Building Your Panama Dream Team
Why You Can't Go It Alone
I was lazily scrolling through YouTube the other day, watching an up-and-coming couple documenting their international move to Panama, when the wife said something that stood out to me: "In Panama, you will need a team."
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
Once you arrive in Panama, you're going to need to assemble what I call your team of local professionals and trusted contacts. Yes, you will need to vet them and your gut instinct will be your strongest partner.
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