How to meet expats in Panama

Im

looking at doing the same. Keep me posted please.

What part of Panama are you looking to move to? I am looking at the Boquete and Volcan areas after doing hundreds of hours of research on youtube and google. There are a lot of Facebook groups for expats in Panama. But it is not easy to meet expats on there. But they will answer questions. Stay in touch!

@Panama_expat_DRH

My husband and I are moving to Boquete in a couple of weeks! We purchased the online Panama Relocation Tours guide, which is packed with valuable information and recommendations. We didn't do the tour because we knew we wanted to be in the mountains rather than a beach area, and it didn't make sense to spend time visiting Panama City and several beach towns if that wasn't where we wanted to live. That also gave us access to a large community of expats who are already in Panama or on that journey. You can check out their website and YouTube channel for their free content. It's not as valuable as what you pay for access to, but it provides great introductory information.

We've been expats in the Dominican Republic for about 5.5 years now. The DR community here on Expat.com is much larger and more active. I'm hoping to recruit some more folks to join this board and share their wisdom and lessons learned!

I'm happy to help answer any questions I can - we've visited several times and have done tons of research.

Thank you for responding back to me. I have been watching Jackie's videos from Panama Relocation Tours. I am considering buying the online guide. I don't want the tour either for the same reasons as you. I am thinking about moving to Boquete initially because of the large expat community there. I would like to network with others to meet friends and learn how to best assimilate into the area. I may move to Volcan after I learn the ropes because it is a smaller and more rural community. There is not as big as of an expat area there so I am learning Spanish now. Do you know any expats living in the Bouquete area? Is this forum a good way to meet them? Have you tried facebook groups or other means? I hope all goes well with your move!

We only know a few people in Bouquete. One couple we met through the PRT community. I had asked a question in the group, and he reached out with an offer to help. Nine months and lots of information exchanges later on our second visit to Boquete, we had dinner in their home. The other couple we met through Basura Busters. It's a volunteer group that meets on Sunday mornings to pick up trash along the streets in Boquete, then enjoys breakfast/coffee at Mike's Global Grill.

There is a growing group of PRT members in Volcan, and there are monthly meetups.

How can I connect with the PRT members in Volcan?

@Panama_expat_DRH

When you purchase the online guide, you'll gain access to the community through the members-only Facebook group (which got my husband back on Facebook) and through the monthly meetups. I haven't seen reports from the meet and greet in Volcan yesterday, but I attended the one in Boquete, and there were probably 50 people there.

I'm also interested in meeting other expats, though I’m thinking of living on the coast somewhere, not Panama City.

I'm planning a visit soon to look around and hopefully see where I might like to live

All of you who are moving to Boquete, I hope you are big drinkers because that’s what you do in Boquete. I highly recommend not moving there until you have spent at least three months there. It’s pretty much ex-pats for sure but there’s not much to do except for go out And drink. Good luck.

@bodyandsoulfitness

I've only been here a short time, but I don't find that to be the case at all! There are tons of hiking groups, pickleball, volunteer opportunities, game nights, and more.

Lots of talk of Boquete on here (and yes, I'm a big drinker, lol)

Housing seems a lot more affordable in the area and we're always seeing places we like around David but I always blow it off because of the commute. Do you fly into PC and then drive there? What's that like?

We fly into David's Enrique Malek Airport (DAV). It's just 45 minutes from downtown Boquete.

We fly into David's Enrique Malek Airport (DAV). It's just 45 minutes from downtown Boquete. - @ddmcghee

Thanks for the fast reply. How do you manage that? I've tried to see if I can book flights to other airports around Panama from various online sources and have never been able to. Is it because I'm coming from the US? Do we have to fly into PC, then take a flight out?

@Darin&Sally

It’s like a huge tranke(traffic jam) and then you drive real slow ( compared to the US ) for about 6 hours. Then you go through a checkpoint when you enter Chiriqui and drive real slow for another 2 hours to David. Then it’s up the mountain to  Boquete. We usually rent a car from Sixt at the airport. They are usually the cheapest and best service. Other than that, everything else is pretty much the same as anywhere else. Hope this helps. I have made the trip about 20 times but I was living in Volcan. Had to drive back to PC to get Copenhagen. It’s like Panamanians don’t chew.

There are several flights each day back and forth between PTY and DAV on Copa. This is best if you are coming from outside Panama and connecting to David.

To just fly between the two cities, Air Panama also offers flights from PAC (Allbrook) to David. Allbrook airport is on the south side of Panama City.

You should be able to see flights to DAV using Google Flights or Kayak.

@Panama_expat_DRH

There are a gazillion Facebook groups. Also, most places advertise their events/activities on IG

My wife and I have been living in the highlands near Boquete for many years, and we still live here today.

If you are considering Boquete or Volcán, my advice would be to make contacts before your first trip, but also to spend some real time in both areas before making any decisions.

They are not far apart, but everyday life can feel quite different.

We have met many people over the years who came to Panama with one idea in mind and then changed their plans after experiencing the climate, distances, daily routines and local community for themselves.

If you come to the Boquete area, feel free to get in touch. We are always happy to share our own experiences, answer practical questions and have a coffee together.

What is most important to you for your retirement, climate, community, healthcare, nature or something else?

@Panama_expat_DRH

This is exactly what I'm needing as well. Can anyone direct me to a Volcan group?

@Pauraii62

there is a small community of expats there. I believe it is west of Volcan a mile or two. It was some real estate guy from Texas that bought a large piece of land and he’s selling small parcels. it’s designed to be a Christian/survival commune type deal. I believe the parcels are 3 to 5 acres each. That’s one you can check out. They have an advertisement on YouTube, but I can’t remember the name of it. there are several other expats living there as well. there was a restaurant/hotel named Mana that now they have changed the name, but I’m not sure of the name of it currently. That one is close to the entrance of Volcan coming from David. That used to be owned by Americans, but I seen they had it for sale for several years. Many Americans go there to eat and it’s a good place to meet people. Volcan has many Americans living there. you should be able to find it fairly cheap rental if you’re not too picky. Just rent something and live there for a few months and you will meet people. it would be a huge benefit if you speak Spanish. If not, you will find a few English speakers anyway. remember to keep in mind Paso Ancho. It’s only five minutes from Vulcan and is a very nice location.