10 Things to Know Before Moving to Panama

Are you considering a move to Panama? This Central American gem is a popular destination for expats and expats from all over the world, thanks to its tropical climate, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living. But before you pack your bags, there are a few things you should know. Here are the top 10 things to know before moving to Panama.

1. Understanding the Panamanian Culture Before moving to any new country, it's important to understand the local culture. Panamanians are known for their warm hospitality and friendly demeanor. They value family, religion, and tradition. It's also worth noting that Panamanians are quite relaxed when it comes to time, so don't be surprised if things don't always start on time. Embrace the local culture and you'll find yourself feeling at home in no time.

2. The Importance of Learning Spanish While English is widely spoken in Panama, especially in the larger cities and tourist areas, learning Spanish will make your life much easier. Not only will it help you navigate day-to-day tasks, but it will also allow you to connect with locals on a deeper level. There are plenty of language schools and tutors available to help you learn.

3. The Panamanian Climate Panama is a tropical country, which means it's hot and humid year-round. There are two main seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the rainy season (May to November). Be prepared for high temperatures and heavy rainfall, especially if you're moving from a cooler climate.

4. The Cost of Living in Panama One of the main attractions for expats and expats moving to Panama is the affordable cost of living. Housing, groceries, healthcare, and entertainment are all significantly cheaper than in many Western countries. However, it's worth noting that prices can vary greatly depending on where you choose to live. For example, living in Panama City is more expensive than living in a smaller town or rural area.

5. The Panamanian Healthcare System Panama's healthcare system is generally of a high standard, especially in the larger cities. There are both public and private healthcare options available, with many expats and expats choosing to use private healthcare due to the shorter waiting times and higher standard of care. It's recommended to have health insurance to cover any medical costs.

6. The Panamanian Cuisine Get ready to enjoy some delicious food in Panama! The local cuisine is a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences. Staples include rice, beans, plantains, and a variety of tropical fruits. Seafood is also very popular, thanks to Panama's coastal location. Don't miss out on trying traditional dishes like sancocho (a hearty chicken soup) and ceviche (raw fish cured in citrus juices).

7. The Panamanian Visa Process Before moving to Panama, you'll need to secure a visa. There are several types of visas available, depending on your circumstances. The Pensionado Visa, for example, is a popular option for retirees. It's recommended to consult with a local immigration lawyer to understand the best option for you and to navigate the application process.

8. The Panamanian Education System If you're moving to Panama with children, you'll need to consider their education. Panama has a range of public and private schools, as well as international schools that teach in English. The standard of education can vary, so it's worth doing your research to find the best fit for your family.

9. The Panamanian Transportation System Getting around in Panama is relatively easy, thanks to its well-developed transportation system. Buses and taxis are plentiful and affordable, and there's also a metro system in Panama City. If you plan to drive, be aware that traffic can be heavy in the cities and driving standards can be different from what you're used to.

10. The Panamanian Lifestyle Finally, it's important to understand that life in Panama is likely to be very different from what you're used to. The pace of life is slower, and the focus is on enjoying life rather than rushing through it. This can be a big adjustment for some people, but many expats and expats find it to be one of the most rewarding aspects of living in Panama.

Moving to a new country is always a big step, but with the right preparation, it can be an exciting and rewarding adventure. By understanding these key aspects of life in Panama, you'll be well-prepared for your move to this beautiful and welcoming country.

Expats talk about Moving to Panama Travel as light as you can. Open yourself to the experience of daily life where you land. Don't choose a permanent base-of-operations until you have considered EVERYTHING that is important to you, and that you've been to other areas of Panama. It's a small country with amazing diversity. Give yourself the opportunity to experience the banquet!!!, said one member living in Panama City.

Rent first before you buy. Your paradise today may not be what you will think in 6 months. Brings essentials and sell everything else, you can get it cheaper here, wrote a member in Bocas del Toro.

We visited here many times before moving and stayed in different areas each time. There are 13 micro-climates here and they vary greatly. Some roads are not good so that may play into housing decisions too. Temperatures vary, even 5 minutes away can make a big difference. There are also areas that get extremely windy in Jan-Feb. Rent before buying, commented one member who made the move to Boquete.

Come and visit several areas before making the move. We have snakes, though I haven't seen one yet. We do not have mosquitos. If you select an International Mover, avoid Move Management. They are very efficient on the US side, but they use PIR on the Panama side. PIR can't create a ACH to withdraw funds from your checking account, nor can they swipe a debit or credit card. As Manny Rojas in Miami,says, you can always pay in cash. (his relatives in Panama City run PIR) If you do not have two thousand in cash it may take you nine days to get the cash from an ATM, meanwhile, port charges, at $50 per day, keep mounting. I was withdrawing from 2 different banks in the US banks on a daily basis. BTW, every ATM here spits out $20.00 bills. You may have to fight with your US bank to make them understand that there is no Foreign Exchange issue in Panama. Mastercard charged as much as $12 foreign transaction. They have since reduced those fees to $5 or $6. Visa charges $4. If you don't have a place for your goods to be delivered, PIR charges $500 per month or any portion thereof, even one extra day will cost you $500.00. One more thing, if you send them a wire transfer, their bank charges PIR $90, which they will gleefully pass on to you. Bring buckets of cash or avoid Move Management. Your local US contact will drop you like a hot potato as soon as your goods are on the water. There is a storage place on the way to Boquete called Chiriqui Storage run by Hellmut and Linda Pederson. One good sized locker is $100/mo. A 20 ft. container would take two lockers, remarked one member living in Alto Boquete.

Definitely rent. When you find a short-term rental you really like and you demonstrate to the owner that you can be trusted they will probably let you reserve it a year in advance. That’s what we do, but we are considering the possibility of looking for a yearly lease which might cost about the same as 4-6 months short term. It would have to be a place where the owner lives nearby and can keep an eye on things. The advantage would be that you can furnish it the way you want and keep your stuff there when you are away. As far as I can see that would be cheaper and more convenient than buying, wrote one member in Panama.

I would echo what the person who did the review on Boquete. Embrace the local culture and ways of doing things. Don't come here wanting to change the way folks have done things for a long time or try to make it like the US. At the same time you can teach the locals what you know in a nice way as you make friends with them, said one member living in Bocas del Toro.

Do not be surprised by the most modern technological society living in a first class environment, wrote a member in Panama City.

Come and visit! I guarantee it is nothing like where you live. The culture is very different than the US and the systems and structures can sometimes make no sense at all. If you can't roll with things when they go wrong or get frustrating, it may not be for you, commented one member who made the move to Boquete.

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, remarked one member 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, wrote one member in Panama.

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Panama

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