio de Salud (MINSA): Pedasí health profile
- Ministerio de Salud (MINSA)
- Panama Tocumen Airport
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.