[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi there Bob,

You can buy the passes at any metro station (the National Bus Terminal at Albrook, too). The machines take cash and are super easy to use, but there is a window as well, if you’d rather deal with a live person. They may not necessarily speak English but they are, in my experience, really nice and helpful, so everyone seems to communicate just fine. The signs are easy to read and follow. The metro is usually packed but clean and speedy!
Best,
Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Tony,

The niches to be filled really do depend on which area (city or even neighborhood) of Panama you’re interested in. There are towns that don’t have dry cleaners (Coronado, I believe)…or that could use more bagel shops…or that have some need I have yet to hear about. I often gripe that in Panama City there’s no great cafe-type venue for writers like myself to work in when cabin fever kicks in. There is a cafe called New York Bagel that attracts the expat-entrepreneur crowd, but following a remodel its vibe is more high school cafeteria than white-collar hangout.

It’s important to zero in on an area first, and then set about finding out what niches have yet to be adequately filled. Panama City is more developed, so it can be slightly more challenging, whereas other parts of the country are less developed…so lots of niches to be filled (but then you have to determine whether or not there is a demand, as well). International Living often covers these topics in the free Fund Your Life e-letter, hopefully you are subscribed to that as well. If not, you can find the sign-up at the International Living website, http://www.internationalliving.com. If you’re interested in networking in the Panama business community, please also check out the many contacts we have listed for you in the Rolodex section of this website, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Panama. These organizations can be helpful in doing your preliminary/basic research.

As for flipping homes as a business, most experts would probably say that Panama’s real estate market is not a prime market for flipping. Of course, your success could depend on the type of property and area of the country. There are people who buy and sell here…you’d probably need good Spanish to find the best deals to buy low, make improvements, and sell for profit. I’d recommend sending your question to Pathfinder Real Estate to get the real estate expert’s take (if possible indicate which area of Panama you’re interested in):

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

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Clairee,

Thanks for your post. Yes, it’s always a good idea to rent first, to be sure the area is right for you.

I would recommend contacting Pathfinder International Real Estate for a referral/contact information.

• Pathfinder International Real Estate; e-mail: info@pathfinderinternational.net; website:www.pathfinderinternational.net.

Hope it all goes great.

If you have any other questions feel free to post in new threads or email.

Thank you,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Appreciate it Clairee!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks so much, Simon, for sharing your experience. Great tips and points.

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Clairee,

Thanks for your post.

I would recommend contacting Pathfinder International Real Estate for a referral/contact information.

• Pathfinder International Real Estate; e-mail: info@pathfinderinternational.net; website:www.pathfinderinternational.net.

If you get a chance, would you be so kind as to copy and paste your post into a new thread? We would really appreciate it, as this thread is about safety and your question is about a different topic, real estate. I only ask that you do this, if you don’t mind, so as to make it easier for your fellow Panama Insiders to find a read posts relevant to their questions.

I’d do it for you if I could, but it’s preferable your post show up under your name and not mine.

If it’s too much trouble don’t worry about it at all!

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me panama@internationalliving.com or start a new thread.

Best regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your post. The regulations to bring dogs into Panama, from an immigration and customs standpoint, are very easy and straightforward. We actually have a section on this right here, on your Panama Insider website, at https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/

Take a look at that section and please let me know if you have any other questions (please be sure to post unrelated questions separately). However, note that you will need to coordinate with your airline as well. The link I have provided here will tell you what kind of paperwork must be presented to bring a dog into the country. You will need to first determine which airline/airlines you will be using and make sure you understand their regulations prior to travel. The airline may have different or additional requirements from those laid out by Panamanian airport authorities.

If you require assistance I recommend contacting the attorney listed in the rolodex section of this website (http://internationalliving.com/COUNTRY_CLUBS/PANAMA/ROLODEX/ ) as my understanding is that the firm has a great deal of experience in assisting with pet paperwork.

I hope this helps!

Best regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Billie,

Getting a work visa in Panama requires, among other things, a criminal background check, a “good health” certificate, which you can get here fairly quickly and easily, and a job offer with contract. Generally, you would contact local companies, get a job offer, and pay a local attorney to help you with the visa (unless the company does all the paperwork).

Panamanian companies, in general, must have a 90% Panamanian work force, so that limits to a certain extent the amount of jobs available for foreigners (at least officially). If you have a special skill set, it might be easier for you to work here legally or get a special dispensation.

You can contact local headhunting agencies and networking agencies such as Amcham to start. You’ll find this and more contact information in the rolodex section of this website (link below for your convenience).

Some expats work in the informal economy, for example, as teachers or tutors or freelancers, without obtaining the required work visa. This works for some but is not a situation everyone wants to be in. (It seems now is a good time to apply, though, all the schools seem to be hiring and expanding to meet the unbelievable demand for private bilingual education.

Alternatively, you may want to consider starting your own business. The cost of setting up a corporation can be very low (sometimes under $2000) and there are many niches to be filled. A local attorney can help you with this further.

