[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. I have taken many taxis over the years–I did not drive my first three years in Panama City–and though the driving may seem a bit cavalier or even reckless to a newcomer (drivers here…taxi and otherwise…do like to dart in and out of traffic!) I have never had a taxi driver hold me up or anything criminal. In all my years here (more than 9 years) I have heard rumors…but only one firsthand account of someone being robbed by a taxi driver (and it was non-violent). Panamanians tend to think that taxi drivers have a risky job as they carry cash and drive all over town, and that taxi drivers are for the most part family-oriented, God-fearing people.

If you’d like to read the US State Dept advisory visit http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/panama.html, here is an excerpt:

“Use caution when taking taxis. Use only licensed and registered taxis. Check to see that the number on the side of the taxi matches the number of the license plate. Ensuring the car is a registered taxi with a number on the side is a quick way to help prevent any incidences. Regular taxis are yellow in color.”

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

DEAR KATHRYN,

Taxis do often pick up more than one passenger but if you read travel advisories emitted by US Canada and other governments you will find that they are generally considered quite safe. That said we advise exercising the same precautions a single woman or person of any gender would observe in the US or Canada…Don’t travel very late/intoxicated…be aware of your surroundings, if you get a bad feeling get out, negotiate fare and location before getting in, etc.

Transport/taxi services offered by hotels or apps like TuChofer.com are not outrageously expensive but generally cost twice as much as regular yellow cabs hailed from the street.

I have eaten alone at many a restaurant in Panama City and never felt uncomfortable. I usually opt for not too fancy when I am alone, and I like restaurants where I can eat at the bar when I am alone. But that’s just personal preference.

You can buy a cheap cell here or a SIM card for your cell for as little as $20 at the airport on arrival or at cellular service provider office/stores and kiosks (at malls). Occasionally hotels will have them for rent.
Many places in Panama City have wifi so a smart phone can be very useful.

Buses in San Francisco and Bella Vista should be fine as far as physical safety but when they are crowded pickpocketing can be an issue.

The metro is lovely and I have used it several times but unfortunately the closest stops to the areas you want to visit will be in El Cangrejo (the Via Argentina, Via España or Iglesia del Carmen stops)…may or may not be helpful depending on where to where you travel.

Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to let us know if you have unanswered questions.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

That would be great, thanks Janet!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Greg,

Government sources say that these airports will receive charter flights from the U.S. and Canada (and possibly other countries), but not regular commercial service. I personally believe that the demand is not strong enough at present to justify regular commercial flights, given the relatively small populations that live in/visit these areas and the relatively small number of resorts compared to mega-resort destinations such as, say, Cancun. You will often hear rumors about the David airport but when I write about it I make sure to let readers know that regular (commercial) flights to North America are not likely in the near future.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Armand,

To get more out of your stay while you’re in Panama, it’s definitely an advantage to know some basic Spanish. The best way to learn a language is to come to the country and register for a few local classes. Panama offers many Spanish learning opportunities, from one-on-one tutoring to homestays and full immersion. Here’s a list of a few of the more popular options:

• Habla Ya Panama; tel. +507 720-1294; email: info@hablayapanama.com; website: http://www.hablayapanama.com. Spanish programs and volunteer programs in Boquete and throughout the country.

• The ILERI Institute (Language & International Relations Institute), P.O. Box
0819-11527, Panama City; tel. +507 392-4086; cell +507 6615-2772; email: info@ileripanama.com; website: http://www.ileripanama.com.

• Language and International Relations Institute, Camino de las Amistad; tel. +507 260-4424; website: http://www.isls.com/panama. (Panama City, Boquete, and Bocas del Toro).

• Spanish by the Sea, Calle 4ta, Bocas del Toro and Palmira, Entrega General, Boquete; tel. +507 757-9518; website: http://www.spanishbythesea.com.

• Spanish Panama School, Av. 2a B Norte near Via Argentina (in El Cangrejo), Panama City; tel. +507 213-3121; email: info@spanishpanama.com; website: http://www.spanishpanama.com. The Spanish Panama School steers away from traditional disciplinarian formats to offer a more informal creative learning environment, based on the individual learning preferences of the student.

Also:

• AmeriSpan; email: info@amerispan.com: website: http://www.amerispan.com. On its website, AmeriSpan offers a list of language schools it has determined are “the best”.

All Spanish schools in Panama offer courses for beginners. I am not sure what you mean by common courtesy but you can contact the schools directly and/or visit their websites to ask/read about the towns/neighborhoods in Panama featured (some schools may have multiple options). You can also ask them about restaurants, shopping and more (their websites often contain this info)…and you can of course ask us–or read any text we have on this website–about the towns or neighborhoods you are considering.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Jim,

That’s a broad question. Are you wondering about how this may affect your residence application? About wheelchair infrastructure (ramps etc?) About cultural attitudes? About hiring in-home care?

