Planning a visit or move to Panama can feel overwhelming at first. With our major move and months of research, weβve worked with professionals and services that made the process much easier.
Below are resources we personally recommend based on our experience. Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to use them. This helps support the Wander Open Roads channel at no additional cost to you.
If you're planning to rent or buy property in Panama City, working with a knowledgeable licensed realtor is extremely helpful. Our realtor specializes in helping expats navigate the local real estate market, from short-term rentals to long-term apartments and property purchases.
They understand what international clients need, including lease expectations, neighborhood recommendations, and common things to watch for when renting in Panama.
π Contact our Recommended Panama Realtor here:
Matthew Marx of Panama Equity Real Estate
Be sure to let Matthew know you are friends of ours π
Understanding visas, residency options, and legal paperwork in Panama can be confusing. The attorney we recommend works with expats regularly and helps guide clients through the residency process step-by-step and has a dedicated specialist for Panama Real Estate Rental and Purchase agreements.
Services may include visa consultations, residency applications, document preparation, and answering common relocation questions.
π Contact our Recommended Panama Attorney here:
Giovanna Bernal of Prime Solutions Tax & Legal
Visiting Panama City for the first time and wondering where to stay? We have come up with a list of recommended and popular hotels and AirBnB-Style Rentals for visitors and future expats. These hotels and rentals are good locations with easy access to restaurants, transportation, or walkable areas.
π Explore recommended hotels and rentals by Panama City neighborhoods on Expedia and VRBO here:Β
If youβre visiting Panama, there are incredible excursions beyond Panama City including the Panama Canal, San Blas Islands, rainforest tours, and historical walking tours.
We recommend booking tours through reputable providers with strong reviews to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
π Explore recommended tours and excursions on Viator here:Β
If youβre anything like us, you want to feel preparedβnot overwhelmedβwhen traveling or planning a move abroad. Thatβs why we created our Amazon storefront: a simple, curated collection of the gear, tools, and essentials that have made our own journey smoother.
Whether youβre heading to Panama for a scouting trip or preparing for a bigger move, this is a great place to start.
π Browse our curated list of travel essentials below by clicking the category link:
π§³ Start Here (Core Essentials)
βοΈ Scouting Trip Essentials
π‘ Temporary Living Setup (AirBnB Life)
π» Remote Life & Connectivity Tools
πΆββοΈ Daily Life in Panama / City Living
Staying connected while traveling or relocating internationally is essential. An international eSIM or travel phone plan allows you to activate mobile data instantly without needing to visit a store or swap physical SIM cards.
This is especially helpful when arriving in Panama for the first time so you can access maps, rideshare apps, and communication right away.
π View international phone plan option here:
Popcorn global phone plan with no roaming fees. Note:Β Be sure to setup in the United States before traveling and currently only works with Apple iPhones.
If you're planning to move money internationally, open accounts abroad, or send funds between countries, we recommend using Wise. It offers transparent exchange rates and typically lower fees compared to traditional banks.
Many expats use this service to transfer funds between their home country and Panama.
π Learn more about Wise and set up an account here:
Weβre also creating free tools to help you plan a visit, a move, or extended stay in Panama. These include:
β’ Neighborhood Quick Guide
β’ Scouting Trip Checklist
β’ Best Areas to Stay for First-Time Visit
β’ Apartment Viewing Checklist