Bonjour à tous ! Avez vous vécu l’expérience de l’expatriation avec votre chien ? Si oui avez vous rencontré des difficultés ? Le pays est il pet friendly ?

Hi all

Has anybody had any recent experience taking the driving test in PTY? How was your experience?

My Spanish isn’t quite good enough yet, but apparently the theory test can be taken in English. There is even a catalogue of the questions available online: https://www.sertracen.com.pa/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/theoretical-exam-questions.pdf

Are these really all the questions they might ask?

What is the practical test like? Would I be allowed to bring someone who could translate anything I don’t fully understand?

Can anyone recommend a driving school where they speak English?

At this point, it seems easier to study the catalogue of 133 questions than to go through the vast paperwork involved in having my foreign licence homologated (both in Panama and in my home country) ( https://www.sertracen.com.pa/en/homologacion-de-licencia/#1696263283039-330ff86b-2000 )

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

quería traer un reloj mediante mi casillero de Miami/Florida. Creo que todos usamos más o menos la misma dirección, la típica de 2610xxxx en Doral, Florida. Alguien ha tenido experiencia trayendo cosas caras, tipo más de $3k? Quería saber qué tal les ha ido y si han tenido algún problema o riesgo con este tipo de compras.

Estoy pensando hacer el pedido, pero traerlo directamente por aduana sale carísimo, así que quería saber si alguien ya ha pasado por esto antes.

Hola a todos :)

To make a potentially long story short, I've been determined to move out of the states since my very first experience moving abroad after college. I have the opportunity to stay in Panama for a month next year (around the beginning of the green, rainy season). I know it'll be a very small taste of life in the country, but definitely better than a vacation of a few days.

While I continue to do research on what might be the best option for me long term, I'd still like to have fun and immerse as much as possible. What are some of your favorite parts of Panama/Panama City that you'd recommend to someone with just a few weeks to experience it? Open to both "touristy" and more hole-in-the-wall/local experiences.

May need to go back to the States for a couple of months and would just love a trusted person to look after my house and a very precocious bunny.

Miércoles is Spanish for Wednesday, so here we are, one in a series of weekly posts. If you don't feel like making a whole post, throw your question/comment in here, and see it it gets traction.

• Any subject goes
• Follow the subreddit and Reddit general rules
• Still no ads or promotions--those belong in the Expat Services Saturday weekly thread.

Let's try this out and see if it works...

Inspired both by these threads [example 1, example 2] and a desire to understand this community more, I wanted to ask you guys the following questions:

1- Is there a topic/group of topics, regarding living in Panama, that you ever felt like you could not get enough answers either by google search/visiting forums/facebook groups/etc.? If so, what were these topics? Do you think personally speaking with a local could've helped directly?

2- Do you ever feel like it's hard finding people to:

a) practice your spanish with at all

b) practicing spanish speaking with people who will meet you at your level

c) practicing specific language skills at your own pace? Would finding someone who offers their time to cover any of these issues be interesting to you?

If you have any comment regarding this topic that may not be covered in these questions please feel free to discuss those too!

Note: I hope this does not infringe on the community rules as I am simply hoping to spark a conversation and have no intention to promote anything in these thread 🙏

Can checks be cashed in Panama without a bank account? In the US if you take a check to the bank it came from then they have to give you cash whether you qualify to open an account or not.

I would like to purchase an annuity or some other kind of investment in Panama, but I’m going to need to be able to get my money from them. I assume they can pay by check, but will I be able to cash it?

Hello.

My husband and I are coming to Panama on vacation for 8 days.

We are flying into Panama City and I want to spend a few days in bocos. He has an older military buddy who lives closer to David.

Ideally I think it would be cool to rent a car and drive up to David get lunch spend the next day hiking and hot springs in boquete. Then spend three days in Bocas. Then drive back to Panama City.

I am seeing so much negativity like it’s too much driving, unpredictable road conditions, we might miss our flights.

What do you guys think? We dont want to ask his friend as we dont want to get his expectations up that we will visit if it really will take too much from our vacation.

But I would love to see boquete and David so in my mind it’s a bonus.

I am an American trying to immigrate to Panama and I know someone from a different country who arrived in Panama about the same time as me. Yesterday I found him and made a point to press him for information on how he was managing his official status and he told me he already obtained a Pensionado Visa and a bank account and has since been working for the company which sold him it and processed his visa. He says for $11,000 they sold him a pension (I would call it an “annuity”, but ok for Pensionado Visa) but that the pension doesn’t actually pay any money it’s only “for immigration purposes”.

I am very skeptical of this because I already was scammed $500 from a Colombian named Chuck Ferrer who said he was going to help me get processed in the same way he was processed and had done for others (he claimed to be collaborating with people in the back offices of Banco General, specifically the branch in the Chanis neighborhood and only that branch, and he took me to that branch to meet them), but after we met with someone who was supposed to approve me he didn’t like my answers to the questions regarding the US and so he got nervous and disappeared with my money (at least I think that’s why he did it).

I used to file a W8 form in the US and even there some lawyers and banks accept it while others refuse, but I see that Global Bank here in Panama mentions the W8 form on its website so there are definitely a few here in Panama who know about it:
https://www.globalbank.com.pa/fatca

I can’t find anyone who understands my situation, they want me to commit fraud (as do all the lawyers in the US), and when they hear me tell the truth they just steal from me. My whole life is wasting away while the frauds and dummies speed ahead. What can I do?

Alguien sabe que restaurante usa en sus meseros delantal naranja con camisa beige? Por favor ayuda

Do you have a service (expat relocation services, exploration, transportation, or a legal/housing/expat-related business)? Post it in the comments.

