📧 Panama Life Hub Insider
November 25, 2025
A Note from the Editor Carlos Chen
Welcome to this week's edition of the Panama Life Hub Insider, your essential guide to navigating life and well-being in Panama.
We are excited to announce that we are expanding our content to provide even more valuable information, including comprehensive guides on health, smart shopping (consumer information), and the Panamanian lifestyle. This week, we bring you fresh news on Panamanian consumer habits just ahead of the holiday shopping season, a look at the country's economic vitality, and important updates on domestic travel that will make exploring the interior easier than ever.
Weekly Summary: Key Updates for Expats
1. Consumer Information: Study Reveals Shift in Panamanian Consumer Habits
- The Scoop: A new analysis from the EY Future Consumer Index 2025 confirms that Panamanian consumers are heading into the Black Friday and year-end shopping season with more informed, demanding, and sustainable habits. Consumers are reportedly moving seamlessly between physical and digital shopping channels.
- What It Means for You: This trend highlights a maturing and more sophisticated retail landscape. If you prefer shopping online or are looking for businesses with sustainability practices, the market is adapting to meet those needs. It also signals that retailers are becoming more competitive, potentially leading to better deals and a wider variety of products. Be a more cautious and informed shopper this holiday season.
- Source Link: Ecotvpanama.com/
2. Economy: Panamanian Exports Show Sustained Growth in 2025
- The Scoop: Panamanian exports are registering sustained growth throughout 2025. Between January and September, registered exports of goods grew by 4.7% compared to the same period in 2024, closing with over $750 million in goods exported.
- What It Means for You: A robust export sector indicates a healthy and growing national economy. This sustained growth provides a foundation of economic stability for the country, which can translate into continued investment in infrastructure and services, ultimately benefiting all residents, including the expat community, and helping to maintain the nation's dollarized stability.
- Source Link: Eco TV Panama Youtube
3. Lifestyle/Travel: Copa Airlines Boosts Capacity for Domestic Travel to David
- The Scoop: Copa Airlines has announced a nearly 40% increase in seat capacity between Panama City (PTY) and David, Chiriquí (DAV). This increase allows for more frequent and larger flights, operating up to 25 weekly frequencies, connecting the capital with the country's western hub.
- What It Means for You: This is excellent news for anyone living in or frequently visiting the popular expat communities of Boquete, Volcán, or the rest of the Chiriquí province. The increased capacity means more available flights, potentially better fares, and greater convenience for weekend trips, relocation visits, or accessing the region's excellent private healthcare and agricultural products.
- Source Link: La Prensa
Spotlight Analysis – Deep Dive
This week, we take a deeper look at the evolution of Panama's domestic travel market following Copa's capacity increase to David. This move does more than just offer more seats; it acts as a catalyst for economic development in the interior. We analyze the specific benefits this brings to the healthcare sector in Chiriquí, the growth of high-end tourism, and how it reduces the logistical friction of maintaining a second home or business outside the capital.
👉 Ready for the full breakdown? Click here to read our full analysis on the lifestyle and economic impacts of expanded domestic air travel!
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📰 Click here to browse past editions of the Panama Life Hub Insider and catch up on previous news and in-depth analyses.
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