I looked around.

Then I paused.

Because honestly — I hadn’t thought about it once since we arrived.

I grew up in the Caribbean. Burglar proofing on windows, metal gates on doors, ironwork wrapped around balconies — that’s just what buildings look like. My eye never flagged it here in Panama City.

But my kid grew up knowing only suburban North America, where many suburban enclaves have open yards and the security is mostly invisible.

To him, it was impossible to miss.

Every apartment building, many houses we passed in the city, every property out near the beach and through the interior — all of it wrapped in iron.

It’s a fair question. And if you’re researching a move to Panama, or another Central American locale, you’ve probably already asked it while scrolling real estate property listings.

So what are you actually looking at?

In the English-speaking Caribbean, we call it burglar proofing.

In Spanish, it’s rejas.

Either way, it’s standard across Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Southern Europe. It’s not a Panama-specific thing, and seeing it doesn’t mean you’ve stumbled onto a sketchy block.

It’s just how buildings are constructed here — across income levels, property types, and neighborhoods.

The point is deterrence. Not because people are walking around scared, but because opportunistic theft is real everywhere, and making your home a harder target is just practical.

Same logic as a deadbolt.

Same logic as a porch light.

You’re not expecting the worst.

You’re just not making it easy.

And the thing fear-based narratives always skip over: Panama is generally considered one of the safer countries in Latin America.

Petty crime exists — it exists everywhere — but plenty of expats who relocated here from U.S. cities will tell you flat out that they feel safer in Panama City than they did back home. The burglar proofing isn’t a contradiction of that. It’s part of how a place takes everyday security seriously without making it a whole thing.

That said — if you’re actively looking at properties, there is one practical question worth asking before you get swept up in the views and the vibe.

How do you get out in an emergency?

Burglar proofing is fixed on the outside, but gates and window bars on the interior should have a keyed or quick-release mechanism that lets you open them from inside without hunting for anything in a panic. This matters. A fire, a gas leak, any situation where you need to move fast — you want to know exactly where that key lives and so does every person in your household.

In my childhood home, we had a hook on a kitchen wall with the set of emergency keys hanging. Everyone knew not to touch them unless you absolutely needed to.

When you’re viewing a property, look at every barred window and gated door and ask yourself: can I get out of this room if I need to? Is there a release? Where’s the key kept? What’s the exit route out of the house?

A well-maintained property will have thought about this. And a landlord or seller worth their salt won’t be offended by the question from a potential tenant or buyer.

Drive through a “yeyé” neighborhood

Here’s something that might catch you off guard if you’re not expecting it: in some of the more posh residential areas — single family homes, townhouses, ground floor units — you’ll also start noticing barbed wire or razor wire running along the tops of perimeter walls and fencing.

Same principle.

It looks intense at first, especially if your reference point is a quiet cul-de-sac somewhere in the American suburbs.

But again, it’s standard practice, not a sign that something is wrong with the street.

Add squatting to your list of concerns, just under mold

There’s another layer to this that doesn’t come up in most expat content: squatting. If a property sits visibly unoccupied for an extended period, it can attract squatters — and that becomes a genuinely complicated legal situation to resolve.

The physical security helps, but the more common solution is a human one — arranging for a family member or a paid caretaker to stay in the home while you’re away. It keeps the property occupied and looked-after, and in a tropical climate that’s not a small thing.

Panama will remind you, often and without apology, that it is warm and wet and alive.

Any home or apartment that sits closed up for a couple of months can come back with mildew creeping up the walls, mold setting into your car’s interior (or eeeekkk into the clothes hanging in your closet), critters who’ve decided the place is theirs now, and a roof leak you didn’t notice in the dry season, but has had plenty of time to well, leak in the rainy season.

It all becomes a real hassle.

A caretaker isn’t just about security. It’s about keeping your home from becoming a project every time you return to it. And it’s just a regular part of how many people manage their properties here — and honestly, once you understand the climate, it makes complete sense.

Burp your house well

I also want to correct something I’ve seen repeated in other places, because it’s not quite right: not everyone is running central air conditioning. Some newer homes have it, but plenty of apartments and houses use split AC mini units that cool specific rooms — the bedrooms at night, maybe the living room during the hottest part of the afternoon.

A lot of people run them strategically rather than all day as electricity here can get expensive really fast.

Which means windows do get opened.

Panamanians have been “burping” their homes for generations. Airflow matters especially when there’s always something delicious baking or cooking or frying in the kitchen.

And burglar proofing is part of what makes that possible — you can leave a window cracked at night or step out for a few hours without sealing everything shut.

The gated community built in to your Propiedad Horizontal (PH) building

One more thing worth understanding, especially if you’re looking at Panama City: PH or high-rise buildings — particularly penthouses and upper-floor units — function as their own kind of gated community, just vertical.

(No clue why it isn’t PV or Propiedad Vertical, but I digress.)

In your PH building, keycards, facial recognition, passcodes or otherwise controlled elevator access and lobby security guard or doorman or guard knows who lives there and who is visiting. The protection is built into the structure and management of the building itself, so you’re less likely to see heavy ironwork on the windows 30 floors up.

What you might notice instead on those very high units is thin metal netting — stretched across balconies and windows.

That’s not a security measure so much as a practical one.

When you’re that far up, netting is how families keep kids and pets from getting too close to the edge or railing of open air spaces. Safety moreso than privacy or security.

So when you’re comparing a standalone house in a beach town to a high-rise unit in the city, you’re really comparing two different security setups. Both are normal here. The burglar proofing is just more visible in one than the other.

What I Told My Kiddo

I told him that in Panama, people like to keep their windows open because it’s warm — and the burglar proofing is how they do that safely. That it’s like a fence around a yard or a lock on a gate. Not because something bad is happening, but because people who’ve lived here a long time are thoughtful about taking care of what’s theirs.

He thought about it for a second and said, “Oh. Like how we used to lock the car even in our own driveway?”

Exactly like that.

The Adjustment Is Real, and Then It Isn’t

If you didn’t grow up with this, I’m not going to pretend there’s no moment of culture shock. There is. When everything around you is wrapped in iron, something in your brain registers it — and that reaction is worth sitting with rather than brushing off.

But most families who make the move report the same arc: unsettled at first, then curious, then completely unbothered.

The burglar proofing stops registering.

Panamanian living doesn’t.

Lifestyle

A few days later, we were out again.

Same streets. Same buildings. Same ironwork wrapped around everything.

This time, he didn’t point.

And I realized—he wasn’t seeing cages anymore either.

We were seeing windows left open in the middle of the day. Curtains moving with the breeze. Someone cooking with the door ajar. A neighbor leaning out to talk to someone passing by.

The bars hadn’t disappeared.

But what they meant had.

They weren’t about fear.

They were what made that kind of living possible.

And that’s the part you don’t get from scrolling listings.

You see the metal first.

You understand the lifestyle life later.

Ven Sí Puedes is where we unpack the real stuff about moving to Panama with your family — the questions nobody’s answering clearly and the details that actually matter. If this resonated, share it with someone who’s been quietly asking the same questions.

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Whether you’re renting your first apartment to get a feel for the city, buying a stunning apartment with ocean views in a PH Building, or exploring property in one of the beach or mountain communities outside Panama City, there is real opportunity here — and a growing, welcoming community of expats who made the move and haven’t looked back.

Panama City has the third highest number of skyscrapers in the Western Hemisphere — trailing only New York and Chicago — so yes, those ocean views from the penthouse are very much a real thing.

Like any real estate market, though, Panama has its own rules and quirks, and knowing them upfront makes the whole process smoother.

One of the most important: real estate agents in Panama are required to hold a valid license issued by the Junta Técnica de Bienes Raíces, or JTBR. This applies whether someone is helping you find a rental or guiding you through a purchase.

In your home country, you probably never thought to check this — it was just assumed. In Panama, it’s worth a quick verification, and it’s easier than you might think. Our own platform, Panacomps has a free, complementary real estate advisor check tool that lets you confirm your agent’s (or broker’s) credentials before you get too far into the process.

Think of it the same way you’d think about checking reviews before booking a hotel or confirming a contractor’s license before a renovation.

It’s just good practice — and in Panama, it’s a particularly useful habit to build early.

Before you sign a lease, sign a purchase agreement, or pay any kind of deposit, run the check.

Learn why licensing matters for your real estate agent in Panama.

Protect your investment. Protect your peace.

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That’s not the version you’ll be living in.

You found an apartment in Panama City.

The photos are gorgeous, the price makes you feel like you’ve cracked some kind of expat code, and the neighborhood looked perfectly fine when your realtor drove you through at 11am on a Wednesday.

The sun was out.

There was a little fruit cart on the corner.

Someone was hosing down the sidewalk.

You were charmed. I get it.

Now go back at 10pm on a Friday and tell me what you see.

This is not hypothetical.

If you’re moving to Panama City as an expat — especially if you’re relocating with kids — Panama City has some of the most dramatic neighborhood personality shifts I have ever witnessed, and if you don’t do your nighttime homework, you are absolutely rolling the dice on your quality of life.

Let’s talk about Casco Viejo, because Casco is everyone’s dream. It shows up in every Panama expat relocation guide, every “best neighborhoods in Panama City” blog post, and honestly? It is charming.

Colonial-era architecture, cozy public squares, rooftop bars, cobblestone streets, that golden hour light that makes everything look like a movie.

Daytime Casco is a postcard.

But here’s what those posts don’t always tell you: Casco Viejo at night Thursday through Sunday is a full-on party district.

Music, crowds, police officers using those whistles at full blast to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, rideshare traffic backed up for blocks, and noise that does.not.stop at a reasonable hour.

Before you start Googling “Casco Viejo apartments pros and cons,” you need to experience that firsthand.

For some people, that energy is exactly what they came for.

For anyone moving to Panama with kids, or anyone who values sleep as a personality trait, that is a very different calculation.

Then there’s the Financial District — Obarrio, Marbella, El Cangrejo.

Very buttoned-up during business hours.

Professional, walkable, full of lunch spots.

If you’re researching Obarrio vs Casco Viejo for expats, daytime visits to both will tell you almost nothing useful.

Because certain pockets of the financial district neighborhood at night transform completely once the sun goes down.

That quiet stretch with the tire shop and the shuttered storefronts?

By 9pm it might be a makeshift CrossFit situation with music blasting, or a corner that’s developed its own “micro-economy” nobody briefed you on.

And here is the real test I give everyone who asks me for Panama City relocation tips for Americans: when your rideshare pulls up to your potential new address at night, do you get out immediately?

Or do you pause? Do you sit there for a second and do a little assessment before you open the door?

If you hesitated — that is information. That is your gut handing you a note that says we need to talk.

I'm not here to scare you — and honestly, this isn't even unique to Panama.

I'd give you the exact same advice if you were moving to Miami, LA, Chicago, or any major city. Neighborhoods have two personalities, and you owe it to yourself to meet both of them. I moved here with my whole family. The longer I've been here, the more I've fallen for this place.

But if you want to know what it’s really like to live in Panama City, you need the full picture — not just the version that shows up in the jolly daytime relocation tours or sarcastic Facebook groups.

Go back after dark. Go on a Friday afternoon when everyone is trying to get out of the city on whatever wheels they own. Go on a weekend. Walk half a block in each direction. Grab something from a place that’s actually open and just be there for a few minutes. You might fall even harder for the neighborhood once you see it fully alive.

