Travel safety comparison · Latin America & the Caribbean

Costa Rica vs Panama: safety comparison

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Costa Rica vs Panama: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Costa Rica sits a little lower on the Warnely composite score than Panama (26 against 34), but the gap is small enough that the practical difference comes down to category-by-category detail rather than the headline. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Panama scores 2/5 against Costa Rica's 3/5. Women's-safety rating differs: Costa Rica is Generally Safe and Panama is Exercise Caution.
🇨🇷Costa Rica 🇵🇦Panama
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 26 / 100 34 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Normal Caution Exercise Normal Caution
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Global Peace Index rank #54 #84
Drug law Strict Strict
Women's safety rating Generally Safe Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status marriage legal
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency CRC USD
Full guide

Is Costa Rica safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Panama safe to visit in 2026?

Costa Rica vs Panama: common questions

Is Costa Rica or Panama safer to visit?

Costa Rica has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 26/100 vs 34/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Costa Rica or Panama safer for solo female travellers?

Costa Rica is rated Generally Safe for women's safety; Panama is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Costa Rica and Panama?

Costa Rica: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). Panama: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State).

More comparisons

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Planning the trip? Check Costa Rica visa requirements and Panama visa requirements.

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