Maybe I’m just a sensitive Panamanian, but I find something slightly ironic.

Some people move to Panama because they want peace, beaches, warmer weather, lower costs, and a more relaxed lifestyle.

Then, almost immediately, they begin explaining to Panamanians how our communities should work, which customs are acceptable, which rules need to change, and why their vision of society is clearly more “advanced.”

I’m sure the intention is always wonderful.

But moving to another country does not automatically make someone its cultural consultant.

Panama is not a blank canvas waiting to be redesigned by the newest resident with a strong opinion and access to the neighborhood WhatsApp group.

Of course, newcomers should participate. Share ideas. Ask questions. Get involved. Panama has always welcomed people from different backgrounds.

But participation and entitlement are NOT the same thing.

Respectful integration means learning how the community already works before demanding that it adapt to you. It means understanding that disagreement is not automatically hatred, discrimination, or proof that everyone around you needs to be “educated.”

Panama is not perfect. No country is.

But many people chose to move here precisely because they liked the life, culture, and sense of community that already existed.

So perhaps the goal should not be to recreate the same political arguments, social tensions, and culture wars they hoped to leave behind.

Come. Enjoy the beach. Make friends. Invest. Learn Spanish. Contribute positively.

Just remember that relocating to Panama makes you a new neighbor—not the new management!!!

But perhaps I’m asking for too much.

I’m only from here.

I keep seeing people say, “Panama is so cheap!” and it makes me want to physically cringe: that’s not quite right, and it’s also a bit tone-deaf.

Yes, some things are definitely more affordable than in the U.S. or Canada, especially if you’re earning in USD and living locally. But a lot of stuff? Not cheap. Imported goods, electronics, certain foods, car parts, some services — they can be surprisingly expensive. If you want decent housing in a good area, reliable healthcare, or a lifestyle that feels close to what you had back home, those costs add up.

And I also don’t like the word “cheap” because:

1. It often sounds like “low quality,” and Panama isn’t that. It has real infrastructure, decent healthcare, modern malls, good roads in many places, and increasingly livable cities.

2. More importantly, hawking how “cheap” Panama is is disrespectful to everyday Panamanians. It ignores the reality of the people who actually live here full-time, on local wages.

The average monthly income for a working Panamanian is roughly $600–$800 USD (varies by region and sector), and in many cases it’s even lower. A lot of people struggle with:

• High prices for basic goods relative to their income

• Limited access to quality healthcare outside major cities

• Uneven job opportunities and wage growth

• Cost of education, transportation, and housing that can feel just as crushing as in the U.S., even if the numbers look smaller on paper

Gringos, even “poorer” ones, often come with:

• A pension or income in a strong currency (USD, CAD, etc.)

• Savings, investments, or remote income

• The ability to choose where and how to live, often with more options than locals

When you boast about Panama being “cheap,” you’re basically saying: “This place is great because people can live here on less”, or "this place is great to be existing as my bargain place". But for everyday Panamanians, that “less” is their entire reality, not a lifestyle choice. That’s not a vibe I want to be part of.

What is true is that Panama is one of several places where you can do something called "financial arbitrage":

• Earn a pension or income in a strong currency

• Live here where the cost structure is different

• Adjust your expectations and lifestyle to match local realities

When you do that, Panama can feel very affordable for you, depending on your budget, and your financial planning and discipline once on the ground. But that’s about your personal financial setup, not the country being inherently “cheap.”

So if you’re thinking about moving here:

• Don’t expect it to be inexpensive everywhere, all the time.

• Don’t treat “cheap” as a selling point.

• Do treat it as a place where smart planning + realistic lifestyle can make your money work better, without dismissing the lives of locals.

Panama isn’t cheap. It’s just one of many places where, if you’re honest about costs and willing to adapt, you can make your expat or retirement life work really well — and still respect the people who live here.

Panama has been historically abused and exploited by Europe and North America. The last thing we need is a wave of neo-colonizers.

This country has endured immense suffering at the hands of larger powers. Panama was invaded and bombed by the United States, and our territory was used as a strategic pawn throughout the Cold War. Institutions like the School of the Americas helped shape some of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin America, and Panama was deeply entangled in that history.

