Safety

There are certainly safety issues in the city of Colón, which you should generally avoid exploring on foot. When hiking through the forest, always be careful where you put your hands and feet, because there are poisonous snakes and stinging insects. If you slip on a muddy trail in the rain forest, resist the temptation to grab the nearest branch, because palms with spiny trunks are relatively common. If there are big waves at any beach you visit, don't go in unless you are an expert swimmer, because waves can create dangerous currents. The sun intensity at these latitudes means sunscreen and a brimmed hat are musts.