How to Make Friends in Panama

Americans aren’t good at making friends. This, of course, goes against the stereotype that most Americans know about themselves, that of the friendly and loud American and, especially, friendly and loud American tourist. But I would point out that there’s a big difference between being friendly and actually making friends.

How many friends do you have? Think about it. Not coworkers. No one that you get paid to be around, but people that you genuinely know and have mutual affection for. For most Americans, the answer is maybe one, and that’s typically their spouse, which, ok, sure, but somehow feels like cheating.

But wait. Hold on. If Americans aren’t very good at making friends, how can you, a potential expat who’s considering relocating to Panama and doesn’t even speak the language, expect to find people that you want to spend your time around? Well, I get asked that a lot, and, if you give me a minute, I’ll tell you.

I firmly believe that the reason why so few Americans have friends is because of the modern American lifestyle. This lifestyle, as I’m sure you’re well aware, emphasizes work over every else, including relationships. When I lived in the United States, I was working 12 hours a day, seven days a week. (Those Amazon distribution centers don’t build themselves.) I was so exhausted at the end of the day that my sole form of recreation became buying burritos from the Del Taco drive thru on my way home before crashing until the next morning. Lather, rinse, repeat. Most Americans that I know have found themselves in a similar situation. When do you have time for friends?

The Panamanian lifestyle couldn’t be more different. How different? Well, I keep a cooler, a fishing rod, lures, and bait in my car at all times just in case I see a crowd by a river or shoreline. (I’m not even a fisherman, I just know a good party when I see one.) You see, the key to making friends in Panama is to open yourself up to new experiences. To stop, to say hello, to ask what everyone’s fishing for.

Your first friends will most likely come from your Spanish class. This is why I don’t recommend private lessons. You don’t need them. Sign up for classes at the University of Panama. Not only are they affordably priced, but you’ll meet people from all over the world who’ve come to Panama for one reason or another and learn Spanish in the process. Imagine you and your new best friend from Sweden sharing the unique agony of trying to remember when to use estar instead of ser. It’s a bonding experience akin to surviving battle, I assure you.

Classes in general are a great way to make friends. My wife and I currently take salsa dancing lessons twice a week and Hebrew lessons once a week. There’s always something to study, from art to motorcycle riding to archery. Today, I came across an ad for a class on how to use chopsticks.

Another great way to make friends is to attend religious services. My synagogue, for example, beyond the expected Thursday, Friday, and Saturday observances, offers a wide variety of volunteer programs, from cleaning trash from the beach in Costa del Este to helping out at the food bank. There are mosques, churches, and temples all over Panama that offer worthwhile volunteer opportunities that’ll allow you to meet like minded people.

While organizations such as the Elks, Freemasons, Shriners, Lions, and Kiwanis are seen in much of the United States as relics of the past, they’re very much alive and kicking in Panama. There are also organizations for specific groups like the Rotary Club and Club Activo 20-30 for business owners and people in their 20s and 30s, respectively. There are clubs for birdwatching, hiking, camping, biking, running, gardening, cooking, pretty much anything that you can think of. There’s even a club for people who like Harry Potter perhaps a bit too much.

If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for then feel free to make your own group. I, for example, like to pretend I’m a Victorian explorer and slice my way into the jungle, hike, and camp. As luck would have it, quite a few people I knew had the same urge and so we created an Explorers Club (we even had our own flag made) that gets together at least once a month to delve into the darkest depths of the deepest unknown - or at the very least hang out at a bar for a few hours or go see the horse or car races on a Saturday afternoon.

As I mentioned, unlike the American lifestyle that concentrates on work, the Panamanian lifestyle is more concerned with, well, living. This is, of course, just my humble opinion, but an opinion that I believe you’ll share after you’ve been down here for a little while and opened yourself up to new people and new experiences. Hopefully I see you around someday.