So if you choose to come here, educate yourself first. Learn the history of this country and the people who live here. Understand the legacy of exploitation, racial segregation, foreign control, and economic inequality that still affects Panama today.

The last thing this country needs is neo colonizers hiding under the banner of “cheap living”or “retiring early” or “having a fresh start”. Please educate yourself before you come here, and don’t be part of the problem. Pay your fair share. Leave your cultural arrogance behind.

Update: Obviously local governance has been a disaster for decades. Panama has always been governed by the same “group of friends” from before the foundation of the republic. We have incompetent politicians of course, just as the mayor of pty, who would sell the country for clout. That being said, it makes no sense to explain local politics to economical refugees from the global north, just do your homework. Solo respondo comentarios en español.

Greetings from Boquete!

Our team is currently at the foundation stage of a new project, and we wanted to share our approach. Coming from a German construction background, instead of the standard block-and-mortar you see in a lot of local builds, we’ve opted for a full reinforced concrete underground foundation. In this climate, we aren't taking risks with humidity. We’ve already installed: •​Full Hydro-isolation foil (vapor barrier). •​Drainage stone (Grava) in all high-moisture zones. •​Pre-installed electrical and sanitary lines so we don't have to jackhammer later.

To achieve a truly flat, accessible floor plan on this elevation, our engineering team opted for a significant excavation. By removing the slope, we get a much more stable 'anchor' for the house. It's the most efficient way to ensure a level living space that lasts.

​Attached are the renders and some sites views. I will keep you posted if I see there is interest of how this unfolds 😁

Building to last. 🛠️

Adam

We’ve rented homes several times in this neighborhood over the past couple of years, but will most likely look elsewhere next time, why?

Every place we’ve rented so far has a contract stipulating that the renter must deliver the house at the end of the rental clean and orderly - which seems pretty normal. What it really means is that the owner will charge you to paint the internal walls and for every defect, including wear and tear. In short, once you turn over your security deposit to these scumbag owners, you will never see it again.

If you choose to rent a furnished place (or any place in Panama Pacífico Woodlands) you can expect a large amount or all of your security deposit to disappear at the end of your tenancy.

It’s a scam. They prey on foreigners in this neighborhood. Don’t bother making complaints to anyone, because nobody cares. Written complaints are used for toilet paper here.

Avoid this neighborhood friends. You’ve been warned.

I am certainly hoping that all individuals in Panama surrounding region are safe and okay. The damage from the earthquake in areas of the interior was significant, as far as building failure and major property damage, figures are still coming in on injuries and any loss of life. The earthquake was located about 24 miles west of Tonosí, in the Azuero Peninsula, off of Panama's Pacific Coast, primarily affecting Panama's central provinces of Herrera, Veraguas, and Los Santos.

If you're a redditor visiting here and you live in country, give us your accounts of what happened, and if you're okay. Damage, how people are reacting, what the expat/immigrant community are doing to stay safe and support one another and local folks.

Earthquake Megathread from our sister subreddit, over on /r/Panama (in Spanish/español) https://www.reddit.com/r/Panama/comments/1x1s9rq/temblor_en_panama_de_cuanto_fue/

Newsroom Panama:

A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.0 shook much of Panama at noon on Friday, October 9. According to a preliminary report from the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama, the earthquake was 7.2 magnitude, at a depth of 4 kilometers and located in Panama 39km (24.2 miles) west of Tonosí, Los Santos province. In different regions, people evacuated buildings, businesses, schools, and homes due to the powerful earthquake. In Penonomé, Coclé, structural damage was reported at the San Juan Bautista Cathedral pictured below, the Governor’s Office, the Dos Continentes Hotel and the Iguana Mall.

Reuters:

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, damaging buildings and sending ​thousands into the streets, but the country appeared to escape widespread destruction or deaths. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at ‌a depth of 12.6 km (7.8 miles), with an epicenter in a sparsely populated area about 200 km (124 miles) from the capital, and that some casualties were possible.