And if that PH building happens to have a rooftop pool, a gym, and a concierge — which, in Panama City, is not an unreasonable expectation — you'll wonder why you ever considered living anywhere else.

Or you might save yourself from a lease you’d be counting down the months on.

Either way — you deserve the whole picture, not just the highlight reel.

Daytime curb appeal is cute. Nighttime recon is how you actually decide.

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Premium frequent flyer and business class lounges, a fantastic mix of restaurants and cafés, world-class duty-free shopping, pet relief stations, a sensory room (yes, an actual sensory room — still relatively rare in this part of the world, and a thoughtful touch for neurodivergent travelers and overwhelmed kids alike), AND a connected metro rail terminal that connects you directly into the city.

For many travelers, it’s the first and last impression of Panama, and honestly? It’s pretty cool.

PTY is Copa Airlines’ home base and one of the busiest airports in Central America.

It functions as one of the most efficient connection hubs in the entire Americas — and Panama’s geographic position is a big reason why. Sitting at the narrow waist of the continent, Panama is uniquely placed to serve flights between North America, South America, and the Caribbean, often without passengers needing to re-clear security.

Bags are typically checked through automatically.

Sub-one-hour international connections are not only possible here, they’re practically routine.

Flights at PTY are banked in waves — you’ll notice the terminal swell suddenly with arrivals and departures, then quiet down again.

It can feel chaotic in bursts, but it’s not disorganized.

It’s synchronized.

Once you understand the rhythm, it all makes sense.

The metro connection is worth a specific mention.

PTY connects to Panama City via Train Line 2, which is clean, safe, and remarkably affordable. It’s not quite a one-seat ride to historic neighborhoods like Casco Viejo — you’ll transfer to Line 1 for that (+ a short walk into the old quarter) — but for the price, it’s one of the best airport-to-city connections in the Central America region.

Just be aware that Panama City traffic can be unpredictable, so if you’re in a hurry or traveling with a lot of luggage, a rideshare (like Uber or inDrive) or a private transfer may be the more practical call.

If you have a daytime layover of seven hours or more, you may have just enough time to do something most travelers never think to do — visit the iconic Panama Canal. As a travel advisor specializing in Panama, I can help you coordinate that excursion so you’re not scrambling on your own.

But about the airport, there are a couple of things nobody really tells you before you get there, so here goes...

On Arrival: Where Do You Actually Go?

PTY is effectively two terminals — and if you don’t realize that, the layout can feel more confusing than it actually is.

Terminal 2 is the newer, brighter of the two, and it’s where most international arrivals processing happens.

Terminal 1 is older and still active, and the two are connected airside — but it can be a long walk if you end up needing to navigate between them.

When you land and deplane into the main hall, international arrivals empty directly into the general terminal.

Not into a separate, secure arrivals corridor.

Not into a dedicated immigration channel with unmistakable signage.

Just... into the mix, surrounded by people who are departing, connecting, shopping, and generally minding their own business.

Announcements are made in Spanish and English, but not always consistently, and the signage — while present — is not what I’d call loud or obvious, especially when you’re jet-lagged and the terminal has just hit its peak wave.

If you have checked luggage, you’re heading to Terminal 2 for Immigration, Baggage Claim, and Customs.

Knowing that before you land makes the whole arrival experience significantly less stressful.

Pass it along to anyone joining you in Panama, because the confusion is real and very preventable.

On Departure: The Surprise Second Screening

Now here is the thing that catches almost everyone off guard.

If you are departing on a flight to the United States or Canada — and I am speaking purely from personal observation, not from any official policy — expect a secondary TSA-style security screening at your departure gate.

Shoes off, laptops out, belongings through the X-ray, the whole shebang.

It’s tied to additional security requirements for US-bound flights, but operationally, it shows up in a way that feels very last-minute if you’re not expecting it.

Given that international arrivals and departures share the same terminal space, it makes a certain kind of sense that outbound US flights get an extra layer of screening before boarding. That doesn’t make it any less surprising when you’re standing in line holding a much-desired large coffee you suddenly can’t bring with you.

Which brings us to the liquids situation. The standard 100ml/3.4oz rules are back in effect at that gate screening.

That beverage you grabbed after clearing main security? Finish it before you get there.

Same goes for any oversized beverages from the terminal restaurants — there is no sneaking a 24-ounce iced anything onto a US-bound flight from PTY.

Plan your pre-boarding bathroom stop before or just before you reach the gate area, not after you’re already in the screening line, or worse, sitting in the roped off section of chairs at the gate.

If you or anyone in your travel party has mobility concerns or simply doesn't want to navigate a long terminal walk under time pressure, request wheelchair assistance when you check in — PTY's gates can be a serious hike, and having that support arranged in advance makes the entire departure process more manageable.

The one thing working in your favor: duty-free will deliver any purchases directly to your gate, as they do at most international airports.

So shop freely in the terminal — just don't count on bringing that oversized drink along for the ride. Duty-free has you covered; your iced coffee does not.

If you've flown through Panama and have your own observations to add, drop them in the comments — I'd love to hear what else experienced travelers have picked up.

The more we share, the smoother everyone's travel to and through Panama gets.

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There’s a particular kind of message that arrives in my inbox, my DMs, or through a friend of a cousin of a friend.

It usually goes something like this:

“Hi! I heard you live in Panama, . We’re thinking about moving there and would love to pick your brain sometime!”

And look — I get it. Truly do.

When we were considering our move, there were people who generously gave us an hour of their time. They answered our questions, shared their experiences, and pointed us toward useful resources.

That hour meant a lot to us.

So I try to pay it forward.

If someone is considering the leap, I’ll meet for coffee.

☕ One hour.

I’ll tell you what I know.

We talk about high-rise living in PH buildings. Extracurricular activities. Grocery stores. Pediatricians. Immigration processes. WhatsApp playdate groups. I send links. I share the names of lawyers, swim instructors, orthodontists, and the furniture stores where I happened to see bunk beds or wallpaper or whatever it is you’re looking for.

You leave with a list.
I leave feeling like maybe I helped someone take the next step.

But here’s the thing.

I have a rule.

Everyone gets one coffee.

One coffee, one hour.

After that, you have to do the work.

Not because I don’t want to help.

And not because I’ve forgotten how overwhelming it can feel when you’re first researching a move abroad.

But because my life here is not a permanent relocation volunteer help desk.

I’m not retired.
I’m not on a sabbatical.
I’m not even on vacation.

We have a family.

There’s (gasp!) work.
Orthodontist appointments.
After school activities.
The hardware store because we are on our third — yes, third — dang garbage disposal.
Errands. Birthday party invitations. Laundry. Life.

The same life you’ll have if you move here.

And here’s another truth that’s important to understand when you’re asking someone about life abroad:

Everything I can tell you is a data point of one.

My experience is real — but it’s also:

• anecdotal

• time-bound

• highly specific

• and shaped by my particular family’s needs and desires, budget, neighborhood, and moment in time

The school that works for my kid might not work for yours.

The neighborhood we love might feel completely wrong to you.

The lawyer we used might not be the lawyer you need.

In statistical terms, my sample size is n = 1.

What I can responsibly offer is something simpler.

Vibes.

What it feels like to live here.

What it’s like when the rainy season rolls in and you don’t mind because it cools down and “outside” smells amazing afterward.

What it’s like when the fruit vendor starts recognizing you and slipping an extra mango into the bag.

What it feels like when the place that once felt foreign slowly starts to feel like home.

Those things are harder to Google.

But vibes only go so far.

Because ultimately the only way to know whether a place works for your life is to experience it.

You have to visit.
You have to stay longer than a week.
You have to spend time with the place and the people.
You have to get into the nitty gritty and figure out how to transfer the electric bill to your name, get school records translated, schedule a mammogram.
You have to figure out what the $%#& an apostille is and wonder why, in all your decades on this earth, no one ever mentioned this magical piece of paperwork before.

Information gets you started.

Commitment is what gets you through.

That’s also why we write this Substack — to share what we’ve learned in a way that reaches more people than one coffee at a time.

Because while I’m always happy to meet someone who’s considering the leap, there are only so many hours in a day.

And for the folks who want deeper help planning their move, I’m starting to think about ways to offer that in a more structured way.

So yes — I’ll happily give you the hour.

I’m incredibly grateful to the folks who did the same for us.

That’s how this whole informal expat ecosystem works. People help the next person along. That’s how this whole thing works.

But if we’ve already had the coffee, and now you’re sending me seven-minute WhatsApp voice notes with twenty-two follow-up questions…

Jeez Louise.

At some point you have to close the laptop, buy the plane ticket, and go figure it out for yourself.

Because that’s the only way any of us ever did it.

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xo Ven Sí Puedes | Come If You Can and

Let me tell you something that took me a while to fully appreciate about Panama: referrals are rarely free.

Not in a cynical, “the world is corrupt” kind of way. More in a “this is baked into the culture, and you need to understand how it works” kind of way. Once I wrapped my head around it, a lot of things started making a whole lot more sense.

It’s Called a Kickback Economy, and It’s Real

In Panama, there is a deeply embedded practice of referral fees — locally referred to as comisiones — that operates across virtually every sector of the economy. Real estate, legal services, insurance, construction, tourism, healthcare, and yes, even small personal services. If someone sends business your way, they expect something in return. That’s not corruption — that’s just how commerce flows here.

This isn’t unique to Panama.

Commission-based referral structures exist in sales cultures all over the world. But what makes Panama different is how normalized and openly expected it is, even in informal, everyday contexts. It’s woven into how people think about business relationships, not just formal sales channels.

The Moment That Made Me Rethink Everything

I’ll give you a real example from my own experience with my Panama Real Estate Analytics company.

Someone reached out to me saying they had a client interested in my services. Great news, right? Except before they even mentioned who the client was, before they made a single introduction, they wanted to sit down and negotiate the referral fee structure. How much would they get if the client purchased? What were the terms? Could we get that documented?

My first reaction was somewhere between baffled and offended. I hadn’t asked for any referrals. There was no agreement in place. And here we were, negotiating a commission for a client I’d never heard of, for a sale that hadn’t happened, for a referral that technically hadn’t been made yet.

I’m a simple guy when it comes to this. My personal approach is: if I refer you to someone, it’s because they’re good and I want you to be taken care of. My reward is knowing you got a good experience. I’ve never asked for anything in return, and frankly, I never will. That’s just who I am.

But I’ve had to accept that not everyone operates that way — and in Panama, operating my way actually makes me the odd one out.

Why This Matters to You as an Expat

Here’s the part you need to pay close attention to.

When someone refers you to a service here — a lawyer, a contractor, a real estate agent, a moving company, a property manager — there is a very real possibility that the referral isn’t based purely on the quality of the service. It may be based, at least in part, on the size of the commission that service provider is willing to pay.

What that means practically is this: the cheapest option, the best option, and the referred option are not always the same option. The person steering you may have your interests in mind — or they may have their pocket in mind. Often, it’s some mix of both.

Service providers who participate in referral networks sometimes charge higher fees to cover the commissions they pay out. So you, the client, end up effectively subsidizing a referral arrangement you didn’t know existed.

The Real Estate Angle

This dynamic is particularly pronounced in real estate, and there’s a specific practice worth knowing about.

In Panama, some real estate agents will register you as their client the moment you make contact with them — even during an initial inquiry. In some arrangements, this registration means that if you purchase any property through any agency, that agent may be entitled to a referral fee simply because they logged your information first.

