by Jason Cook

Panama is one of the few countries in the world where cultural diversity is so ingrained, it hardly causes a stir. Thanks to its unique history—colonial trade routes, the Panama Railroad, and most significantly, the building of the Panama Canal—this small country has seen people from every corner of the globe come and go for over a century.

Chinese, West Indians, Americans, Colombians, Jews, Arabs, and more have all left footprints here. But through it all, Panamanians have maintained a strong cultural identity. They’ve learned to live alongside many different traditions without being threatened by them. That’s why most Panamanians don’t react negatively to foreigners bringing their customs. They’ve been doing that dance for generations. It’s familiar. It’s expected. It’s Panama.

Surprisingly, the real culture clashes often happen between expats themselves. Some arrive and immerse themselves in the local culture. Others try to recreate a version of their home country here, building echo chambers and expecting familiar norms. This can rub other expats the wrong way—especially those who came looking for something different, not a replica of what they left behind. Debates flare up in online groups, tempers rise in coffee shops, and divisions emerge—not because of Panamanians, but because of foreigners disagreeing over how to live in Panama.

Meanwhile, most Panamanians watch this from the sidelines, largely unaffected. They’re used to waves of people bringing their customs, languages, and preferences. Panama is like a cultural sponge with a strong core—it absorbs, but it doesn’t dissolve. So before pointing fingers at the culture around you, it’s worth asking: are you clashing with Panama—or with another expat’s idea of it?