Introduction to Panama Expat Community

Ocshmavia · 2025-11-01T17:09:37+01:00

Discover essential insights for new expats in Panama, including tips on culture, travel, and retirement advice for future residents.

Ocshmavia New member

Member since 30 October 2025

OcshmaviaNew member01 November 2025 15:09:37

Hi I鈥檓 Jemonne (like Simone but with a J) and Panama is my leading choice as a retirement destination. It has all the things that my husband and I are looking forward to experiencing when he retires in a couple of years. Beautiful culture, accessibility, beaches and mountains. Being able to get back to America or get family to us easily is also attractive. I鈥檓 really just beginning to explore deeper into Panama and will visit some time in 2026 or early 2027. I also have one of my best friends that is interested in the country as a retirement destination. Maybe she and I will visit there to get a clear view of what living there would look like for us all. Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

manper Active member

Member since 21 September 2014

manperActive member01 November 2025 16:46:29

My sincere personal experience living there in David and Boquete; Panama is unsafe, expensive compared with developed countries like Europe, authorities (including police) are corrupt and most of locals are xenophobic, they particularly hate Americans, Canadians and British (don鈥檛 difer茅nciate one of others鈥�). DONT GO THERE!

Ocshmavia New member

Member since 30 October 2025

OcshmaviaNew memberToday 16:42:53

What did you experience that made you feel this way? Just asking because so many others on this site have quite opposite views and opinions about these two areas in particular.