This isn’t universal, and it varies significantly by agency and agreement, but it’s common enough that you should ask questions early. Understand who you’re working with, what representation looks like in Panama’s market, and whether any registration or exclusivity language is being applied to your relationship before you agree to anything.

How to Navigate It Without Becoming Cynical

I want to be clear: I’m not telling you that everyone who refers you to something is operating in bad faith. Many people genuinely make referrals because they’ve had a good experience and want to share it. But you should always take the extra step of verifying independently.

A few things that have served me well:

1. Ask what someone paid, not just who they used. If a friend recommends a contractor, ask what the job costs. That helps you with baseline pricing.

2. Shop the referral. You wouldn’t buy a car from the first lot you visited. Use the referral as a starting point, not an ending point. Get at least one or two competing quotes.

3. Research the service independently. Google, Facebook expat groups, and local forums are your friends. Read the actual reviews. Find people who have used the service without a referral in the chain.

The Bigger Picture

None of this is meant to make you distrust everyone in Panama. The referral economy here is just that — an economy. People are earning where they can, and in a country where wages are lower and margins are tight across many industries, a referral commission can represent meaningful income.

Understanding that context helps you approach it without resentment. This is the system. It operates this way. And once you know the rules, you can make better decisions within them.

Panama is an extraordinary place to live. The people are warm, the pace is manageable, and the quality of life can be genuinely excellent when you’re prepared. But being prepared means understanding the cultural and economic landscape, not just the weather and the cost of mangoes.

Take referrals gratefully. Take them with a grain of salt. And always, always do your homework.

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But honestly? Nothing says “I’m not on vacation, I actually live here now” faster than having to buy your own groceries and schlep them home.

Which might explain why grocery stores have always been a bit of a love language in our household. Our third date was to a Whole Foods Market.

Romantic? Debatable.

Informative? Absolutely.

Clearly, Mr. passed the test.

If you can calmly wander aisles together discussing snacks, produce, and dinner plans, there’s real potential there.

And the good news is that grocery shopping in Panama is genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes confusing. Occasionally maddening. But overall? A pleasure.

The options alone are impressive. From the super-sized chains like Rey, Super 99, and Machetazo, to higher-end favorites like Riba Smith, to smaller specialty purveyors like Foodie and Organica, you’ll find your rhythm pretty quickly.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

Eggs Are… Just There

Eggs are rarely refrigerated. They sit out on shelves, neatly stacked, living their best unrefrigerated lives next to the chips. This will feel wrong at first. You’ll side-eye them. You’ll google it — they’re unprocessed and “it was scientifically proven” that they don’t require refrigeration. Fingers crossed.

Yes, You Can Buy Liquor With Your Groceries

Not just wine and beer. Vodka, rum, gin — it’s all right there. Panamanian grocery stores sell hard liquor alongside your produce and paper towels, which makes stocking up for at-home cocktails wildly convenient and very “you’re not in Texas anymore.”

The Shopping Carts Are Shockingly Clean

The carts are almost always sparkling clean. No mystery gunk. No ancient crumbs. No lurking ick from places that shall not be named. You’ll also find adaptive carts for varying mobility needs and the cute little ones for the kids to push (directly into your toes). They don’t always have many of the adaptive ones, but if you ask, someone will usually try to track one down.

Tip Your Bagger

That friendly young person bagging your groceries and offering to walk you to your car is likely not a store employee. Many are students working as “volunteers” and earn tips only. There’s endless debate about how much to give, but my personal rule of thumb is about one balboa (roughly one U.S. dollar) per hundred spent. Adjust as needed — but please don’t skip it.

Bring Your Reusable Bags

Reusable bags aren’t required yet, but they’re strongly encouraged. Otherwise, you’ll get standard paper sacks. After a few trips or deliveries, you’ll probably have more than enough anyway.

Labels From Everywhere

You’ll find local products alongside imports from North America, Europe, and Asia. Because of that, labels often appear in multiple languages — not just Spanish. Google Translate’s camera function is your friend. Use it.

Sales Are… Aspirational

If something is marked on sale, there’s a decent chance it won’t ring up that way. Take a photo of the shelf tag and be prepared to politely walk a manager back to the product and make your case. Unlike many American grocery stores, the customer is not automatically right. Sometimes they’ll simply peel off the sale tag and say nope.

Specialty Diets Are Covered

Panama passes my self-designed “Bob’s Red Mill Test”. If you have a food intolerance, allergy, specialty diet — kosher, gluten-free, keto, alternative milks, allergen-friendly brands — you’ll almost-always find what you need. It may not always be in the same store every time, but it exists.

Stock Comes and Goes Like a Mystery

You may need to shop multiple stores regularly. If something is mission-critical for your household, keep a back stock at home. Don’t be surprised when every variation of a product exists except the one you need for weeks on end, and then suddenly reappears. When it does, grab it like it’s Taylor Swift concert tickets.

The Ice Cream Situation

Frozen desserts are rarely frozen solid, which gives me great pause. Things melt. Things refreeze. Hmnnnnn…. We buy our freshly scooped ice cream from a local shop instead and call it supporting small business.

No Need to Shop Hangry Hungry

Most grocery stores have cafés where you can grab coffee, pastries, dessert… even hot breakfast or lunches in the warming case. Grocery run plus snack stop is excellent life design.

Order, Pick Up, Deliver — Anytime

Many stores offer order-and-pickup options, and remember — this is a big city. You can order groceries almost 24-7 using apps like PedidosYa because there are 24-hour stores and all-night mini-marts. Midnight snacks are never out of reach.

Checkout Is Kind-Of Efficient

If you’re used to cheerful small talk at places like Publix, H-E-B, or Wegmans, this will feel different. Cashiers are polite and focused. Even when you speak Spanish, checkout isn’t a chit-chat experience. It’s a transaction.

Every Mistake Requires a Supervisor

If an item scans twice or incorrectly, say as a six-pack instead of a single, the light goes on and a supervisor must be summoned. Removing that seventy-five-cent error will pause the already slow checkout process.

Tap to Pay Is Widely Accepted

Digital payments are widely accepted, so bring your phone and tap-tap-tap to pay!

Cash is always welcome but don’t bring too many large bills.

Any paper currency over $20 will require the light to go on for a supervisor to come and inspect your $50 or $100 note, interview you in some fashion, and then complete a form requiring your ID card or passport - as part of their fraud prevention process.

The people waiting behind you in line will not be amused.

Loyalty Programs Are Worth It

If you frequent a store, create a loyalty account. Sometimes it’s tied to your phone number, sometimes your cedula (Panamanian national ID number), and sometimes it’s randomly assigned. I keep screenshots of all mine in my phone for quick reference.

They Love Rearranging the Store

Store management loves changing store layouts for what feels like absolute fun. Not seasonally. Just because. As a busy mom trying to prepare some reasonably familiar and healthy fare, this invokes pure terror when I’m in a hurry for that one ingredient.

Returns Aren’t Really a Thing

Returns aren’t really a thing here, so only buy what you intend to use. This is true even for electronics or small appliances.

Big stores sell everything, and if you buy something that plugs in, they’ll often spirit it off to Customer Service to unbox it and plug it in right in front of you to make sure it works.

Because again — returns aren’t really a thing.

Produce Is Beautiful — But Costs More than Buying From The Local Vendor

The produce selection in Panamanian grocery stores is impressive, but it will always cost more than buying from your corner fruit vendor or local market. And imported, super-perishable fruit will cost significantly more.

The Butcher Section Is a Show

Every cut imaginable is on display. We routinely stop to gawk at pig heads lounging in the case for a few balboas, wondering which home chef needs an entire pig face. If that’s you, please invite me over. I bet it’s succulent and delicious.

You Can Browse the Supermarkets Online

One convenient thing about supermarkets here is that they show their inventory online, so if you need very specific products and want to check for availability or even price, you can always go to their websites and browse away!

Riba Smith

Supermercados Rey

Super 99

El Machetazo

Organica Store

PriceSmart

Have questions about grocery shopping in Panama? Send them my way.

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xo and

REAL TALK PANAMA | EXPAT LIFE

I’ve been thinking a lot about something Charlie Munger said: “You don’t need to get rich twice. The first time is hard enough. The second time means you were stupid.”

That quote resonates differently now that I’m in Panama. Because what I’m discovering is that this place rewards exactly the kind of thinking Munger preached his entire career: knowing when enough is enough.

Panama isn’t a place to chase wealth. It’s a place to enjoy what you’ve already built. And if you understand that distinction, you can unlock something most people never find: genuine financial peace.

Munger spent decades explaining one simple concept that most people ignored: wealth isn’t about the number in your account—it’s about the ratio between what you have and what you need.

Panama is where that ratio finally works in your favor.

The Freedom of Not Needing More

Munger used to say, “If you think you need $10 million to live well, you’ve already lost because you’re building a lifestyle that depends on a treadmill.”

Here’s what I’ve learned in Panama: the treadmill is optional.

Back home, the machinery of modern life is designed to keep you running. Every lifestyle plateau reveals a new aspiration just beyond reach. Better neighborhood, better car, better vacation, better everything. The goalpost moves faster than you can run.

Panama breaks that cycle—but only if you let it.

The cost of living here isn’t just lower in dollar terms. It’s lower in psychological terms. The pressure to perform wealth, to display status, to upgrade constantly—it exists among some expats, sure. But it’s escapable in a way it never was back home.

You can step off the treadmill. You can define enough. You can actually stop.

That’s not laziness. That’s wisdom.

The Paradox of Prosperity

Munger talked about this constantly: “People spend their youth trading time for money, then spend their old age trading money for time. They could have skipped the whole loop by learning early what matters most.”

Panama is where you find out if you actually learned the lesson.

Most people arrive here with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. The math works. The income is there. The runway is clear.

But they can’t sit still.

They see opportunities. They meet other entrepreneurs. They start thinking about what they could build, what they could prove, what they could become. The old patterns reassert themselves.

They’re geographically in Panama, but mentally they’re still on the treadmill.

The ones who thrive—truly thrive—are the ones who understand they’re not here to achieve. They’re here to be. To experience. To rest. To finally cash in all those years of discipline for what they were always supposed to buy: freedom from obligation.

That’s the test Panama offers: Can you actually accept that you’ve won? Can you stop playing?

Measuring Wealth in Untroubled Hours

Munger’s best definition of wealth: “Count your untroubled hours.”

Not your net worth. Not your investment returns. Your untroubled hours.

In Panama, if you’ve structured your life correctly—not perfectly, just correctly—almost every hour can be untroubled.

You wake without an alarm. That’s wealth.

You decide how to spend your day based on curiosity, not obligation. That’s wealth.

You say no to things that don’t interest you without calculating the cost. That’s wealth.

You stop checking your portfolio obsessively because you know the system is working. That’s wealth.

You realize you haven’t felt financial anxiety in months, maybe years. That’s wealth.

This is what money was always supposed to buy. Not more things. Not more status. Just untroubled hours where your attention belongs entirely to you.

Most people never get there because they can’t stop measuring wealth in dollars. They have enough dollars but not enough peace.

Panama gives you the environment to convert one into the other. But only if you’re ready.

The Compounding of Simplicity

Munger loved compound interest, but not just in portfolios. He loved how good decisions compound. How clear thinking compounds. How simplicity compounds.

In Panama, you see this happen in real-time.

When you’re not spending mental energy managing complexity—the commute, the career politics, the keeping up with neighbors—you have that energy available for other things. Reading. Learning Spanish. Actually thinking.

When you’re not spending money on things that don’t matter, that money compounds. Quietly. Boringly. Effectively.

