Order matters here because several of these block each other. Do them in this sequence.
Days 1-3 — land and stabilise. Book an airport transfer in advance rather than negotiating at 2am with luggage (Welcome Pickups if you want it fixed before you fly). Get a local SIM at the airport or the first mall you pass — you will need a local number for almost everything that follows, and it blocks the bank, the lease and the lawyer. Set up NordVPN before you touch your home bank or tax portal on any network you do not control. Confirm your accommodation's real internet speed on day one; if it is bad and you are on a short booking, you still have time to move.
Days 3-7 — the lawyer, and only then everything else. Meet or call the immigration lawyer you shortlisted before flying (template below) and hand over the document file you assembled at home. This is the appointment that sets your whole timeline. Ask three things: what is missing from my file, what is your fixed fee for this route, and what is the realistic filing date. Do not start apartment hunting seriously until you know whether you need to leave and re-enter, because that changes what lease you should sign.
Days 7-14 — address, then bank. Most administrative steps in Panama want a local address, so the lease comes first and the bank comes second. View at least five places. Test the internet inside the unit. Get the lease in writing with the landlord's ID details. Then attempt the bank account — go in with your passport, your lease, your lawyer's reference and proof of income, and expect it to take more than one visit. Panamanian bank onboarding is thorough. Keep Wise running in parallel so you are never dependent on the local account clearing.
Days 14-21 — file, and set up the rest of your life. Your lawyer files. From here the clock is the government's: 30 days for the remote worker route, 30-60 for the investor route, 3-6 months for Pensionado. Meanwhile: register with your embassy, get the coworking trial in your city ($90-$140/mo depending where you are), find a doctor and a clinic before you need one, and put your insurance policy documents somewhere you can reach them from a phone.
Days 21-30 — the boring wins. Open a second payment method in case the first is blocked. Photograph every document in your file and store it offline. Learn the bus or ride-hailing system properly — transport is only $50-$80/mo here, so there is no reason to buy a car in month one. And set a calendar reminder now for 90 days before your visa expires, not 30 — the remote worker route renews once for a total of 18 months, and you want the renewal file assembled before you need it.
On flights: if you are flying in and out for document runs, compare on Aviasales and keep the booking flexible. If a flight is cancelled or badly delayed, AirHelp will chase the compensation you are owed while you are dealing with more important things.