Thinking about moving to Panama City? Here's what daily life looks like for an American who works remotely: what it costs in dollars, where people live, the weather all year, and what to sort out before you land. The weather, local time and exchange rate on this page are live.
Right now in Panama City
Live weather by Open-Meteo. Updates each time you open the page.
Panama uses the US dollar as everyday currency (alongside the balboa, which is pegged 1:1), so there is no exchange rate to watch.
At a glance
| Population | About 1.1 million in the city, 2 million in the metro area |
|---|---|
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | US dollar (USD) |
| Time zone | … |
| Main airport | Tocumen International (PTY), about 30 to 45 minutes from the center |
| Flights from the US | Nonstops from many US cities (Panama City is Copa Airlines' hub) |
| Power plugs | Type A and B, 120 V (US plugs work) |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Visa route for remote workers | Remote worker visa · Panama visa guide |
What it costs
| Item | About in USD |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom, city center | $988 |
| 1-bedroom, outside center | $659 |
| 3-bedroom, city center | $2,025 |
| 3-bedroom, outside center | $1,368 |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $11.75 |
| Monthly transit pass | $25.00 |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps+ | $52.14 |
Monthly totals are ranges reported by The Rio Times, Sep 2026, compiled from several expat cost surveys.
Weather through the year
Loading weather history…
Monthly averages from 2016–2025, from Open-Meteo historical weather data (ERA5 reanalysis). Rain totals from weather models can run high in mountain cities, so treat them as a guide to the wet and dry seasons.
Where to live
El Cangrejo
Central, walkable and more affordable, with restaurants and the metro.
San Francisco
Residential near the coastal path and Coastal Belt, with cafés and parks.
Casco Viejo
The restored historic quarter, full of character and nightlife. Pricier and busier.
Costa del Este
Newer, planned and calm, with international schools. A favorite with families.
Our plans match neighborhoods to how you work, your budget and who's moving with you.
Getting around
Two metro lines, Metrobus and ride-hailing apps. The Cinta Costera waterfront is great for walking and cycling, but much of the city is built for cars.
Language and English
Common in banking, the expat areas and international business. Spanish is still the everyday language.
Healthcare
Private hospitals in Panama City are modern and widely used by expats. Most foreign residents carry private or international insurance.
Safety
Check the US State Department's current advisory for Panama before you go. It changes, so we link to it rather than copy it. Like any big city, Panama City has areas that are safer than others, and your plan flags the ones to know about.
Your first week in Panama City
Land with people, not just a lease.
With a Complete or Household plan, you join everyone moving to Panama City the same month in a group chat before you fly, then meet in person during your first week.
See how cohorts workSources
Checked on Nov 2, 2026. Live sections update automatically.
- Numbeo: Cost of living in Panama City (page updated current page)
- The Rio Times, Sep 2026: cost of living for expats
- US State Department: Panama travel advisory
- Open-Meteo: live weather, forecast and 10-year climate data (CC BY 4.0)
- ExchangeRate-API: live exchange rates
Get an email when Panama's rules change
Income minimums, fees and paperwork change often, and old advice sticks around online. When the rules change for Panama, we'll send you one short email with what changed and the source. Nothing else.
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