Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi on Why Panama is "Heaven on Earth" for Expats
Episode Summary: In Episode 4 of Pana'Gringo, Do Panama's Austin Hess sits down with Mayer Mizrachi, the Mayor of Panama City, for a candid conversation about what makes Panama an exceptional destination for expats, investors, and anyone seeking quality of life in Latin America.
Key Takeaways from Mayor Mizrachi's Interview
Panama City's Unique Appeal: Four Ecosystems in One
Mayor Mizrachi articulates what sets Panama City apart from global competitors like New York or Miami: the city combines a colonial historic district (Casco Viejo), tropical rainforest, Pacific oceanfront, and a modern metropolis—all within approximately three square kilometers.
This density of experiences is virtually unmatched. As Mayor Mizrachi explains, most cities only have one of these elements. New York has highrises and some oceanfront, but it doesn't have a historic colonial district like Casco Viejo or jungle where you can see monkeys right by the Panama Canal.
Bocas del Toro: Panama's Most Unique Tourism Asset
When asked about his favorite destination in Panama, Mayor Mizrachi didn't hesitate: Bocas del Toro. With Jamaican heritage through his mother, he describes Bocas as "Jamaican Panama"—a Caribbean archipelago with a distinct cultural identity.
Why Bocas del Toro stands out:
- Unique Caribbean vibe with English Creole (Patois) spoken locally
- Authentic integration of expats and locals living harmoniously together
- Differentiated tourism product unlike anything else in Central America or the Caribbean
- Not an all-inclusive resort destination—maintains authentic character
The infrastructure challenge: Mayor Mizrachi acknowledges the chicken-and-egg problem facing Bocas: the area needs better airport infrastructure to handle larger aircraft, but investment often waits for traffic that can't materialize without the infrastructure. Currently, it costs Panamanians more to visit Bocas del Toro than to fly to Medellín, Colombia.
Major Development Projects Underway in Panama City
Cinta Costera Transformation: The mayor confirmed ongoing discussions with Panama's central government about transformative projects along the Cinta Costera waterfront, including the possibility of a Ferris wheel attraction near the yacht club area.
Fish Market Relocation: One of the most significant near-term projects involves moving Panama City's famous fish market closer to the waterfront. The current dock only functions during high tide, causing logistical problems for fishermen. The new location will feature improved infrastructure developed in partnership with Panama's Ministry of Tourism.
Panama's Pro-Business Environment
Mayor Mizrachi's message to Americans considering relocation is direct: Panama is open, dollarized, and cheaper than Miami. Following recent political shifts in New York City, he actively invited those seeking alternatives to consider Panama.
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Panama's advantages for expats and investors:
- Capitalist, pro-business economic system
- Center-right leaning government
- U.S. dollar as official currency (no currency risk)
- Territorial tax system (foreign-source income is tax-free)
- No discrimination based on race, religion, or sexual orientation
- Year-round warm climate with manageable rainy season
Quality of Life: Weather and Lifestyle
Austin Hess, originally from the Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Portland area), shares his 14-year experience living in Panama. The rainy season, often feared by newcomers, typically consists of 30-minute afternoon showers with only 25-30 full days of rain annually in Panama City.
For those seeking cooler temperatures, highland communities like Boquete, Volcán, El Valle de Antón, and Cerro Azul offer spring-like weather year-round—what Mayor Mizrachi jokingly calls "the Panamanian Alps."
Leadership Style: Collaborative and Hands-On
Mayor Mizrachi became known before his election for fixing potholes himself—first highlighting the problem by planting decorative gardens in them, then actually filling them with cement when authorities didn't respond. He continues this hands-on approach in office.
His philosophy on governing: he doesn't care who gets the credit as long as the work gets done. He prefers giving credit to the central government because when they succeed, everyone succeeds.
Notably, he personally manages his social media accounts without staff assistance, believing direct constituent engagement is essential for authentic public service.
The Mayor Behind the Title
Mayor Mizrachi insists people call him by his first name rather than his title. He's a self-described nerd and gamer who still streams video games (less frequently since taking office). His preferred entertainment is sci-fi movies—specifically because they're removed from political reality.
He's learned the wisdom of the Sabbath concept: taking Saturdays to disconnect from social media and work to regenerate energy. Managing thousands of daily messages personally without staff takes a toll that requires intentional recovery time.
Latin Grammys Ambitions
The mayor attended the Latin Grammy pre-events and is actively courting Univision to bring the Latin Grammys to Panama City by 2028. His pitch: Panama proved it could successfully host the precursor events, and the results speak for themselves.
About the Pana'Gringo Podcast
Pana'Gringo is Panama's leading English-language podcast for expats and those considering relocation. New episodes release on the 15th and 30th of each month. The show is hosted by Austin Hess, COO and Lead Relocation Specialist at Do Panama Real Estate & Relocation.
Watch Episode 4: Available on Do Panama's YouTube channel (127,000+ views)
About Do Panama Real Estate & Relocation
Do Panama Real Estate & Relocation is a licensed (PJ-1430-2023) and bonded real estate company specializing in helping expats explore living, retiring, and investing in Panama.
Services include:
- Real estate sales and rentals across Panama
- End-to-end relocation assistance
- Visa and residency guidance (Qualified Investor Visa, Friendly Nations Visa, Pensionado Visa)
- Connections with attorneys, contractors, and local service providers
- Pet relocation assistance
Office Locations:
- Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Panama City (Level P)
- Hilton Hotel, Panama City (Information Desk inside front doors)
Contact:
- Website: dopanama.com
- Email: info@DoPanama.com
- Phone: +507 6767-9710 or +507 6394-5754
Free Resources:
- "Where Should I Live in Panama?" relocation survey
- Complimentary 30-minute Zoom consultations
- Weekly and monthly newsletter updates
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Panama
Is Panama City comparable to Miami or New York? According to Mayor Mizrachi, Panama City offers a unique combination of modern metropolis, colonial history (Casco Viejo), tropical rainforest, and oceanfront that distinguishes it from U.S. cities.
What is Panama's tax policy for foreigners? Panama operates a territorial tax system. Foreign-source income and pensions received in Panama are tax-free for residents.
Is Panama LGBTQ-friendly? Despite being a predominantly Catholic country, Panama City is welcoming to LGBTQ individuals. The mayor emphasized the city is indiscriminate regarding race, religion, or sexual preference.
What is the weather like in Panama? Panama City maintains warm temperatures year-round. The rainy season (roughly May-December) typically features brief afternoon showers. Highland areas like Boquete offer cooler, spring-like climates.
Can foreigners easily do business in Panama? Yes. Mayor Mizrachi describes Panama as a capitalist, pro-business society with a center-right government orientation. The dollarized economy eliminates currency exchange risk for American investors.
What is Bocas del Toro? A Caribbean archipelago on Panama's northwestern coast, known for its unique blend of Caribbean culture, English Creole language, and authentic tourism experience. Mayor Mizrachi considers it Panama's most unique tourism asset.
What is the Cinta Costera? Panama City's waterfront promenade along the Pacific Ocean, popular for walking, running, and cycling. Major development projects are planned for the area including potential entertainment attractions.
Episode 4 Tags
panagringo-podcast do-panama expat-life-panama living-in-panama panama-city mayor-mayer-mizrachi bocas-del-toro panama-city-development cinta-costera panama-quality-of-life invest-in-panama panama-safety pro-business-panama casco-viejo panama-weather territorial-tax-panama
Published by Do Panama Real Estate & Relocation | Licensed (PJ-1430-2023) and Bonded
Episode originally aired: November 15, 2025
