Choose Panama Real Estate, Rentals and Tours
Choose Panama
​Panama Luxury Real Estate & Rentals
License No. PN-4938-19
US: (214) 431-5235
  • Home
  • Buy
    • Condos for Sale in Casa Bonita, Playa Bonita Resort >
      • Playa Bonita Resort
      • 23M Casa Bonita Penthouse for Sale
      • 21P Casa Bonita Penthouse for Sale
      • 20-o Casa Bonita Penthouse for sale
      • 19L Panoramic Ocean View Apartment
      • 19D 2 Bedroom High Floor Apt with Great View
      • 17C Large 2-Bedroom Apt
      • 14B Casa Bonita 1 Bedroom for Sale
      • 13G 2 Bedroom at Casa Bonita
      • 11DE Large Condo with Direct Ocean Views
      • 10i Casa Bonita for Sale
      • 9e Casa Bonita 1 bedroom for sale
      • 8K 1 Bedroom Apt with Great View
      • 7F Large 2 Bedroom with Great View
      • 6F Casa Bonita Large 2 bedroom
      • Casa Bonita New Apartments
    • Westin Residences >
      • Marriott Benefits for Westin Residences Owners
    • Condos for Sale in Panama City >
      • Arcadia in Costa del Este, Panama
      • Armani Nuovo Luxury Apartment >
        • Armani Nuovo 2 Bedroom Apt
      • Costanera Luxury Apartments
      • Hyde by Wanders and Yoo
      • Generation Tower
      • La Maison Fendi Casa Panama
      • Loom Tower in San Francisco Panama
      • Marbella 47
      • Matisse Costa del Este Panama
      • Moderna 360
      • Nogal Apartments in Costa del Este
      • Parque Urraca 2 Bedroom Rental Apartment
      • The Ivy
      • Vista Marina
    • Condos for Sale in Coronado >
      • Royal Palm, Gorgona, Panama
      • About Coronado Golf Tower
      • Casamar Beach Community >
        • Perlamar at Casamar - 1 and 2-bedroom condos
        • Altamar at Casamar - 3 bedroom condos
      • Bahia Resort, Nueva Gorgona, Panama >
        • Bahia Resort 1 Bedroom
    • Playa Caracol
    • Priced-to-Sell Beach Properties
    • Houses for Sale >
      • Villamar at Casamar
      • Marinazul at Casamar >
        • Marinazul Masterplan
      • Vista Mar Villa
    • Boquete, Panama
    • Land for Sale >
      • Boquete House Plus 10 Hectares
      • Absolute Beachfront Lots Pedasi
      • Farm Land for Sale
    • Legal Process
  • Rent
    • Rental Book >
      • Pearl Club at Playa Bonita
    • Penthouses at Casa Bonita >
      • FAQs About Renting at Casa Bonita
      • Casa Bonita 21P Penthouse
      • Casa Bonita 22M Penthouse
      • Casa Bonita 23N Penthouse
      • Casa Bonita 23o Penthouse
      • Casa Bonita 24o Penthouse
    • 2 Bedrooms at Casa Bonita >
      • Casa Bonita 6B
      • Casa Bonita 6D
      • Casa Bonita 6F
      • Casa Bonita 7D
      • Casa Bonita 7F
      • Casa Bonita 7i
      • Casa Bonita 8A
      • Casa Bonita 8B
      • Casa Bonita 9i
      • Casa Bonita 10G
      • Casa Bonita 10i
      • Casa Bonita 12B
      • Casa Bonita 14F
      • Casa Bonita 15B
      • Casa Bonita 17E
      • Casa Bonita 17J
      • Casa Bonita 18A
      • Casa Bonita 18G
      • Casa Bonita 18e
      • Casa Bonita 19D
      • Casa Bonita 19K
      • Casa Bonita 19L
    • 1 Bedrooms at Casa Bonita >
      • Playa Bonita Resort
      • Casa Bonita 6e
      • Casa Bonita 8K
      • Casa Bonita 9e
      • Casa Bonita 12C
      • Casa Bonita 13B
      • Casa Bonita 14B
      • Casa Bonita 14H
      • Casa Bonita 16h
    • Renting in Panama City >
      • Nuovo by Armani Casa Luxury Apartment
      • Parque Urraca 2 Bedroom Rental Apartment
      • Solaris 3 Bedroom Rental Apartment
      • Vista del Mar 1 bedroom
      • Villa del Mar 2 bedroom apartment
      • Rental Book City Apartments
    • Fun Facts About Panama
    • Resources for Renters >
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Casa Bonita Rules & Regulations
  • Visit
    • Concierge >
      • Premium Services >
        • In Home Chef
      • Property Management
    • Things to Do in Panama >
      • Panama Canal
      • Monkey Island Panama
      • Fish Market Panama
      • Best Restaurants in Panama City, Panama
    • Panama Tide Chart
    • Areas to Visit >
      • Amador Causeway
    • Restaurants
    • Foodie Tour
    • Gift Videos
    • French People Moving to Panama >
      • Porquoi les Français s'installent-ils au Panama
  • Move
    • Why Panama?
    • How to Buy Property in Panama
    • Panama Residency
    • Opening a Bank Account in Panama
    • Getting a Bank Mortgage in Panama
    • Bringing Pets to Panama >
      • Checklist for Bringing Your Dogs & Cats to Panama from the US
    • Schools in Panama City Panama
    • Schools in Boquete and David Panama
    • Panama Drivers Llicense
    • Condo Remodeling >
      • What Do Renovations Cost in Panama?
      • Remodeling - Panama Penthouse
      • Renovations in Panama-Double Apt
      • Redecorating in Panama 1 Bedroom City
      • Redecorating in Panama Amador Causeway
    • Testimonials
  • Podcast
  • Books
    • The Panama Affair
    • FREE Book
  • Contact
    • About Us
    • In the News
    • Media Kit
    • Register for Webinar
    • Client Registration
    • Realtor Registration
  • Blog

