Planning a visit or move to Panama can feel overwhelming at first. With our major move and months of research, we’ve worked with professionals and services that made the process much easier.
Below are resources we personally recommend based on our experience. Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to use them. This helps support the Wander Open Roads channel at no additional cost to you.
We’re also creating free tools to help you plan a visit, a move, or extended stay in Panama. These include:
• Neighborhood Quick Guide
• Scouting Trip Checklist
• Best Areas to Stay for First-Time Visit
• Apartment Viewing Checklist
Visiting Panama City for the first time and wondering where to stay? We have come up with a list of recommended and popular hotels and AirBnB-Style Rentals through Expedia and VRBO for visitors and future expats. These hotels and rentals are good locations with easy access to restaurants, transportation, or walkable areas.
Thinking about relocating to Panama? One of the best ways to choose the right neighborhood is to experience it with someone who truly knows the city. Jenny's Guide to Panama shares local insights, neighborhood history, lifestyle tips, and what makes each area unique. Jenny can also assist with opening bank accounts, getting utilities for your apartment, getting local cell service, getting a driver's license, and more!
If you’re visiting Panama, there are incredible excursions beyond Panama City including the Panama Canal, San Blas Islands, rainforest tours, and historical walking tours.
We recommend booking tours through our reputable provider Viator with strong reviews to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
If you’re anything like us, you want to feel prepared—not overwhelmed—when traveling or planning a move abroad. That’s why we created our Amazon Storefront: a simple, curated collection of the gear, tools, and essentials that have made our own journey smoother.
Whether you’re heading to Panama for a scouting trip or preparing for a bigger move, this is a great place to start.
Browse our curated list of travel essentials below by clicking the category link:
🧳 Start Here (Core Essentials)
🏡 Temporary Living Setup (AirBnB Life)
Staying connected while traveling or relocating internationally is essential. An international eSIM or travel phone plan allows you to activate mobile data instantly without needing to visit a store or swap physical SIM cards.
This is especially helpful when arriving in Panama for the first time so you can access maps, rideshare apps, and communication right away.
Popcorn Mobile an international phone plan has no roaming fees. Note: Be sure to setup in the United States before traveling and they now work with iPhones & Android.
If you're planning to move money internationally, open accounts abroad, or send funds between countries, we recommend using Wise. It offers transparent exchange rates and typically lower fees compared to traditional banks.
Many expats use this service to transfer funds between their home country and Panama.