Pros and Cons of Living in Panama

"The food. The appreciation for and enjoyment of everyday life and family. They are not as driven by the dollar as people in the USA. Their many celebrations and traditions and their enjoyment of them," said a person living in Nueva Gorgona.

"I appreciate the excellent and affordable health care -- that doctors think of themselves as regular human beings. I appreciate that family comes first. I very much appreciate the lack of consciousness for politically correct speech. I appreciate that calling me a gringa is not derogatory but descriptive and even endearing and that because people do not take offense with such nicknames, there is very little if any racial tension. I appreciate that if I am late for an appointment due to traffic, for example, I don't have to stress because no one expects anyone to be on time. I appreciate that privacy from the government is still valued. That people still dress up a little when they leave the house to run an errand, that traditional music, dance and dress are kept alive and taught in the schools," explained one expat living in Santiago.

"Culture....hhmmmm. Disinterested sales personnel who seem to resent being at their post. Bright colors are welcome and plentyful. Another challenge is the general physical size of the locals...as it relates to finding clothing that fits. If you are female and larger than a size 8, good luck finding undergarments. For my husband and his size 12 narrow foot, murder finding shoes," remarked one expat in Altos del Maria.

"Expats in Panama often find it challenging to integrate into the local culture, as language can be a barrier and cultural practices can be unfamiliar. Another hurdle is the perception of time, since deadlines and schedules are often viewed more loosely in Panama than they are in other countries. Additionally, social norms may take expats a while to adjust to, as the culture typically has a more relaxed attitude towards punctuality, deadlines and other formalities. Lastly, status differences in Panama, such as class and gender, may not be immediately obvious to expats and can be a challenge to navigate," explained one expat living in Panama.

"The difference in attitude regarding such things as appointment times - even if you agree to meet at a specific day and time, if a Panamanian has a family event, another appointment or just decides not to come, they may show up an hour or two late or the next day. You need to be prepared to schedule and re-schedule without getting too frustrated," said one expat in Boquete.

"Learning that now actually means later, that pinning down someone to a specific time is almost impossible. That this is a nation of many first generation drivers, that there is very little "do it yourself ability here". Maintenance is not something that most people see the point in doing. Fast service with a smile almost doesn't exist. Most stores have no idea what they have in inventory and the process of giving them money for goods is cumbersome and painful. Although labor costs are low, mandatory benefits are extensive, for example one month of paid vacation annually, an extra month of pay every year, 14 legal holidays, 25% contribution to social security with no cap. There is an absolute inability to give directions. Most people are patient to a fault," said a person living in Santiago.