Expat living: 5 things that surprise ex-pats when coming to Panama for the first time

Panama expat communities are getting larger as the country receives new expats: Panama in this sense is unique. We've discussed various aspects concerning the country of the canal. From free zones to the Panama foundation and residency visas, we've covered pretty much all.

Therefore, today we present Panama for expats from a different perspective. Those who have lived in Panama know that this is a place as beautiful as it is surprising. Welcome to today's featured article on 5 facts about Panama which astound expats as they visit for the first time.

International expat living in Panama: 5 things that will surely surprise you

Even the best expat communities in Panama are formed by people who were surprised by finding certain peculiarities. Moreover, more and more foreigners are finding in Panama their new home as we can see from recent migration statistics concerning Panama visa programs.

These surprising facts are both picturesque and useful, especially if you're planning to get Panama residency or to visit soon.

5 surprising facts about Panama: number one - no addresses

This is one of the most surprising facts since we're talking about a city with advanced infrastructure. For expats, Panama can be challenging when it comes to finding the right place or getting stuff delivered. Here there is not a unified system of street names and postal codes, so how do people get to places?

In Panama, the instructions that you give to a taxi driver sound like this: “I'm going to San Francisco around the corner from Parque Omar”, or “I'm going to the Window Tower building, near the Mercado de la Carne”.

To sum up, directions are given based on references known to all and this is basically how people get around. The reason for this is that Panama is a very old city actually, it was the very first Spanish settlement on the Pacific shore. However, it has experienced its major growth in the past two decades while the absence of a unified street nomenclature remains intact.

On the one hand, it is true that the development of online virtual maps and the possibility of establishing one's exact location with any smartphone has made things easier. This is especially so for food delivery and apps like Uber. Nonetheless, when it comes to receiving official mail or products purchased online things get more challenging.

Fortunately, there are solutions like private mailboxes or the possibility of using an address in Miami to get products, for example, from Amazon. Nonetheless when it comes to expat living it can be strange for foreigners when they want to order something, and they can't simply enter their address like they would do back home.

5 surprising facts about Panama: number two - sidewalks

In line with the previous paragraph, we must understand that Panama's urbanization wasn't planned. Except for Casco Viejo which was specifically designed after the original settlement was burned to the ground by Henry Morgan, the rest of the city simply grew as it came. 

After obtaining control of the administration of the canal, Panama developed considerably in only a quarter of a century, however, the original layout of the streets could not be rebuilt. As a result, a large part of the city, and key places located in the city center like Calle 50, via España, Transismica, are unfriendly for pedestrians. 

There are practically no pathways to cross these fast-speed avenues which makes it very uncomfortable if you're not commuting by motorcycle or car. Exceptions include the above-mentioned Casco Viejo or newly planned neighborhoods like Costa del Este. In part, this is why this area has become so popular being home to state-of-the-art residential developments. 

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5 facts about Panama: number three - the national traditional costume

As a person who has lived and enjoyed Panama, the writer recommends visiting it throughout November. This is where the national holidays take place, and they are simply a delight to watch.

When it comes to ex pats, Panama surprises them with stunning and complex traditional costumes. They are made with lively colors and exquisite designs. With them, numerous gold ornaments are used being the perfect complement for this outfit. 

One of the most surprising facts that you find in Panama is that women use a hair ornament called “tembleque”. If you ever lived in one of Panama expat communities like I have I'm sure you've never seen something quite like this elsewhere. They are made with colored beads, and they form the most exquisite and complex designs and craftsmanship.

5 surprising facts about Panama: number four - cosmopolitan environment

It's amazing how in Panama you can see people from different ethnicities and religions cohabitating peacefully. Walking the streets in Panama or strolling around the malls and entertainment complexes you can really see why Panama is called “crisol de razas”. 

Since the construction of the canal, the country has been inhabited by large percentages of foreigners. Furthermore, this tendency continued only to be enhanced by today's residency programs like the Qualified Investor visa or the Friendly Nations.

5 facts about Panama: Number five - Respect for traditions and dress codes

Every international expat should keep in mind that when entering official buildings or state offices it's necessary to observe a formal dress code. No sandals, strap shirts, or shorts are allowed and, unlike in other countries which show more flexibility, in Panama this is strictly respected.

Panama for expats: Special mentions by Mundo

We've chosen surprising facts that are unique to Panama and also the most impressive ones. It's worth mentioning other aspects like the abundance of beautiful landscapes. In Panama, you can go to the Caribbean Sea, to a beach on the Pacific Ocean, to the mountains, or to dreamy cascades.

This variety has made Panama a tourist attraction giving place for luxury hotels to develop. Both visitors and residents will find a variety of high-end restaurants, shopping malls with exclusive brands, and luxury accommodation.

All of this is available for Panama expat communities to enjoy. Moreover, thanks to the abundance of ex pats, Panama is a place where you can find like-minded people.

Disclaimer: this article presents the opinion of the Mundo editorial team and should not be taken as migration, financial or formal advice.

How the international expat can settle in Panama thanks to Mundo

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But this is only the beginning because we also reach other jurisdictions and speak different languages.

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