My First 24 Hours in Panama

I feel different when I travel. The moment I step on a plane, my energy shifts. There’s something uniquely exciting about traveling to a place you’ve never been, alone, where the unexpected becomes your guide. Panama, at first glance, felt both familiar and new. I speak the language, and the culture and tropical climate resemble my time in Colombia, where I lived like a local for two years. But every journey has its surprises, which I usually embrace with open arms, and this one started with a blend of mishaps and serendipity.

Arrival: New Beginnings and Little Hiccups

Thanks to Airalo*, I had internet access as soon as I landed, which was new to me. I was used to buying a SIM card in the airport when I arrived in a new country or just not getting one and figuring it out as an extra challenge. However, after years of resisting, I finally gave in. My research showed that Uber was big here, so I immediately relied on it and ordered one as I got off the plane, not needing to depend on iffy WiFi or searching for SIM cards, and this was a win! Of course, not everything went smoothly. My first driver couldn’t confirm the ride, kicked me out of the car, and I still got charged a small fee. But my second driver was friendly and made up for it. During our ride, he recommended the much-talked-about Casco Antiguo (Old Town) and the outer provinces, where Panama’s true natural beauty lies (and where I was headed later in the trip).

These little moments reminded me why I travel: not about creating the perfect plans but embracing the imperfect journey.

Solo Travel Routine: Familiar Comforts in Unfamiliar Places

By now, I’ve got my solo travel routine down. I know what to pack (and leave behind), how to relax on the plane (mostly), where to stay to meet people, and how to find local recommendations. This wasn’t my first rodeo, but each destination brings something new, so I was nervously excited about this new experience.

At my hostel, I checked in late and treated myself to a drink at the bar. I was surprised and worried not to see anyone else in the lobby. Meeting people is one of my favorite parts of traveling, but I couldn’t help but feel that familiar flicker of doubt: What if I don’t connect with anyone here?

When I got to my room, I discovered another person already asleep - with the air conditioning off. Knowing I couldn’t handle the heat, I turned it on, keeping it reasonable. The dramatic flair of my roommate pulling her blanket over her head made me chuckle, but hey… I slept well!

Serendipity and Connection

When I was about to set out to explore the following day, I overheard a woman in the lobby talking about renting a car to camp solo in the jungle. She immediately caught my attention: She sounded exactly like the kind of adventurous person I wanted to meet. When she left for her room, I nonchalantly followed her and discovered she was my roommate - the same one who hated the air conditioning! Life has a funny way of aligning paths!

We started talking in the room. She sat down on her lower bunk bed, and I sat on mine, both crouching a bit in the inevitable tight spaces of hostel rooms. She was Italian, older, and a true nomad. She shared stories of sailing, teaching yoga, cooking vegan meals, and navigating a life of constant movement. Her words stuck with me:

"For me, the hard thing isn’t traveling or being a nomad. It’s staying in one place, raising a family, and having one job. That would be harder for me. But don’t get me wrong - this life can be lonely. I miss stability sometimes. But I know I wouldn’t be happy settling down.”

Her perspective was a powerful reminder of why I travel - not just to see the world but to meet people who challenge and inspire me to think differently about life.

She was leaving the hostel that day to move into an apartment in Panama for a couple of weeks until she figured out where she would go next, waiting for some potential sailing jobs to get back to her - a true adventurous spirit!

Confidence in New Spaces

Later, I ventured to a nearby recommended café to work remotely. Traveling brings out a confidence in me that feels harder to access at home. Something about navigating new spaces makes me stand taller. At the café, the waiter’s surprised reaction to my Spanish - “Your Spanish is so good!”- boosted my mood (of course). He suggested I use Uber everywhere (because it’s too hot to walk) and recommended I explore Casco Antiguo.

The Old Town charmed me with its cafés, but balancing work and exploration proved tricky. How could I focus on my laptop when there was a vibrant new city to discover? This tension - between productivity and presence - is something I’m learning to navigate as I embrace this digital nomad lifestyle. I love to wander, explore, and meet people, so I like to travel, but I also need to make a living to afford this lifestyle. So I try to do both, but it can be challenging to balance and know how much time is appropriate for both without spending too much time on one or the other.

Finding Community in Unexpected Places

That evening, the hostel’s guest area was lively. I had impulsively signed up for a bouldering session because there was one in the hostel, so… why not? Plus, it was Panama City’s only bouldering wall… and it was in my hostel! After signing up, I tried to back out of it when I saw it was mostly locals, and they knew what they were doing. But they told me it was too late to back out. So I stuck it out, and despite being a beginner and doing it alone, I loved it. The locals were welcoming, coaching me through climbs and sharing stories. They told me about their work, and when I mentioned I would stay in a remote village in the Darien region for a week, one guy mentioned his experiences working there as an engineer in a boat and how there were so many mosquitos and the water wasn’t sanitary - he warned me to bring bug spray and not drink the water… (noted). They also let me know that the next day was a “festivo” a Panamanian day of national mourning - actually commemorating the anti-American riots over the sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone on that day in 1964. It was a great day for me to be there to explore…

But anyway, the conversations and moments like these remind me how connections (and learnings) can be found in unexpected places.

Later, I noticed a group of people in sportswear gathered in the lobby. Curious, I approached someone who seemed to be leading the group. They were part of a growing running club - a community built for people who wanted to connect through fitness, right up my alley! I told the leader about the running groups I had joined in New York and how I used them to meet people, even though I disliked running. I wish I had found them earlier so I could’ve joined; it was something I was looking for there! But I enjoyed listening to the leader discuss the group; his passion was infectious. He said they had goals and would run more and more each week, up to 10k. Though I didn’t join, the concept inspired me.

Traveling With Purpose

My first 24 hours in Panama were a whirlwind, a mix of small challenges, meaningful conversations, and moments of self-discovery. Each interaction, from the Italian nomad to the local climbers, reaffirmed my mission: To travel purposefully. For me, that means seeking connection, embracing growth, and staying open to the lessons every new place and person can offer.

Let this be your sign if you’re working remotely or considering solo travel. Step into the unknown, not just for the sights but for the connections that could change you. There’s a whole world of people and experiences waiting to meet you!

*P.S. If you want to get Airlo on your next trip, which I recommend, use the code EDITH0600 for $3 off. Every discount counts, right!?