Can You Survive Living in Panama?

2/23/2025

0 Comments

 
WARNING: Life in Panama may cause excessive relaxation, an addiction to fresh seafood, and an inability to tolerate cold weather ever again. Proceed with caution!
Have you ever wondered if you could actually survive living in Panama? Well, let’s find out with this definitive 10-step survival test. If you think you can handle it, you just might be cut out for life in the tropics.

10 - Surviving… Year-Round Tropical Weather
Let’s start with the obvious: Can you handle living in a place where it’s always summer? No more shoveling snow, scraping ice off your windshield, or wearing five layers just to check the mail. Instead, you’ll be “suffering” through 80-degree breezes every single day. If warm, tropical weather offends you… Panama may not be for you.

9 - Surviving… In-Home Spa Treatments
Picture this: You’re in your apartment, the ocean breeze drifts through the open balcony, and a professional masseuse is working out all the stress you used to have before moving to Panama. Can you handle a world where in-home massages cost less than a casual lunch out? If not, maybe stick to that overpriced chair massage at the mall.

8 - Surviving… Cheap Domestic Services
In Panama, it’s completely normal to have regular maid service. Some expats splurge and have a weekly maid, while others have jumped all-in and employed a full-time maid. At $25 to $40 a day, you don’t have to be a billionaire to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Imagine never scrubbing a toilet, mopping a floor, or folding laundry ever again. If letting someone else handle the chores while you sip a piña colada on your balcony sounds too stressful… well, consider yourself warned.

7️ - Surviving… The Golf Course Dilemma
Panama is home to 11 golf courses—many with spectacular ocean or mountain views. The real challenge? Deciding which world-class course to play on any given day. If facing an endless lineup of lush fairways sounds too overwhelming, you might want to rethink your survival skills.

6️ - Surviving… An Overload of Fresh Seafood
Ever had lobster for lunch on a Tuesday just because it was cheap and fresh? Can you endure unlimited ceviche, shrimp, and grilled fish straight from the ocean—without your wallet suffering cardiac arrest? If the thought of affordable, top-quality seafood sends shivers down your spine, you may be in trouble.

5️ - Surviving… Restaurants That Actually Remember You
Unlike big cities where you’re just another anonymous customer, Panama’s restaurant scene is personal. The waitstaff remember your name, your favorite dish, and even how you like your coffee. If you prefer bland chain restaurants where nobody cares… then Panama could be too much for you.

4️ - Surviving… The Low Cost of Living
Imagine your carrying costs are just a tiny fraction of what you’d pay in North America, your healthcare bill doesn’t require a second mortgage, and dining out every night actually makes financial sense. If spending less money on more luxury is a burden… good luck.

3️ - Surviving… A Laid-Back Lifestyle
Life in Panama moves at a different pace. Things take time, people actually enjoy their coffee breaks, and nobody is in a rush to stress out. If you thrive on road rage and office burnout, this might be your breaking point.

2️ - Surviving… Making New Friends Instantly
Expats in Panama are friendly. Really friendly. You’ll find yourself meeting new people at happy hour, in the grocery store, even at the dog park. If you prefer cold, distant social interactions—well, Panama might be a bit too welcoming for you.

1️ - Surviving… Never Wanting to Leave
Here’s the ultimate survival test: Once you get here, you won’t want to leave. Vacations back to your home country will feel like trips to the frozen tundra, and every time you check real estate prices elsewhere, you’ll laugh. OUT. Loud. If you’re not ready to fall in love with paradise… better stay put.

Final Score: Did You Pass the Panama Survival Test?
If you made it through all 10 points without running for the hills, congratulations! You just might be able to survive the ultimate challenge—enjoying your new life in Panama.

Thanks for tuning in. I’d love to stay and chat but… my masseuse is here.
​
See you in Panama!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Melissa Darnay is a Gen X real estate broker who traded the hustle and bustle of American life for the charms of Panama in 2012.  Learn more... 

    Picture
    We have a LOT of information that we've accumulated since 2012. Please use the SEARCH BAR above to find specific information.

    Archives

    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    July 2021
    July 2020
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2012-2025 Choose Panama Inc. All Rights Reserved.