FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to live comfortably in Panama? We model monthly costs by area and lifestyle, with low/median/high scenarios.

City vs. beach vs. mountains—which is better for families/remote workers?
We outline trade-offs: schools, commute, climate, noise, safety, and community.

Can you help outside Panama City?
Yes—Anywhere in Panama, including Coronado/San Carlos, El Valle, Boquete, Bocas del Toro.

What about banking for foreigners?
We prepare you for interviews/KYC and outline required documents; approvals are at bank discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners open bank accounts in Panama?
Yes—requirements vary by bank and profile. We outline documents and set expectations.

How long does company setup take?
Typically 1–3 weeks for an S.A. or SRL after required documents have been gathered (KYC, apostilles).

Which company set-up is best in Panama: S.A., SRL (LLC-style), or Foundation?
We compare liability, governance, banking friendliness, and typical use cases.

Can foreigners buy property in Panama?
Yes. Few restrictions. We verify clean title at the Public Registry and guide due diligence, closing, and post-closing with vetted legal experts.

What returns are realistic for investment properties?
Depends on area and strategy. We model ADR, occupancy, and OPEX for STR vs. long-term to set conservative expectations.

Is Panama real estate a good investment right now?
We analyze rentability, inventory trends, and exit options for your target area and budget.

What rental yield can I expect in Panama?
We model gross vs. net yield with realistic assumptions for ADR, occupancy, HOA, operational expenses, fees and taxes.

What are the main risks when buying in Panama?
Title verification, pre-construction delivery risk, Short-Term rental restrictions, HOA restrictions, and resale liquidity.

Do you take commissions from sellers?
No. Transparent, client-first model; any referral relationships are disclosed upfront.

Do you work with specific agents?
We do introduce vetted, independent agents and managers—no pay-to-play referrals. However, our clients are free to choose the professionals that want to work with.

Frequently asked questions

DON'T PUT YOUR DREAM ON HOLD

You don’t have to:

✖️ Fear drowning in paperwork and bureaucracy
✖️ Feel overwhelmed by everything that could go wrong
✖️ Worry that you’re “not doing things the right way”
✖️ Get discouraged every time you sit down to plan your move
✖️ Stay stuck in your current life just because you’re afraid to make the move

About The PANAMA EXPLORER. CLARITY, CONNECTIONS, CONFIDENCE.

The PANAMA EXPLORER. is your trusted guide to life, travel, and opportunity in Panama. We help travelers, investors, and future residents cut through the brochure hype—how to visit safely, where to stay, how to get residency, what it really costs, and where the best opportunities are.

We combine local insight, practical tools, and vetted partners to make your time in Panama smoother, safer, and more rewarding—whether you’re here for a week or planning a long-term move.

ABOUT THE PANAMA EXPLORER: CLARITY, CONNECTIONS, CONFIDENCE

We’re an advisory + introductions platform for safe travel, smart stays, clear residency paths, real costs, real opportunities—powered by local insight and vetted partners.

We are not a law firm and don’t provide legal or tax advice. We guide you and connect you with vetted licensed professionals.

PANAMA FULL SUPPORT RELOCATION PACKAGES: CHOOSE YOUR BEST FIT

From first questions to full arrival support—get clear guidance, vetted local introductions, and a realistic plan to settle in Panama with confidence

Retirees + Full-Time Relocators

$1,895 (Save10%)

For: “I’m interested in Panama but I’m not sure what’s realistic.”

Includes

1:1 Personal Relocation Strategy Session (live call, up to 60 min)

• Assessment of your goals, timeline, lifestyle, budget and deal-breakers

• Initial residency overview (which residency path likely fits you and why)

• First-location recommendation (city, beach, or mountain)

• First answers to safety, cost of living, healthcare, schooling, remote work

Residency Guidance + Support

• Which residency program(s) you qualify for (Friendly Nations, Pensionado, etc.) and expected costs

• Required documents list (what, where to get it, translation, how to legalize)

• Realistic timeline

• Warm introduction to vetted, licensed immigration lawyer, translation services, and tax expert

• On-The-Ground Support

Where to Live + Cost of Living Assessment

• Assess your ideal areas

• Cost of living breakdown for 1–2 ideal areas

• Safety and lifestyle breakdown

• Support in your search for a place to live (3 Options)

Healthcare + Insurance Navigation

• Private clinic / hospital access in your area

• Typical out-of-pocket costs

• Overview of various Health insurance models

• Intro to vetted insurance broker if you want coverage

Panama Landing Support (Your first 72 hours in Panama) for your arrival:

• Airport pickup

• Local eSIM setup

• First housing options sourced in your budget

• Safety + neighbourhood orientation (groceries, clinics, ATMs, transport, what to avoid)

• Organize appointment to set up bank account

Panama Driver’s License + Car Insurance Setup

• Step-by-step license process

• Required documents (what, where to get it, translation, how to legalize)

• Car insurance basics, typical pricing, and trusted providers

You leave with:

• Personal Relocation Roadmap (PDF): Next steps, Owners, Dates, Cost ranges

• Residency Eligibility and Cost Report (PDF) — side-by-side fit for Friendly Nations, Pensionado, Qualified Investor, etc., with pass/fail notes and breakdown of expected fees (official fees vs. professional fees) based on residency option

• Editable Residency Task Tracker (Excel) — Detailed breakdown of tasks (incl. required documents, apostilles, translations, appointments) and dependencies, status and realistic timelines

• Neighborhood Short-List Summary (PDF) of locations and features compared to preference and rent benchmark prices

• Cost of Living Tracker (Excel) —solo/couple/family scenarios; low/median/high ranges based on desired area as well as arrival costs

• Healthcare And Insurance Report (PDF)

• Panama Driver’s License Guide + Car Insurance Quote (PDF

• Bonus: Viewing Strategy Overview (PDF)

Investors + Entrepreneurs

$1,495 (Save10%)

For: “I’m coming in the next 3–6 months and I need a plan, not just advice.”

