Solo Nomad Travels

Key aspects for digital nomads

Whether I’m in the city or by the beach, Panama feels like a seamless blend of work and relaxation.

• Cost of living: $1,200 – $2,000 per month, depending on your lifestyle and location. While Panama City is more expensive, smaller towns like Boquete and Coronado offer more budget-friendly options​.
• WiFi reliability: Excellent internet infrastructure, with fiber-optic connections and 4G LTE coverage. Speeds of up to 300 Mbps are available in urban areas.
• Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in Panama City and tourist areas.
• Food: Wide range of international cuisine, and vegetarian-friendly options​.
• Accommodation costs: Expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment in Panama City. Outside the city, prices drop significantly​.
• Getting there: Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City is a major hub for flights from the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
• Getting around: Affordable and reliable public transportation
• People: Welcoming and friendly, strong expat community.
• Gyms: Day passes range from $5 to $15 USD depending on the gym and location.
• Visa: Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers to stay for nine months, with an option to extend for another nine months.
• Personal recommendation: Panama is perfect for digital nomads who want to balance their work with outdoor activities and cultural exploration in a tropical climate.

Best places to live, work, and party

Panama offers a diverse range of cities and towns that cater to digital nomads. Whether you prefer a bustling city, a serene mountain retreat, or a laid-back beach town, there’s a spot for every type of remote worker.

Working in Panama City

Panama City is the heart of the country’s modernity, with a thriving expat scene and plenty of co-working spaces like Selina and Workings. The cost of living here is higher, but the trade-off is access to top-notch amenities. On weekends, you can visit the Panama Canal or explore the historic Casco Viejo​.

• Café recommendation: Bajareque Coffee House for excellent coffee and a quiet working environment.
  
• Accommodation: Hostel Selina offers amazing co-working facilities, a roof-top terrace, free yoga and a community of fellow travelers and remote workers. Dorms are very small and not super cheap. Can get noisy on the weekends.

Working in Boquete

Located in the highlands, Boquete is known for its cooler climate and beautiful natural surroundings. This town is perfect for those who love the outdoors and prefer a quieter lifestyle. It’s also more affordable than Panama City. Popular weekend activities include hiking the trails of Volcán Barú and visiting local coffee farms​

• Café recommendation: Kotowa Coffee House, known for its strong WiFi and excellent coffee. Easily had my best ever Chai Latte here.
  
• Accommodation: Bambuda Castle, a quirky and affordable place with great views and a friendly atmosphere – but basic dorms. Stay at Selinas for amazing dorms with curtains, free yoga sessions and lovely garden.

Working in Bocas del Toro

For those seeking island life, Bocas del Toro offers a laid-back atmosphere with higher living costs due to its remote location. It’s perfect for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. Explore Zapatilla Island or relax on Red Frog Beach. It can be rainy, even in high season.

• Café recommendation: BDT Shop&Coffee bar and Banana Mama for amazing ice cream.
  
• Accommodation: Selina Bocas del Toro, offering co-working spaces and beachfront views.

Working in Coronado

Just an hour from Panama City, Coronado is a popular beach town with a good mix of local and expat communities. It’s an affordable coastal option with easy access to city amenities. You can enjoy long walks on the beach or explore the nearby mountains​

• Café recommendation: Picasso Café, ideal for a relaxed work session.
  
• Accommodation: Punta Chame Villas, which offer affordable living with great amenities.

Working in El Valle de Antón

Nestled in a volcanic crater, El Valle de Antón offers a serene environment with a focus on nature. It’s a great place for hiking and exploring local markets, and the cost of living is relatively low

• Café recommendation: Cocolatte El Valle – great Frappucinos but no working atmosphere.
• Accommodation: Bodhi Hostel and Lounge has a beautiful garden (saw my first sloth here up close), but dorms are packed. Blasina el valle offers cheap, clean and spacious accomodation, communal area and big kitchen.
  

El Valle de Antón: best combination of living and working

El Valle de Antón offers the ideal balance of work and relaxation. Just two hours from Panama City, it’s peaceful yet close. After work, I can hike to Cerro La India Dormida for a quick escape and catch a stunning sunset.

Best times to travel Panama

Panama’s tropical climate means there’s never a bad time to visit.

• Dry season: From December to April is the most popular. With temperatures between 25°C and 30°C and minimal rain.
• Rainy season: From May to November, brings fewer tourists and lower prices. August and September offer pleasant breaks in the rain.