Generally conditions that are non-communicable will not be a problem for you when applying for legal residence, but if you’re wondering about this you can double check with a Panama attorney (see the Rolodex section of this website).

If you are wondering about infrastructure: then I would say most of Latin America, including Panama, unfortunately, is not as advanced as the U.S. or North/Western Europe when it comes to facilitating life for the wheelchair bound and any other special needs. We don’t have those beeping traffic lights or brail signs for the blind, buildings in the city tend to be up to code with ramps but sidewalks, driveways, and streets are not, and can be treacherous. Store entrances have ramps and reserved parking is always nearby but sometimes cars cannot pull up as close as they should in order to stop and drop off someone who may be slow-moving due to a loss of mobility.

Culturally, Panamanians are generally very gracious and helpful with anyone needing assistance. At least, in my experience, people always went out of their way to help my father as he began to require assistance, and later use a walker/scooter. We were allowed to park in no-park zones, that sort of thing, when we needed to get him close to an entrance. That said you can apply for a wheelchair user sign for your car and gain access to special parking. Finding special parking and ramps is probably easier in Panama City which is more modern.

Assisted living facilities that I know of in Panama are low-end ones for low-income families. Middle class and up in Panama tends to opt for in-home care, which is very inexpensive. Typically the relative needing the care will live with his or her family, and the family will hire a helper or nurse to live-in or come daily or weekly, whatever is needed.

To a certain extent everything depends on which area in Panama you are interested in and how mobile you’ll need to be when with your wife.

Hope that helps. Let us know if we did not answer your question.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Our pleasure, thanks Linda!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Yes Lawrence, you are correct, every country has its critters. Like Texas we have roaches and termites and it’s not uncommon to sight a gecko on your walls now and then (we consider them helpful, as they are bug eaters, and they do not seem to be toxic as my cats often “hunt” them and chew on the poor ones that get caught).

As you know this is the tropics and no matter where you go in the tropics there are bugs. It will vary a little depending on what parts of Panama you visit or live in.

We fumigate mostly to protect the wood from little termites which we never see (but you will see damage to your wood if they get a hold of it). There are also ants and spiders…I often find small harmless ones in the Panama City apartment where I live) and you should always keep things clean and fumigate regularly to ensure you never have a major roach problem. We get the occasional flying roach through the window or crawling up a drain but have never had a nesting problem as we have the fumigators come by every 6 months.

It helps to have cats, they get very excited whenever a bug manages to get in the house…and they are happy to “take care of the problem.” They took care of a little mouse than got in once, you do see rats in Panama City and I am sure everywhere else in the country (and the world!)

Also be aware that cars can get ants or roaches, especially if you leave crumbs in them, so best to just keep it clean.

If you have a yard you need to ensure there’s no stagnant standing water as of course there are mosquitoes here; they tend to be most active from about 6-7pm, we usually sit outdoors before or after the “peak hour” and may on occasion spray ourselves with repellent…varies depending on how close to “jungle areas” you are (there are heavily forested areas right in the city so it depends from one neighborhood to the next…downtown Panama City is so developed you get fewer mosquitoes).

Scorpions like to live in the sand or in places with a lot of rock or brick (like colonial Casco Viejo). We have snakes of course too but I’ve never had a run-in with one, and statistically here you’re more likely to get stung by a scorpion than bitten by a snake. Clinics and hospitals have serums on hand to deal with stings, so thankfully few cases are fatal.

Really it’s not too different from when I lived in Oregon…we had termites, spiders, mosquitoes and other creepy-crawlies there, too. Someone got stung by a wasp or bee every single time I went camping.

Seems no matter where I go…the U.S., India, here…sea level, mountains, valleys…I encounter and make peace with a different set of critters (snakes, scorpions, etc).

Best thing you can do on arrival is talk to your neighbors to see what’s most prevalent in your area. In Casco Viejo, for example, you shake out the bedding before getting in.

See also: https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/mosquitos-and-biting-bugs-in-boquette/

Hope this helps.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello ladies,

I’ll add my two cents:

It is important to note that safety is relative. Latin American cities (and U.S. cities) tend not to rank amongst the top 20 safest in the world according to indexes by organizations like Mercer. Generally Canada and European countries take the top spots.

