Meeting People in Panama

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

There are a great many ways to meet expats and make friends (both expat and local) in Panama.

Start by making use of online tools. If you search for Panama-related groups and blogs online, you’ll find sites (on Yahoo Groups and on other platforms) for different areas of Panama, from El Valle to Boquete and beyond. Searching for location-specific sites and blogs can help you get one person’s perspective on life in any given town in Panama.

Networking tools like LinkedIn (website: http://www.linkedin.com), Twitter (Twitter.com), and Facebook (website: http://www.facebook.com) are extremely popular in Panama and great ways to grow your network. You can create a profile for free and search Panama-related groups.

(The International Living Panama Facebook page is a great place to start, visit http://www.facebook.com/internationallivingpanama and “like” the page to begin posting or reading past posts. My photo album containing flyers on Fun Things to Do in Panama may be of interest).

Attending expat and local events is also a great way to get involved and meet new people. There are many websites where you can find out more, including:

• The Visitor, website: http://www.thevisitorpanama.com. Panama’s only bilingual newspaper.

• Playa Community (a web platform dedicated to Pacific beach communities, starting an hour west of Panama City): website: http://www.playacommunity.com.

• Expat Explorers (a group that hosts expat activities): http://www.expatexplorers.com/

• Young Expats (a group that hosts expat activities): http://www.facebook.com/YoungExpatsinPanama

All of the above are great resources if you want to find out what hangouts are popular with expats…places like Picasso Restaurant in Coronado, the Tuesday Market in Boquete, and Rana Azul Restaurant in Bocas del Toro.

If you have special interests, you can often find like-minded groups, from the Canadian Association to the local Kabbala or Harley/motorbike enthusiasts. Just search them online! The great thing is that I have yet to encounter a group that is 100% expat. Most of these groups also have some local participants…people who want to spend more time speaking English…or who simply have similar interests or connections. So you’ll find it easy to make both expat and local friends.

Expat contributors, writers, bloggers and more

• Jane Ellis lives, works and volunteers in Panama City’s Ancon sector. Her children go to one of the city’s excellent international schools. Check out her blog at http://www.Panamajama.com.

• Elizabeth Slagle and her husband Larry opened a restaurant called Big Daddy’s Grill, Boquete. Check out the menu, photos, and Elizabeth’s irreverent blog here: http://slaglesatlarge.blogspot.com.

• Frauke Schnell de Muñoz is an expat living in Sora who also has a few cabins for rent there. Her e-mail address is fraukeschnellmunoz@yahoo.com.

• Linda McKee divides her time between Boquete and her eco-farm and lodge in Rambala, Bocas del Toro, where visitors sometimes volunteer in exchange for lodging. Her website is http://www.rambalajunglelodge.com.

• Susan and Jason Thomas own the Boquete Garden Inn in Boquete, website: http://www.boquetegardeninn.com.

• Richard Detrich owns a home in Boquete’s Valle Escondido development and a coffee farm. To read his blog visit: website: http://www.richarddetrich.wordpress.com.

• Paul Haney develops property in Cerro Azul, where he lives with his son. Contact him at; cell +507 6695-4095; e-mail: paulfranklinh@yahoo.ca.

• Casey Halloran built B&B Casita Margarita in Pedasi and owns a regional travel agency; tel. +507 995-2898 or (866) 393-4192 (from the U.S. or Canada); e-mail: casey@costaricapages.com; website: http://www.pedasihotel.com.

• Cynthia Cudmore-Mulder owns Cerrito Tropical, apartments for rent and a restaurant on Taboga Island; website: http://www.cerritotropicalpanama.com.

• Patrick McGreer owns the Lost and Found Eco-Hostel in Chiriqui; e-mail pmcgreer@yahoo.com; website: http://www.lostandfoundlodge.com.

• Don Williams retired to David, Chiriqui in 2003, and writes an informative blog called http://www.chiriquichatter.net.

• Becky Thormahlen lives in El Valle, where she and her husband Larry run the famous Golden Frog Inn (also known as the Rana Dorada, in Spanish), website: http://www.goldenfroginn.com.

