'Security in Volcan' Volcan  

Security in Volcan

Edward from Miami -

Is Volcan safe, or are the stories I hear about the little creeps from Costa Rica sneaking across the boarder to rip off the gringos true?

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Comment #1 Blake from not far away -

I hear there is a flow of Americans out of Volcan. Can anyone confirm these rumors?

Comment #2 Serenifly from Toronto -

This question was popular on another board I have been to regarding Panama (this site is by far best for info on Panama) here's the repsonse, which I full-heartidly agree with, and can't say it better myself.

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A simple answer is.... Is New York safe? is San Francisco safe? let's face it there is no safe place on earth. You can even leave the world of the living by simply staying at home.

In Panama like any other place in the world you have to exercise common sense. Like in any other place, there are certain parts of the city which you may want to avoid (and tourists, even locals seldom go there unless they have to).

Places I can think of in the capital that are not safe: Curundu, some parts of San Miguelito. In the old part of the city (Casco Viejo aka San Felipe not to be confused with Panama La Vieja (Old Panama) you have to keep an eye on your stuff. I have been there many times and so far nothing bad has happened to me (let's hope it doesn't change), but then of course I am aware of my surroundings and don't go into deserted places.

Comment #3 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

I have a friend who is leaving that area of Panama. One of the reasons is safety.

You can ask "Is New York Safe?". But more importantly, and in my friends case the question is really "Is volcan as safe as it was a few years ago" and his answer is no and he's getting out of dodge so to speak.

Comment #4 ReeseW from USA -

Yes, I agree with everyone who posted on this thread. There isn't such a thing as a safe place and there's no exception to Volcan. You have to exercise common sense and be smart about your choices.

Comment #5 liazon from atlanta, ga, usa -

having just returned from 2 weeks in Chiriqui (including Volcan) i must comment that i felt very safe my entire time. Granted, i avoided the 'seedier' looking parts of towns and kept close eye on my posessions, but i found the people to be without malice and respectful of themselves and others. there are bad people everywhere and i, for one, felt like there were MUCH fewer in Chiriqui than in ANY U.S. city (or any of the 8 places i've visited in Mexico). It's only common sense that one cannot leave valuables around unattended (including in your home) in a place where the people are poor and possibly hungry and see you as having 'more than enough'. In a country where the minimum wage is $284 month (as of Feb, 07'), hiring a security guard of sorts to watch your property if you are away a lot might be an expense one should include in their budget.

Comment #6 COIN-OPERATED-BOY from nowherelandia -

I have not been to Panama even once, but my parents did.

They've worked and stayed in Panama for almost 5 years before going back to our country. I heard a lot of stories about that beautiful country including the ones they've told me about the Volcan.

As to my observation and knowledge I gained from them, I do believe that it's safe to live or spend a vacation near the Volcan.

I know there is no safe place here on earth anymore, even inside your own houses, you're not pretty of whats gonna happen. So I guess, it's still dependent on you if you will want to be on a safer side by taking care of yourselves really really careful.

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