For international families building a life in Panama
Live Panama in Spanish.
The words people really say, the customs nobody explains, the everyday moments from the hospital and public offices to the school gate, experienced with your family in Panama. And while you focus on what matters most in the moment, Pere and Titi keep the kids learning along the way.
14 days to try, on any channel. Then $11 a month. Money here: USD (Balboa for coins).
Which words do people really use in Panama?
| ¿Qué xopá? | What's up? (very informal) |
|---|---|
| ¿Qué es lo que hay? | What's going on? |
| Buenas | Short greeting (any time of day) |
| chuleta | Darn! / Wow! (exclamation) |
| vaina | Thing / stuff (universal word) |
| juega vivo | Be smart / Don't get scammed |
| pelaíto | Kid / young person |
| yeye | Trendy / fancy |
| quedó pelao | Ran out of money |
| frío como hielo | Very cold (drinks) |
| ¿Me regalas? | Can you give me? (polite request) |
Which food words will you hear?
- patacones: Fried plantains (must-try)
- sancocho: Traditional chicken soup
- arroz con pollo: Rice with chicken
- ceviche: Raw fish marinated in lime
- ropa vieja: Shredded beef dish
- empanadas: Stuffed pastries
- chicha: Corn-based drink
- raspao: Shaved ice with syrup
Which customs does nobody explain?
- Use 'usted' with strangers, switch to 'tú' when invited.
- 10% restaurant tip is standard, not mandatory.
- Carnaval (Feb), Semana Santa, Nov 3-28 (many national days).
How does EspaLuz help with everyday moments in Panama?
EspaLuz has a guide for Panama on the doctor, the hospital and the pharmacy, migration and public offices, school, the bank, renting a home, getting around, electricity, water and internet, shopping, including CSS (Caja de Seguro Social), the public health system.
Type help and the topic in WhatsApp (for example help doctor), or just ask in your own words.
For an appointment, the voice interpreter repeats what you say in Spanish and what they answer in English.
- Es una emergencia = It's an emergency
- Soy alérgico a... = I'm allergic to...
- ¿Tienen esta medicina? = Do you have this medicine?
- Necesito una receta = I need a prescription
- Necesito extender mi visa = I need to extend my visa
- Quiero aplicar para residencia = I want to apply for residency
- ¿Cuál es el estado de mi solicitud? = What's my application status?
- Quiero inscribir a mi hijo = I want to enroll my child
- Tengo una cita con el maestro = I have a meeting with the teacher
- ¿Dónde compro el uniforme? = Where do I buy the uniform?
- Quiero abrir una cuenta = I want to open an account
- Necesito hacer una transferencia = I need to make a transfer
What do the children get?
Children learn with Pere the sloth 🦥 and Titi the monkey 🐒: they talk, trace letters and short sentences on a tablet, and show a photo that becomes the lesson. You get a short report of what they practised. More about EspaLuz.
Vive Panamá en español
Las palabras que la gente realmente usa, las costumbres que nadie te explica, los momentos de cada día, del hospital y las oficinas públicas a la puerta de la escuela, vividos en familia. Y mientras tú te enfocas en lo que más importa en ese momento, Pere y Titi siguen enseñando a los niños por el camino. 14 días gratis.