{"id":3548,"date":"2024-07-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/?p=3548"},"modified":"2024-07-24T17:32:31","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T09:32:31","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-living-in-panama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-living-in-panama\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons of Living in Panama You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some notable benefits of moving to Panama include inexpensive healthcare, a wide variety of delicious dishes to choose from, and a friendly community. However, there are some drawbacks such as the hustle and bustle of the country\u2019s nightlife bothering some or the language barrier.<\/p>\n

Deciding whether Panama is your ideal next location in your expat journey? This <\/span>Pacific Prime Latin America<\/span><\/a> article is going to introduce you to the pros and cons of living in Panama and give you an idea of what living in Panama is like, so that you can make informed decisions about your move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"General<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n

Introduction to Panama<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Panama is a country in Latin America at the southern end of Central America, bordering South America. The country is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the Southeast, the Caribbean sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.<\/p>\n

The Pros of Living in Panama<\/h2>\n

From inexpensive living and healthcare, the food, and so much more, living in Panama has something for every expat looking to relocate or retire there. Below are some notable pros of living in Panama.<\/p>\n

Affordable Healthcare<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the first benefits of living in Panama is the affordable yet excellent healthcare. In comparison to other countries such as Canada or the United States, Panama\u2019s healthcare is much cheaper but quality is not sacrificed.<\/p>\n

While the quality of public hospitals in Panama is decent, some expats may find the crowdedness and long waiting times for non-emergency medical cases problematic.<\/p>\n

For instance, a local hospital visit can range from USD $25-40 while a typical doctor consultation can range from USD $40-60.<\/p>\n

Thus, private hospitals are generally preferred among expats despite the higher price, thanks to shorter wait times and better amenities.<\/p>\n

Affordable Living<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The exact cost of living in Panama will depend on the location and property type, and if you\u2019re staying with your spouse and children. The cost of living in Panama<\/a> is once again considerably cheaper in comparison to many other countries.<\/p>\n

Expats wishing to live comfortably in Panama will need a monthly budget of at least USD $1,500-3,000.<\/p>\n

Delicious Food<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Panama features a wide variety of well-known dishes such as tacos, ceviche, and the country\u2019s national dish, Sancochos.<\/p>\n

You also have the option of fresh seafood and tropical fruits particularly in the coast’s beach towns. Thanks to the abundance of regional dishes throughout the country, Panama has something new for every expat looking for the ultimate adventure for their taste buds!<\/p>\n

Friendly Community<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You will be happy to know that the people in Panama are extremely friendly, making it easy for expats to make friends and get in touch with each other in case you need help. The country has a strong sense of community and the people tend to know their neighbors well.<\/p>\n

Additionally, there are also many American expats moving into Central America, so you should be able to meet other people in the same boat as you.<\/p>\n

Diverse Landscape<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One benefit that is particularly appealing to expats is the country\u2019s diverse and beautiful landscape. Panama features large cities, mountains, as well as beaches. Thanks to the diverse landscape, expats can enjoy swimming, hiking, jungle exploration, and casual walks around town.<\/p>\n

Comfortable Weather<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And while we\u2019re on the subject of nature and landscape, the other benefit of living in Panama is the weather. Being a tropical country, temperature is fairly consistent throughout the year. For instance, the highs range from 29-32 degrees Celsius (or approximately 84-90 degrees Fahrenheit).<\/p>\n

Zero Taxation<\/h3>\n

\"Panama<\/p>\n

Panama does not tax foreign-earned income, which can be a significant financial advantage for many expats. Especially if you are a remote worker employed by a foreign company or a digital nomad, you can keep every penny you earned!<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cons of Living in Panama<\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the benefits of living in Panama, let\u2019s now move onto the contrary with some notable drawbacks <\/strong>of living in this particular country. Some of these drawbacks such as the hustle and bustle from the city\u2019s nightlife may be subjective, while language barrier may be problematic.<\/p>\n

Below are some notable drawbacks of living in Panama.<\/p>\n

Nightlife Noise Disturbance<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While some may enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, specifically the nightlife, some may find the noise disturbance irritating. Panamanians are known for partying, accompanied by loud music in the streets and people socializing for hours during night and day.<\/p>\n

For some, the excessive noise from all the music and bursts of laughter may be too overwhelming if they are trying to sleep. For that reason, living in Panama might not be the best idea for early sleepers.<\/p>\n

Language Barrier<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The biggest drawback of living in Panama for expats is the language barrier. English is not widely spoken in the country, and this can be extremely problematic for performing everyday errands such as shopping for groceries or visiting public hospitals if the staff aren\u2019t multilingual.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, if you build connections with Panama\u2019s friendly community of expats and local citizens, you can either bring one of them along as a translator to help you work around the language barrier or ask them to help teach you how to speak Spanish as well.<\/p>\n

Limited Credit Card Acceptance<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Because there are some areas in Panama that don\u2019t accept credit card payment, carrying US Dollars or Panamanian Balboa in cash is strongly recommended. While some restaurants and shops accept credit card transactions just fine, it\u2019s advisable to carry cash for others that don’t, such as transportation.<\/p>\n

Smaller hotels and restaurants will also prefer cash payment and the farther away you are from the city, the more you will need to carry cash due to the shortage of credit card transaction acceptance.<\/p>\n

Be aware that cash transactions also means short-changes and scams are more likely to happen in Panama.<\/p>\n

Discomfort from Bugs<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For those who are fearful or annoyed of bugs scurrying around, living in Panama may not be a suitable idea as the country has its fair share of bugs that can cause discomfort.<\/p>\n

For instance, small insects such as ants, mosquitos, or spiders are common and can enter your home at any moment. To prevent them from entering, remember to keep your doors and windows closed and seal off any gaps or crevices in your home through caulking.<\/p>\n

Be aware, also, of larger, poisonous bugs such as scorpions and centipedes.<\/p>\n

If the pest infestation is out of control, call a pest control service. This is where making friends through the friendly expat and local community comes in handy, as they can not only help translate, but can also recommend multilingual pest control services to work around the language barrier.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

While there are some drawbacks to living in Panama such as payment limitations, the language barrier, or potential noise disturbances from the hustle and bustle of the city, benefits such as the friendly community, opportunities for traveling, and affordability makes up for it.<\/p>\n

Not only is healthcare and living considerably cheaper in comparison to many other countries, but the friendly community is key to navigating the country as they can also help recommend popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and more.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Get<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n

As an international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime Latin America<\/a> has helped match numerous expats and local citizens to a health insurance plan<\/a> that matches both their budget range and unique healthcare needs.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a local Panamanian citizen yourself or an expat looking for a fresh start in Panama, our team of specialists will be more than happy to help you out. And if you have any further questions, please get in touch with us<\/a> and get a free quote here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some notable benefits of moving to Panama include inexpensive healthcare, a wide variety of delicious dishes to choose from, and a friendly community. However, there are some drawbacks such as the hustle and bustle of the country\u2019s nightlife bothering some or the language barrier. 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