When you’re not spending time on obligations you don’t care about, that time compounds into a life that’s actually yours.

The result isn’t just financial. It’s psychological.

You become calmer. More present. Less reactive. Less anxious.

That state of mind—that baseline peace—is worth more than any investment return. And it’s what makes good decisions easier, which leads to better outcomes, which reinforces the peace.

It’s a virtuous cycle. But you can only enter it by letting go of the other cycle—the one where more always seems necessary.

The Wisdom You Need Before You Arrive

Munger always said, “Financial literacy isn’t enough. You need financial humility.”

Here’s the humility you need for Panama:

1. Accept that you’re not here to conquer anything. You’re here to enjoy what you’ve already conquered.

2. Accept that “nothing to prove” isn’t an insult. It’s the graduation ceremony.

3. Accept that the game you spent decades playing is over. You don’t need to start a new one. You can rest.

4. Accept that rest isn’t the same as stagnation. You can still grow, learn, explore—you’re just not doing it under economic pressure anymore.

5. Accept that enough is real. It’s not a way station on the path to more. It’s the destination.

Most people can’t accept these things. They arrive in Panama geographically but never mentally. They’re still playing the old game on a new field.

The ones who get it—who really get it—arrive and exhale. Maybe for the first time in decades.

The Bottom Line

Charlie Munger spent his life trying to teach one lesson: “The real wealth starts when you stop measuring it by digits.”

Panama is where you find out if you learned it.

You can arrive here and immediately start measuring again. New projects, new businesses, new ways to prove yourself. The treadmill just has better weather.

Or you can arrive here and step off completely.

The question is: are you ready for enough to actually be enough?

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xo We left the USA for Panama🇺🇸🇵🇦 and Real Talk Panama | Expat Life

REAL TALK PANAMA | EXPAT LIFE

I’m a burly guy. Back in the US, my grooming routine consisted of clipping my fingernails with my teeth and my toenails with what I can only describe as a woodsaw. Don’t judge me—it got the job done.

The idea of getting a pedicure? That was something other people did. Specifically, it was something that cost over $100, required sitting in a chair with massive headphones drowning out the world, surrounded by mean old ladies and teenage girls getting prom-ready. You’d tip generously only to have it barely acknowledged, and somehow you’d leave feeling more stressed than when you arrived.

It wasn’t relaxing. It wasn’t affordable. It wasn’t part of my routine.

Then I moved to Panama, and everything changed.

The $40 Revelation (That Locals Say Is Too Much)

I now get regular manicures and pedicures. Like, actually regularly. It’s part of my routine, the same way coffee is part of my morning.

A complete manicure and pedicure runs me under $40 including tip. And before you think that’s a good deal, locals will scoff and tell me I’m paying too much. They’re probably right, but I’m okay with it.

My regular technician has become familiar with my preferences. She knows to offer me whiskey or wine when I arrive. I always take the whiskey—every single time—and I’ve learned I’m apparently the only client who sits there getting his toes done while sipping whiskey. I’m fine being that guy.

The service is attentive without being intrusive. I rarely wait more than 10 minutes even without an appointment, and most places now let you book online if you want to plan ahead.

It’s civilized. It’s affordable. It’s actually relaxing.

This is what self-care should feel like.

The Economics That Baffle Me

Here’s something I still can’t quite wrap my head around: I’ll walk into these nail salons and see 5-10 technicians just sitting there. Waiting. Scrolling their phones. Chatting with each other.

It’s midday on a Tuesday, and they’re staffed like they’re expecting a rush that isn’t coming.

Labor is cheap here—and I mean that as an observation, not a judgment—if a business model can support this many technicians sitting idle for most of the day, waiting for their preferred clients or the evening rush.

In the US, you’re lucky if there are enough staff to handle the appointments that are booked. Here, they’re perpetually ready for walk-ins that may or may not materialize.

As someone who values convenience and immediate service, I benefit enormously from this model. But it does make me think about the economic realities that allow it to exist.

The Things That Will Kill You

I firmly believe that many things can kill a man, but two big ones are often overlooked: your toes and your gums.

Seriously.

Neglected feet lead to infections, circulation problems, and a cascade of health issues that people don’t take seriously until it’s too late. Neglected oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and a host of systemic problems that go way beyond bad breath.

Taking care of these things shouldn’t be optional. It shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for special occasions. It should be basic maintenance.

But in the US, the cost of regular professional foot care and dental care makes it prohibitive for a lot of people to maintain the frequency they actually need. You end up rationing self-care, spacing out appointments, letting things slide because you’re trying to budget.

That’s backwards.

What Regular Self-Care Actually Costs

Let’s do the math on what proper grooming maintenance would cost in the US versus Panama:

Monthly US Costs:

• Haircut: $40-60 (plus $10-15 tip)

• Beard trim: $25-35 (plus $5-10 tip) or included in haircut if you’re lucky

• Manicure: $55-60 (plus $5-10 tip)

• Pedicure: $80-90 (plus $10-20 tip)

If you’re doing this properly—haircut every 3-4 weeks, nails every 2-3 weeks—you’re easily looking at hundreds of dollars. And that’s assuming you’re finding decent deals and not opting for high-end options.

Monthly Panama Costs:

• Haircut: $10-25 (tip often included or minimal)

• Beard trim: $8-10 (tip often included or minimal)

• Manicure: $10-15

• Pedicure: $12-25

Same frequency, same quality (often better, honestly), you’re looking at $80-120/month total.

That’s not a small difference. That’s the difference between self-care being a luxury line item you feel guilty about and self-care being a normal part of your routine that you don’t think twice about.

The Cultural Shift

Here’s what I’ve noticed: In Panama, personal grooming isn’t treated as indulgent—it’s treated as basic maintenance.

Men get manicures without anyone batting an eye. Getting your beard professionally shaped is standard, not special. Taking care of your feet is normal hygiene, not a spa day indulgence.

The culture around self-care is just different. It’s accessible, it’s affordable, and it’s normalized in a way that makes the US approach look almost puritanical by comparison.

Why should taking care of yourself be expensive enough that you have to budget for it? Why should basic hygiene maintenance feel like a luxury?

The Bottom Line

If you’re in Panama, or planning to be, don’t skip this part. Take care of your toes. Take care of your nails. Get your hair cut regularly. Maintain yourself properly.

It’s affordable. It’s accessible. It’s actually enjoyable.

And honestly? It should be this way everywhere.

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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xo We left the USA for Panama🇺🇸🇵🇦 and Real Talk Panama | Expat Life

REAL TALK PANAMA | EXPAT LIFE

So you’ve decided to research moving to Panama. You Google “expat life Panama” or “moving to Panama” and suddenly your algorithm thinks you’re best friends. Your YouTube feed explodes with thumbnails of beaming faces against tropical backdrops, promising to reveal “THE TRUTH about Panama” or “What NOBODY tells you about Panama City.” Welcome to the expat content creator industrial complex.

Here’s what I’ve noticed: Land in Panama, get your temporary resident card, figure out where to buy toilet paper, and boom—suddenly you’re a relocation guru with a YouTube channel, Facebook group, and a carefully curated link tree full of “partnerships.”

The Predictable Pipeline

The pattern is almost comically predictable:

Month 1-3: Fresh-faced excitement. “We just moved to Panama and we’re documenting EVERYTHING!” Content is raw, genuine, and actually helpful because they’re figuring it out in real-time alongside you.

Month 4-6: The pivot. They’ve made some local connections. A real estate agent takes them to lunch. An immigration attorney offers them a referral fee. A tour company suggests a “partnership.” The content subtly shifts from documentation to promotion.

Month 7-12: Full guru mode activated. Now they’re the expert. They’ve got a “relocation package” that includes their carefully selected partners (who are definitely paying them, whether they disclose it or not). They’re hosting Zoom calls, selling consultation services, and positioning themselves as your one-stop solution for moving to Panama.

Month 13+: The content becomes increasingly defensive. “Why people fail in Panama” videos start appearing. Comments questioning their advice get deleted or result in blocking. The echo chamber tightens.

The Seduction of Instant Expertise

I get it. I really do. Especially as an African-American, the allure of entrepreneurship in a new country is powerful. In the echo chamber of frustrations with the US, the collective desire to exit, and the online adoration of Panama as paradise, it’s intoxicating to think you can build something here. It’s easy to convince yourself that because you successfully navigated getting a bank account and finding an apartment, you’re now qualified to guide others through this entire process.

The barriers to entry are low. Set up a YouTube channel—free. Create a Facebook group—free. Film on your phone—already have it. Get people to trust you enough to use your affiliated services—just be relatable and post consistently.

And before you know it, you’re monetizing your move.

The Real Issue Nobody Mentions

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Many of these instant gurus are bringing their emotional baggage with them and packaging it as expertise.

They’re running from something in their home country and projecting that escape as a universal solution. They’re processing their own trauma, disillusionment, or failure by creating a narrative where Panama is the answer and they’re the prophet. Their advice isn’t grounded in long-term experience or comprehensive knowledge—it’s grounded in their emotional need to validate their own decision to move.

That’s why the content often skews so heavily toward either toxic positivity (”Panama is perfect and anyone who struggles just isn’t trying hard enough!”) or dramatic negativity (”I’m EXPOSING the dark side of Panama!”). Neither extreme is helpful. Both are driven by unprocessed emotions rather than practical reality.

The Connect-You-For-A-Fee Crowd

Then there’s the adjacent hustle: the “I’ll connect you with people” approach. They’re not quite selling full packages, but they’ve got their hand out for facilitating introductions. Need a lawyer? They know someone. Need a real estate agent? They’ve got a guy. Need a maid, a handyman, a dentist? They’ll connect you—for a finder’s fee, a referral commission, or just the general expectation that you’ll reciprocate somehow.

Again, entrepreneurship isn’t the problem. Capitalism isn’t the problem. Making money from your experience isn’t inherently wrong. But when your primary qualification is “I’ve been here six months longer than you,” maybe pump the brakes on positioning yourself as the definitive authority.

How to Navigate the Noise

Read everything with skepticism. That glowing review of a specific real estate agent? Check if they’re getting paid. That urgent warning about a particular neighborhood? Consider their own biases and limited experience. That “must-have” service? Ask yourself if it’s actually necessary or just convenient for someone’s commission structure.

Compare and contrast multiple sources. If ten different creators are all recommending the same three attorneys, ask yourself why. Is it because they’re genuinely the only good options in a country of 4 million people, or because those attorneys have a good affiliate program?

Keep your purse tight. Just because someone seems nice on video doesn’t mean they have your best interests at heart. Their business model might literally depend on you spending more money than necessary.

Look for longevity. Someone who’s been here five years has more credibility than someone who’s been here five months, regardless of how many videos they’ve posted. Time reveals what initial enthusiasm obscures.

Trust your instincts. If something feels like a sales pitch, it probably is. If someone gets defensive when questioned, that’s a red flag. If their advice always seems to funnel toward services they profit from, that’s not a coincidence.

The Bigger Picture

This is all part of the process of navigating expat life in Panama. The content creator explosion, the instant experts, the monetization of migration—it’s the reality of moving to a popular expat destination in the digital age. You can’t avoid it, so you might as well understand it.

Some of these people will provide genuine value. Some are harmless if you keep your guard up. Some are actively problematic, selling dreams they can’t deliver and taking advantage of vulnerable people in transition.

Your job is to develop the discernment to tell the difference.

