[JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. I’ll just add that it is safe to drive in much of Panama at night…and I’m sure parts of the other countries are also safe to drive at night. I live in Panama City and I try to do most of my driving at night, actually, as it’s pleasant to drive once rush hours are over. But yes, do avoid driving any dangerous areas at night. This may include international border zones known for criminal activity and country roads that have a reputation for being in ill-repair…in Panama, however, most of the PanAmerican Highway that runs the length of the isthmus is in great condition.

Best,

Jessica

Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International Living

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear _______?

There is no age requirement, if you have a verifiable pension, government or corporate, you may apply. All applications for under-age (under retirement age) candidates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Regards,

Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International Living

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

In that case, Claudia, please do contact a Panama lawyer as soon as possible, to discuss your pension and the new Friends of Panama visa (the Friends of Panama option may not be around indefinitely so do check it out sooner rather than later).

Don’t wait until you are actually in Panama to contact a lawyer and learn more about these. Often you can save yourself time and money by knowing before you go. 🙂

Best,
Jessica

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Robert,

Yes there are domestic routes from Panama City to David and from David to Boquete (you would have to change buses in David). The transit authority does not publish bus schedules online but last time I checked the frequencies were as below (subject to change at any time, bus companies are very “relaxed” about staying on schedule).

Terminales bus line
Panama City to David, departure times:
5:30 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:30 17:00 18:30 20:00 22:45 (Express) 0:00 (Express)
Local tel: 314-6228

Padafront Bus line
Panama City to David, departure times:
7:00 8:30 10:00 11:30 12:55 14:00 16:30 18:00 20:00 23:00 (Express) 0:00 (Express)
Local tel: 314-6264

You can inquire/buy tickets at the piquera (bus station). In Panama City that would be the Gran Terminal Nacional in Albrook. Most don’t buy tickets ahead of time, there’s usually plenty of room on each bus if you arrive at least an hour before your desired departure time. There is a large mall with food court and cinema at Albrook, plenty of ways to pass the time. The trip takes 5-7 hours depending on traffic and whether express (no stops) or not (stops in towns along the way). I have often taken the midnight bus from Panama City to David (good if you’d rather sleep the journey away).

Prices are about $15 to $18.

Once in David there are buses like every 15 minutes to Boquete, which is about 30 minutes by bus. Cost is really low, a couple bucks or less.

The Terminales bus line will drop you off at the David bus terminal from which you can catch a bus to Boquete.

Padafront will drop you off at a bus stop from which you can take nearly any passing bus (or taxi, about $1) to the Terminal de David.

Buses are air conditioned and quite cold at night. Dress in layers.

Fridays, long weekends, holidays: buses can get full, so buy tickets early.

You need ID (passport) to buy a ticket.

There are assigned seats so check your ticket for your seat number (asiento = seat).

In Panama City you will also have to buy a card (Rapi Pass, sold at various spots along the highway/corridor or at bus terminals) which will allow you to pass through the turnstile to the boarding area. It’s about $1.25, $1 for the pass and $.25 to get through at least one turnstyle.

You can “check” any larger than carry-on size luggage at the side of the bus, you’ll get a ticket which you must use to reclaim your baggage at the end.

Vendors often board the bus before departure to sell water, soft drinks, or snacks. Buses may or may not have tiny bathrooms, but if you time your liquid intake/bathroom visit before boarding you won’t need them. Buses will often stop in Santiago for bathroom breaks and/or meals, figure about 2.5 to 3 hours from Panama City to Santiago.

Have lots of small bills/change for purchase of food, drink, incidentals, bus/taxi, bathrooms (often $0.25 at rest stops), etc.

Some buses will play a movie or music for part of the trip. If you are tolerant it can be a fun “local” type of experience. If you are sensitive to noise bring earplugs just in case. Midnight bus is usually quiet as it’s understood passengers want to sleep.

Close to David, the bus will stop at an official checkpoint. This is routine, officials board to check IDs and perhaps ask a few questions (how long you plan to stay, etc.)