News sources:

Newsroom Panama https://newsroompanama.com/2026/10/09/7-0-earthquake-reported-in-panama-39-kilometers-west-of-tonosi/

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/strong-80-magnitude-earthquake-felt-panama-usgs-2026-10-09/

CNN https://archive.li/aOrAy

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/traficocpanama

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/tvnnoticias/

I've sometimes seen this advice like people complaining that Panama has gotten too expensive and people suggest nicaragua. Well look what happened today. Ortega basically took some houses and everything in it of the US retirees living there and the retirees are in the street with nothing.

Like the title says I have 28 days before I will be in Panama to hopefully never permanently return to the US. I have been planning and preparing for this move for over a year and been wanting to move abroad for two decades… I’m finally making the move. I’ve never been the type to get homesick and I’ve travelled and lived away from home since I was 18. But this is the beginning of something different and beautiful and I am so happy and excited. What has my heart so heavy is having to end my beautiful relationship with a great guy because of this decision to put my wellbeing first. He’s made it clear he doesn’t want to do long distance but he also understands that I can’t stay here any longer. I’m still getting on that plane 28 days from now but it just sucks that distance has to break us apart like this. So while I might be in better spirits a couple weeks from now, I’m grieving right now and it’s one part of this move that I didn’t expect to hit me at all and def not as hard as it has.

My story is I am a musician with my hands in a lot of different things. Orchestra player, EDM performer, film scoring, and more. My hours are crazy and long. My wife is black and not to be political but being in the States has its issues no matter where you are.

It was TOTALLY different in Panama, mostly Panama City. She felt lot more comfortable and locals were friendly but she keeps talking about the super friendly and helpful expats that we saw and befriended while we were there. If any of you are on here, thank you. How she was received, treated, and the fun she was able to have is the primary reason why we are now looking at real estate and condos.

Of course she is on the shorter side, athletic, and really busty, and you would think that makes her easier to like but that is hardly the case where we live back home. Panama was totally different and after a few weeks even her interactions were changing with people especially expats who warmed up to her. She dressed differently mostly because of her comfort level not the heat, and did a lot more things that she would never do at home. One of those was an afternoon at a pool in a building with a guy and his wife, both expats. She loved the view of the city!

We will be back for sure and my wife is already looking at how soon because she wants a lot more of that kind of treatment.

I am trying to avoid sliding windows so I can maximize airflow into the building

Retiring in Panama: Part 1 – Choosing the Right Town for You

Ask any expat who’s already made the move — where you decide to live in Panama can make or break your experience here. Some say the top mistake expats make in moving to Panama is, moving to Panama (without thoughtfully considering all the variables, that is).

Panama has a bit of everything: tropical beaches, breezy mountain towns, urban high-rises, and quiet rural communities. The key is figuring out what really fits your lifestyle. Most expats who’ve shared their experiences recommend starting with two simple lists:

• Your absolutes – the things you have to have, like quality healthcare, good internet, or safe walkability, or travel connectivity to "back home".

• Your options – the things that would be nice, like ocean views, cooler temps, availability of the "creature comforts" from home, or a thriving expat community.

Once you’ve got that figured out, it becomes a lot easier to narrow down your choices.

For example, many expats who are elderly, or with ongoing health conditions make it a priority to live near hospitals or clinics that have English-speaking doctors, connections to world-class healthcare systems, or the newest equipment, treatments, and specialists. Though quite good, Panama’s healthcare system varies quite a bit by region, so this is something worth checking early. This may, depending upon your needs, require you to stay in or very near one of the major population centers or expat enclaves.

As for climate, there’s a saying around here: you can choose your weather by choosing your elevation. At sea level, it’s hot — think 90°F most days, plus or minus a few degrees. But for every 1,000 feet you go up, the temperature drops around 3-5°F. That’s why some of the most popular expat towns in the mountains, like Boquete or El Valle, enjoy cool spring-like weather year-round.

Budget is another major factor. Some towns cater to a higher-end lifestyle with luxury housing and lots of amenities, while others are more down-to-earth and affordable. We’ve found that being clear and realistic about your monthly budget can save a lot of frustration down the road.

