Advice on Panama
Vienna74
Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama
I am spending Christmas in Panama with my wife's family and doing a lot of tourist stuff. First time there for me. My question is whether it is foolish to carry around my dslr and be identified immediately as a tourist. I understand staying out of certain parts of Panama City, and my wife has a good feel for that. Has anyone been there in recent years with full gear?
I’ve never been there, but have quite a few Panamainam friends. It does have some beautiful areas but like any place on earth there are certain areas that are best avoided. Panama is no exception! It has a high poverty rate and crime on tourist does occur.
Personally I wouldn’t flash anything that attracts the wrong element.
Good luck.
A tourist can be identified just about anywhere. The USA does not get a pass on this. Purse snatching is most common no matter where you are. Women should be aware. Dangerous crime areas should always be avoided, especially at night. If you have an expensive camera, do not wear the name brand neck strap. And rig your camera strap, so that if it is snatched, you and your camera leave together. It's the snatch and run technique. Have a nice trip. I've never been to Panama. I had a Co-worker who was from there. He said the Canal is worth visiting.
Vienna74 wrote:
I am spending Christmas in Panama with my wife's family and doing a lot of tourist stuff. First time there for me. My question is whether it is foolish to carry around my dslr and be identified immediately as a tourist. I understand staying out of certain parts of Panama City, and my wife has a good feel for that. Has anyone been there in recent years with full gear?
If you do not look like every leaf on the tree you will stand out as a tourist. Take a lens with a camera and leave the other paraphernalia where ever you are staying.
Just there. Lots of interesting stuff to shoot in the old town. Walked around with my Nikon D810 in the open and my backpack of equipment. Tons of police and guards in the old town but was warned by my guide of areas to avoid. Great nature shots in the canal zone and rural areas.
Vienna74
Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama
docdish wrote:
Just there. Lots of interesting stuff to shoot in the old town. Walked around with my Nikon D810 in the open and my backpack of equipment. Tons of police and guards in the old town but was warned by my guide of areas to avoid. Great nature shots in the canal zone and rural areas.
Exactly the feedback I was hoping to solicit. Thanks!
Been there twice. Can only speak from my personal experiences. I carried my camera just like I would here in the states. Had no problem or ever felt threatened or found myself in any kind of compromising situation. Many times I was all alone!
Go, enjoy yourself, and get lots of pics.
Vienna74
Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama
insman1132 wrote:
Been there twice. Can only speak from my personal experiences. I carried my camera just like I would here in the states. Had no problem or ever felt threatened or found myself in any kind of compromising situation. Many times I was all alone!
Go, enjoy yourself, and get lots of pics.
Excellent! Thank you for adding your experience to the reply.
Buy replacement cost insurance.
Dik wrote:
Buy replacement cost insurance.
So true. All of my camera stuff is insured on my homeowner's policy.
We were there in 2013 and both my wife and I carried DSLRs around. We were primarily in the tourist areas and are careful about purses, billfolds, etc, but never had a problem nor did we ever feel threatened. Lots of great things to photograph. If you get away from the city, lots of exotic wildlife, flowers and scenery. In the city, the canal zone, Old Town, exotic architecture, and seaside scenery is everywhere. Take one of the tourist boats up the canal; you often need reservations in advance if going during high season or around holidays.
act
Loc: Trussville, AL
I go there often. You should have no problems with carrying your gear as they have plenty of tourist police around. Depending on the hotel that you stay in, you may want to secure any items that are easy to disappear. I have never had a problem with anything disappearing from my room but a friend of mine had his iPad taken. After he complained the iPad came back but had no sim card in it.
I have been fortunate enough to have visited Panama nine times over the past decade and never once did I feel unsafe. I have been all over the country and the only time I was 'accosted' was by someone in a hotel lobby asking me which magazine I worked for. My go-to gear is a Canon 5DmkIII with a 28-300mm L series lens, not a small, inconspicuous rig by any means. The Canal is amazing and must be seen, the Old Town is very picturesque and the rainforest is almost unbelievable with its diversty. I have found the Panamanian people to be warm and welcoming, even in the 'bad' parts. Learn a few words of Spanish and be open to new customs, culture, etc. and the locals will, in return, be very hospitable. Where possible keep your gear outside overnight, on a balcony or in a car if possible. The air conditioning makes things very dry and lenses tend to fog up when taken into the warm, humid air. Be sure to take in a couple of sunrises and sunsets, both are spectacular.
I spent two weeks there last October. I just had a back pack, I had an iPad, small Canon PowerShop and my phone. I was all over the country and avoided the tourist areas. NO problems at all. As another post mentioned, the people are very warm and friendly. One of the first things I realized on my first day there was : I need a better camera to capture all of this. I go and stay where locals go, anywhere I go. I felt safe even in the 'shady areas'.
BUT ! Never let your guard down and be vulnerable ANYWHERE. And I mean anywhere meaning here at home.
I do not speak Spanish and this is the common language there. I used the Google Translator, it's free. It worked best on the iPad and was a life safer. Many of the younger ones have learned and are learning English but still a good translator program will a life saver.
My visit was impressive and this is what encouraged me to upgrade and update into Photography again. I am 66 and retiring in a couple of months. I plan on going back and plus other counties in the area I visited too.
This is the reason I joined this forum was to learn and get up to speed with the latest techo gear. Yes, feel comfortable taking your DSPLR, I wish the hell I had one with me on my visit there.
If you can go North also and stop in at David and then drive up to Boquete.
I went in October which is the wettest month so prices were better and considered the off season. I do not know what it is like during the 'tourist' season but there is very much info in the web out there.
My thoughts,
b
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