Is Panama safer than Costa Rica? It depends on what you measure. Panama had fewer murders per person in 2025: 12.9 per 100,000 people, against 16.8 in Costa Rica, according to InSight Crime’s 2025 homicide round-up. Costa Rica ranks higher on the 2026 Global Peace Index, 62nd of 163 countries against Panama’s 81st. The U.S. State Department rates both countries at Level 2, “exercise increased caution”, but only Panama has areas marked “do not travel”.
For a foreigner living in an ordinary neighborhood, the everyday risks in the two countries are much the same: theft, break-ins and crimes of opportunity. Below is what each measure shows, checked on 10 October 2026.
Costa Rica vs Panama Safety at a Glance
| Measure | Costa Rica | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Murders per 100,000 people, 2025 | 16.8 | 12.9 |
| Global Peace Index 2026 | 62nd of 163 | 81st of 163 |
| U.S. travel advisory | Level 2 for the whole country | Level 2, with Level 4 “do not travel” areas |
| Main concern named by the U.S. | Petty crime is common; violent crime also affects tourists | Theft, home break-ins, pickpocketing; protests at short notice |
| Army | None since 1948 | None since 1990 |
Murder Rates: Panama Is Lower
InSight Crime counted 593 murders in Panama in 2025. That was slightly more than the year before, but not enough to move the rate, which stayed at 12.9 per 100,000. More than 40% of the cases were in Panamá province and about 20% in Colón.
Costa Rica’s rate was 16.8 in 2025, almost the same as 17 the year before. InSight Crime links the rise of recent years to Costa Rica’s role as a transit hub for cocaine, with killings concentrated around the main trafficking areas. President Laura Fernández, elected in 2026, has promised a hard line on organized crime.
Both countries are still below the regional middle: the median murder rate across Latin America and the Caribbean was about 17.6 per 100,000 in 2025.
Global Peace Index: Costa Rica Ranks Higher
The Global Peace Index, published each June by the Institute for Economics and Peace, scores 163 countries on safety and security, ongoing conflict and militarization, not on murders alone. In the 2026 edition Costa Rica placed 62nd and Panama 81st. Both slipped from the year before: Costa Rica by 14 places and Panama by six.
Neither country has an army. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, and Panama has had none since 1990. That is why the old claim that Costa Rica is safer “because it has no army” does not separate the two.
What the U.S. Travel Advisories Say
Costa Rica: Level 2
The advisory issued on 2 April 2026 covers the whole country, with no “do not travel” areas. It says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime, including armed robbery, also affects tourists. Its advice: avoid walking alone on poorly lit beaches or streets, do not resist a robbery, and do not show signs of wealth.
Panama: Level 2, with Level 4 areas
The advisory issued on 19 August 2026 lists two “do not travel” areas: the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darién region. Elsewhere it names theft, residential break-ins (especially over the holidays) and pickpocketing in tourist areas, and warns that large demonstrations can disrupt transport with little notice.
What This Means If You Are Moving
- The neighborhood matters more than the country. In both countries, most killings happen in a few areas tied to the drug trade. A quiet residential area in either one is very different from the national average.
- Plan for property crime. Good locks, a secure gate or a building with staff, and nothing left on show in a parked car do more for your safety than any ranking.
- Know who to call. In Costa Rica it is 911. See our Costa Rica emergency numbers and how the police forces in Costa Rica are organized.
- Read the advisories yourself before a move or a long trip. They change, and the dates above tell you how current they are.
For day-to-day advice, see our guides to safety in Costa Rica and walking around Costa Rica at night.
Choosing Costa Rica? Start With Residency
If you decide Costa Rica is the right fit, legal residency is the next step. The main routes are Pensionado with a pension of US$1,000 a month, Rentista with US$2,500 a month, and Investor, where buying your own home for US$150,000 can qualify you.
FAQ
Is Panama safer than Costa Rica?
By murder rate, yes: 12.9 per 100,000 people in Panama in 2025 against 16.8 in Costa Rica. By the 2026 Global Peace Index, Costa Rica ranks higher, 62nd against 81st. The U.S. rates both at Level 2.
Which country has more crime, Costa Rica or Panama?
Costa Rica has more murders per person. For the crime most foreign residents actually meet, theft and break-ins, the U.S. advisories describe similar risks in both countries.
Are there places to avoid in Panama?
Yes. The U.S. advisory marks the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darién region as “do not travel”. Costa Rica’s advisory has no such areas.
Is Costa Rica safe for expats and retirees?
The U.S. asks visitors to exercise increased caution because of crime, the same level it gives Panama. Choose your area carefully, secure your home and follow the same precautions you would in any big city.
Does Costa Rica have an army?
No. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948. Panama has had no army since 1990, so both rely on police forces.
Sources
- InSight Crime, 2025 Homicide Round-Up (March 2026)
- Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index 2026
- U.S. State Department, Costa Rica Travel Advisory (2 April 2026)
- U.S. State Department, Panama Travel Advisory (19 August 2026)
Thinking about making the move permanent?
Everything above is easier to live with once your status here is settled rather than renewed every few months.
CRIE handles Costa Rica residency and citizenship applications end to end. If you are working out whether you qualify, or which category fits, get in touch and we will tell you where you actually stand — WhatsApp +506 8373 2085 or info@crie.cr.