Includes:

1:1 Personal Relocation Strategy Session (live call, up to 60 min)

• Assessment of your goals, timeline, lifestyle, budget and deal-breakers

• Initial residency overview (which residency path likely fits you and why)

• First-location recommendation (city, beach, or mountain)

• First answers to safety, cost of living, healthcare, schooling, remote work

Residency Guidance + Support

• Which residency program(s) you qualify for (Friendly Nations, Pensionado, etc.) and expected costs

• Required documents list (what, where to get it, translation, how to legalize)

• Realistic timeline

• Warm introduction to vetted, licensed immigration lawyer, translation services, and tax expert

• On the-ground-Support

Company, Work + Banking Guidance

• What type of company structure is right for you

• Which bank is best for you and what banks actually ask for

• Warm introduction to a bank advisor

Panama Landing Support (Your first 72 hours in Panama) for your arrival:

• Airport pickup

• Local eSIM setup

• First housing options sourced in your budget

• Safety + neighbourhood orientation (groceries, clinics, ATMs, transport, what to avoid)

• Organize appointment to set up bank account

You leave with:

• Personal Relocation Roadmap (PDF): Next steps, Owners, Dates, Cost ranges

• Residency Eligibility and Cost Report (PDF) — side-by-side fit for Friendly Nations, Pensionado, Qualified Investor, etc., with pass/fail notes and breakdown of expected fees (official fees vs. professional fees) based on residency option

• Editable Residency Task Tracker (Excel) — Detailed breakdown of tasks (incl. required documents, apostilles, translations, appointments) and dependencies, status and realistic timelines

• Company Overview and Cost Report (PDF) — Overview of Company Structures and possible recommended set-up, based on goals / objectives and involved costs

• Employment Options Overview (PDF) — Overview of options and and possible best fit

• Editable Tracker for Company Set-up, Employment and Bank Account (Excel) — Detailed breakdown of tasks (incl. required documents, apostilles, translations, appointments) and dependencies, status and realistic timelines

• Bonus: Viewing Strategy Overview (PDF)

$1,545 (Save10%)

For: “We are actually moving. We want it handled.”

Includes:

1:1 Personal Relocation Strategy Session (live call, up to 60 min)

• Assessment of your goals, timeline, lifestyle, budget and deal-breakers

• Initial residency overview (which residency path likely fits you and why)

• First-location recommendation (city, beach, or mountain)

• First answers to safety, cost of living, healthcare, schooling, remote work

Where to Live + Cost of Living Assessment

• Assess your ideal areas

• Cost of living breakdown for 1–2 ideal areas

• Safety and lifestyle breakdown

• Support in your search for a place to live (3 Options)

Panama Landing Support (Your first 72 hours in Panama) for your arrival:

• Airport pickup

• Local eSIM setup

• First housing options sourced in your budget

• Safety + neighbourhood orientation (groceries, clinics, ATMs, transport, what to avoid)

• Organize appointment to set up bank account

Company, Work + Banking Guidance

• What type of company structure is right for you

• Which bank is best for you and what banks actually ask for

• Warm introduction to a bank advisor

Healthcare + Insurance Navigation

• Private clinic / hospital access in your area

• Typical out-of-pocket costs

• Overview of various Health insurance models

• Intro to vetted insurance broker if you want coverage

You leave with:

• Personal Relocation Roadmap (PDF): Next steps, Owners, Dates, Cost ranges

• Residency Eligibility and Cost Report (PDF) — side-by-side fit for Friendly Nations, Pensionado, Qualified Investor, etc., with pass/fail notes and breakdown of expected fees (official fees vs. professional fees) based on residency option

• Editable Residency Task Tracker (Excel) — Detailed breakdown of tasks (incl. required documents, apostilles, translations, appointments) and dependencies, status and realistic timelines

• Neighborhood Short-List Summary (PDF) of locations and features compared to preference and rent benchmark prices

• Cost of Living Tracker (Excel) —solo/couple/family scenarios; low/median/high ranges based on desired area as well as arrival costs

• Company Overview and Cost Report (PDF) — Overview of Company Structures and possible recommended set-up, based on goals / objectives and involved costs

• Employment Options Overview (PDF) — Overview of options and and possible best fit

• Editable Tracker for Company Set-up, Employment and Bank Account (Excel) — Detailed breakdown of tasks (incl. required documents, apostilles, translations, appointments) and dependencies, status and realistic timelines

• Healthcare And Insurance Report (PDF)

• Bonus: Viewing Strategy Overview (PDF)

Remote Workers + Digital Nomads

Hi! I'm Ramón

I’ve moved to six different countries, and during my first two moves I felt exactly how many people feel: overwhelmed by information, exhausted by bureaucracy, and unsure if I was doing things “the right way.” Instead of feeling excited about my new life, I kept asking myself whether I’d made the right decision and feeling discouraged when I should have been inspired.

Without a clear roadmap, I ended up stitching things together from internet forums, outdated articles, conflicting advice, official government websites and trial and error—often needing six months just to feel genuinely settled. Even in the four moves after that, I still spent countless hours researching taxes, health insurance, how to get a driver’s license, and all the small but important details no one really explains.

Through all of this, I never found a service that could both handle the paperwork and support you on the ground.

That gap is exactly where The PANAMA EXPLORER. comes in.

Ramón Aranha-Gericke

"We do the heavy lifting for your move to Panama so you don't have to"

Founder / Local Expert Advisor

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