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Welcome to The Panama Podcast: From Dreaming to Doing! Imagine trading your “someday” for today—living the life you've always dreamed of in a tropical paradise. That’s exactly what your host, Melissa Darnay, has been doing since 2012. And now, she’s here to show you how you can do the same!
Get ready for your weekly escape filled with sunny Panama inspiration, laugh-out-loud expat adventures, and insider secrets that’ll make your move to Panama smoother and more exciting. Melissa is not just an expat—she’s the CEO of Choose Panama, a luxury real estate company, and she’s passionate about helping people like you find your dream property and live their best life in paradise.
Whether you’re curious about living in Panama, investing in its booming real estate market, or simply looking for ways to make the most of your expat life, this podcast is for you. With interviews from expats, local professionals, and experts in everything from law to healthcare, you’ll have all the tools you need to start living your tropical fairytale.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into The Panama Podcast and let’s make your “someday” a reality!
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Send us a text Considering a move? Experience the dream! This video covers why moving to Panama could be the perfect choice. We explore the amazing Panama lifestyle and how you can retire in panama on a budget, plus tips for expat life in panama. #ChoosePanama #MelissaDarnay #ThePanamaPodcast Thank you for listening to this episode of The Panama Podcast. If you like it, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. To get a copy of your FREE e-book, go to: https://www.choosepanama.co...
Send us a text What makes Playa Bonita Panama so special? In this episode of The Panama Podcast, real estate expert Melissa Darnay sits down with both full-time and part-time expats who call Playa Bonita home. From the luxury condos at Casa Bonita to the private Pearl Club Beach Club, you’ll hear first-hand what life is really like in one of Panama’s most exclusive beachfront communities. Whether you’re thinking about retiring in Panama, buying a vacation home, or simply curious about expat ...
Send us a text Thinking about moving abroad to Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, or beyond? Before you pack your bags, watch this video on the biggest mistakes expats make when relocating overseas. From budgeting mishaps to healthcare surprises, I’ll walk you through the top 10 mistakes to avoid when moving abroad—so you can save money, stress, and time. With over a decade of experience living in Panama and helping hundreds of North Americans relocate, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “what ...
Send us a text Considering a move? Get the inside scoop on purchasing property with advice from a seasoned expert. Learn essential tips about the Panama real estate market and discover Panama homes for sale. Avoid common pitfalls and confidently begin investing in panama and living in panama. Buying real estate in Panama can be the opportunity of a lifetime—but it’s also full of pitfalls. In this episode, Panama Real Estate Mistakes Everyone Makes, you can Learn from My 13 Years of Rea...
Send us a text Boquete Panama restaurateur Chris Young shares how he went from broke expat with $400 in his pocket to building some of the top restaurants in Panama, including Christopher’s Steakhouse, ranked #1 in Boquete. In this Real Expats interview, hosts Melissa Darnay and Stacey Jenks explore Chris’s inspiring journey of grit, reinvention, and culinary success in Panama’s mountain town of Boquete. Chris Young arrived in Panama in 2010 with no visa, no safety net, and plenty of challen...
Send us a text Thinking about moving abroad? Discover the 5 things nobody tells you about living in Panama—from daily lifestyle quirks to expat secrets that can save you time, money, and stress. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to retire, invest, or start fresh in Panama, this episode of The Panama Podcast pulls back the curtain with insider tips you won’t find in a guidebook. You’ll learn: ✅ Surprising cultural differences that can catch new expats off guard ✅ The real cost of ...
Send us a text Moving to Panama at 80 may sound impossible, but for American expat Benny Rains, it’s the best decision he’s ever made. In this inspiring episode of The Real Expats segment of the Panama Podcast, Benny shares his story of retiring in Boquete, Panama, building his own slice of paradise, and proving that you are never too old to start over. Boquete is one of the most sought-after destinations for retirement in Panama, thanks to its year-round spring-like weather, breathtaking mo...
Send us a text Thinking about moving overseas but not sure where to go—Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, or Cyprus? This 15-question quiz will help you cut through the confusion and find out which country is truly the best fit for your lifestyle, investment goals, and future. We’ll walk you through the top 15 factors that matter most to expats and retirees—like taxes on foreign income, property ownership laws, residency options, clean drinking water, modern infrastruc...
Send us a text Buying a car in Panama is very different from buying one in the U.S. or Canada, and in this episode of The Real Expats of Panama, we sit down with Fernando Tristán, Vice President of Sales at Grupo Sílaba and President of ADAP (Association of Car Dealers of Panama), to uncover everything you need to know. 🚗🇵🇦 Whether you’re an expat considering your first car purchase in Panama, curious about car dealerships in Panama, or want insider advice on navigating financing, insurance,...
