13 Pros and Cons of Living in Panama

Last Updated on March 12, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Panama is known to have one of the most hospitable and encouraging people in the world; their people give newcomers a warm welcome, helping them enjoy a stress-free changeover.

Before you decide to just pick up and move here, look at the pros and cons of living in Panama which has been mentioned below. It’s going to help you decide where you want to live, and whether Panama is the best place for you.

Pros of Living in Panama

1. High-quality Healthcare

Panama’s health care is one of the strongest in Latin America. The cost of health care is much smaller than that of North America and the standard of care is outstanding. Panama City provides state-of-the-art medical services, supplies and well-trained physicians in all fields of medicine. More rural parts have local clinics where you can also find physicians visiting hospitals in Panama City on a regular basis.

Big cities have great hospitals and professionals, and no matter where you are in the country, you always can find an English-speaking doctor to take care of you.

2. Political and Economic Stability

In recent years, the country has enjoyed a good level of economic development, with the aim of transforming even the least of its communities into places of choice for people.

Irrespective of the location of the city, it is impossible to visit a Panamanian town without a sufficient supply of social facilities such as drinking water, fast internet connections, improved healthcare systems and social centres.

3. Dollars as Currency

The real currency used in Panama is the US Dollar. Their currency unit is called the Balboa, similar to one US dollar, but Panama hasn’t printed it for decades. All prices are in US dollars and the currency is the US dollar. It avoids everyday annoyance and discomfort by measuring the worth of something when it’s in a foreign currency. You will have money in a Panamanian bank without worrying about a foreign exchange devaluation if you are a U.S. resident. The US dollar is more stable than that.

4. Safety

As a principle, the Panamanians don’t like conflict, so they prevent it at all costs. Panama, like everywhere else, has some sort of crime, but it’s usually petty theft. Using the same caution and common sense as you should have in every environment across the world, and you’re going to be perfect.

5. Affordable Living Expenses

If it comes to importance and variety, there is no better place than Panama. This is the place where you get what you’re paying for. For as little as $1,000 you can lead a comfortable life in Panama for decent access to food, transportation and a month’s worth of grocery supplies. Renting a property in Panama is relatively cheap, in more remote regions, and friendly locals are always available to help you with everything you might need on a daily basis. Living in Panama is generally easy and brittle.

The biggest expense in Panama, of course, is your monthly rent. You can spend $1,500 a month or more in Panama City, and you can spend as little as $350 in more remote areas. Things, where you’re really going to save, are car insurance, health insurance, grocery, shopping in local markets, cell phones are going to cost you $20 a month or less, so there’s really some good savings.

6. Infrastructures

New bridges and roads have always been built and maintained. Good and reliable internet is all over the country, along with a good cell phone coverage, and in most areas of Panama, you’ll find good drinking water from your kitchen tap. There are still intermittent power outages, but they get less and less frequent every year. Panama ‘s network is, above all, the greatest in Latin America.

7. Weather

The weather in Panama is as diverse as the terrain. You will find cooler temperatures in the Sora Mountains (near Panama City) and the already popular Boquete (near David) and Anton Valley. If you prefer hot and dry, the eastern coast of the Azuero Peninsula tends to be dry, as well as parts of the Central Pacific, such as Playa Santa Clara.

That’s supposed to be why the Decameron resort chose the area to be their mega-resort. The weather isn’t fine. San Jose, Costa Rica’s weather is almost good but the city is not so pretty. Life is full of these cruel tradeoffs. Chocolate is tasty, for example, but it makes you fat. If you’re going through enough of Panama, you ‘re probably going to find a climate you like, unless you’re really skiing!

8. Positive Environment

Panamanians love their country and are very happy. And even if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll take the time to help. One expat wrote that the people of Panama are “great fun, polite, contented, open-minded citizens” and a “family-oriented community.”

Cons of Living in Panama

1. Language

One of the most important and mind-concerning reasons for living in Panama is the language barrier. The people of Panama are Spanish speakers, depending on your location; you might be required to learn the language if you want to interact and integrate perfectly with your community.

Although learning the language is a bonus, in expatriate cultures, you’ll be able to get along with English, but you’ll fit in with a better knowledge of some Spanish. Some people find it frustrating to go to a store to buy something, and they don’t know how to ask for it.

2. Life Seems to Slow

Things are moving much slower here than in other parts of the world. Sometimes you might think that the person you ‘re dealing with really doesn’t care, but in the face of it, just the way it’s here, you need to be careful. The same spirit is repeated in their personal and professional lives.

If you want to get stuff done in a Panamanian office, you’ll need to cultivate a special skill to keep you calm, because it will take a lot more time than you think you will.

3. Cultural Difference

Culture is very different from the U.S., and systems and structures can sometimes make no sense at all. If you can’t roll things when they’re going wrong or get frustrated, it may not be for you. So ensure you ‘re careful and have a visit for a period of time to make sure that you get an honest picture of what each area is actually like.

4. Sexual Harassment

Panama is a male-dominated society where a single woman may be sexually abused and maybe even raped by local men who see them as a new toy to use and then throw away after they’ve gotten what they wanted. The majority of the people in the country are good people, but there is also a layer of people who will victimize you, particularly if you have little to no understanding of the complexities of this community.

5. Noisy Neighbourhood

The Panamanian motto is “Work not to live to work.” That means parties are the norm and usually start at around nine o’clock in the night, going into the early hours of the morning. This can be annoying and disturbing to the early birds who prefer to have a quiet and peaceful starting of the day. However, if you become part of the group and go with the flow, you ‘re going to have a party and enjoy social interaction with your neighbours in Panama.