Essentials
- City
- Santiago de Veraguas, Veraguas Province, Panama
- Population
- Approximately 95,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic is widely available; average speeds 100-250 Mbps via Cable Onda (Tigo) or +Móvil
- Currency & Banking
- 1 PAB = 1 USD (The US Dollar is the legal tender). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD
- Tap Water
- Generally safe to drink in the city center, but most expats prefer bottled or filtered water ($1.50 per 5L)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or +Móvil; Prepaid plans with unlimited data for 7 days cost approx. $7.00
- Banking for Expats
- Banco General and Banistmo are most common; ATMs widely available in Mall Santiago
- Accommodation
- Long-term rentals via Encuentra24; short-term via Airbnb or local guesthouses
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in supermarkets and malls; cash is preferred in small 'fondas' and local transport
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $35-$60/night for private apartments
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal Familiar Santiago ($15-$25/night near the bus terminal)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The area surrounding Parque Juan Demóstenes Arosemena for colonial charm and walkability
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Urbanización La Hacienda or San Antonio for modern amenities and stable power/internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- My Office (at Santiago Mall); Day pass approx. $15.00
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kotowa Coffee House in Santiago Mall; features reliable Wi-Fi and premium Panamanian beans
- Networking Events
- Local Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio de Veraguas) monthly mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook Group 'Expats in Veraguas' organizes occasional meetups at Hotel Mykonos
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive is the primary app used here; local Yellow Taxis charge $1.50-$3.00 for city trips
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal sharing economy; buy a bike at Conway for approx. $120
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Torio and Playa Reina in Mariato (approx. 1.5 - 2 hours drive south)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (operates out of Panama City, Albrook)
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (International flights via Tocumen PTY, 3.5 hours away)
- Highway Access
- Directly on the Pan-American Highway (Interamericana), the country's main artery
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Transporte de Santiago (Bus hub connecting Panama City and David)
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay-as-you-go; Cash for 'Chivas' (local minibuses) is $0.35-$0.60
- Regional Travel
- Expreso Veragüense Coach to Panama City ($9.00, 3.5-4 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Luis 'Chicho' Fábrega (Public) or Clínica Hospital San Juan de Dios (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Vitta Center often hosts yoga and wellness workshops
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit in Santiago Mall; memberships starting around $25/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Super Clean near the central park; approx. $5.00 per medium load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa is the dominant delivery service in the city
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup) at Fonda El Ciruelo ($4.50)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Natural Bites (Salads and smoothies) located in the city center
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pana_donas for fresh donuts or Leonardo’s for local pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super 99 and El Machetazo for groceries and home goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipped via freight forwarders like Airbox Express Santiago)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Xtra via the PedidosYa app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenue Central near the cathedral for local pubs; Hotel Mykonos Bar for upscale drinks
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Central (found in local bars like La Situa)
- Wine Bars
- The bar at Gran Hotel Santiago offers a decent international wine selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanada and hojaldre stalls located around the Terminal de Transporte ($0.50-$1.00)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurante Kyoto (Sushi) or Leonardo’s (Italian-Panamanian fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Escuela Normal Juan Demóstenes Arosemena (National Historical Monument)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Regional de Veraguas ($1.00 entrance fee)
- Historical Sites
- San Francisco de la Montaña Church (Archaic Baroque altars, 20 mins away)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Santiago Apóstol
- Annual Events
- Fiestas Patronales de Santiago Apóstol (July) and The Ponce Fair
- Cultural Districts
- Casco Viejo area near the Normal School
- Theater Venues
- The auditorium at the Escuela Normal hosts regional performances
- Local Markets
- Mercado Público de Santiago for fresh produce and artisan crafts
- Music Scene
- Live Typical (Tipico) music common at local 'Jardines' or dance halls
- Street Art
- Murals depicting rural life along the walls of the Escuela Normal
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the INADEH vocational center
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte de la UP (University of Panama, Santiago branch)
- Historic Buildings
- The central Post Office building with its colonial facade
- Local Heritage
- The region is known for 'Sombrero Pintao' (traditional Panamanian hat) production
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- La Silampa Waterfall in Calobre (Stunning turquoise pools, 1 hour away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Santa Fé National Park (Cloud forest, 1 hour north)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The road towards San Francisco offers scenic cycling routes
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cerro Santa Cruz for a panoramic view of the city
- Birdwatching Locations
- The trails of Santa Fé offer Toucan and Quetzal sightings
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted at private eco-lodges in the Santa Fé area
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Uno Express for domestic shipping; Airbox Express for international
- Tech Repair Services
- Innova Tech inside Santiago Mall for phone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Occasional tables at the Pandeportes gymnasium
- Language Classes
- English/Spanish classes at the University of Panama (CRUV)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública de Santiago near the central park
- Community Centers
- Gimnasio Municipal de Santiago
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in Central Santiago (e.g., Ciber Santiago)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Fantastic Casino inside Santiago Mall
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $34,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $48,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $60,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net taxable income
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local source income; 5% for foreign source
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Only Panamanian-sourced income is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (for income over $50,000)
- VAT
- 7% (Known as ITBMS; luxury items/hotels can be 10%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Panama does not have CFC rules
- Property Tax
- Exemptions available for primary residences up to $120k; tiered rates (0.5%-0.7%) above that
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Property Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Capital Gains Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income; 'Short Stay as Remote Worker' Visa available