Living in Panama

"When I first developed an interest in moving to Panama the possibility of owning beachfront property was the big attraction. After spending a few years looking around I decided that I would rather not live in a beach community, although I love to be near the ocean and, in fact, have spent much of my life at sea. One of the best things about Panama is that you are never far from the sea. In my opinion the Coronado area is overdeveloped and excessively expensive. The area around Pedasi is much cheaper and less crowded. It appeals to surfers for obvious reasons. There are many islands on the Pacific coast, and they are fun to visit, although it would be quite inconvenient to live there. There are also hundreds of miles of unspoiled mainland coastline that are nearly inaccessible by land. You probably want to be somewhere that has a road to it, which further limits your options. Look at a good map and you will see what is accessible. If you don't see a road it's because there isn't one. There probably won't be any utilities either. I found that there are some significant drawbacks to living close to the beach and few native Panamanians choose to do so unless they are in the fishing business. You should look for yourself, though, and after visiting Coronado and Pedasi you might look at Las Lajas, Boca Chica, Puerto Armuelles, and the Boca del Toros archipiélago on the Caribbean coast. They're all beautiful in their own way but don't forget to look at the negative aspects including weather, services, access, and increased maintenance requirements. If you find a place you love you should rent for at least a year before you consider buying anything," explained one expat living in Panama.

"Be prepared to change your life. Leave behind all your pre concieved notions of how it should be, what you need, want, and must have to get by. EVERYTHING is different, embrace it, learn from it, apply what you can to your life but don't come here with demands, strict ideals, uptight lifestyle, and the idea that you are going to save a third world culture from itself. I find the opposite is what happens, it saves you from yourself and what ever madness you left behind," said one expat in Boquete.

"Expats in Panama often join niche interest groups, such as local book clubs and photography clubs. Many Internet-based expat forums and websites also offer chances for locals to meet and find activities together, such as hiking and sailing. There are also several expat-run organizations in Panama, such as the American Society of Panama. Expats also often meet each other through networking events, such as get-togethers at bars and restaurants, industry awards dinners and holiday parties, as well as volunteer opportunities with local charities and social organizations," wrote one member in Panama.

"Living in Panama for expats and digital nomads can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Panama is known for its tropical climate, vibrant culture, gorgeous beaches and national parks, and its thriving expat community. With excellent infrastructure, a modern banking system, and a low cost of living, Panama is an attractive option for people looking to live and work abroad. The government also welcomes expat entrepreneurs, providing incentives to help them start and run businesses. Expats in Panama can look forward to making friends in the local international activities, making the most of their new home by exploring the many outdoor activities and attractions Panama has to offer. Finally, safety ranks among the highest in Latin America, making life in Panama even more attractive for expats and digital nomads," wrote one member in Panama.

"The locals work hard and have lots of festivals. They honor the old folks, thier heritage, and way of life. They take time for coffee, for conversation. They are more then willing to show you and teach you and help you to find your place in their society. If you even try to speak spanish they admire you for that and even try thier hand at English or apologize for their lack of. Everyone says hello, waves, nods, gives recognition, an old fashioned thing that I missed in the U.S," remarked one expat who made the move to Boquete.

"Panama has a moderate level of crime. While most visitors pass through without incident, it is important to remain aware of one's surroundings in all areas, and especially in less populated areas or on the outskirts of cities. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and mugging is not uncommon in certain areas, and certain areas should be avoided altogether. The areas surrounding the Panama Canal and downtown Panama City tend to have a higher incidence of crime than other parts of the country. Tourists should take extra precautions when using public transportation," remarked one expat living in Panama.

"Boquete has some diversity and I have found it to be a very open and welcoming culture. A variety of religions and also non religious people. There is a vast economic diversity in Panama in general," said one expat in Boquete.

"Predominantly non practicing Catholics, multi/mixed racial component, with distinctly cultural diversity, but easily assimilating into a common citizen," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.

"Look closely at all of the schools Panama has to offer. The MET is a great option for an international school and they have the IB program for all grades. Consider Collegio De Javier or San Augustin for bilingual (mostly spanish) speaking schools with good curriculums and extra curricular activities. Another great choice is AIP. They far surpass ISP in academics, have a lovely campus, and is 1/2 the price," wrote an expat with kids at International School of Panama in Panama City, Panama.

"We do fine with $2000/monthly for everything. But, no mortgage, car payment, credit card bills..," remarked one expat living in Taboga Island, Panama.

"Cost of living entirely depends on your personal habits. A single person could survive on their US Social Security check if they don't insist on luxury. For most Americans, if they want to continue the profligate lifestyle to which they are accustomed, the cost will be comparable," wrote one expat living in Panama.

"Cost of groceries is good, especially when buying local produce. Some meats, sugars, and grains are price controlled and can be very inexpensive. Compared to my home area of rural Ohio, food expense is about the same. Cost of electricity at our house is less than $25.00 per month, and we use the air conditioner some mid-days. Usually ceiling fans provide more than enough comfort. Gas tanks are used for cooking, and the one tank we purchased for $25.00 has yet to run out after 7 months of use. ," commented one expat who moved to Pedasi.

"You an rent a home for under 500 a month. Utilities are cheap, food is also cheap. Maybe 50 every two, weeks maybe 100 for, 2 people to, eat well," said one expat.

"Panama’s cost of living is considered to be average by Latin American standards. Generally, the larger cities such as Panama City, David and Colon tend to be more expensive to live in compared to exciting places such as the Panama Canal or the sprawling tropical jungles of Panama’s East Coast. The rental price for a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Panama is between $500-700 USD a month and a nice 2 bedroom apartment is between $700-900 USD a month. Eating dinner at a moderately priced restaurant would generally cost around $10-30 USD depending on the type of restaurant or food ordered," commented one expat living in Panama.

