Looking for American Expats in Panama City?

Thinking about moving to Panama City as an American? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what US American expats in Panama City wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's affordable and easy to settle. 62% of expats in Panama City rate the general cost of living positively and 62% housing affordability, and 64% find the language easy to learn (vs. 38% globally).

• It's safe, warm, and social. 91% rate personal safety positively, 72% the climate, and 56% say making local friends is easy, with 76% feeling welcome.

• The food and lifestyle are a joy. 88% rate culinary variety positively and Americans praise a strong expat social scene and a relaxed work-life balance (73%).

• Nature and travel are close. 91% rate the natural environment positively and 85% the opportunity to travel, with the US a short flight away.

• Trash and infrastructure are disappointing. Litter, poor roads, and unsafe sidewalks come up as the most common complaints.

• Getting around is difficult Only 62% rate the availability of public transportation positively, with traffic congestion in the capital.

• Careers are limited. Just 30% rate the local job market positively and 49% say the move improved their career prospects.

• The heat and humidity. Panama City is described as extremely hot, and the nearest good beaches aren't close.

For Americans, Panama City offers safety, affordability, warmth, and an easy, social life with the US close by and generous discounts for retirees. The trade-offs are the trash, patchy infrastructure, and the heat. It's a favourite with retirees and remote workers who value value and ease.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.

• Browse our network of members to get to know American expats in Panama City and connect with others.
• Take part in our expat forums to get firsthand tips and information from fellow Americans in Panama City.
• Meet other American expats and global minds at 600 monthly official events and share your interests at more than 4,600 monthly activities in Panama City and across the globe.

InterNations provides an easy, casual way to get to know expats from the USA and further afield in your local community. Sound good? Then let us welcome you into our Panama City Community today!

Our community in Panama City is also very active offline. Our InterNations Ambassadors organize regular events and various expat activities, e.g. a dinner in Panama City’s hippest restaurant or an outing with other American expats to explore the Río Chagres and Gatun Lake. These activities are a casual way to get to know expats from the USA in your local community as well as Americans in Panama nationwide. Interested? Simply become a member and we’ll be happy to welcome you among our Americans living in Panama City!