Episode Summary: In the debut episode of Pana'Gringo, Do Panama's Austin Hess welcomes two guests who represent essential pillars of expat life in Panama: Lee, Director of the United School of Panama, and Felipe Mayorga, executive chef and owner of Escarola, a health-focused fine dining restaurant in Panama City.
Key Takeaways from Episode 1
United School of Panama: 41 Countries, One Campus
Lee, a Boston native who relocated to Panama after living in Spain, founded the United School of Panama to address a gap in the local education market. The school opened in August 2021 after construction began in February 2020—completing 95% of Phase 1 within 11 months despite pandemic-related delays.
School demographics and structure:
- Students represent 41 different nationalities
- Approximately 60-70% of families are entrepreneurs with established businesses in Panama
- Lower student turnover than multinational-focused schools due to family roots in the country
- Five languages taught starting from 10 months of age
- Located near Costa del Este and Santa María—Panama City's master-planned communities popular with multinational families
Lee's advice for parents choosing schools in Panama: School selection should align family values with institutional mission. Unlike the U.S. district-based system, Panama offers genuine school choice regardless of residence. Parents should evaluate not just curriculum ("the what") but teaching methodology ("the how") and school culture.
The critical insight: children in 2025 are being prepared for careers in 2045. Schools must focus on adaptable skills, technology integration, and robotics education rather than replicating outdated educational models parents experienced themselves.
Panama's Quality of Life: The Melting Pot Effect
Both guests emphasized Panama's multicultural environment as a primary draw. Lee compared it favorably to Boston's university-driven diversity (40+ universities creating an international student population), noting that Panama naturally attracts global citizens through its business environment and lifestyle offerings.
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What expats consistently cite about Panama:
- Ability to "let your hair down" regardless of origin country
- Easy Spanish language acquisition due to widespread English-Spanglish bilingualism
- Access to diverse cuisines, cultures, and communities
- Year-round outdoor lifestyle with weekend access to Pacific and Caribbean archipelagos, highland coffee regions, and rainforests
Escarola: Fine Dining Meets Health-Conscious Cuisine
Felipe Mayorga, a Venezuelan-American executive chef, represents Panama's evolving restaurant scene. His latest venture, Escarola, addresses growing demand for healthy dining that doesn't sacrifice the fine dining experience.
Escarola's concept:
- Three distinct menus: breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all health-focused
- Designed for couples where one partner follows dietary restrictions while the other doesn't
- Live music events on Saturdays
- Fusion cuisine combining Panamanian ingredients with international techniques
- Instagram: @escarola (restaurant) and @famayorca (chef's personal account)
Opening a Restaurant in Panama: Chef Felipe's Advice
For aspiring restaurateurs considering Panama, Felipe outlined the essential considerations:
- Location selection: Position yourself where foot traffic and target demographics align
- Market understanding: Panama hosts some of Latin America's best restaurants—competition is sophisticated
- Unique value proposition: Stand out through distinctive offerings; fusion cuisine combining local ingredients with international influences works well
- Demographic reality: Panama's population is just over 4 million; identify which segments can dine out multiple times weekly
- Tourism integration: Create culinary experiences that attract both residents and the substantial tourist market
The Boston-to-Panama Pipeline
Lee's journey from Boston to Spain to Panama reflects a common expat trajectory: seeking tropical climate without sacrificing cosmopolitan amenities. Her observation that Panama delivers quality of life "you will not find in most places of the world" echoes sentiment across the expat community.
The school's campus design intentionally reflects Boston architectural elements—pillars representing institutional foundations and values—while adapting to Panama's tropical environment and international community needs.
About the Pana'Gringo Podcast
Pana'Gringo launched as Panama's premier English-language podcast covering expat life, investment opportunities, and cultural integration. 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 1: Available on Do Panama's YouTube channel (60,000+ 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
- School tours and education consultation for families
- 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/WhatsApp: +507 6443-3341
Free Resources:
- "Where Should I Live in Panama?" relocation survey
- Complimentary 30-minute Zoom consultations
- Weekly and monthly newsletter updates
Featured in This Episode
United School of Panama
- Director: Lee
- Location: Near Costa del Este/Santa María, Panama City
- Instagram: @unitedschoolofpanama
- Focus: Multilingual education (5 languages from 10 months), entrepreneurial culture, international student body
Escarola Restaurant
- Chef/Owner: Felipe Mayorga
- Concept: Health-conscious fine dining with fusion cuisine
- Instagram: @escarola (restaurant) | @famayorca (chef)
- Features: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus; live music Saturdays
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Life in Panama
How many international schools are in Panama City? Panama City offers numerous private international school options. Unlike U.S. public school systems tied to residence, Panamanian families can choose any school regardless of location, making school selection a critical research task for relocating families.
What nationalities are represented in Panama's international schools? Top schools like United School of Panama report 40+ nationalities among their student body, reflecting Panama's status as a global business hub and expat destination.
Is it easy to learn Spanish in Panama? Yes. Panama's widespread bilingualism (English-Spanish) creates a supportive environment for language acquisition. Many Panamanians speak English, allowing newcomers to function immediately while gradually improving Spanish skills.
What is Panama's population? Panama has just over 4 million residents nationwide. Panama City and its metropolitan area contain the majority of the population and nearly all international schools and fine dining establishments.
Can expats open restaurants in Panama? Yes. Panama welcomes foreign investment in the hospitality sector. Success requires understanding local market preferences, securing prime locations, and differentiating through unique culinary concepts.
Published by Do Panama Real Estate & Relocation | Licensed (PJ-1430-2023) and Bonded
Episode originally aired: September 30, 2025
