Knowledge Center
Articles About Panama
Explore 155+ research-backed guides covering everything expats need to know about Panama - from visa requirements and real estate markets to neighborhood guides, restaurant reviews, and cost-of-living breakdowns. Written by expats, for future expats.
Dining & FoodCasablanca Restaurant Casco Viejo: 18 Years of Comfort Food Excellence
Discover Casablanca Restaurant's 18-year legacy in Panama City's Casco Viejo. Located on Plaza Bolívar, offering comfort food, signature lobster dishes & event spaces.
Dining & FoodDiva Lounge Panama: Upscale San Francisco Dining Experience
Diva Lounge Panama offers international tapas with Panamanian influences in San Francisco. VIP dining, signature cocktails, terrace seating. Call +507 6545-1856.
Dining & FoodCasa Naranja Restaurant Chitré: Authentic Fusion Dining Azuero
Casa Naranja in Chitré offers innovative fusion cuisine blending international flavors with Panamanian ingredients. Farm-to-table dining in Azuero Peninsula's heart.
Dining & FoodCosmic Crab Café Bocas del Toro - Overwater Dining Guide 2024
Discover Cosmic Crab Café on Isla Carenero, Bocas del Toro - Panama's premier overwater restaurant serving fresh lionfish and Caribbean specialties with sunset views.
Dining & FoodChombo Williams BBQ Panama City - Authentic Low & Slow Barbecue
Discover Panama City's premier BBQ joint Chombo Williams in Los Angeles neighborhood. Featuring traditional Nance wood smoking and expert Pitmasters. Book now!
Dining & FoodLa Casa Corazón Bocas del Toro: Overwater Hotel Review 2024
La Casa Corazón offers 12 overwater rooms on wooden pilings in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Recently renovated boutique hotel with French-Caribbean cuisine and ocean access.
Dining & FoodBuena Vista Restaurant: Best Overwater Caribbean Dining in Bocas
Buena Vista Restaurant serves authentic Caribbean cuisine over the water in Bocas del Toro since 1997. Open 8AM-9:30PM daily, supporting 10 local families.
Dining & Food5inco Panama: Lebanese-Panamanian Fusion Dining Guide 2024
5inco Panama offers Lebanese-Panamanian fusion cuisine at 2 locations. Chef Roberto Richa's signature dishes include 36-hour Chicharrón. Reserve now!
Dining & FoodTapachula Mexican Restaurant Marbella Panama - Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Discover Tapachula, Panama's premier authentic Mexican restaurant in Marbella featuring birria tacos, pozole & craft cocktails by Chef Emilio López.
Dining & FoodOh Toro Ramen: Panama's #1 Japanese Restaurant Chain Guide
Oh Toro leads Panama's Japanese dining scene with 16+ locations since 2016. Authentic ramen, sushi & Japanese cuisine. Perfect for expats craving quality Asian food.
Dining & FoodOasis Bluff Beach Hotel: Panama's #1 Rated Eco-Luxury Resort
Discover Oasis Bluff Beach, Bocas del Toro's premier eco-luxury boutique hotel with 6 oceanfront rooms, off-grid sustainability & TripAdvisor's #1 restaurant.
Dining & FoodGrill Meister Panama: German-Latin Fusion by Michelin Chef
Experience authentic German-Latin fusion at Grill Meister Panama with Michelin-starred Chef Stefan Sperling. Two locations: Albrook & La Chorrera.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panama
What visas are available for moving to Panama?
Panama offers several visa options including the Pensionado (Retiree) Visa with a $1,000/month pension requirement, the Friendly Nations Visa for citizens of 50+ countries, and the Self-Economic Solvency Visa requiring a $300,000 investment. Each has different requirements and benefits.
What is the cost of living in Panama compared to the US?
Panama's cost of living is typically 30-50% lower than major US cities. A couple can live comfortably on $2,000-3,500/month depending on location. Panama City is the most expensive, while towns like David, Boquete, and Pedasi offer significantly lower costs.
Can foreigners buy property in Panama?
Yes, foreigners have the same property rights as Panamanians with a few exceptions (island and border properties have restrictions). There are no restrictions on titled property, and Panama uses a dollarized economy, making transactions straightforward for US buyers.
What are the best areas in Panama for expats?
Popular expat areas include Panama City for urban living, Boquete for mountain climate and coffee culture, Coronado for beach lifestyle near the city, Bocas del Toro for Caribbean island living, and Pedasi for Pacific coast authenticity.
Is Panama safe for expats?
Panama is generally considered one of the safest countries in Central America. Expat-popular areas like Boquete, Coronado, and upscale Panama City neighborhoods have very low crime rates. As with any country, basic safety precautions apply in urban areas.