Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Panama

Post new topic

Member since 30 May 2013

PriscillaViP29 September 2016 10:22:52

42358

Hello everyone,

Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Panama can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people.

What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Panama?

What are the most common clichés about life in Panama in general?

Did you have a biased view of the country before moving there? What is you view now?

Thanks in advance,

Priscilla

kristc99 Serial expat

Member since 09 December 2012

kristc99Serial expat03 October 2016 13:39:55

881

English is widely spoken.... ahh, no, not true outside of Coronado, Boquete, etc where there are tons of expats.

It's dangerous! Criminals, third world country, jungle, snakes, savages... blah blah, LOL. no, not true, probably safer than many places in the US. There are third world aspects along with the most modern and upscale elements that you could find anywhere.

Live cheap in paradise! ahh no, not paradise, just life though it can be a good life in a beautiful place. You still have to do the laundry, and learn how to do a lot of things differently in a new culture and new language. Not necessarily cheap either if you want some nice high rise in Panama City. It can be a lot cheaper though, depending on the choices you make. -

Don't believe half of what you hear. Come see for yourself.

I knew very little about what to expect before I arrived. That's probably good though, no unmet expectations.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Panama

Childcare in Panama
Education in Panama is compulsory for children from 6 years. In general, children attend pre-primary school as ...
Customs in Panama
It is advisable to seek customs information through the official channels before travelling to Panama. Because ...
Sports in Panama
A country as conducive to the outdoor life as Panama almost inevitably develops sport-lovers. In this case the ...
Accommodation in Panama City
Panama City, the Panamanian capital city, has a large variety of housing options for all tastes. Take the time to ...
Communicating in the local language
As a Panamanian who was fortunate enough to learn English and have some exposure to other different cultures ...
Visas for Panama
There are different types of residency visas in Panama, including those for retirees and others for people wishing ...
Transport in Panama
There are different means of transport in Panama: planes, trains, subway, bus, taxi, etc. You can choose among ...
Professional visas in Panama
To work in Panama you need an appropriate visa, and although the government protects the interests of its own ...