Take it all with a grain of salt. Learn what you can. Keep your expectations realistic. Protect your resources. And remember: the fact that someone made it to Panama and bought a ring light doesn’t make them qualified to orchestrate your entire relocation.

Panama will teach you plenty on its own. You don’t need to pay someone else’s rent while you learn those lessons.

Which in internet time is basically a geological era.

And messes around with the algorithm as they say.

You know those Instagram accounts where people move abroad and suddenly their lives become a curated montage of European farmers markets, golden hour aperitifs, and children who somehow never have ketchup stains on their shirts?

Yeahhhhh, I don’t know those people.

Turns out when you move countries but you're not retired and don't have a trust fund, you just... do the same stuff.

Except now you're Googling "how to get a mammogram" in Spanish and having minor panic attacks about whether you’ve transferred the correct amount to the summer camp to pay for your child’s spot.

The highlight was four different summer camps across two countries. One week the kiddo is doing puppetry camp in Atlanta (we adults got a nice vacation out of it!). And the next week, we’re at day camp in an entirely different country, fielding WhatsApp voice notes from the camp director about my child’s apparent (sensory-related) need to wear long sleeved shirts at an outdoor summer camp in THE TROPICS: capitalization required, it’s Dora-the-Explorer muggy and buggy and rainy.

Yeah he’s definitely hot.

But the bugs are worse than the heat - at least in his mind.

And I may or may not have hidden some of his favorite long-sleeved monster truck shirts till he is back to being an indoors kid.

While we were in the States, we managed to squeeze in some sorely missed annual passholder time at Disney, also known as the hottest place on earth.

Orlando in the summer is brutal, and each year gets progressively worse.

Oh, and did I mention we're working?

Because: spoiler alert for all those people still daydreaming about moving to Thailand or Portugal or Ghana through some well-edited YouTube videos of “how cheap!!!” it is - "moved abroad" doesn't equal "early retirement".

My husband's still traveling for work - which now means I'm solo parenting while he's in yet another time zone, and I'm trying to figure out if that weird beeping noise coming from the freezer means we lost power.

But for how long? Is the food still good?

Meanwhile, I'm over here booking Spring Break 2026 trips for clients and helping them find rain ponchos at Disney World (for right now, this minute, via text message) AND writing grants for my most favorite nonprofit.

My next Substack will be called “Hey Momma, the multi-hyphenate”.

Nothing says "living the expat dream" like frantically typing grant applications on a deadline while your child “does puppetry” on Outschool at full volume in the next room and you're pretty sure you hear expensive beeping coming from the kitchen.

The power went out? But for how long? Is the food still good?

Adding to my TO-DO list.

"Can you work on your grant somewhere quieter?" my kid asks.

Dude, this IS the quiet room.

Your puppet sounds like it’s being bludgeoned to death.

What the hell is that skit about?

So yeah, international remote work is just regular remote work with more complicated time zone math and the occasional power outage that makes you question all your life choices.

We did a few weekend getaways that sounded amazing until we realized we’re still packing the same amount of snacks, still forgetting someone's favorite goggles, and still having the "Are we there yet?" conversation.

Dude, we just left the house.

And through it all? Laundry.

So much freaking laundry.

International laundry.

Bilingual laundry.

Multicultural laundry.

Outgrown laundry.

Wet laundry.

Full-of-sand laundry.

Rocks-in-the-pockets laundry.

Stained and paint-spattered laundry.

Even my tween was dragging his laundry basket, unbidden, across the house to do the laundry.

One load + one detergent pod = clean swim trunks to hit the community pool later.

He was going for a “night swim” with Momma.

Because we had watched Jaws for the first time and wanted to swim under the stars while we discussed the movie.

The pool is a dozen floors above ground level, so no risk of predators… except maybe mosquitos cuz THE TROPICS.

We mostly floated and reminisced about the giant green sea turtle that bumped my bum while snorkeling in Barbados three summers ago.

And Daddy saw a puffer fish in the water but didn’t tell us anything until we were back on the catamaran because we were already SCREAMING about the touchy turtle.

Not quite Jaws level. But still…

Excitement level = 10.

Danger level = 0.

Memories level = 10,000.

Happy and grateful laundry.

So I guess we could have kept posting through all this.

Could have scheduled some content about "5 Tips for Expat Families" or "How Moving Abroad Changed Everything!" Those posts would have been as authentic as my attempts to look like I have it together as a parent.

I’m truly very proud that we managed to keep everyone fed, relatively healthy (only one respiratory sickness logged but it required visits to 4 drugstores to find the prescribed medicine in the correct dosage), and mostly happy for another day.

(Home)school starts soon, so we will be back on a better schedule then.

Cannot promise we will be in one place though.

We will be back with more stories about the unglamorous reality of family life abroad. Because if we're being honest, that's way more interesting than another sunset photo anyway.

What did you do this summer? Did it involve sketchy puppets or monster truck shows? Pleaseeee tell me it involved less laundry than mine.

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xo Ven Sí Puedes | Come If You Can and

That simple statement resonated with me because it captures something fundamental about expat life that most people don't realize: you cannot do this alone, and you shouldn't try to.

The Team You Never Knew You Needed

Here's the lineup you'll need to recruit:

The Real Estate Agent: Your Property Prophet

You should expect to talk to and even visit a handful of agents before finding your match. Don't feel obligated to stick with the first one who returns your call.

Once you find an agent who is consistent, values your time, has properties actually in your price range, and takes time to thoroughly answer your questions, then commit to working exclusively with them. They're showing you apartments, and yes, helping you navigate one of the biggest decisions of your expat life.

Choose wisely, because this relationship can make or break your housing situation.

The Attorney: Your Legal Lifeline

An immigration attorney will lead you through the labyrinthine maze of visa requirements, residency applications, and legal paperwork that would make your head spin if you tried to tackle it solo.

Panama's bureaucracy has its own special flavor, and having someone who speaks both the language and the system is invaluable.

They're expensive, but trying to DIY your legal status is like performing surgery on yourself - technically possible, but not advisable.

The Driver: Your Mobility Master

Until you get your own vehicle sorted (which is its own adventure), you'll need a trusted driver who can shuttle you and your family around reliably.

This isn't just about transportation - it's about having someone who knows the city, can navigate traffic like a local, and won't take advantage of wide eyed gringos.

A good driver becomes part tour guide, part local advisor, and full-time sanity saver.

Pro tip: start hunting on Instagram for good drivers. Social media has become one of the best ways to find reliable transportation services in Panama. We use Wong Transportation for all our needs (@wongtransport on Instagram), and Gabriel the owner is a genuine guy. Find your own genuine person you trust.

The Handyman: Your Fix-It Hero

You'll absolutely need a reliable handyman or handywoman who can handle everything from replacing that ancient ceiling fan in the living room to dealing with the quirks of tropical living that your home country never prepared you for.

But you want more than someone who can swing a hammer - you want a contractor who will take you to different showrooms to look at materials, educate you on the fun topic of mold (how to smell it, identify it, and reduce the risk of it growing), and help you understand the unique challenges of maintaining a home in a tropical climate.

Finding someone skilled, honest, and available when you need them is like striking gold. They become your go-to for making your new place actually feel like home while keeping it functional in Panama's humid environment.

The Local Insider: Your Cultural Compass

Perhaps most importantly, you need a local advisor who can tell you where you absolutely must eat and what's completely overhyped.

This is the person who will introduce you to places like Sisu coffee shop in Casco Viejo for a specialty coffee experience or Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar for some great local Cacau rum, explain how the Cinta Costera has now become your extended living room where you can walk, exercise, and people-watch, and steer you toward spots like El Trapiche in El Cangrejo for a solid introduction to Panamanian staple dishes without the tourist markup.

They're your bridge between being a visitor and actually living like a local.

Yes, They All Want to Get Paid (And That's Okay)

Here's the reality check: every single one of these team members wants to get compensated for their expertise and time. And honestly? That's completely fair.

On every expat forum on social media, you’ll hear people asking folks to have a coffee to “pick their brain” … for free! Which, when you consider their years of education or investment in their line of business, becomes more than a little insulting to the Panamanian on the other end. They're professionals providing valuable services that make your transition infinitely smoother. Accept the fact that true professionals should be compensated fairly for their services.

The key is finding people who have a track record of providing reliable guidance and solid results, who aren't fly-by-night operations solely in it for the money. You want team members who genuinely care about ensuring you're as happy as possible in your new home country.

The best ones understand that your success is their success, and happy expat clients become long-term relationships and referral sources. That takes time.

Trust Your Instincts

Call it intuition, call it gut feeling, or yes, even call it your chakras - but you'll know when you've found the right people for your team. There's something about authentic connections that transcends language barriers and cultural differences. When someone genuinely wants to help you succeed rather than extract money from the gringo, you can feel it.

Start Building Before You Need Them

The smartest approach is to start identifying and vetting your team members before you actually need their services urgently. Connect with other expats, ask for recommendations, interview potential team members while you still have time to be selective rather than desperate.

Nothing leads to poor choices like needing someone immediately and having to take whoever's available. Build your relationships during the calm periods so they're ready when the storms hit.

So if you’re planning a move abroad, to Panama or wherever else, start thinking about your lineup now.

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xo We left the USA for Panama🇺🇸🇵🇦 and Real Talk Panama | Expat Life

Planning a move to Panama City but concerned about navigating life with limited mobility? You're asking the right questions. While Panama's capital offers year-round warmth, affordable living, and a growing expat community, the accessibility landscape is complicated - and dramatically different from what you might expect if you're coming from countries with robust disability legislation.

After analyzing dozens of firsthand accounts from wheelchair users, mobility scooter riders, and people with various accessibility needs who've made Panama City their home, I’ve compiled some of the key things you need to know before making the leap.

1. Understand the Legal Reality: No ADA Equivalent Exists

The most important thing to grasp upfront is that Panama has no laws requiring disability access, nor specific guidelines that businesses must follow. Unlike the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or Accessible Canada Act (ACA) or similar legislation elsewhere, accessibility in Panama is completely voluntary.

This means:

• Standards vary wildly between buildings

• What exists was built out of goodwill, not legal requirement

• Newer constructions tend to be better, but there's no guarantee

• You can't assume basic accessibility features will be present

The upside? Many businesses that do make accessibility efforts genuinely want to help, and you'll often receive VIP treatment in banks and offices - no waiting in long lines.

2. Choose Your Neighborhood Strategically: Costa del Este Wins

Not all Panama City neighborhoods are created equal when it comes to mobility access. Based on extensive feedback from wheelchair users, two areas stand out:

Costa del Este (Top Choice):

• Newer infrastructure with international standards in mind

• Better spaced buildings with less congestion

• Improved sidewalk conditions

• More commercial options for shopping and dining

• Less noise and traffic chaos

• Most wheelchair-accessible strip malls and shopping centers

Santa Maria (Second Choice):

• Good accessibility infrastructure

• More residential, so fewer commercial accessibility options

• Still within reasonable distance to downtown during non-rush hours

Areas to Approach with Caution:

• Casco Viejo: Narrow, broken sidewalks with business advertising blocking paths

• Most older neighborhoods: Designed before accessibility considerations

3. Prepare for Sidewalk Reality Shock

Perhaps the most consistent concern among mobility device users is Panama City's sidewalk infrastructure. Here's what to expect:

Common sidewalk problems:

• Uneven surfaces with potholes

• Missing sections entirely

• Electrical posts in the middle of walkways

• Cars parked on sidewalks

• Steep, non-standard ramps

• Missing or inadequate curb cuts

• Extremely smooth tiles that become dangerously slippery when wet

Coping strategies:

• Travel with a companion when possible

• Scout routes in advance

• Consider an all-terrain wheelchair for better navigation

• Plan for alternative transportation methods

• Expect to use building access points rather than street-level entries

4. Rethink Your Transportation Strategy

Getting around Panama City with mobility challenges requires creative solutions:

What works:

• Larger taxis and Ubers can accommodate wheelchairs

• The Panama Metro is designed to be accessible with elevators and preferential seating in trains

• Having a dedicated vehicle and driver might become essential

• Some expats hire full-time caregivers who also drive

What doesn't:

• Metro accessibility isn't fully consistent - some stations have broken elevators or missing tactile indicators

• Getting to and from Metro stations can be challenging due to poor sidewalk conditions around stations

• Cars rarely stop at crossings for pedestrians

• Even walking routes between accessible buildings can be treacherous

Budget consideration: Full-time caregivers who can drive typically cost $1,200-$2,000+ monthly, significantly more than some initial estimates suggest.