• Ingrid Senne lives in Pedasi with her husband, Roy. She owns the Buena Vida Language school in Pedasi, website: http://www.pedasispanishschool.com.

• Don Winner posts news translations (more geared toward residents who already know local politics, etc) and editorials at his website Panama Guide: http://www.panama-guide.com.

Choose your sources wisely

We’ve met and interviewed a great many expats over the years, most of whom are wonderful people, generous with contacts, information, and advice. However, past experience has taught us that many potential expats let down their guard when traveling and meeting locals or other expats. Be outgoing and make friends, but use the same good judgment you employ back home. Again, in our experience, most people are great. But it is also true that some people will only be “nice” because they want to sell you something or get something from you. Some people will try to convince you, after one too many margaritas, that you should buy their land without taking the time to do your due diligence (we call this the “margarita effect”). Some people will even have ulterior motives for bad-mouthing or praising Panama to you.
Take “free advice” with a grain of salt. Seek out local friends and resources that have nothing to gain from your decisions. And for news and editorial on Panama, trust reputable sources. Remember that bloggers, website owners, and forum posters aren’t generally monitored by any authority, whereas books, newspapers, and vetted news sources are kept in check by editors, publishers, and professional associations.

[RICHARD A BROWN]

Jessica,
I’m visiting Panama City on August 24, 2013. Can you recommend a tour operator that can spend the day sight seeing with me and my wife? We are planning on moving to Panama and this is out initial visit.
Thanks,
Dick Brown
hide.seekbrown@gmail.com

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Richard,

Here’s the info you requested and some additional information I like to give to first-time visitors.

Hope you have a great visit.

Regards,

Jessica

Helpful information:

Planning a visit? Here is some important information about Panama travel and resources:

Arriving/Departing: Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport, Panama City, Panama (PTY), Panama’s only international airport and the region’s biggest hub. Panama’s international airline, Copa, is Latin America’s largest.

For domestic flights, Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City (also referred to as Albrook, after the neighborhood in which it’s located) offers flights from domestic airline Air Panama.

The Enrique Malek airport in David, Chiriqui offers flights to and from Costa Rica; all other flights to and from David are domestic.

There are also small domestic airports or airstrips elsewhere in Panama, including the San Blas/Kunayala region, Contadora Island, and Bocas del Toro.

Customs and Immigration: U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport to visit Panama. No visa is required.

Citizens from visa waiver countries, including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay, may visit Panama for up to 90 days without a visa*.

*This list is subject to change. Please always check with your nearest Panamanian consulate or your home country’s foreign affairs office prior to travel to ensure you have the latest information.

Country Information:

• Time Zone: EST (No Daylight Savings adjustments. Google “time in Panama” for the exact current time).

• Power: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz, US Standard two-pin plugs. As the U.S. is 120v, you may want to purchase a converter/transformer to safeguard your 120V appliances. Power surges do occur; you may want to use power strips with surge protection to safeguard your laptop and other electronics.

• Currency: Panama uses the U.S. dollar (referred to as the Balboa). All bills are U.S. bills; you’ll find a mix of coins from different U.S. states as well as Panamanian coins (exact same size/specs as U.S. coins). Major credit cards are widely accepted in Panama City (I mean, not in thatch-roofed fondas or open-air markets, but you know, shops with actual doors and stuff). Outside the city, you may need to use cash for most expenditures; there are even hotels/motels that don’t accept credit cards (ask before you go).

• Foreign exchange: this is not a country where you’ll find exchange posts around every corner. You can withdraw dollars from ATMs in Panama City, ask whether your hotel offers exchange services, or plan on getting to a bank during local operating hours.

• Climate: Panama is tropical with average temperatures of 88º F and two seasons: dry and rainy. The dry “summer” season is usually December-April. Expect rain on the Caribbean coast (places like Bocas del Toro), year-round. In highland regions such as Boquete, misty rain is common and temperatures can drop to 60º F at night. No matter where you go, you may need a light sweater or jacket due to cool ocean breezes or over-zealous use of air conditioning. For more information, consult Google News, The Weather Channel, or any other trusted news or weather source.