Send us a text In this episode of The Panama Podcast, Melissa Darnay counts down the Top 10 Health Benefits of Living in Panama—and some of them just might surprise you. If you're looking for Healthy Living, stay tuned for how life in Panama can tick all the boxes. From year-round sunshine that boosts your mood and vitamin D levels, to clean, non-GMO food, free-range eggs and meat, ocean air rich in negative ions, and a naturally active lifestyle, Panama offers a wellness-friendly envi...
Send us a text Join us for an unforgettable evening at Efímero Nikkei Cuisine, one of Panama City’s most unique and upscale dining experiences. In this episode, we explore the vibrant expat lifestyle in Panama—and what better way to do that than over an elegant meal blending Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine? 🎤 We sit down with restaurant owner Fady El Deek, who shares the inspiration behind the name Efímero—Spanish for "fleeting"—and why every bite at his restaurant is designed to be a o...
Send us a text Want to know how the ultra-wealthy legally keep more of their money? In this episode of The Panama Podcast, Melissa Darnay reveals the smart, fully legal offshore strategies that billionaires—and savvy expats—use to protect their wealth in Panama. From Panama foundations and territorial taxation to anonymous property ownership and offshore banking, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the exact tools used to minimize taxes, preserve generational wealth, and safeguard assets....
Send us a text If you’ve been searching for the perfect blend of luxury, privacy, and modern design in Panama City real estate, look no further than The Ivy. In this episode of The Panama Podcast, real estate expert Melissa Darnay dives deep into one of Panama’s most talked-about new developments—The Ivy, a 46-story luxury condo tower in the heart of Santa María Golf & Country Club. From architectural design to amenities, pricing, and investment potential, this episode is your ultimate i...
Send us a text Thinking about moving to Panama? In this episode of The Real Expats of Panama, meet Brittani Panezo, a dynamic expat who turned a simple vacation into a brand-new life. She opens up about embracing the Panama lifestyle, finding love, launching her own business, and navigating the real-life expat challenges that come with relocating to a new country. Whether you’re craving a slower pace of life, looking to start over somewhere beautiful, or just curious about what it’s really ...
Send us a text Discover the Secret to Luxury Living in Panama City—Without Breaking the Bank! Thinking about moving abroad? Wondering where you can enjoy an upscale lifestyle without paying New York or Los Angeles prices? In this episode of The Panama Podcast, real estate expert Melissa Darnay breaks down 7 powerful reasons why luxury living in Panama City, Panama, is more accessible than ever. From affordable cost of living and low property taxes in Panama to domestic help you can actually ...
Send us a text You Asked, We Answered! | Panama Q&A with Melissa Darnay, Stacey Jenks and Amanda Gleeson... the Real Expats of Panama. Have questions about moving to Panama, buying real estate, expat life, or starting a new adventure abroad? In this special Q&A episode of The Panama Podcast, I’m answering the questions YOU sent in! From the cost of living and healthcare to residency visas and how to navigate the grocery store, no topic is off-limits. Whether you're just dreaming or ...
Send us a text Looking for luxury property for sale under $250K in Panama City? In this episode of The Panama Podcast, host Melissa Darnay, founder of Choose Panama, unveils the insider details about Seaside House Panama—a stylish, pre-construction condo project just steps from the Pacific Ocean and the vibrant Calle Uruguay district in downtown Panama City. With delivery scheduled for 2028, this 31-level residential tower offers modern design, fully furnished units, and easy payment plans—j...
Send us a text If you’ve been searching for the easiest permanent residency visa in Panama, you’re in for a treat. In this episode of The Panama Podcast, host Melissa Darnay sits down with Panama immigration attorney Ricardo Faraudo of DENFAB Law to reveal the ins and outs of Panama’s VIP Red Carpet Visa—a little-known fast-track residency option designed for investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. You'll discover: ✅ Who qualifies for the Red Carpet Visa ✅ The real benefits...
Send us a text Is Panama City the Tech Hub of Latin America? Discover why this tropical capital is blazing its way onto the global tech stage. In today’s episode, we dive into 7 compelling reasons why Panama City could be the next tech hub in Latin America—from fiber-optic infrastructure and the City of Knowledge to a VIP "Red Carpet Visa" and booming startup ecosystem. You'll learn: ✅ How Panama’s strategic location and connectivity position it as the region’s digital gateway ✅ Why l...
Send us a text Thinking about buying a condo in Panama City? This episode of The Panama Podcast gives you an inside look at the Panama City condo market, from neighborhood hotspots to financing tips and everything in between. Whether you're looking for an ocean-view condo in Punta Pacifica, a walkable lifestyle in Costa del Este, or an investment property in Playa Bonita, this video breaks down the pros, cons, and hidden gems of condo living in Panama. Learn how to define your needs, choose ...
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