Fetish in Panama

Panama regulates rather than prohibits sex work. Decree 149 of 1949 bans prostitution 'absolutely' within cities and towns, subjects it elsewhere to health inspection, and requires a Health Department permit for hostesses ('alternadoras') and similar staff in bars, cabarets and nightclubs; in practice venue owners list their workers with the Health Ministry for regular check-ups, and 'alternadoras' have their own work-permit category. Its Art. 12, which punished prostitution, was repealed in 2008. Venues pay municipal taxes per worker but hold no brothel licence. The Penal Code punishes facilitating, recruiting or organising the 'sexual exploitation' of others for profit (seven to nine years since 2018, Art. 180), moving a person for 'unauthorised paid sexual activity' (Art. 181), and trafficking, which includes advertising a person's travel for prostitution (Art. 456-A). Source: Prostitution Laws (prostitutionlaws.org), https://prostitutionlaws.org/countries/panama/, reviewed 2026-11-04, CC BY 4.0.