Top 10 tourist attractions

Panama offers a variety of attractions that are perfect for weekend trips or after-work explorations.

• Panama Canal: An engineering marvel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Easily accessible by bus from Panama City.
  • Great to visit on a bike tour – without going all the way to the floodgates
• Casco Viejo: A historic district with colonial architecture and vibrant nightlife in Panama City.
  • The mix of charmingly renovated and decaying buildings feels fascinating, but as the latter become more frequent, the area can feel unsafe, making you appreciate the presence of police.
• San Blas Islands: An idyllic archipelago, ideal for a weekend trips by boat from Panama City.
  • Highly recommend even if you’ve visited paradisic beaches before.
  • Stay 1-2 nights to experience island life without electricity. Any longer, especially on budget tours, may not be worth it as the nearby islands you get to visit aren’t much different.
  • I stayed on Yani Island—super peaceful, great stargazing, 10/10.
  • For the vegetarians: Bring food!
• Bastimentos National Marine Park: A snorkeling and diving paradise near Bocas del Toro.
• Volcán Barú: Panama’s highest peak, offering stunning views after a challenging hike from Boquete.
• El Valle de Antón Crater: A unique town located in a volcanic valley.
  • So many different hikes. I rediscovered my love for hiking here, even though I hadn’t been excited about it for a while.
• Amador Causeway: A scenic drive with panoramic views of Panama City.
• Metropolitan Natural Park: An urban jungle with hiking trails, perfect for a city escape.
• Isla Taboga: A quaint island with beautiful beaches, just a short ferry ride from Panama City..

Local secrets

• Mi Pueblito: A recreated traditional village near Panama City, showcasing Panama’s diverse cultures​.
• Cerro Ancon: A hill offering the best panoramic views of Panama City​
• The Lost Waterfalls: A hidden hiking spot in Boquete with three beautiful waterfalls.

Getting there

Panama is well-connected internationally via Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, which offers direct flights to major cities in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America​.

International connections: Frequent flights from major global cities.

Getting around locally

Once in Panama, getting around is easy and efficient:

• Public Transport: In Panama City, metro and bus rides cost $0.35. You can pay with a Metrobus card (available at stations for $2) or directly with a contactless credit card.
• Intercity Buses: Buses from Albrook Terminal travel to cities like David ($15-$20). Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or online via MiBus.
• Taxis and Rideshares: Taxis start at $2 for short trips. Uber and Cabify offer safer, cashless rides at competitive rates.
• Car Rentals: Rentals start at $30-$50 per day. Best for exploring beaches and mountains. Book online or at the airport.
• Domestic Flights: Air Panama flights to remote areas like Bocas del Toro vary in price.
• Sustainable Options: Rent bikes along the Amador Causeway. For longer trips, carpool using Blablacar.
• Trains: Panama has a commuter train that runs between Panama City and Colón. This scenic route costs around $25 for a one-way ticket. Tickets can be bought at the Corozal Station or online.

Visa: Digital nomad Panama

Panama offers a Digital Nomad Visa, allowing remote workers to stay for nine months, extendable for another nine. The process requires proof of remote work, health insurance, and a background check​.

For more details, visit Panama’s official immigration site.

Local food and vegetarian options

Panama boasts a variety of traditional dishes and vegetarian options.

• Traditional dishes: Panama’s traditional dishes include sancocho, a chicken soup. Ropa Vieja: Shredded beef slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices, often served with rice and beans.
• Vegetarian options:
  • Patacones: Fried plantain slices, often served as a side dish or snack.
  • Yuca Frita: Fried cassava, a starchy root vegetable, similar to fries but heartier.
  • Arroz con Guandú: Rice cooked with pigeon peas, a popular dish often served with salad and plantains.
  • Hojaldre: A fried dough pastry that can be enjoyed plain or with vegetarian fillings.
  • Tamales de Maíz Nuevo: Corn-based tamales filled with vegetables and wrapped in banana leaves.
  • Ceviche de Mango: A vegetarian twist on the classic ceviche, made with fresh mango, lime juice, and herbs.
• .Must-try dessert: Tres Leches. This rich, sponge cake soaked in three types of milk (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream) is incredibly popular throughout the country.

Sustainable travel in Panama

Panama is committed to eco-tourism, with numerous national parks and marine reserves.

• Initiatives: Local organizations like Azuero Earth Project focus on conservation efforts such as reforestation and protecting endangered species​.
• Individual actions: Avoid single-use plastics, support eco-friendly businesses.

What experiences have you had in Panama? Share them in the comments below!