Cities tend to have more people and thus proportionately more crime than smaller towns. That said, I live in Panama City full-time and feel perfectly safe going out alone, be it during the day or late at night. Every city has its good and bad areas, so I avoid the bad ones, just as I did when I lived in Eugene OR and Richmond VA. Most of downtown Panama City–the financial district and surrounding areas, for example–is perfectly safe. You’ll see restaurants and little bars open till late and people walking down the avenues.

Don’t just take our word for it. Talk to expats and locals when you visit. Many of the expats living here will tell you that they feel safe. Many comment about the visible police presence and experiences with helpful members of the police. These same expats also agree that it’s best to use common sense and never take safety for granted. It all boils down to not making yourself a target.

I’ll add that I have never been mugged in Panama City nor has my home ever been broken into. My car was broken into once about fifteen years ago. I’d made the mistake of putting some gifts and my camera in the back seat (this is best done before you park).

Most Latin American countries I have visited use the same security measures as Panama: bars on windows etc in lieu of expensive and annoying alarms.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Lynda,

Apologies, a correction:

Guns can be imported but I am told by reputable Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly that this is extremely difficult to do, and most attorneys (many of whom offer assistance with other matters of relocation, such as pet relocation) prefer not to offer this service.

Last I heard these were the requirements, but you would need to verify with a Panama attorney (see the Rolodex on this website for attorney contact info)

PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPORTATION OF GUNS
AND OBTAINMENT OF GUN PERMIT

Notice: This is not an easy or fast process; you must comply with all requirements
in order to successfully obtain the permits. You’ll need a Panamanian attorney to assist you. The whole process may well take 6 months to a year and because it is so arduous there are many attorneys that do not offer this service.

• You must surrender your gun to the captain of the airline.
• You must declare your gun at Customs at the airport where it is kept for registration and pay duties later on, once the importation process is completed.
• They give you a receipt form.
• You must then apply for the gun importation permit and for the gun carrying permit (see below).
• Customs will keep your gun until the gun importation permit and the gun permit have been issued.
• No more than 3 guns may be imported in a 5-year period.
• In order to obtain the gun importation license and gun permit valid for up to five years, you will need the following:
o Psychological test carried out by a Panamanian psychologist.
o Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership (such as gun license).
o Copy of your passport.
o 3 passport size photos
o Lab test to detect possible drug use
o Blood sample for the DNA data banks.
o Residency permit or work permit
o Immigration status certification
o Receipt issued by Customs.
o Application form.
All guns must be registered under a permit. Maximum amount of guns per permit is nine
(9). Only one permit is given per person.

Note: Hunting is not allowed in Panama. The fauna is protected here and illegal hunting
will result in arrest and the imposition of heavy fines.

Also, please note that bringing a gun into Panama without an importation permit is
considered gun running, with stiff penalties.

Having a gun without a gun permit is also a serious offense.

The above is just given as general information or an indication of the process and its
requirements, it is not to be considered advice, or carry any representations, warranties or
be deemed a guarantee, since processes and requirements may change at any time.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Our pleasure Mike!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Linda,

I’ll just add to my colleague’s response that, when in doubt, people here dial 311, that’s an information/feedback line and the operators can patch you through to police or give you the number to dial any government service you need.

Panama newspaper La Prensa publishes helpful/important numbers at this link: http://www.prensa.com/datos-importantes. I have it bookmarked in my phone and my computer and when I need a number (for ambulance, etc) I simply access the link or dial 311.

If you become a resident here and have an insurance policy with ambulance service included, you will be given a direct number to dial your ambulance service.

Regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Michael,

If you’re making it for your own consumption (and/or for gifts) and not selling the product, you’re probably fine (this is likely not heavily regulated here).

Panama law is pretty forgiving when it comes to common-sense situations (if you’re not hurting anyone, the government is unlikely to try to prosecute you).

You probably wouldn’t be able to use “controversial” ingredients like hemp.

But as my colleague Linda suggests, you should definitely have a reputable Panama attorney check and make sure just to be on the safe side. When in doubt, check and make sure you’re on the right side of the law!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Linda,

I’ll just add to my colleague’s response that, when in doubt, people here dial 311, that’s an information/feedback line and the operators can patch you through to police or give you the number to dial any government service you need.

Panama newspaper La Prensa publishes helpful/important numbers at this link: http://www.prensa.com/datos-importantes. I have it bookmarked in my phone and my computer and when I need a number (for ambulance, etc) I simply access the link or dial 311.

If you become a resident here and have an insurance policy with ambulance service included, you will be given a direct number to dial your ambulance service.

Regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello again, would you be able to please submit your query via this customer service link? https://internationalliving.com/customer-service/ilv-and-products/

I do apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding.

I will discuss adding a tech support link to this forum to make queries like this easier in the future.

Sincerely,

Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor

[Author]

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