Naturism in Panama: laws and customs
Updated October 25, 2026
In Panama, since 2026, showing your genitals in public for sexual purposes is a crime, including on the beach. For non-sexual nudity there is no clear rule: naturism stays in private venues and on secluded islands.
At a glance
- Official naturist beaches and areasNot verified: no official act found
- Naturist staysPrivate resorts exist; effect of the 2026 law not verified
- Unofficial naturist beachesNot verified
- Naked in nature, away from peopleNot verified
- Regular beach, townUnclear: the law only punishes sexual intent
- Local bansNot verified
- ToplessNot verified
- Sauna without swimwearNot verified
- LGBTQ+ travellersNo legal risk
A Catholic, conservative country where naturism only exists in private resorts and on secluded islands: best to stay in private spaces.
What the law says
Since 27 April 2026 exhibitionism has been a crime. Ley 521 added art. 177-A to the Criminal Code: anyone who, "con propósito lascivo o de satisfacer deseos sexuales", shows their genitals or performs sexual acts in public places or places accessible to the public risks 1 to 2 years in prison, or the equivalent in day-fines or weekend detention. The penalty rises to 2 to 4 years near schools, sports facilities, hospitals and churches and on public transport, and to 3 to 6 years in front of minors (Gaceta Oficial, Ley 521).
Among public places, the law explicitly lists "ríos y playas", rivers and beaches. There is no offence in licensed adult venues and places, but only if three conditions are all met: designated spaces with the proper permits; consent of those present, with the activity "fuera de la vista" of anyone who has not consented; no minors.
Before this law, exhibitionism was treated as an administrative infringement (Infobae, 2026). The National Assembly presented it as a way to fill a gap on sexual exhibitionism in public spaces (Asamblea Nacional).
The offence requires sexual intent. The law says nothing about non-sexual nudity, and how that is treated, for example in naturist venues, is unclear.
Where you can be naked
- Beaches: we found no official acts designating a naturist beach.
- Naturist stays: you'll find them in the list of naturist stays in Panama. Whether the Ley 521 exception for licensed places also covers naturist resorts has not been verified.
Tolerated beaches and bans
According to a TripAdvisor user (2013), the country's only "oficialmente nudista" beach is Playa Las Suecas, on Isla Contadora, and in Bocas del Toro people who want to be naked get a boat to a deserted island (TripAdvisor). This is a first-hand account: whether Las Suecas has any legal status has not been verified.
The local mood
Panama comes across as a Catholic, conservative country, where naturism only exists in private resorts and on secluded islands. There is no clear rule for non-sexual nudity, so it's best to stay in private spaces.
The 2026 law targets lewd behaviour, not naturism, but it shows growing attention to public decency. Sources are scarce: we found no surveys or local first-hand accounts.
Naturist associations
Panama has no federation in the list of the INF-FNI, the international federation.
LGBTQ+ travellers
No legal risk: same-sex relations have been legal since 2008. Same-sex couples cannot adopt (ILGA).
This guide sums up laws and customs as we checked them on the date shown, citing the sources. It is not legal advice: rules can change.