5. Know Where Accessibility Actually Works

While much of Panama City presents challenges, certain locations have genuinely good accessibility:

Reliably accessible spaces:

• Larger shopping malls (with caveats about ramp angles)

• Panama Canal visitor areas

• Bio Museo

• Amador Causeway

• Cinta Costera waterfront area

• Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market)

• Some areas of Casco Viejo (specifically, the main squares)

• Government buildings (though ramp angles can be extreme)

Mixed experiences:

• Hotels vary wildly - research specific properties

• Restaurants in newer developments tend to be better

• Hospitals generally have good access through main entrances

6. Plan for Equipment Challenges

The rough terrain takes a toll on mobility equipment:

Common issues:

• Wheelchair wheels damaged regularly by poor road conditions

• Standard wheelchairs struggle with uneven surfaces

• Mobility scooters face size constraints in many buildings

Preparation tips:

• Consider investing in an all-terrain wheelchair

• Bring backup wheels and basic repair supplies

• Research local repair services before you need them

• Have a backup mobility plan for when equipment needs servicing

7. Build Your Support Network Early

Successful mobility in Panama City often depends on having the right help:

Caregiver considerations:

• Non-Panamanian caregivers are often recommended for their reliability due to having minimal family commitments in country

• Many caregivers speak Spanish primarily

• 24/7 live-in care costs significantly more than part-time assistance

• Having someone who can drive is often essential

Community connections:

• Join expat groups before arriving

• Connect with others who have mobility challenges

• Consider areas with established expat communities for peer support

8. Investigate Building Infrastructure and Power Backup

Power outages are a reality in Panama City, and this creates a critical concern for anyone dependent on elevators to reach their apartment. Many older buildings lack backup generators, leaving residents stranded when the power goes out.

Essential questions to ask about any potential residence:

• Does the building have a backup generator that powers elevators?

• How long does the backup power typically last?

• What's the building's track record with power outages?

• Are there accessible ground-floor units available as alternatives?

Power-related accessibility considerations:

• Even buildings with generators may not prioritize elevator power

• Some backup systems only power emergency lighting, not elevators

• Outages can last hours, sometimes extending into the following day

• Stairwell access may be your only option during outages

On one online forum, a Panama City resident shared how a family member who used a cane had to move back to the United States specifically because elevator failures during power outages made it impossible to reach their apartment safely.

9. Test Before You Commit

Given the significant accessibility variations throughout Panama City, visiting before signing a long-term lease is crucial:

What to test during a visit:

• Navigate your potential neighborhood at different times of day

• Try accessing grocery stores, pharmacies, and essential services

• Test transportation options

• Experience the rainy season challenges if possible

• Visit during both dry and wet conditions to understand how weather affects accessibility

• Ask about the building's power outage history and backup systems

Red flags to watch for:

• Dependence on elevators in buildings without reliable backup generators

• Buildings with only stair access

• Neighborhoods with no accessible restaurants or shops within reasonable distance

• Buildings where management can't clearly explain their emergency power procedures

Making the Call: Is Panama City Right for You?

Moving to Panama City with mobility challenges is possible, but it requires significantly more planning, higher costs, and greater flexibility than you might expect. The country's infrastructure simply wasn't built with accessibility in mind, and while newer developments like Costa del Este offer much better options, you'll still face daily navigation challenges.

This move works best for people who:

• Have the budget for additional support (caregivers, modified vehicles)

• Can be flexible about daily routines and destinations

• Are comfortable with a more limiting but potentially rewarding lifestyle

• Have realistic expectations about accessibility standards

Consider alternatives if:

• You require consistent, reliable accessibility for independence

• You're not comfortable with significant daily assistance

• Your budget is tight (accessibility often costs extra in Panama)

The expat community in Panama includes many people successfully navigating life with mobility challenges, but they've had to adapt their expectations and invest in solutions that might not be necessary in countries with stronger accessibility infrastructure.

Before making your decision, connect with others who've made this transition successfully. Their insights about specific neighborhoods, service providers, and daily strategies can make the difference between a frustrating experience and a fulfilling new chapter in Panama.

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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As someone with medication allergies myself, and as a person who is closely related to those with severe nut and other allergies, I've learned a few things about staying safe while still enjoying what this incredible country has to offer food-wise.

This goes beyond just peanuts and tree nuts, by the way. Whether you're dealing with dairy, egg, soy, sesame, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, lupus, food dye intolerances - traveling to Panama with allergies presents unique challenges.

If you've traveled with dietary restrictions before, I'd love to hear what worked (and what didn't) in the comments.

Let me be straight with you: food allergies simply aren't as common here among locals as they are elsewhere, which means the awareness and protocols you might be used to... well, they're not always there.

But that doesn't mean you can't have an amazing, safe trip.

You just need to be smarter about it.

The Food Allergy Landscape in Panama

You're going to encounter seafood, nuts, sesame seeds, and coconut pretty much everywhere. Sesame seeds show up as garnishes when you least expect them. Nuts appear on ice cream cones without being mentioned on the menu. And pistachios? Locals ADORE them, even in savory dishes where you wouldn't think to look.

Don't forget about drinks either - coconut water and coconut milk shows up in tropical cocktails, nuts can be blended into horchatas and specialty drinks, and dairy is standard in most coffee preparations unless you specifically request otherwise.

For dairy-free folks, you'll find some plant milk alternatives in larger supermarkets, but don't expect the variety you're used to… or for it to be in-stock every single time you happen to need it. Lactose-free milk is widely available, though, which leads me to believe that many Panamanians are lactose intolerant but still want that dairy taste in their coffees.

If you're managing Type 1 diabetes or need low-carb options, the rice and plantain-heavy local diet might require some navigation. And food dyes and artificial coloring are pretty common in processed foods here, so stick to known brands or read labels carefully if that's a trigger for you or your children.

One bright spot: Panama City has excellent kosher and halal options thanks to its multiethnic, multifaith population. You'll find established Jewish and Muslim communities here, which means legitimate certified options in Panama City and the larger towns throughout the country.

Before You Leave: Do Your Homework

This is where most people mess up - they think they can wing it when they get there. Don't.

Email ahead to your resort or hotel. Try info@, kitchen@, or foodandbeverage@ addresses. Find the Food and Beverage Director or Executive Chef - get the right person, not just the front-end customer service.

Inquire about their actual kitchen processes:

• Do they have dedicated fryers or shared oil?

• What about batters and coatings?

• For pasta dishes, do they use separate water for gluten-free pasta?

• Pizza - same prep station and oven for everything or are they separated?

• How do they handle sauces and garnishes?

• Do they have separate gluten-free bread displays with dedicated toaster stations?

Here's something I've encountered: if a kitchen handles celiac disease well, they usually handle other allergies well too. The cross-contamination protocols are basically the same. But again, you must verify each and every time that protocols are being followed.

Get Your Communication Game Together

This is non-negotiable for safe Panama restaurant dining with allergies: get allergy cards printed in Spanish - specifically Panamanian Spanish if you can manage it. But here's the thing that took me a while to figure out - don't just list your allergies.

Include the cooking instructions that will actually keep you safe. No shared cooking oil, separate pans, clean utensils, the works.

And here's something that works really well: adding visual elements to your cards. In busy kitchens with high stress and language barriers, pictures can communicate safety requirements faster and clearer than text alone. Green checkmark next to a picture of a separate pan, stop sign next to shared utensils. It's just good universal design - visual cues work for everyone, regardless of language or reading comfort level.

You can get good translated cards from suppliers like Equal Eats and Select Wisely if you don't want to DIY it.

Restaurant Strategy: Hope for the Best, Plan for Everything Else

Research “Panama restaurants and food allergies” ahead of time, but also think twice about those smaller food stands with limited prep space that still have allergens on their menu. The bigger restaurant establishments will usually ask about allergies when you sit down, but honestly, who knows what's actually happening back in the kitchen to keep you safe?

Always have a Plan B. Actually, have a Plan C too.

Buffets: Just Don't

Seriously, avoid buffets entirely. I don't care how fancy the resort is or how much they promise they understand cross-contamination. Those serving spoons get mixed up, people drip things, and allergens migrate across dishes. It's a nightmare scenario waiting to happen.

Ask to speak with a chef, and order directly from the kitchen.

Where to Stay: Location Matters More Than You Think

If my nut-allergic relatives were here for a visit, I'd advise them to book something with a kitchen, like a Residence Inn. Being able to prepare some of your own meals takes so much pressure off, especially when you're dealing with severe allergies and the anxiety that comes with that.

But here's something most people don't think about until it's too late: your hotel's proximity to quality healthcare. Panama City has excellent private hospitals like Johns Hopkins Medicine affiliated Pacifica Salud Hospital, with 24/7 emergency services and English-speaking staff. If you're staying in Casco Viejo or the modern financial district, you're golden - these places are maybe 15-20 minutes away.

But if you're thinking about those gorgeous beach resorts on the Pacific coast or heading to more remote areas?

That's a different story.

Some of those beautiful spots can be 2+ hours from serious medical care.

I'm not saying don't go, but factor that into your risk assessment.

Same goes for places like Boquete up in the mountains - lovely, but the closest major hospital is back in David, and that's not a quick trip.

The smaller clinics in remote areas might not always have the equipment or medications you'd need in a serious anaphylactic reaction emergency. For peace of mind, stick to areas where you can get to a major hospital within 30 minutes, especially if you're dealing with severe allergies.

A Word About Remote Tours and Embera Villages

If you're considering overnight tours to Embera Villages or other remote locations in Panama, think very carefully about your allergy management. These cultural experiences are incredible, but they present serious challenges for anyone with food allergies.

You'll be eating traditional foods prepared in communal kitchens with no ability to control ingredients or cross-contamination. There's not always a "separate pan" option. Plus, you're often hours away from any medical facility by boat and foot - not exactly ideal if you need emergency treatment.

If you have severe allergies, I'd honestly recommend day trips only to these remote areas. Bring your own safe snacks and eat your main meals back at your base accommodation. The cultural experience is amazing, but it's not worth risking your health over.

Other Places to Keep An Eye Out

Many airlines still serve mixed nuts in business class, so factor that into your seat selection and bathroom timing on the flight.

And those charming little grocery shops alongside the highway in Panama? They've got walls of nut snack packs right behind the cashier. Just be aware.