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Louis,

I hope other members of this forum will comment. I had a rental and so I didn’t have to deal with this when I left the States. I have heard from many others who have either rented out or sold their homes. To date I have not met anyone who just locked it up (though this would be a viable option…possibly…if you plan to live there for part of the year). It would help to get input from your financial advisor and a real estate expert who knows (intimately) the area in which your house is located and the neighborhood market. A lot depends on equity, your local rental and real estate market, and your personal financial situation (assets and debts), to name a few.

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Danny and Debbie,

You can, of course, read more about the Coronado area (which also comprises Gorgona) in this website’s “where to live” section. The months you have chosen are typically hot, sunny, with little to no rain.

Though International Living does not arrange meetings between expats, there are a great many ways to meet expats in Panama. There are many online tools you can use.

One popular online forum is Viviendo en Panama which means “Living in Panama.” It’s a forum on Yahoo Groups for English speaking expats who discuss living and working in Panama. It has an extensive collection of files and links about Panama, and a searchable message archive where you can search for the answer to your Panama questions (and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, post a new question.)

To find and join the forum you will have to have/sign up for a free Yahoo e-mail account. Visit Yahoo Groups, website: http://www.groups.yahoo.com, to learn more or try this link:
http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/viviendo_en_panama/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=3. Viviendo en Panama is not owned or moderated by—nor is it affiliated in any way with—International Living.

Or search for other Panama-related groups and blogs online. You’ll find sites (on yahoo and on other platforms) for different areas of Panama, from El Valle to Boquete and beyond.

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.
• Playa Community (Pacific beach communities): website: http://www.playacommunity.com.
• Expat Explorers: http://www.expatexplorers.com/
• Young Expats: 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 in Coronado, the Tuesday Market in Boquete, and Rana Azul 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!

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 sells 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.

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. So take blogs and website posts with a grain of salt, too.

By the way there are also sample itineraries listed in the Travel Itineraries section, have a look at that and the below and feel free to post any unanswered questions. Have a wonderful time!

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

Arriving/Departing: Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport, aka, the Hub of the Americas. Located in Panama City, Panama (call letters PTY), Tocumen is Panama’s only major international airport for commercial flights. Panama’s international airline, Copa, is Latin America’s largest airline and has helped transform Tocumen into the region’s busiest hub, with a great deal of direct and connecting flights.

The Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City (also referred to as Albrook, after the neighborhood in which it’s located) is a hub for 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, Chitre/Pedasi, Contadora Island, and Bocas del Toro.

Regarding the newly completed Scarlett Martinez airport at Rio Hato (Pacific Coast near Coronado), at time of writing, the government says this will serve international and domestic charter flights. The recently expanded Colon airport also serves charter flights.

Customs and Immigration: To visit Panama, U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport, valid for six months from your arrival here. No visa application 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 also visit Panama for up to 90 days without a visa*.

*This list and other information in this message is subject to change. 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:

• Currency: Panama uses the U.S. dollar or $ (referred to as the Balboa or B/.). All bills are U.S. bills; you’ll find a mix of coins from different U.S. states as well as Panamanian coins. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Panama City, Amex is accepted in some but not all locations. Outside the city, you may need to use cash for some expenditures, including hotels/motels. A good rule of thumb: Assume nothing & Ask before you go.

• Foreign exchange: this is not a country where you’ll find exchange posts around every corner. Withdraw U.S. 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 (summer) and wet (“winter”). The dry season is usually December through April. In highland regions such as Boquete, temperatures can drop to 60º F at night. No matter where you go in Panama, consider bringing a light cardigan or jacket (it can get cold on the beach when it rains and indoors due to strong air conditioning). For current weather 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. Spirit offers budget flights to Panama. Panama is served by many of the worlds major airlines.

New hotels open in Panama every year. 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 close to Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, but far from city conveniences.

Local tourism/travel 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.

• Eco-tours and custom tours: http://www.anconexpeditions.com

• Road trips, tours, and ground transportation in Panama (including airport pickups): Inside Panama, email: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601; Sealandsky Journeys, email: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847; 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 $6 to $10.

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 should be $25 total for up to two people or $10 each for groups. Private ground transport companies usually charge $35. For more airport fares see: http://www.tocumenpanama.aero/index.php?cccpage=transporte_publico.

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers (unless the driver has gone above and beyond or helped load luggage).

