The first 30 days can shape much of how your life in Panama will feel during your first year. The decisions you make during this period—where you live, which bank you choose, which mobile plan you get, and how you move around—will directly impact your daily life.
This is the practical guide we wish we had when starting out. Step by step, in the order that makes the most sense when you’ve just arrived.
The temptation to sign a one-year lease during your first week is real—especially if you’re already tired of hotels. Resist it.
Housing decisions made while jet-lagged and with limited local knowledge are often the hardest to undo.
Book 2 to 4 weeks in an Airbnb or a furnished short-term apartment. Use that time to explore neighborhoods, experience real traffic from your workplace, and understand what actually fits your lifestyle.
Getting a Panamanian phone line should be one of your first priorities. The main providers are +Móvil (formerly Cable & Wireless), Tigo, Claro, and Digicel.
For newly arrived foreigners, a prepaid line is usually the fastest option and typically doesn’t require residency. A passport, valid identification, and around USD 5 to USD 15 are often enough.
Physical stores in malls such as Multiplaza Panama, Albrook Mall, or Multicentro frequently assist foreigners and often have English-speaking staff.
If you plan to stay long-term, a postpaid plan with more data may make sense once you have residency and a local bank account. But for your first month, prepaid works perfectly.
Make sure your phone has these from day one:
Popular neighborhoods among foreigners vary greatly in personality, lifestyle, cost, and convenience.
Punta Pacifica is central and modern, but more expensive.
Costa del Este is planned, organized, and family-oriented, but usually requires a car.
San Francisco offers great value and vibrant energy.
Casco Antiguo has charm and character, but less modern infrastructure.
Clayton is quiet and residential, but farther from the city center.
Spend at least a couple of afternoons in the areas that interest you. Walk around, have lunch, observe traffic, and experience everyday life.
What you see in a 30-minute visit is very different from what you experience every day.
The most commonly used platforms in Panama include:
Working with a real estate agent is common and often very helpful—especially if your Spanish is limited. In most cases, the landlord pays the agent’s commission, not the tenant.
Before signing anything, read the contract carefully, verify ownership, and never send deposits before seeing the property in person.
This is often the slowest part of settling into Panama, and it’s better to know that from the beginning.
Opening a bank account as a foreigner has become more complex in recent years due to international compliance regulations.
Typical documents include:
The banks most commonly used by expats include Banco General, Banistmo, Global Bank, and Multibank.
Many newcomers start with Banco General, particularly the branch at Multiplaza Panama.
In the meantime, platforms like Wise or Revolut, together with your existing debit card, can cover most day-to-day expenses.
If you rent furnished, this is less urgent. If you rent unfurnished, buy gradually.
Useful stores include:
Popular supermarket chains include:
For fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood, places like the Mercado de Mariscos often offer better prices and freshness.
There’s no universal answer.
If you live in Punta Pacifica, San Francisco, Marbella, or Casco Antiguo, you can likely live comfortably without a car during your first year.
If you live in Costa del Este, Clayton, or outside Panama City, a car often becomes much more necessary.
If you buy a car, foreign residents usually need to convert their license through SERTRACEN.
Don’t wait for an emergency to learn how healthcare works.
Some major private hospitals include:
Hospital Punta Pacifica
Pacifica Salud
Hospital Nacional
Hospital Paitilla
A good practice during your first month is booking an initial consultation with a general doctor, so you already have a medical network in place if you need it later.
Beyond logistics, a few softer habits make a major difference:
Join something—a neighborhood WhatsApp group, a running club, a Spanish class, or a local community.
Learn functional Spanish. You don’t need fluency just enough to order food, explain directions, or handle a basic appointment.
Be patient with bureaucracy. Almost every process takes longer than expected.
Enjoy the best side of Panama. It may be a small country, but it’s filled with extraordinary places. Plan a getaway to Boquete, El Valle de Anton, the Pearl Islands, or Bocas del Toro during your first month.
Remember why you came.