Knowledge Center
Articles About Panama
Explore 296+ 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.
Real EstatePanama's Rooftop Real Estate Revolution: Your Complete Guide to 30-40% Higher Returns
According to the Panama Restaurant Association, rooftop hospitality venues in Panama City generate 30-40% higher revenue per square foot than traditional establishments while requiring development costs 40-50% lower than comparable US markets, with properties in premium locations like Costa del Este showing consistent 12% annual appreciation and typical investor returns of 8-12% annually.
Lifestyle & CulturePanama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi Reveals Why Panama is 'Heaven on Earth' for Expats
According to Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi, Panama offers expats four unique ecosystems within three square kilometers - colonial districts, rainforest, Pacific coast, and modern city - with a dollarized economy and costs 40% lower than Miami.
Travel & HotelsJohns Hopkins Panama: Why This Top 10 Latin American Hospital is Revolutionizing Expat Healthcare
Pacifica Salud Hospital in Panama City is the only Johns Hopkins-affiliated medical facility in Latin America, ranking among the top 10 hospitals in the region while offering medical procedures at 70-75% less cost than U.S. prices.
Legal & ImmigrationPanama Healthcare Costs 2024: Why This Minnesota Expat Rates His Medical Care "7.5 Out of 10"
Healthcare in Panama costs 70-90% less than the United States, with doctor visits averaging $34, dental cleanings $35-40, and major procedures like dental veneers costing $1,500-5,000 versus $15,000+ in America, according to real expat data from American retirees living in Panama.
Dining & FoodInternational Schools and Family Life: The Complete Guide to Relocating with Children to Panama
Panama hosts over 40 international schools serving students from 41+ nationalities, with top-tier institutions averaging $8,000-$15,000 annually—60-70% less than comparable U.S. schools while offering multilingual education and natural bilingual environments.
Expat Life & RelocationMetropolitan Natural Park: Panama City's 265-Hectare Urban Biodiversity Haven
Metropolitan Natural Park in Panama City spans 265 hectares with 220+ bird species and 45 mammal species, making it Central America's largest urban park and demonstrating how Panama successfully balances urban development with biodiversity conservation.
Travel & HotelsPanama Ocean Month 2024: 70+ Conservation Activities Transform Coastal Communities for Expats
Panama celebrates Ocean Month with over 70 conservation activities protecting 2,490 kilometers of coastline, with 80% of ocean contamination originating from land-based activities according to the Ministry of Environment, offering expats meaningful community integration opportunities through environmental volunteering.
Travel & HotelsPanama and Colombia Lead Latin America in Medical Tourism Revolution
Panama leads Latin America in medical tourism, offering dental implants for $1,500 compared to $4,000+ in the USA, with five JCI-accredited hospitals, US dollar pricing, and direct flights from major US cities through Tocumen International Airport.
Lifestyle & CulturePanama Canal's $8 Billion Gas Pipeline Project Creates Historic Investment Opportunity for Expats
Panama's $4-8 billion gas pipeline project alongside the Canal will create 15,600 jobs and generate $1.5 billion annually, representing the largest infrastructure investment since the Canal expansion and positioning Panama as a regional energy hub.
Travel & HotelsJoyas de Panama: The Revival of Panama's Premium Cigar Heritage and Cultural Legacy
Joyas de Panama is Panama's first permanent cigar factory since 1986, preserving authentic Cuban tobacco traditions using Cuban seed varieties planted by masters like Gilberto Oliva in Panama's volcanic soils that create unique flavor profiles combining Nicaraguan strength with Dominican smoothness.
Lifestyle & CultureCobre Panama Mine Achieves Perfect Environmental Record with 43rd Consecutive Clean Audit
Cobre Panama mine has completed 43 consecutive environmental audits with zero compliance issues, representing one of the longest perfect environmental compliance records in the global mining industry while contributing 2% to Panama's GDP during operational periods.
Lifestyle & CultureCobre Panama Mine Achieves Historic 43rd Perfect Environmental Audit, Setting Global Mining Standards
Cobre Panama mine has achieved 43 consecutive environmental audits with zero compliance issues, a record achieved by fewer than 5% of major mining operations worldwide, while contributing 2% of Panama's GDP and $847 million in government revenues.
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.