Many of those who decide to relocate to Panama are very surprised once they arrive and begin to settle in their new home. Panama is a different country than the U.S. and one should expect living in a different country to be just that. Different.
An element to consider when living in Panama is the major change of pace. Panamanians do not exhibit the constant sense of urgency in most tasks that Americans would. The phrase “manana” which means tomorrow has become a joke of sorts in that when someone in Panama tells you they will be there or do something “manana” it doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow, but actually just means not today. 
This is where patience must come into play. Kicking and screaming will get you nowhere with most people in Panama. Be patient and try to adapt to your new home’s pace of life. You will prevent a lot more grey hairs.
If you are not fluent in Spanish Panama will present another set of difficulties. My best advice is to practice. Practice speaking to your cab drivers, neighbors, waiter and anyone who will listen and humor your attempts. The patience factor will once again prove helpful.
Once you have become used to your new country’s tempo and learn some basic Spanish skills things will become more enjoyable. However, you may never get to this point without persistence. Living in Panama requires a great deal of persistence with others in order to accomplish things. You must remind those assisting you (lawyers, maids, drivers, etc.) of what you need done and when it must be finished or it will likely take three times as long to complete. Persistence is also necessary in overcoming the language barrier as well. It is tempting to give up or feel embarrassed when you lack communication with others, but persistence, as well as patience and practice are crucial elements for happiness and success when living in panama.
So keep an open mind, relax, and don’t give up. Take Panama for what it is and make the best of it. Your experience will be much more enjoyable if you do.
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Thanks for the great, practical advice on Living in Panama. We’ve been working there for two years now, and have definitely learned to be patient and persistent. The laid back lifestyle makes Panama perfect for a vacation, but a little bit frustrating for more structured efforts like relocation or starting a business. We have truly enjoyed meeting and working with the locals, I highly recommend just talking to anyone you can and going with the flow. We’re working on the island property Isla Palenque, which will be a sustainable resort and residence community. One way we will help our residents and Panama locals is by hiring local people who want to be a part of the hospitality industry to help visitors fall in love with and respect the Panamanian way of life. For more information on our project, the website is http://www.islapalenque.com. We also have a blog all about working in Panama and the beautiful and quizzical things we have discovered, that url is http://www.islapalenque.com/blog/
Thanks for the posts.
Panama is not what you would expect period!
If you do not speak Spanish you are in for a very hard time here.
Service at restaurants and hotels can be a true experience almost like living within the Twilight Zone.
Living is not cheap here!
Restaurants and food are higher priced than most of the USA!
Laid back in style are the workers and government employees, they seem to take for ever to do some things you and I could do in five minutes, takes days, then weeks, then months!
Be prepared to stand in endless lines for any Government for poor information, poor services, or poor help!
The streets and roads are in real need of repair!
Driving in Panama is truly a religious and death defying act.
Five of the biggest cities in Panama have on going water problems David gets water a few hours a day now.
The tourist areas are just OK!
Trash dumps and sewage on and near the resorts and beaches.
Panama is an experience you will not forget and is truly a once in a life time event!
Come once to see?
Do not forget to bring lots and lots of Cash and money, that way the Panamanians will be glad to separate it from you without doing anything for it or any form of guilt for fleecing you.
Happy trails!