If You're Thinking About Moving to Panama with Allergies

A few people have asked me about relocating to Panama with food allergies and asthma, or epilepsy, or diabetes and other chronic conditions… honestly, it's doable but requires a different mindset than visiting.

The biggest game-changer for expats with medical conditions that might require urgent or emergency treatment is signing up for a private ambulance service. SEMM and Vive are two popular options in the Panama City area. For around $200-400 a year (depending on your family size and plan), you get access to ambulance services that will presumably show up quickly and take you to a quality private hospital. The public ambulance system... well, let's say you don't want to rely on it in an emergency.

These services know the fastest routes to the best hospitals, have paramedics who speak some English, and most importantly, they have agreements with the private hospitals so you're not stuck waiting in a public ER during a medical crisis. When you're dealing with anaphylaxis, those minutes matter.

You'll also want to establish a relationship with an allergist here early on. The private hospitals have good specialists, and having someone who knows your case history before you need them is invaluable.

The upside of living here long-term is that you learn which stores and local markets have the products you need, which restaurants you can actually trust, and you build relationships with people who understand your restrictions. It takes time, but it's absolutely possible to live well here with food allergies.

Know Your Risk Level

Always travel with your EpiPens - or other emergency or rescue medications - plural. Epinephrine auto-injectors aka EpiPens aren't commonly available at pharmacies here, so stock up and bring extras with you (some allergy specialists may carry them for their patients, but don't count on it).

Have an emergency plan. And remember, allergic reactions can get worse with repeated exposure, so even if you've had mild reactions before, don't mess around.

Clearly communicate the risk of cross-contamination and be honest about how severe your reactions actually are. Someone who gets a mild rash from touching nuts can probably navigate Panama differently than someone who goes into anaphylactic shock from airborne particles from steamed shellfish. Plan accordingly.

Know who in your travel group has what restrictions and how severe each person's reactions are. This isn't the time to downplay things or hope for the best.

The Bottom Line on Panama Food Allergy Travel

Panama has incredible food because of its heritage and location. With the right preparation and a healthy dose of caution, you can enjoy a lot of it safely.

Just don't expect the same level of allergy awareness you might be used to at home.

The key is being overprepared and having backup plans for your backup plans. It sounds like a lot, but once you get into the rhythm of it, you can focus on enjoying this beautiful country.

Anyone else traveled internationally with food allergies? What worked for you?

Got travel questions or stories to share? Send them my way. Your question might end up helping other travelers navigate tricky situations.

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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xo and

Originally published on Substack

So when it comes to choosing between Copa's direct route to Panama City or saving some cash with Avianca's connection through Bogotá, Colombia during high season, let me break it down for you.

Part 1: Copa Airlines - Better The Friend You've Tested

If you're flying to Panama City, Copa Airlines is essentially your default choice. What you might not know is that Copa is a United partner and Star Alliance member, which means your United status gets recognized.

Got Global Services or Premier 1K?

You can leverage that for upgrades and all the usual perks. They're codeshare partners, so it's essentially the same metal with different paint.

But here's where my Copa pet peeves begin: their website is absolutely janky.

I said it - janky.

It looks like someone's first airline website built on Wix, and their mobile app is equally weak.

Why they couldn't leverage United's infrastructure is beyond me, but the site is no bueno. The app is equally frustrating, so if you find yourself wanting to throw your phone, it's not just you.

Case in point: I purchased a flight with my Copa ConnectMiles member number already in the system, yet I still have to manually search for the flight and add it to my dashboard just to view basic details.

Logic, anyone?

And don't get me started on the fare tease game - you'll see a great price, click on it, and poof... gone!

Like, why you gotta play with my emotions, Copa?

Another Copa reality check: they're sticklers about carry-on luggage size, which is becoming increasingly common with LATAM carriers.

But being forced to jam your bag into that comically small luggage size tester just amps up your pre-flight anxiety.

I've been told to check my backpack full of laptops on an outbound flight from Panama City because it appeared "too large," but after compressing it down, I was able to prove it actually did fit the sizer - avoiding the checked bag fee.

So fair warning: don't bring that massive, honking Texas-sized carry-on. Check their size requirements and pack strategically, or risk a stressful gate conversation where you're frantically reorganizing your luggage in front of everyone.

Copa's aircraft fleet consists primarily of Boeing 737-800s, 737-700s, and the newer Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 models. They're generally as comfortable as other airlines in the region.

Depending on which aircraft you get, the business-class cabin may have lie-flat configuration; otherwise, it's standard business-class seating.

Economy and basic economy are fine - just don't expect WiFi or seatback entertainment, so load up your devices with movies and games, or you'll find yourself staring at the back of a seat for hours.

Food is standard LATAM carrier fare in both economy and first… think chicken pasta, beef over rice, or something similarly predictable.

My wife calls it “lukewarm protein with sauce served over starch”. But hey, at least they feed you as part of the ticket price - yes, everyone, whether economy or business class - unlike certain other carriers I'll mention shortly.

The new terminal at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is modern and impressive, and Copa, being the flagship carrier, has a massive lounge for outbound flights. You might step off the plane into the old terminal, and after a solid 12-minute trek, you'll find yourself in the new terminal for Immigration, Baggage Claim, and Customs checks.

Part 2: Avianca - The Bogotá Detour Adventure

Now, let's discuss the alternative: Avianca's flight from Orlando (MCO) to Bogotá (BOG), then a hop to Panama City. We decided to try this route because it was more cost-effective for the entire family during high season.

The Avianca flight was your typical economy cattle car, but surprisingly comfortable with Recaro seats (which I'm actually a fan of). The flight to Bogotá was uneventful, and the flight attendants were genuinely warm and smiley.

But keep in mind: ANY drink costs money, including water and soda. There's nothing free in the back of the bus, and they only accept credit cards, so come prepared.

Most passengers brought their food and snacks (as did we), but we splurged a couple of bucks for a Coca-Cola with real sugar because, priorities.

In a first for my airline experience, they also offered to sell us a cup of noodles - yes, instant ramen at 35,000 feet.

One pleasant surprise: the aircraft was incredibly quiet. Normally, airline engine noise is a constant loud drone that only decent noise-canceling headphones can overcome, but Avianca's Airbus A320neo fleet is noticeably quieter than older A320 models and definitely quieter than any Copa aircraft I've flown.

The transfer between terminals in Bogotá was a bit hairy but less intense than I'd feared. We ended up in a long security line, scrambling to pull out laptops and iPads, expecting full scrutiny, but we xessentially sailed through.

Bogotá's airport is relatively modern and straightforward to navigate. The lounges appear small and dated (that's material for another post), but the staff are very friendly, and we found the available food quite good and very reasonably priced.

Then came the fun part: we took an escalator down to our gate where it became obvious we'd be taking a bus to the plane. Ugh. After a long flight and with the late hour, the last thing you want is to hop on a bus for a journey across the tarmac.

Boarding was chaotic with overlapping announcements from adjacent gates, so we jumped up and caught the first bus to crowd in and high-tail it across the tarmac to the aircraft.

Fingers crossed that it was the correct aircraft.

After walking out the sliding doors at the lower terminal and picking a bus from the lineup, no one actually checked our boarding passes again to confirm we'd chosen the right bus.

And the right aircraft, to the right destination.

It's always a treat lugging your carry-on up metal stairs that go straight up to the plane while engines roar and passengers literally run to board like it's the last flight leaving for Mars.

With a family in tow, it's like corralling angry cats up a scaffold.

Once settled and having claimed our row, the second leg to Panama was short and uneventful. We managed a brief nap and woke up to see Panama City's beautifully lit skyline coming into view upon descent.

The Bottom Line

We needed to get to Panama, Copa's prices were sky-high during high season for our budget, so we tried Avianca's route via Bogotá.

Would we do it again? Only if we really had to.

Yes, it was more cost-effective, but the layover, terminal changes, mediocre airport lounges, and that bus-to-plane experience made it more effort than expected - especially with a kid in tow.

Sometimes the devil you know (mostly in reference to Copa’s janky website) is better than the devil you don't, even if it means paying premium prices during peak season.

Your time and sanity have value too.

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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xo We left the USA for Panama🇺🇸🇵🇦 and Real Talk Panama | Expat Life

Let's get real about what it actually takes to make Panama work.

The Sustainability vs. Thriving Distinction

I've found Panama to be sustainable—meaning you can reasonably sustain yourself here at many different price levels. Whether you're living modestly in a local neighborhood or splurging on a high-rise condo, there are options across the spectrum. You can find your comfort level, adjust your lifestyle accordingly, and maintain a decent quality of life.

But here's the crucial distinction: sustaining yourself and thriving are two completely different things.

To truly thrive in Panama, you absolutely must come with more than just good intentions and a dream. You need two essential elements: a solid plan and adequate resources. And when I say resources, I'm talking about real money—funds specifically allocated for getting set up, getting situated, and most importantly, having the financial cushion to absorb the inevitable bumps and unforeseen expenses that come with any international move.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

Those bumps aren't small inconveniences—they're significant financial hits that can derail your Panama dreams. Immigration attorneys alone can run thousands of dollars, and that's assuming everything goes smoothly, which it won't. Trust me, you will do everything right but there will be bumps in the road, and typically, those bumps require more funds.

There is a premium you'll pay for everything while you figure out the local systems—it all adds up faster than most people anticipate. Your first electricity bill from ENSA will make you want to punch a hole in the wall, and will teach you to turn off your A/C wall units whenever you can.

Don't forget about the learning curve costs: overpaying for services because you don't know better yet and pay the gringo tax, eating out more because you haven't figured out local grocery shopping, taking Ubers to go two blocks because you haven't sorted out how to use the Metro system, staying in hotels because your apartment isn't ready when promised.

These aren't luxuries; they're the reality of international relocation.

Come Prepared, Not Desperate

The people I see thriving in Panama are those who arrived not only with a plan but also with adequate financial backing. They came with transition funds, emergency funds, setup budgets, and the ability to weather delays, complications, and unexpected expenses without panicking.

They didn't come to Panama to escape financial problems—they came to enhance an already stable situation. They had enough resources to take their time finding the right housing, the right services, and the right solutions rather than being forced to take whatever was immediately available.

The Bottom Line

Panama offers incredible opportunities for those prepared to take advantage of them. The quality of life can be outstanding, the expat community is welcoming, and the country has real advantages for retirees and digital nomads alike.

But it's not a financial rescue plan. It's not going to solve money problems you brought with you. And it's definitely not a place to land broke and hope things work out.

That brutally honest quote—"Panama is not a backup for the broke"—should be required reading for anyone considering this move. Come with resources, come with a plan, and come with realistic expectations.

Moving abroad can be an amazing chapter in your life, but only if you're financially prepared.

If you're not there yet financially, that's okay. Take the time to get your resources in order first. Panama will still be here when you're ready to do it right.

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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Look, I know how this sounds.

"Woe is me, I can't find my favorite brand of hand sanitizer in my big city meets tropical paradise."

These are absolutely privileged problems to have, and I'm deeply grateful to be living this adventure in Panama.

But here's the thing - after trying multiple local alternatives that either didn't work as well or disrupted routines that keep our family functioning smoothly, some specific products have become genuinely necessary rather than just preferred.

When you're managing the stress and logistics of an international move, learning a second language, adapting to a different culture and climate, and especially when you have neurodivergent kids (or adults!) who rely on consistency, sometimes that familiar salty snack or specific brand of bandages becomes less about being picky and more about maintaining stability in the midst of big changes.