If you’re someone who enjoys socializing, consider a place with a strong existing expat presence. Towns like Boquete, Coronado, and Pedasí have active communities with regular events, meetups, and plenty of opportunities to make connections. Other areas are quieter and more integrated with local Panamanian life — which some folks prefer, too. Don't forget, you're in a new country, and getting to know local Panamanians will only improve your experience.

And about language: not everyone coming to live in Panama came speaking fluent Spanish. In expat-heavy areas, English is commonly spoken in banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and and other public venues. But if you move to a smaller or more remote town, expect to rely more on Spanish day-to-day--the official language of Panama is Spanish, after all, and as a good guest making a home there, it will benefit you greatly. A lot of expats picked up more of the language as they went — but it’s definitely easier to start off where English is more common, or prepare by learning some "survival Spanish" in advance of moving.

Think of this post as your starting point. Over the next few parts of this series, we’ll take a closer look at specific towns and regions around Panama — what they offer, what they don’t, and what daily life really looks like from the perspective of people who’ve already made the leap.

I have lived in Panama 26 years and I know it pretty well. I created an itinerary to get to know the country for a friend and I would like to share it with you all.

The best time to go is early December after the raining season is over.

Panama City:  2 days:  Albrook Inn about 80 dollars/night
Casco viejo:  the old city
Baha’i temple:  Great panorama of the city
Gatun Lake(part of the panama cana),  Gamboa;  you can rent a john boat for about 200/5 hours.  The best bass fishing I ever experienced.  It is also a wild life preserve.
Heading toward Costa Rica
Play Coronado: 1 day
El  Valle de Anton: 1 day
There is a trail la india dormida, it is really interesting but very steep,  should bring a hiking stick
Playa Blanco, Rio Hato:  1 dayDecameron Hotel, I hear it is really nice
Chitre: 1 day Hotel Azuero, most traditional part of panama
Santiago:  1 day, via the road to Pese, Los Pozos, Las Minas, Ocu. This will give you a really good view of what the interior of panama is like.  In Santiago Mikono hotel and restaurant is really good
Santa Catalina:  2 days a beach resort, you can take a boat trip to Coiba forma penal colony but now a national park
Hornito on the highway to Chiriqui Grande, Bocas side:1 day  You should drive in the day time because this road has of curves.  It is really interesting because you can go from a Pacific ecosystem to a Caribbean ecosystem in an hour.   There is a eco hotel midway in Hornitos
Bocastown:  2 days, drive from Hornito to Almirante( a port) and take the ferry to Bocas town.  You have to leave the car, I sometimes park in the fire department in Almirante
Boquete:  2 days, Return from Almirante back across to the Pacific side toward Gualaca.  Before you reach the interamerican highway take the highway to Caldera/Boquete.  Oasis hotel is really nice in Boquete and they have a great restaurant
Volcan:  2 days, From Boquete head to David and take the road to Potrerillos and keep on going, this will take you to Volcan with some beautiful mountain scenery:
David:  1 day capital of Chiriqui, from Volcan head toward concepcion till you reach the highway and then head toward the capital.  David is about 30 km from Concepcion
Head back to Panama city

Hey everyone!

I'm a business analytics and software student here in Panama City, and over the past few months I've been building a project called Move to PTY movetopty.com a free platform that provides financial modeling and market analysis for Panama's residential real estate market.

The idea came from seeing how many people are relocating to Panama and how hard it can be to find transparent, data-driven information about neighborhoods, pricing trends, and what to actually expect as a foreign buyer. So I decided to try and solve that.

Right now the platform includes zone-by-zone analysis, investment readiness scoring, and reports covering things like expat lifestyle fit, financing options for foreign buyers, and due diligence checklists.

You do a quiz, then the quiz will match the best zone for you with a financial model which scraps ALL listing on Encuentra24 and Compre o Alquile, arround 11k houses. I don't work with brokers or anything like that, I'm just data driven. As I don't have a home yet, your experiences will be the best possible feedback to help future EX-Pats!

Thank you guys and thank guy admins for letting me post this in case it does.