Always ask the taxi driver what the fare will be before getting in.

Resource Rolodex

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 any consulting, concierge, real estate, or travel-related services.

Real estate: International Living does not sell or broker real estate or rentals, so 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) 216-9299
Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

IMPORTANT PANAMA HOLIDAYS 2014*

January 1 New Year’s Day
January 9 Martyr’s Day (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours)
March 1-4, March 5 Carnival & Ash Wednesday
April 17-20 Holy Week (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1 Labor Day
August 15 Founding of Panama La Vieja (original city)
November 3-5, 10, 28 (Dec 1) Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
December 8 Mother’s Day
December 25 Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24/31)
* subject to change

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks for the input Bob!

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Zane,

Yes the Visitor is published in both English and Spanish and you can find it online. You should also check the beach area website PlayaCommunity.com for posts on events and fun things to do in the area. Coronado is not a big Carnival locale, the best-known Carnivals are in Penonome (less than 2 hours drive from Coronado) and Las Tablas (Azuero region, also popular for deep sea fishing). You can read about both these places on this website:

https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/travelers-panama/
https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/pacific-coast/#ranch
https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/azuero-santa-fe/

Additional info:

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

Arriving/Departing: Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport, aka, the Hub of the Americas. Located in Panama City, Panama (call letters PTY), Tocumen is Panama’s only major international airport for commercial flights. Panama’s international airline, Copa, is Latin America’s largest airline and has helped transform Tocumen into the region’s busiest hub, with a great deal of direct and connecting flights.

The Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City (also referred to as Albrook, after the neighborhood in which it’s located) is a hub for 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, Chitre/Pedasi, Contadora Island, and Bocas del Toro.

Regarding the newly completed Scarlett Martinez airport at Rio Hato (Pacific Coast near Coronado), at time of writing, the government says this will serve international and domestic charter flights. The recently expanded Colon airport also serves charter flights.

Customs and Immigration: To visit Panama, U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport, valid for six months from your arrival here. No visa application 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 also visit Panama for up to 90 days without a visa*.

*This list and other information in this message is subject to change. 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:

• Currency: Panama uses the U.S. dollar or $ (referred to as the Balboa or B/.). All bills are U.S. bills; you’ll find a mix of coins from different U.S. states as well as Panamanian coins. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Panama City, Amex is accepted in some but not all locations. Outside the city, you may need to use cash for some expenditures, including hotels/motels. A good rule of thumb: Assume nothing & Ask before you go.

• Foreign exchange: this is not a country where you’ll find exchange posts around every corner. Withdraw U.S. 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 (summer) and wet (“winter”). The dry season is usually December through April. In highland regions such as Boquete, temperatures can drop to 60º F at night. No matter where you go in Panama, consider bringing a light cardigan or jacket (it can get cold on the beach when it rains and indoors due to strong air conditioning). For current weather 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. Spirit offers budget flights to Panama. Panama is served by many of the worlds major airlines.

New hotels open in Panama every year. 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 close to Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, but far from city conveniences.

Local tourism/travel 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.

• Eco-tours and custom tours: http://www.anconexpeditions.com

• Road trips, tours, and ground transportation in Panama (including airport pickups): Inside Panama, email: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601; Sealandsky Journeys, email: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847; 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 $6 to $10.

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 should be $25 total for up to two people or $10 each for groups. Private ground transport companies usually charge $35. For more airport fares see: http://www.tocumenpanama.aero/index.php?cccpage=transporte_publico.

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers (unless the driver has gone above and beyond or helped load luggage).

Always ask the taxi driver what the fare will be before getting in.

Resource Rolodex

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 any consulting, concierge, real estate, or travel-related services.