So yes - most of these are inconveniences, but it’s frustrating when the available alternatives we've tested just don't cut it for our family's specific needs. A few are genuine safety or health concerns, but the majority fall into the 'daily life friction' category.

Personal Care & Health

☐ Band-Aid Brand Bandages

Not really about brand loyalty here - it’s just that other big name and no-name brands cause our skin to welt so it's about preventing painful reactions. The adhesive formulations differ between manufacturers, and finding the one that works for sensitive skin is crucial, especially for active kids who need frequent bandages for real (and imagined) boo-boos.

☐ Neutrogena Hydroboost Line

Skincare routines become even more important in humid climates, and switching products can cause breakouts or irritation when your skin is already adjusting to new environmental conditions.

We have not been able to restock our favorites formulations from this brand as it seems only the more established Neutrogena lines are available here - and even the old standbys like Cerave or Cetaphil didn’t work.

Expensive product testing, I know.

Specifically, we have replaced our North American favorite Cetaphil Body Lotion with the Neutrogena Hydroboost Fragrance-Free Body Lotion because of how moisturizing it is - but yet not sticky-feeling in this extremely HUMID Central American climate.

☐ Dove Sensitive Skin Bars

Stores here seem to have all the other Dove soaps, including the original formula, but the sensitive skin formula is the one that's missing….. grrrrr! For families like mine with sensitive skin, this specific version prevents irritation. For now, we bring it with us when we travel back in.

☐ Tylenol Brand Acetaminophen

When you have kids, you know which pain reliever works best for your family. We brought giant Costco-sized bottles with us, and interestingly (another post for another time) we hardly get headaches or have need of it here, so that’s been an unexpected plus.

☐ Purell Brand Hand Sanitizer

The consistency, scent, and effectiveness of this particular brand makes it easier to maintain hygiene routines for our sensory-sensitive and routine-dependent pandemic-raised kid. Other brands surely work just as effectively, but have different scent profiles or textural “feels” that my kiddo resists using.

☐ Swimmer's Hair Shampoo (brands like Malibu C or Paul Mitchell)

The high humidity and frequent swimming in Panama's climate can wreak havoc on hair. These specialized shampoos remove chlorine buildup and mineral deposits that regular daily shampoos can't handle, preventing that dry, damaged feeling.

A bottle of this stuff works wonders and lasts a long time, so it’s low on the list of replacement concerns.

☐ Stylish Women's Swim Rash Guards

Despite the sunny tropical climate, people tend to wear regular swimsuits here aka one-pieces or bikinis. The few rash guards available locally are plain and super sporty aka purely functional - great for sun protection but lacking in style options. Finding ones that offer both UV protection and actually look good can be surprisingly difficult in a place where you'd think they'd be everywhere.

Despite being from an island, I get horrible heat rash when I don’t cover my arms and upper body on a day where I receive a lot of direct sunlight - think itching my arms while I’m sleeping and already slathered in calamine lotion.

☐ Booster Seats for Kids

Honest truth: I have had to completely dissociate from the car-seat obsessed mother I was before moving to Panama.

The cultural differences around child passenger safety are stark - I've seen infants held in front seats and kids packed like sardines without seatbelts in what can only be called "carpool.

Practically speaking, you'll find infant and toddler seats in department stores, but product availability tapers off sharply for the backless booster seats that meet North American safety standards for bigger kids. With traffic moving slowly due to city congestion, and most people only going limited distances across the city (most Panamanians live in or around their capital city), I'm guessing this contributes to safety outcomes and also why car seat culture differs so dramatically here.

Long story short - I've simply had to accept that car seat safety culture varies significantly everywhere you go on this earth.

☐ EpiPens (Epinephrine Auto-Injectors)

For families managing severe allergies, EpiPens are literally life-saving medication that must be readily available. These are not widely available locally under the same brand name, might require different prescriptions or paperwork, or could be prohibitively expensive.

Best to stock up and bring rescue medications with you, or liaise closely with your local allergy specialist doctor about workable emergency plans. If you’ve ever dealt with life-threatening allergic reactions, you know that having backup supplies and understanding local emergency protocols becomes critical for health and safety.

Food & Supplies

☐ Pirate's Booty Snack

It’s a familiar snack that’s dye-free (we need this to avoid behaviors for some of us). Plus this airy, cheese-flavored snack is a lunchbox staple that's hard to replicate.

And to be honest, I consume 1/3 of the bags.

It’s my go-to salty, crunchy thing for me to keep on hand to reliably address my car sickness when we take long drives to the beach or the interior of the country.

☐ Applesauce Pouches

The convenience factor is huge - these pouches are perfect for lunch boxes, car trips, and quick snacks. Local applesauce options are often sold in glass jars or larger containers, making them less portable and practical for busy families on the go.

This snack is still in the rotation for my always-hungry snack food eater.

☐ Dye-Free Food Coloring and Sprinkles

For families avoiding artificial dyes due to sensitivities or preferences, these baking essentials can be nearly impossible to find. Regular food coloring often contains dyes that cause behavioral reactions in sensitive kids, making the natural versions non-negotiable.

Not a necessity but we brought some supplies with us to have on hand when we bake during the holidays or around birthdays.

☐ Quart-Size Ziploc Bags

They sell pint-size bags locally, but quart-size ones are rare and incredibly useful for meal prep, organizing kids' items, travel snacks, and protecting documents in humid weather. The size difference matters more than you'd think for food storage and daily organization.

☐ Familiar Printed Book Series

Continuing favorite book series or finding familiar authors in English can be challenging. Reading familiar stories provides comfort and continuity during big changes, and maintaining reading levels and interests becomes more important when kids are adjusting to new schools and environments.

☐ Greeting Cards in English

Finding birthday cards, sympathy cards, holiday cards, and other greeting cards written in English can be difficult. When you want to send a heartfelt message for special occasions or difficult times, having cards that express sentiments in your native language makes a real difference in connecting with friends and family.

Because the postal mail system isn’t a thing here, it’s not as big of an issue as I would anticipate. My kiddo constructs handmade cards for his friends’ birthdays and I got a box of plain notecards that will do the trick when writing the sentiment is what truly counts.

Electronics & Technology

☐ Streaming Device Compatibility

You need a plan for your entertainment devices to work with local internet and streaming services. Maintaining family movie nights and familiar entertainment helps with the transition, and some devices have regional restrictions that aren't obvious until you try to set them up.

To sum it up, my dear internet-friends:

Please don’t judge. Transitions are hard even when you actively pursue them. Don’t insist that I or or our kiddo need to release every single aspect of what’s familiar to us just because we moved from the USA to Panama.

Sometimes the little things do matter and yes, I keep a running list of those things that do frustrate us when we don’t have access to them.

It’s important to find the right balance between embracing local and available products and maintaining the comfort items that help your family thrive during a major transition.

Don’t worry, I will cross off items as we find them!

xo

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Stay Curious

96. Bridge and Card Game Bonds

Card games, especially bridge and dominoes, serve important social functions, particularly among older generations. Regular game gatherings strengthen community bonds while providing mental stimulation. These gaming traditions often include light gambling elements that add excitement.

97. Fresh Fish Direct Sales

In coastal areas, buying fish directly from returning boats is common practice. This tradition provides the freshest possible seafood while supporting local fishing families. Early morning fish markets feature just-caught selections before they reach commercial establishments.

98. Getting Wet at Carnival

During pre-Carnival celebrations, water balloons and impromptu spraying of passersby are common, particularly targeting well-dressed people. This playful tradition catches many visitors by surprise. Locals know to expect potential drenching during this season and plan accordingly.

99. Equatorial Sunrise/Sunset

Panama's proximity to the equator creates relatively consistent sunrise and sunset times year-round. The sun typically rises around 6 AM and sets around 6 PM with minimal seasonal variation. This consistency influences daily routines and activities throughout the year.

100. Dual Climate Zones

Within short distances, Panama offers dramatically different climate experiences. The Caribbean side typically receives significantly more rainfall than the Pacific side. This creates microclimates where driving just 30 minutes can mean entering completely different weather patterns.

"There's something magical about watching the city wake up from the malecón," Ms. Puedes says, pausing to observe fishermen casting lines from the seawall. "You see families, joggers, elderly couples holding hands - the whole city comes alive here."

The five-mile ribbon of parkland offers panoramic views of the city's dramatic skyline on one side and the glittering bay on the other. Ms. Puedes typically completes a three-mile loop before the tropical heat intensifies, often stopping at a small vendor for fresh coconut water served directly from the shell.

DIM SUM TRADITION. By 11am, Ms. Puedes meets her husband and son at Palacio Lung Fung, a Chinese restaurant in El Dorado that has become their Sunday ritual. "My son has become a dim sum connoisseur," she says with a laugh. "He can spot the freshest har gow from across the room."

This iconic Panamanian restaurant fills quickly with multigenerational families as servers push metal carts laden with bamboo steamers between tables. Ms. Puedes navigates the options with confidence, selecting pork siu mai, translucent shrimp dumplings, and crispy turnip cakes while teaching her son Cantonese food terms.

"In Trinidad & Tobago, we have a strong Chinese-Caribbean influence in our cuisine," she explains. "The dim sum tradition here is next level though. Yet, seeing the families and friends dining together reminds me of Sunday gatherings back home. The point is that everyone gets together and shares a meal that is reflective of their mixed heritage".

AFTERNOON RECHARGE. The Panama heat peaks by early afternoon, driving Ms. Puedes and her family back to their home in Costa del Este, a tree-lined residential area on the eastern outskirts of Panama City. While her son engages his friends and cousins on FaceTime, she creates her own sanctuary of calm.

"Sunday afternoons are non-negotiable me-time," she says, settling onto her balcony with its view of the distant skyline. "Sometimes it's a proper nap in the darkened bedroom under the swirling fan, but usually it's diving into a novel while the breeze comes through on the balcony."

An avid reader, Ms. Puedes alternates between American classics, Caribbean literature that connects her to her roots and books about Central American history and culture. "I'm trying to understand Panama through its stories," she says, mentioning recent works by Panamanian authors she's discovered online and at local bookstores. In time, Ven hopes to start a book club in her building to meet more of their neighbors.

SUNSET DINING. As daylight begins to fade around 6pm, Ms. Puedes and her family prepare for dinner at Filomena, an elegant Italian restaurant perched above the bay encircled by bustling Avenida Balboa. The family takes a rideshare from Costa del Este through the city as it transitions from day to night, the skyscrapers beginning to illuminate against the darkening sky.

At Filomena, the family is seated near windows that showcase the twinkling city panorama. Ms. Puedes typically orders the Caesar salad artfully served in a giant metal bowl followed by the savory rolled Lasagna Nº1.

"Our son is growing up between cultures," she says, watching the lights from the container ships move slowly across the bay. "These Sunday dinners are when we process our week and talk about how our experience in this new-to-all-of-us third culture is unfolding. New friends, new routines, new discoveries."

The family lingers over dessert - decadent chocolate cake served with amaretto ice cream and liberally drizzled with crushed hazelnuts - as Panama City's nighttime identity emerges. Well before 9pm, they're in another rideshare heading back home, with beats from Panamanian Reggaeton artiste El General flowing from the speakers - another Sunday bridging their multinational identities coming to a close.

"In the car ride home, I'm already thinking about next week's dim sum," Ms. Puedes says. "These Sunday rituals are how we've made Panama feel like home."

This post is free, but if you enjoyed it and would like to support our writing, please do:

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xo Ven Sí Puedes | Come If You Can and