For help planning your visit contact your travel agent or make use of reduced travel websites such as Kayak.com. Low airfares are often available on Copa/United, visit: http://www.copaair.com for more information. Other airlines like Spirit also offer budget flights.

For help choosing a hotel and other information try review sites such as TripAdvisor.com. The Riande Airport Hotel (tel: +507-290 3333; website: http://www.hotelesriande.com) is the closest to Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, but far from city conveniences.

Local contacts:

• Local Travel Agent: Casey Halloran, Co-Owner, Costa Rican Vacations & Panama Luxury Vacations, In Costa Rica: 1-800-606-1860 ext 401, In Panama: 1-866-393-4192, Web: http://www.vacationtopanama.com.

• For road trips, tours, and transportation in Panama (including airport pickups) contact local operators like Inside Panama, email: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601; Turista Internacional, email: incentives2@turistaintl.com, website: http://www.turistaintl.com; Sealandsky Journeys, email: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847; or Marco Colucci, tel: +507-6672-1201, email: macoluche@hotmail.com.

• Rental Cars: There are many rental companies in Panama including

o National: http://www.nationalpanama.com/english/index.htm
o Hertz http://www.rentacarpanama.com/general/default.aspx
o Budget Rent A Car http://www.budgetpanama.com/
o And more: http://www.panamatours.com/Services/serv_carentals.htm

Taxis are available nearly everywhere and are very inexpensive. Fares within the greater metropolitan area are usually $3 to $5. Visits to outlying areas like the Panama Canal Miraflores visitor center can cost double.

Taxis do not use meters; they carry charts showing the price increase by district. Add $0.35 per additional person to the fare. Taxis charge extra for pickup at hotels, airports, and other tourist destinations. Any taxi can take you to the airport. Only special white “tourism taxis” are allowed to pick up passengers from the airport. Tocumen Airport fare is a flat fee of about $25.

It is not customary to tip (unless the driver has gone above and beyond, carrying lot of luggage, acting as a tour guide, returning a lost item, etc.). It’s always a good idea to ask the taxi driver what the fare will be before getting in.

Useful contacts

Kindly note: As Panama editor I travel the country in order to write about it. As I am a full-time writer, I do not offer consulting, concierge, real estate, or travel-related services.

Real estate: International Living does not sell or broker real estate or rentals. For real estate queries, contact Pathfinder International Real Estate, exclusive real estate marketer to International Living:

Pathfinder International Real Estate
Tura Murdock
tmurdock@pathfinderinternational.net
info@pathfinderinternational.net
Website: http://www.pathfinderinternational.net

Rentals: Panama has a growing number of rental management companies. One of the first on the scene was Panama Sol:

Panama Sol
Email: panama@panamasolrealty.com

Legal assistance: Whether you plan to live, invest or retire in Panama, you’ll need a Panamanian lawyer to assist you with legal matters. If you don’t already have one, send your legal questions to:

The Law Offices of Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas
Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the U.S. or Canada tel: (011 507) 380-0606.
E-mail: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

Subscriptions and Memberships: For questions on IL subscriptions, products and services please contact International Living Customer Service via the website: https://internationalliving.com/about-il/customer-service/

Subscriptions, detailed reports, and other products are available at the International Living bookstore, http://www.ilbookstore.com.

Thanks again for your inquiry.

Best of luck with all your Panama plans.

Regards,

Jessica Ramesch
Panama Correspondent
International Living Publications

************************************************************

IMPORTANT PANAMA HOLIDAYS 2013*

January 1 New Year’s Day
January 9 Martyr’s Day (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours)
February 8-12, Feb 13 Carnival & Ash Wednesday
March 28-31 Holy Week (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1 Labor Day (Moved to April 29 to create a long weekend)
August 15 Founding of Panama La Vieja (original city)
November 3-5, 10-11, 28 Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
December 8 Mother’s Day
December 25 Christmas Day
* subject to change

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