Real estate: International Living does not sell or broker real estate or rentals, so 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) 216-9299
Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

IMPORTANT PANAMA HOLIDAYS 2014*

January 1 New Year’s Day
January 9 Martyr’s Day (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours)
March 1-4, March 5 Carnival & Ash Wednesday
April 17-20 Holy Week (no alcoholic beverages sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1 Labor Day
August 15 Founding of Panama La Vieja (original city)
November 3-5, 10, 28 (Dec 1) Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
December 8 Mother’s Day
December 25 Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24/31)
* subject to change

Have a great time,

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Mary-Lou,

The buses between Panama City and Coronado don’t have air conditioning last I checked and the schedules aren’t exact, but they run frequently enough that tourists do use them, in addition to the many locals that use them. They’re quite inexpensive, probably around $3-4 per trip.
Once you’re in the Coronado area, there are taxis, they are cheap and easy to use for trips in the Coronado area. You will need to speak enough Spanish to tell them where you want to go, count out money, etc.

Buses Panama City-David are usually nicer, air conditioned. About five hours. You can even get midnight ones that you sleep on (12am to 5am).
Once you’re in the Volcan area, there are taxis (though perhaps not as many as Coronado area but shouldn’t matter as Volcan is tiny). They are cheap and again, you’ll communicate in Spanish.

If you don’t have a great deal of luggage and if you are adventurous (i.e., not the type to be very put off if the bus is a little crowded or there’s a chicken running about) you’ll likely be just fine with the buses. I have taken them many, many times, but I am not very sensitive to noise or close-contact so take personality type into account.

Another alternative is to hire a driver/ground transport to get you to the Coronado area and/or the Volcan area and use taxis for day-to-day.

I hope this helps.

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

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.

Many expats travel to Panama without getting any specific vaccinations, as the city and other developed areas of the country have a history of being classified as low-risk for tropical ailments like yellow fever and malaria by the likes of the World Health Organization.
To read up on vaccinations and health advisories, check online sources that offer recommendations specific to the different areas of Panama, including the World Health Organization (website: http://www.who.int), the CDC (U.S. Center for Disease Control, website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/) or the Canadian Foreign Affairs Office (website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca.)
And remember, if you do plan to look into any vaccinations or pre-trip treatment courses, it’s best you see your health care provider at least four to six weeks before you travel.

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.

Mini Rolodex:

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

Advertising: To learn more about advertising in International Living magazine and other publications visit https://internationalliving.com/about-il/advertise-with-us/.

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

Best of luck with all your Panama plans.

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

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

My pleasure!

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Rebecca,
You might try asking Rick Willoughby, he uses remote controller copters for photography and his profile states he was networking in Panama for six months. If you’re on LinkedIn try pa.linkedin.com/pub/rick-willoughby/36/1b/941/ or his website http://www.airframeproductions.com/.
There’s an association in Panama but I am not sure whether or not it is staffed by English speakers, contact them directly to ask: http://aspada.org/ Eric Brathwaite eric@aspada.org.
Hope this helps, best of luck.
Regards,
Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama editor

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Susan,
Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees. Here’s an article from this year detailing some of the better products (according to the author): http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-card/
Best regards,

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Susan,
Boquete is known as one of the safest towns in the nation (which is one of the safest nations in Central America). Of course no place on earth is completely crime free and in Boquete break-ins are the most common crimes. Crime in Boquete tends to be non-confrontational crimes of opportunity. A laptop visible via an unguarded window is the kind of temptation residents should avoid providing. Having bars on the windows is common all over Panama (I have had them everywhere I have lived unless in a skyscraper) because it’s a good deterrent. A petty thief will bypass a home with visible security.
Violent crime is very uncommon in Boquete.
Expats and locals have created a neighborhood watch program called Alto al Crimen (Halting Crime). People in Boquete are extremely active in bettering/watching out for their community. People are encouraged to report even the most minor of crimes (and can do so easily and quickly online). My understanding is that there as a spike in break-ins in 2008 and the community and law enforcement rallied and was successful in quashing it. You can ask questions at Alto al Crimen’s website, just type Alto al Crimen Boquete into your browser’s search field.
Unfortunately government statistics for the entire province of Chiriqui don’t show a break-down by district and that’s too bad because an average for the province will fail to reflect good and bad areas. For example the provincial capital is the city of David and it has some high crime areas around the airport that might increase the provincial average while Boquete balances at the other end of the scale, if that makes sense.
Hope this helps,
Best,
Jessica
IL Panama editor

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Susan, within Panama there are no great temperature variations so the “blackout” dates generally apply to international and not domestic flights.
Best regards,

[Author]

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