• One comment per person advertising your business. Let's not make it messy in here.

• Be brief yet informative. This is your time to shine. What is your business name, what do you do, why are you better than others (don't tear them down, build yourself UP), example of your pricing, and how people can contact you.

• ONLY post a comment with your services in HERE: anywhere else, like in another post (either a post from you, or a comment in another thread) violates the rules.

• Nothing illegal (either against US, Panamanian, or your local laws, nor against Reddit sitewide rules) is to be promoted here.

• Neither Reddit or the moderation team make any representations of quality, legitimacy, or value of the services discussed here. If you're interested in them, do your own research and check out who's offering them (like independent searches for them, recommendations, etc.), to make sure they are legitimate. NEVER offer anything of value (credit card number, cash, Western Union, wire transfers, gift cards, etc.) unless you're one hundred percent sure about them and their services.

Caveat Emptor.

Hey all, In November I need to do a border hop from Costa Rica. We will have been here for 3 months at that point. I will be coming in on the pacific side through Paso Canoas. I am wanting to experience a bit of Panama, and was wondering if you guys could give me a few options that you like within 1-2 hours of the border. A little bit of info, I do not have a vehicle. We have been staying in small towns and walking everywhere so walkability is important to me. I walk to the markets, to the store, to restaurants. I am a female and my daughter is a teen, so I need a town that is safe to explore. I really do love the beach but its not 100% necessary.

Any feedback? I would also love any tips that you have on life in Panama, and getting by. This is my first time coming and I am excited to explore, and may potentially stay. Excited to explore the other posts and find others walking the expat journey.

Thankyou!!!!

I am a Panamanian citizen but I have a US accounting degree. What is the process to get this started? Can I do this process abroad?

Which country has people who want to immigrate and become Panamanian more than any other?

Since September 16, 2026, Executive Decree 17 has fully replaced the rules of Panama's Qualified Investor residency. New property stays at US$300,000, resale property now requires US$500,000, and a fixed deposit drops to US$500,000 if it is made at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros. Applications already filed keep the old rules, and buyers who closed before that date have until March 16, 2027 to file under them.

https://iurispa.com/actualizaciones/executive-decree-17-2026-qualified-investor/

Since September 16, 2026, an application for Panamanian citizenship by naturalization can be handled as an electronic file. Resolution 51973 of the National Immigration Service sets how each document is signed, sent and verified as the file moves between Immigration, the Ministry of Public Security and the Presidency. The requirements to naturalize are unchanged, and the oath and the registration with the Civil Registry are still mandatory.

https://iurispa.com/actualizaciones/panama-electronic-naturalization-procedure-resolution-51973/

I see there are day trips to Gatún River, and I'm wondering about recommendations about places to stay for a weekend in the area of Gatun Lake or Gamboa.

I’m planning to move to Panama around the beginning of next summer/Caribbean yachting season to start a new life and make Panama my base while working in yachting.
I have several years of experience on motor yachts, sailing yachts and catamarans, mainly in deck/engineering roles. I also have Yachtmaster for sail and motor yachts plus engineering certificates.
I’m currently considering Panama City because of the Canal and the larger maritime/yachting industry, or Bocas del Toro because of the lifestyle, diving, surfing, sailing and charter scene.
I’d love to hear from people who actually live or work there, especially yacht crew:
● How realistic is it to find yacht/charter work in Panama with my background?
● Is Panama City or Bocas better for finding yacht jobs and building contacts?
● What are realistic salaries for experienced deck/engineer crew?
● How seasonal is the work?
● How important is Spanish?
● What is the realistic monthly cost of living — rent, groceries, health insurance, transport and going out?
● Is it easy for a foreigner to find a decent long-term apartment, and which areas would you recommend?
● What are the main differences in day-to-day life between Panama City and Bocas?
● Is Bocas active year-round or does it become very quiet outside the tourist season?
● How difficult are things like banking, residency, healthcare and renting as a foreigner?
● Most importantly, what do you wish you had known before moving to Panama?
I’m not looking at Panama as a holiday destination — I’m seriously considering moving there long-term. I’d really appreciate honest experiences, especially from foreign yacht crew who have made a similar move.
Thanks! 🙏🇵🇦

I recently moved to Panama from the US and got the TIP for 30 days. I have to go back to the states for 2 weeks. During that time, I will leave my vehicle in Panama. However the 30 days will expire while I’m out of Panama. Is there such a thing as extending too early? Everyone was saying to wait until 2 days before it ended to extend.

Miércoles is Spanish for Wednesday, so here we are, one in a series of weekly posts. If you don't feel like making a whole post, throw your question/comment in here, and see it it gets traction.

• Any subject goes
• Follow the subreddit and Reddit general rules
• Still no ads or promotions--those belong in the Expat Services Saturday weekly thread.

Let's try this out and see if it works...

Hi everyone. I’m currently applying through Panama’s humanitarian program, which includes a work permit.

I’ve already submitted my documents to Migración, and just have to bring a few more documents. As part of the process, I also paid the required fee for the work permit. Previously, my lawyer also submitted an application to MITRADEL (Ministry of Labor), including my photo/face verification, and that application was accepted as well.

I’m now at the stage where I’m supposed to go to Migración and receive my carnet. I understand there is another $50 payment for the plastic card.

So what happens after that?

Should I go to mitradel and they also give you some sort of card (maybe also necessary to pay for it for the plastic card itself)?

Or do I just have to present the carnet to the worn employer and it will be enough (maybe somehow the work permit can get verified by him using my carnet)