Expat Communities & Groups in Panama
Looking for your people in Panama? Start here—curated online groups, active forums, and easy ways to plug into local meetups across the country.
Quick Start: Where to Meet Expats Online
InterNations (Events & Interest Groups)
Well-organized mixers, newcomer events, and topic clubs in Panama & Panama City.
Forums & Community Boards
Ask questions and search past threads for visas, rentals, healthcare, schooling, and more.
Large Facebook Communities
Busy feeds with housing, buy/sell, events, and neighborhood chats (membership questions required).
How to Get Useful Replies
When posting, add your area, budget, and timing; then search the group before asking.
- Tag your city (e.g., PC – El Cangrejo).
- Use the search bar for past answers.
- Follow group rules to avoid spam flags.
Regional Communities & Meetups
Panama City & Surrounds
Frequent mixers, language exchanges, and niche clubs in PC, San Miguelito, Arraiján, and La Chorrera.
Ask FB groups for current WhatsApp/Telegram chats (Costa del Este, El Cangrejo, Clayton, etc.).
Coronado / Gorgona / Riviera Pacífica
Beach-area groups for housing, rideshares, and hobby clubs (pickleball, golf, yoga).
Search FB groups for “Coronado”, “Gorgona”, or “Playa Blanca”.
Boquete & David (Chiriquí)
Coffee meetups, hiking clubs, volunteer groups, and market days year-round.
Try “Boquete expats” and “David Chiriquí expats” on Facebook.
Bocas del Toro
Active island community—expect event posts, housing swaps, and water-taxi info.
Search FB for “Bocas del Toro expats”.
Looking for specific communities?
Black expats, LGBTQ+, single parents, remote workers, homeschool pods, women founders—post a respectful request in the big groups or InterNations and you’ll often get current WhatsApp/Telegram links by DM.
Disclaimer: Third-party communities are shared for convenience only. Use caution when meeting or making payments. Rules and availability change—confirm details with organizers.