"Residents of Panama enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, including beaches, parks, and outdoor activities. Popular beaches include Playa Blanca, Santa Clara, and Coronado, which offer a variety of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. There are also numerous parks throughout the country, such as Parque Natural Metropolitano, which offers a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and bird watching. Other outdoor activities include fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Additionally, Panama City is home to a variety of cultural attractions, such as the Panama Canal, the Panama Viejo ruins, and the Biomuseo," mentioned one expat inPanama.

"The beaches in Pedasi are a big draw for surfers, boogie boarders or just swimmers. One of the developments (Andromeda) has a restaurant and pool oceanside. People also do kite sailing. Fishing is a big draw as well. There are offerings of yoga classes and other activities of that sort," commented one expat who moved to Pedasi, Panama.

"Volcan spring like weather all year around. Puerto Armuelles is hot and humid and your on the P.acific Ocean.," said an expat in Panama.

"The temps go from 29 C on the hot days to 20 C for lows. The temps are very even from day to day. Dry from Dec. through April, rainy the rest of the year," remarked one expat in Pedasi.

"The weather in Panama is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit throughout the year. The rainy season typically runs from May to December, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in October and November. The dry season runs from January to April, with the hottest months being March and April," wrote one expat living in Panama.

"No doubt it's humid but the best months are from December to around April with almost no rain and windy so it's refreshing. Buildings look dirty because of humidity, there should be a law where buildings needs to be cleaned once in a while," commented one expat who moved to Panama City.

"They have great restaurants with excellent foods recognized internationally. Using your permanent residency card at restaurants will make you save around 25% but not on the total bill so it's not really 25% as advertised but it still very appreciated when you save money," remarked one expat living in Panama City.

"The Albrook Mall is the largest mall in Latin America, so there is plenty of shopping for when you need it. Albrook is also the hub for bus and plane service to travel throughout Panama, and there is a Metro station next to the bus terminal as well," wrote one expat living in Panama City.

"The process of applying for a visa in Panama depends on the type of visa and the duration of stay. To apply for a tourist visa, you must provide a valid passport, a completed application form, a processing fee, and adequate evidence of financial means to cover the costs of your stay. A work visa requires an employment offer from a Panamanian company with an approved government business license, a valid passport and a completed application form, processing fees, and adequate financial means to cover the proposed length of stay. The process of applying for residency in Panama includes submitting an application for residency, providing supporting documents such as a valid passport, proof of financial means to cover living expenses, evidence of health insurance, a police certificate from the country of residence, and a valid work permit, depending on the type of residency being applied for. The applicant may also be required to wait for a period of 6 months to a year before a decision is made, and may even need to attend an interview in Panama. Once granted, the residency will remain valid for two years and can be renewed as long as certain requirements are fulfilled," commented one expat living in Panama.

"To just come to Panama for 3 months, no visa is required if you are coming from USA or Canada. You can actually stay for 6 months, but if you want to drive while here, you can only drive for 3 months. You need to leave the country for 72 hours to renew your time for driving. Pensionado visas are popular for retirees and allow you to stay longer. It is quite a bit of paperwork, and costs around $1500 if you use an attorney (recommended). You must prove income of at least $1000/month for this visa type)," remarked one expat living in Pedasi.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Panama can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Private health insurance plans are available, but they can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Public health insurance is available, but it is limited and may not cover all medical expenses. Additionally, the cost of medical care in Panama can be higher than in other countries, so it is important to research the cost of medical care before making any decisions," wrote one expat living in Panama.

"Health insurance is not accepted by providers of care. Have Tricare which is military insurance world wide and is part of the Hopkins network so we thought the private hospital that says they are part of Hopkins would accept it. We were sadly mistaken and had the worst experience of our life. If you compare US costs and Panama cost, yes, it is less expensive. But, it is still expensive if you have to pay for surgery before any care is rendered. ," said one expat.

"Last week I decided that it was time to do something about the chest pains I have been having for several months. I chose a private medical clinic in Boquete, "Clínica Especializada Boquete S.A." because there was an empty parking space in front of it. Within five minutes I was speaking with Dr. Josimar Gómez. He speaks fluent English and spent some time discussing my symptoms before measuring my blood pressure and strongly recommending that I do something about it immediately. A routine consultation costs $15. If you show up in the middle of the night it will be $40. He prescribed blood pressure medication immediately and told me to get blood and urine tests and a chest x-ray. I went to a medical laboratory around the corner where it took about 15 minutes to provide specimens. The results were available by email before the end of the day. Cost: $45.00. I had to go to Hospital Chiriquí in David for the x-ray. Again, no appointment necessary, but I did have to wait over an hour, possibly because they forgot about me. Cost: $25.50 and results were available by email the next day. After a week on the blood pressure medication I returned to Dr. Gomez, he found that my blood pressure was down to 140/80, I was no longer experiencing chest pains, and the tests did not show any serious problems. I will continue with the blood pressure medication and talk to him again in two months. Total cost: just over $100. In the US I'm quite sure that the first doctor would have sent me to the hospital emergency room and the total bill would have run into thousands of dollars. They would have prescribed the most expensive tests they could think of, possibly including invasive procedures that are painful and risky, and I expect that I would still be waiting for a diagnosis," commented one expat living in Panama.

"Health care is excellent, in private hospitals, with excellent doctors, specialists, surgeons, nurses, etc....and price are cheaper than the USA. A Healthcare plan here (we are with Cigna but there are many other companies to choose from) covers us, my wife and I, in Panama and worldwide for a fraction of USA health plan cost so Healthcare is very affordable in Panama," remarked one expat living in Panama City.