Travel safety comparison · Latin America & the Caribbean

Nicaragua vs Panama: safety comparison

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

· How Warnely scores risk →
Panama carries a materially lower safety risk than Nicaragua on the composite Warnely score: 34/100 against 57/100, a gap of 23 points. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Panama scores 2/5 against Nicaragua's 3/5. The US State Department currently carries a Level 3 advisory on Nicaragua and a Level 2 on Panama. Drug law diverges sharply: Nicaragua carries a tier-severe regime against Panama's more permissive framework.
🇳🇮Nicaragua 🇵🇦Panama
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 57 / 100 34 / 100
Risk tier High Risk Exercise Normal Caution
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Global Peace Index rank #111 #84
Drug law Severe (long sentences) Strict
Women's safety rating Exercise Caution Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status legal legal
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency NIO USD
Full guide

Is Nicaragua safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Panama safe to visit in 2026?

Nicaragua vs Panama: common questions

Is Nicaragua or Panama safer to visit?

Panama has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 34/100 vs 57/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Nicaragua or Panama safer for solo female travellers?

Nicaragua is rated Exercise Caution 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 Nicaragua and Panama?

Nicaragua: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) (US State). Panama: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State).

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Planning the trip? Check Nicaragua visa requirements and Panama visa requirements.

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