Other ways to spend an extended amount of time in Panama include volunteering and taking immersion Spanish lessons. There are numerous websites that list opportunities.

Note that for the time-being medical staff working in Panama must be Panamanian. Other jobs that require Panamanian nationality include retail, real estate broker, and lawyer.

Foreign medical professionals can find other ways to apply their expertise and work in Panama (other than practicing medicine). Some join volunteer/charity missions to Panama, like operation smile ( http://www.operationsmile.org). One surgeon I know moved here from the US and, as he could not operate here, he began administrating an Age Management program. Importing equipment…employing other doctors…the sky is likely the limit.

if you have an idea I would recommend consulting with a Panamanian attorney. If you don’t already have one try the Mata Kelley firm (see the rolodex section of this website http://internationalliving.com/COUNTRY_CLUBS/PANAMA/ROLODEX/ )

Also, you may find it interesting to know that RNs make very little money in Panama compared to North America (salaries can be as low as $500 a month, in keeping with the low cost of living here).

Hope this helps.

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello there,

Albrook Mall and the National Bus Terminal/Metro are connected. The Albrook airport (Marcos A. Gelabert Airport) is a separate facility but just minutes away…you could walk but it would be easiest to take a taxi. Unfortunately the metro does not go anywhere near Tocumen International Airport, so you would need to get a cab or driver from there to your next destination. Fare should be $25 to $30 total for one or two people.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thank you Tim, for sharing your opinions and thoughts.

Though Panama is known as a safe country, no country in the world is devoid of crime. Panama has its fair share, though as you note it is easy to keep from becoming a target by emulating locals. Importantly, violent crime is less common than petty crime here. And senseless crimes (i.e., random targets) are virtually unheard of here.

Local medial sources do report on crime…everything from credit card fraud to “express kidnapping” is not suppressed but rather highlighted in local papers, on radio and television shows, and lately, in pre-presidential election debates. Most of this is in Spanish.

Regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Great idea!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Judith,

Panama is one of the safer countries in the region. You’ll hear this statement everywhere you go in Panama, and parroted by the mainstream media. Many expats here will tell you it’s hard to make yourself a target for violence here, and only if you go looking for trouble will it find you.

I myself am single and live alone in Panama City, and have for over eight years. I travel the country, usually on my own, without fear. I blend in, do not have a car or attire to make me look wealthy, and have learned to speak Spanish.

People sometimes make the mistake of letting their guard down completely…something they’d never do back home. It’s important to remember that no place on earth is free from crime. Big cities (and small ones, too) always have good and bad areas.

That said, there are many positives that continue to draw people to Panama. It continues to grow its middle class and make successful efforts to reduce poverty. Panama City has a cadre of tourist police and crimes against tourists—or any foreigners, for that matter—are seriously dealt with. Panamanians are welcoming of foreign tourists and residents. There isn’t the envy or racial tension you might find in economically deprived countries. Perhaps because Panama is a land of opportunity, and locals who strive to improve their lot can go far.

Many of the expats we have interviewed in Boquete list safety as one of their reasons for living there, and this includes many single women (many of them over the age of 40).

You can read about expats who moved to Boquete on their own, like Penny Ripple, whose interview is posted at: https://internationalliving.com/2013/10/its-easy-to-make-friends-in-boquete-panama/ ad Louise Orr, see: https://internationalliving.com/2013/01/theres-no-such-thing-as-boredom-in-boquete-panama/

Local organizations like Alto al Crimen have helped improve reporting of crimes and, importantly, much of the crime in Boquete is non-violent (petty theft and break-ins).

That said it is important to do as the locals do…have some kind of security and avoid making yourself an easy target.

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 towns like Boquete. (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 stick to good areas. Most of downtown Panama City–the financial district and surrounding areas–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.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. for “type A” personalities, this post by a random blogger is a fun (very detailed) read: http://blog.thepanamaadventure.com/2013/09/18/navigating-albrook-the-panama-city-bus-station/

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Fred,

There are a great deal of boat owners in Panama so finding slip space can be a challenge but yes, there are many docking areas. Coronado isn’t necessarily known for tuna, the Azuero Coast and Chiriqui coasts are better known for large fish. The below can help you find out more about boating in Panama and who to contact with detailed questions:

https://internationalliving.com/2013/10/buying-a-boat-in-panama-could-save-you-money/

http://yachtpals.com/cruising/panama

Checking out a Bit of the Coast Line in Panama: Coronado, San Carlos and El Palmar……

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Hector,

In addition to the above listed helpful contacts, you may also want to check The Visitor newspaper for dancing events (http://www.thevisitorpanama.com/) and the International Living Panama facebook (listed above) photos/albums section lists flyers for all kinds of events and organizations that you could look up and/or contact. As for kitesurfing perhaps try Nitro (www.nitrocitypanama.com) or http://www.kitesurfingpanama.com.

Regards,

[Author]

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