🌴 Panama
Our Next Stop on the Journey to a New Lifestyle
We left the UK and became what some might call "homeless" (but in a very freeing, adventurous kind of way), we didn't have a solid plan. We just knew we needed to break free from the choas, and honestly, we haven’t looked back since. It’s been a rollercoaster of learning, unlearning, and really getting to know each other as a family in ways we never expected.
By the time we rolled into Panama, we were already deep into the flow of the travelling lifestyle. We’d swapped out our predictable routines for spontaneous adventures, and while it wasn’t always easy, we were making it work.
And then Panama happened. Wow.
🌞 A New Favourite
Now, Panama—that place really stole our hearts! To be honest, we didn’t know what to expect when we arrived. The world of travel bloggers had painted such a vivid picture of its natural beauty, but nothing really prepares you for the wow factor in person. Tilly and I both agreed—Panama was our favourite destination in Central America so far. It's got that perfect balance of nature, culture, and affordability that we were looking for. It felt like the sweet spot between adventure and comfort—exactly what we needed to breathe a little easier in our new life.
💰 Affordability & Freedom
One of the biggest surprises about Panama was how affordable it was—especially after our time in Costa Rica. Costa Rica was amazing, don’t get me wrong, but Panama was like a breath of fresh air for our budget. It’s crazy how much more we could do here without worrying about how much we were spending on daily living. Everything from food to activities was a fraction of the cost compared to what we’d experienced in Costa Rica.
This made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. We didn’t have to think twice about grabbing a meal at a local restaurant or treating ourselves to a fun day out. Panama definitely gave us the freedom to explore more without constantly checking the bank balance.
📹 Creative Vibes & New Skills
By the time we got to Panama, we were really starting to get into the swing of this whole full-time family travel life. We’d already been making some creative compromises—specifically, video content. We started reaching out to hosts and offering to make promotional videos in exchange for discounted accommodation. At first, it felt a little nerve-wracking. But by now, we were pros. Joe was becoming an editing wizard, and drone shots were a regular part of our travel day.
Joe taking shots of accommodation with the drone!
What started as a necessity to make our budget stretch ended up turning into a passion. We loved collaborating with hosts, and they loved the videos because they could use them to promote their places on their websites. Everyone wins! We got to stay in some beautiful, unique places that we never imagined we'd even step foot in—so much better than we ever would have experienced back home in the UK. I mean, seriously—who knew we had these creative skills hiding inside us?
Girly day in Boquete ❤️
🌎 Boquete & Bocas Del Toro – The Highlights
We spent our time in Boquete and Bocas Del Toro—two very different, but equally magical places.
Boquete, nestled in the mountains, is like a cool breath of air after the tropical heat. It’s known for its coffee plantations (and you bet we had some of the best coffee we’ve ever tasted), lush forests, and stunning waterfalls. We got lost in its natural beauty, hiking through jungle paths, and having an impromptu picnic by one of the many waterfalls. Tilly was convinced she was a true explorer by the end of it!
Bocas Del Toro—oh boy, this was a highlight. Crystal-clear waters, palm-fringed beaches, and a laid-back Caribbean vibe. This is where we snorkelled with stingrays (Tilly was obsessed!), saw vibrant macaws, and even spotted a sloth—you know, living the dream. We got to experience the island life at its finest, with plenty of wildlife sightings that felt like something out of a nature documentary.
🇵🇪 A Little About Panama’s Culture
Panama's culture is a blend of indigenous heritage, Afro-Caribbean influences, and European roots. It's a country that's truly a melting pot of people and traditions, and that gives it a unique vibrancy you can feel when you're walking through the streets or sipping coffee by the beach. The warmth of the people is evident everywhere, and even though we had our struggles with the language barrier, people were patient with us.
But let me be honest, Spanish? Still a work in progress. Tilly and I did our best, but those verbs just weren’t sinking in. We’d laugh at ourselves trying to communicate, but honestly, the connection with locals goes beyond language. And hey, a little Spanglish goes a long way, right?
🏝️ So, Would We Do It Again?
Without a doubt, yes! Panama is so much more than we expected. It’s a place we’ll definitely return to one day. The country has everything—mountains, beaches (some of the best beaches), coffee plantations, wildlife, and culture—and the best part is, it’s still off the beaten track enough to feel like a real adventure.
For us, this trip was more than just a stop on our travels—it was a chance to grow, to stretch our creativity, and to be a family in the purest sense of the word. Every day brought a new challenge, a new opportunity to learn, and more moments we could bottle up forever.
Fun Facts About Panama:
Panama is home to the Panama Canal, one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels. A must-see if you’re into history or just love seeing big boats!
The country has both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, meaning double the beach fun (who’s complaining?).
Panama’s Indigenous groups (such as the Ngäbe-Buglé) have a rich cultural heritage and are an essential part of the country’s identity.
👋 Top Tips for Panama:
Learn some Spanish – Even basic phrases will go a long way.
Pack for all types of weather – Panama is tropical, so bring a rain jacket just in case.
Explore both the beach and the mountains – There’s no shortage of nature here!
Negotiate – Panama is a great place to practice your negotiation skills (and maybe get a deal like we did).
Eat like a local – Don’t miss out on sancocho, empanadas, and fresh seafood.
