Panama cost of living - Gay Expats Panama

Tipping in Panama: What to Tip, What the Law Says, and Why It’s More Complicated Than You Think

May 25, 2026

Tipping in Panama is different than the US

Tipping in Panama is voluntary by law — ACODECO just reminded everyone of that in May 2026. But the real debate isn’t legal. It’s whether American expats tipping 20–25% are doing service workers a favor or slowly making Panama unaffordable for the people who actually live there. We break down what to tip at restaurants, bars, hotels, Uber, tour guides, and more — and take an honest look at the question nobody in the Facebook groups seems to want to resolve.

Fondas in Panama: Cheap, Authentic, and Why We Haven’t Eaten at One Yet

May 26, 2026May 24, 2026

Fonda's sell affordable meals - street food.

A couple of locals we talked to in Panama City told us the same thing: you have to try a fonda. They’re licensed, they’re $5–$6 for a full meal, and they serve the most authentic Panamanian food you’ll find. So why haven’t we eaten at one yet? Honestly? No air conditioning. Here’s everything we found out while we work up to it.

Buying Property in Panama: No Title Insurance, No MLS, No Buyer’s Agent — What You Need to Know

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

The Panama real estate market works — but it works completely differently from the US system. No title insurance. No MLS. No formal buyer’s agent. “PH” doesn’t mean penthouse. And the agent is typically paid by the seller. Here’s what those differences mean in practice, and how to protect yourself before any money moves.

Panama’s Clean Energy Grid: What Expats Need to Know Before They Move (2026)- Part 10 (End)

May 16, 2026May 15, 2026

Panama already generates 75% of its electricity from renewables — and just launched a 25-year plan to go further. Before you sign a lease or buy property, here’s what the grid’s strength, its real vulnerability, and the rooftop solar opportunity actually mean for your monthly budget.

Mini Splits, Solar & What to Check Before You Buy: The Panama Expat Electricity Playbook – Part 5

May 16, 2026May 15, 2026

Mini-split AC units offer the best value to cool your home in Panama

Central air is the wrong answer in Panama, and most Americans moving here don’t find that out until they see the first bill. This post covers the practical decisions: why high-efficiency mini splits are the right call and what SEER rating actually matters, whether solar pencils out financially (it increasingly does), what jalousie windows are quietly doing to your electricity costs, why gas appliances are the fastest route to a lower bill, and a 12-item electrical checklist for anyone buying a home in Panama. The goal is a monthly electric bill that stays in the subsidized tier — and it’s achievable with deliberate choices.

Voltage, Plugs & Appliances in Panama: What American Expats Need to Know – Part 1

May 16, 2026May 15, 2026

When we moved to Spain, we sold almost every appliance we owned — anything that couldn’t survive the jump from 110V to 220V. Panama is different. Almost entirely different. Here’s what the voltage match actually means for your move, and the one mistake that can still burn you even when you know better.

Day Twelve in Panama – What Panama Actually Taught Us — Honest Cost of Living Summary – Part 12

May 16, 2026April 21, 2026

Our last full day in Panama: one more visit to Albrook, a long breath in the hotel room, and an honest accounting of what twelve days of walking, pricing, and neighborhood research actually produced. The groceries, the hardware, the restaurants, the neighborhoods — what’s cheaper, what isn’t, and what we’re still figuring out.

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