Getting a local SIM and phone set up in Panama City (what worked for me)

After three years here I still get asked this a lot, so sharing the simple version that worked for me as a new resident in Panama City. I went with +Móvil (Cable & Wireless) prepaid at a mall kiosk — passport was enough, top-ups are easy in stores or the app, and coverage in the city has been solid. Claro and Digicel are fine too; pick whatever has a nearby store you can actually visit if something breaks. A few practical notes: - Bring your passport (and residency card later if you have one). - Ask them to help set APN / data if the phone doesn’t pick it up right away. - Keep a small prepaid balance for 2FA SMS — banks and government sites love text codes. - WhatsApp is how most daily coordination happens here, so get that working on the local number early. Curious what others settled on outside the city — any strong preferences for Chiriquí or the interior?