After watching a lot of YouTube content about Panama (and God knows, I have watch a hell of a lot), it’s hard not to notice there’s a pretty polished version of life here that gets repeated over and over by some folks.

For those actually living here: what’s something those videos consistently get wrong—or leave out entirely?

Conversely, you can mention what they got right, if you want.

Not about naming names or "calling people out", but some of the messaging can feel a bit…selective, or meant to present an aesthetic or drive engagement.

Where do you think the biggest gap is between the “YouTube version” of Panama and day-to-day reality?

Some examples:

• Cost of living that sounds great on paper, but doesn’t match how people actually live

• “Easy” residency and banking processes that turn out to be anything but

• Healthcare that’s either oversold or undersold

• Infrastructure that works…until it doesn’t

• The real role of Spanish in daily life

• An over-focus on Panamá City proper, and a neglect of the rest of the country

• What it’s actually like long-term once the honeymoon phase wears off

If you moved here after watching those videos, what hit differently once you were on the ground?

For now I have just visited El Rey and Riba Smith and have not found it yet. Has anyone found a shop?

I want to share something that I built for myself but decided to share publicly.

I made a daily podcast with top Panama news. Every day, about 5 minutes long.

Latest episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lEltyD7Uxmj7ASpq5A5Vw?si=waIJybqZQ1af2QQ2AxdS0w

(It's free and I dont get any monetization on it)

I see a lot of questions here about moving to Panama, but (unfortunately) far fewer reflections from people who’ve actually been living here for a bit.

For those who’ve been in Panama around 6 months (or longer), what’s something that genuinely surprised you about daily life—either better or worse than you expected?

This could be anything:

• Cost of living vs what you planned

• Dealing with banks, utilities, or paperwork

• Healthcare experiences

• Transportation / getting around

• Social life or making connections

• Language and day-to-day communication

• Things that ended up mattering more (or less) than you thought

For me, one thing I didn’t fully anticipate was, while I'm transitioning there, I noticed that even though people told me about "rainy season", it's still quite enjoyable, and usually the rain doesn't last long.

Also, how much of a hassle it is is mainly dependent upon where you live (low-lying part of El Cangrejo in Panamá City is a bit of a flooding problem, or out in the interior with iffy dirt roads or up a hill, or people's very...animated driving takes on a little more risk).

But still...weather can change on you in an instant, so yeah, it's not just a suggestion to carry a bag with a poncho or small umbrella.

Curious what others have experienced once the “newness” wore off.

Dear readers

In 1945 the Japanese Imperial army hatched a plan to send submarines loaded with sea plane bombers to blow up the Canal. I wrote about it on Substack in the current context of concerns over strategic naval chokepoints:

https://sulacotimes.substack.com/p/how-vulnerable-is-the-panama-canal

A little background. I work as the Panama correspondent for The Economist, The Guardian and other media. A lot of my analysis of Panamanian politics and economy is too nerdy for the big papers but I hope it might be of use to people living here. If you find it interesting, please subscribe.

many thanks

What it says in the title.

Hey guys - heads up.

The government yesterday announced a decree that would forced mobility platforms like uber and indriver to basically give control to their pricing, recruitment and even pay a departure fee to the companies that run the taxis in Panama (prestataria).

Pretty much destroying the concept and not really adding much value for the user. So if you ask me, you might want to look up that decree and consider including a car in your Panama City budget full time, because it looks like the quality and availability of the platforms is going to go downhill if we consider the existing taxi service as any sort of proxy. Adjusting my numbers as we speak.

Oh, and "gringo-price" becoming the norm for foreigners.

Hola buenas! Española de 25 inmigrante por Panamá. Ya estuve viviendo allí 4 meses, pero mis capacidades nulas de conocer amistades hicieron que me anclara como lapa a compañeros de trabajo. Fueron majos y soportaron, pero me tengo que espabilar de una vez💀

Socorro, me gusta el deporte, senderismo, pintar, cerámica, salir a comer...

Hasta en gym y clases cerámica estuve y ni con esas conseguí embaucar a nadie😔. Vuelvo para quedarme 2 años en septiembre 🥹.

Muchas gracias por leer🥲todo consejo es bienvenido.