Digital Nomad Life in Panama City, Panama
Summary:
How do I meet people in Panama City?
When we asked people living in Panama City about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:
"Expats in Panama City often join clubs and activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, and hiking. Expats can also join local language classes, book clubs, and cooking classes. Additionally, many expats join local churches, volunteer organizations, and business networking groups. Expats can also meet people by attending local events such as festivals, concerts, and art shows. Additionally, many expats make friends by exploring the city's restaurants, bars, and cafes," explained one person living in Panama City, Panama.
What is life like in Panama City?
When we asked people living in Panama City what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:
"Priorities start with family, extended family, family friends, other friends, socializing, sports, all other non-work related activities, and finally: work," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.
"Life for expats and digital nomads in Panama City is generally quite pleasant. The city is a vibrant and modern metropolis with plenty of amenities and activities to keep expats and digital nomads entertained. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. The city is also home to a diverse population, with many expats and digital nomads from all over the world. The city is also well-connected, with a reliable public transportation system and easy access to the rest of the country. Overall, Panama City is an excellent destination for expats and digital nomads looking for a vibrant and affordable place to live," explained one foreigner living in Panama City, Panama.
Where should I live in Panama City?
We asked digital nomads and expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"I made a visit here in August,stayed in a pretty basic place in el Cangrejo, and felt quite at home. It reminds me of Greenwich Village in NYC. I'll be staying in the same place for a month, plan to begin the Pensionado process with a recommended-by-expats att'y., and then move about 1 1/2 hrs.outside the city, coming back in as needed to complete the paperwork," said one expat in Panama City.
"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Panama City is to use online resources such as websites like Encuentra24.com, PanamaRealEstate.com, and PanamaLiving.com. These websites offer a variety of listings for apartments, houses, and condos in Panama City. Additionally, you can also search for rental properties on popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. Additionally, you can also contact a local real estate agent or property management company to help you find a place to live in Panama City," remarked one member in Panama City.
"You will find that Albrook is much nicer than Panama City, but close enough to the City for recreation and business. After almost 30 years in Panama, I chose Albrook for my place to live about 14 years ago. It is not included in any of the relocation tours, although it should be in my opinion. If you are interested in finding out about Albrook, please send me a private message. I also have a very nice room for rent in my house and can send you info on that also if you are interested," explained one expat living in Panama City, Panama.
"Originally the view was unobstructed. But immediately around our apt. are schools, Atlapa, a large supermarket, a police station, community pool...things that will not get bought out and have a highrise pop up," said one person in Panama City.
"We live in Costa del Este because we wanted to be very close to services without being in a noisy city and we also like to walk and Costa del Este is a beautiful place with wide sidewalks and beautiful landscaping," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.
What do I need to know before moving to Panama City?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Panama City, they said:
"We see service dogs all the time here in Panama City in the malls, restaurants and bars. They accept them inside and some even offer them a water dish," said one expat who made the move to Panama.
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What do people appreciate most about the culture in Panama City?
"The value of others and enjoying/appreciating THIS MOMENT and who you are with rather than things and envy of others," said one person in Panama City.
"Very friendly people here at restaurants, stores, banks, public offices......they will always help you and are very welcoming," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Panama City.
What do people find most challenging about the culture in Panama City?
"For me it has been difficult to learn the language at my age. I try, I make my mistakes, but I am determined and so amazed at what is possible when you want something bad enough. To not learn the language is to miss out on so much," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Panama City.
"Expats in Panama City often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the city's hot and humid climate can be difficult to adjust to. Expats may also find it difficult to navigate the city's complex bureaucracy and to understand the local customs and traditions. Furthermore, the cost of living in Panama City can be high, making it difficult for expats to find affordable housing and other necessities," explained one person living in Panama City, Panama.
What residency documents or visas did I need if I will be in Panama City for a while?
"Pensionado which relatively easy to obtain. costs about 1700 dollars for a couple," explained one expat living in Panama City, Panama.
"If you plan to stay in Panama City for a while, you will need to apply for a residency visa. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a tourist visa first before applying for a residency visa. You will also need to provide documents such as a valid passport, proof of financial stability, and a police record. Additionally, you may need to provide a medical certificate and proof of address in Panama," said one person in Panama City.
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What cultural blunders should I try to avoid making in Panama City?
We asked people in Panama City if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. They wrote:
"It is important to be respectful of local customs and traditions when visiting Panama City. Avoid making negative comments about the country or its people, as this can be seen as offensive. Additionally, it is important to dress modestly and conservatively, as revealing clothing can be seen as inappropriate. It is also important to be aware of the local language and to avoid speaking loudly or using offensive language. Finally, it is important to be aware of local customs and to avoid touching people without their permission," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.
"Not officially asking my girlfriend out was one. Apparently you have to do it formally one night. Went 6 weeks with a girl, didn't ask her out formally (because you would assume that's it) but you have to ask here to officially make you exclusive boyfriend and girlfriend! who knew..," explained one foreigner living in Panama City, Panama.
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What are healthcare services like in Panama City?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Panama City, they replied:
"Private hospital will do it like Pacificasalud or San Fernando. I had a Spontaneous Pneumothorax and my surgeon (an open heart surgeon) did the surgery by removing a "bulla" from my right lung so yes they have the same expertise as the USA. San Fernando is cheaper than Pacificasalud and my surgeon work at both hospitals. They also offer the surgery in Public (Santo Tomas) but I had to wait three weeks and could not wait that long so my surgery was done in San Fernando. Surgery went A1 with great follow-up," said one foreigner in Panama City.
"Healthcare services in Panama City are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and provides free or low-cost services to citizens. Private healthcare services are also available, and are generally of a higher quality than public services. These services are provided by a variety of hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. In addition, there are a number of specialized medical centers that offer specialized treatments and services. The city also has a number of pharmacies, which provide medications and other medical supplies," remarked one member in Panama City.
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What are the pros and cons of living in Panama City?
"Nothing works right in Panama. It's very difficult to get quality workmanship. Also, it's too humid here for most people. The Covid lockdowns have been terrible and Panama is going through a near-depression right now. We plan on leaving this year for Portugal," explained one person living in Panama City, Panama.
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About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

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