HI, I'M JANET!

A Panamá expat since 2021

Hi, thanks for stopping by! Welcome to #OPERATIONEXPAT Hub ~ a hopefully helpful and totally free source of Panama expat info. 

I’m Janet, a freelance website designer, avid reader, mushy mom, and Panamá expat from San Diego, California. I moved to the Azuero Peninsula with my partner Ken in mid-2011 to boost the simplicity and quality of my life. This blog is a labor of love where I am passionate about telling the WHOLE story of our expat life in Panamá.

The tiny community of Loma La Zaina checked all of our boxes—there are LOTS of trees (my love), the ocean is stunning (Ken’s love), and nature is abundant. We currently live in our new home (known as Vista Cañas), perched above the Pacific Ocean overlooking Isla Cañas.

“YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, BUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, ONCE IS ALL YOU NEED!” 

This brilliant motto is at the heart of my adventure. This blog is where I share all of my research, and ongoing thoughts, education and experiences in the hopes of inspiring and helping those considering embarking on this journey. 

We’ve had MANY experiences over the last several years, including building a house, investing in other projects, getting scammed and experiencing the Panamanian legal system, and more. I am BIG on telling the WHOLE story of life here, so if you're looking for the glossy brochure on expat life, you've come to the wrong place!

Be sure and follow me on Instagram or Facebook for the whole story of our life here—and register on this Hub so you get notified when a new post is published. You'll automatically receive news and my expat blog posts...you have the option of subscribing to my Panama Travel, Books, and Food channels as well.

Welcome...and buckle your seatbelts!