[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Christopher,
No, an Rx from your US physician will not qualify here, you will need to see a local Panamanian doctor and get a local rx from her (you can ask your home doctor to communicate with your Panama doctor). Narcotics and antibiotics are among the meds that do require a prescription here; with other meds if they are not considered addictive or harmful when not closely monitored (like Ventolin sprays for asthma, for example), the pharmacists here can be quite lenient about prescriptions.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Christopher,

You can buy a cheap cell phone for as little as $20 and get it set up quickly for pay-as-you-go, the local companies are Movistar, Cable & Wireless, Digicel, and Claro. You’d have to ask them each what they charge for international calls but it may not make a huge difference which one you go with if you will only be here for three months. Digicel and Claro are newer and the others may have better nationwide coverage. Alternatively, you can get a sim card for your own cell phone from one of these providers.

If you have an android phone you can use services like Skype to call for free or for very little money, using your smart phone’s wifi and not data or roaming.

Regards,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Mike,
Thanks so much for your kind comments about the site. That’s a good question, and we have the information for you in your Where to Live section. Check out the menu on the left at https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/, you’ll see a whole section dedicated to valley and mountain locales…Panama’s cool weather locales offer mild climates and a whole lot more. Driving is a great way to see tiny Panama, and you will find the Pan-American (aka InterAmericana) easy to navigate.
Best,
Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Dale and/or Marion,
Movistar and Cable & Wireless have been around the longest and thus have the most extensive coverage. Aside from Sora, I have never had any trouble with cell phone coverage in Panama (my cell phone contract is with Movistar). Hope this helps and have a great trip!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Jim,

The following dates are holidays in November 2013 and represent busier times (higher occupancy) at hotels (during and/or before/after):

November 3-5, 10-11, 28 Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)

There are a bunch of new hotels, you wouldn’t believe just how many. Panama has more hotels in the pipeline than any other in the region. I usually just check review sites like Trip Advisor to see which hotels are getting the best ratings at the time. There’s everything from hostels and B&Bs to big hotels and resorts, so depends on what you’re looking for, and what area you want to stay in. owns/places to stay between Panama City and the Chiriqui province are many, so you may want to check out the area-specific data on your Panama Insider website (this website), which covers most of the country, to choose the locations that sound best to you, based on your personal criteria. I hope this helps. Pleae do not hesitate to post additional questions.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Zane,

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.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Ronald,

If you are under 59, chances are you can get a good local plan for $60 to $100 a month. There are some downsides, though—while the local plans are reasonably priced, they may be difficult to obtain if you have preexisting conditions or are over 65. Maximum coverage tends to be low (reflecting the low cost of health care here) and local companies are generally free to change rates and coverage over time.
If you’re between the ages of 65 and 74, you may need to look at international insurances available in Panama; the most common seems to be Bupa International. (Persons 74 and over might also be able to obtain coverage but acceptance rates are low; each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)
If your application is accepted, there is generally no age limit to renew the international policy, which means you can keep it for life. Depending on the plan you select, you can obtain maximum annual coverage of $1 million to $2.5 million—many local plans do not offer these amounts, topping out at $500,000 or even less. (That said, many find that local coverage amounts are fine considering Panamanian prices.) You can also choose whether to buy universal world coverage, coverage in the U.S. and Latin America, or coverage only in Latin America. Deductibles range from zero to $20,000 per person per year, again, depending on the type of coverage you select.
Here is a sample of what the different international coverage types may cost on a yearly basis. (Please remember these are just sample figures and may vary from what you are quoted for your personal situation).
Note that Ms Panama mentioned in the post above is popular but as it is NOT an insurance but rather a hospital membership plan it is NOT government regulated and can vary at any time. That said it is popular particularly in the David/Boquete (Chiriqui) region. Hope this helps.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Have a wonderful time!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Oops! Sorry Mary-Lou, just realizing now you had additional questions. The tour/transport companies don’t publish rates, they will quote you a lump sum depending on what exactly you want (though airport transfers are usually around $30). Please see below for contacts,
Best,
Jessica

—
Helpful contacts:

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
Message: 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.
Message: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

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, message: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601; Turista Internacional, message: incentives2@turistaintl.com, website: http://www.turistaintl.com; Sealandsky Journeys, message: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847; or Marco Colucci, tel: +507-6672-1201, message: 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.

International Living is the ultimate information source

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/

Buy subscriptions, detailed reports, and other products at the International Living bookstore, http://www.ilbookstore.com.

Thanks again for your inquiry. International Living appreciates your patronage and trusts you’ll benefit from the ultra-specific, actionable information provided in IL publications and products.

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

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Wonderful, thank you so much for sharing this info about your experience, Ross!

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello John,

Most all the cheaper rentals are advertised via word of mouth…generally speaking you will find lower prices if you do a bit of walking/driving around (taking note of signs) and digging on your own (talking to expats/locals not in the real estate industry to get their perspective in addition to your realtor’s).

Using an intermediary can often help guarantee a certain standard of quality but at the same time the price range will not be as great. Rentals listed online and/or in English tend to be the highest quality and the most expensive.

There are a lot of highland towns that are west of Panama City, so I am not sure exactly which one(s) you went to, but if you take Boquete as an example, a lot of the cheaper cabins are in the Volcancito area, about 10 minutes from the town center.

Finally, check the low-cost rental rates you see in sample budgets. What exactly is included? When I publish a sample budget I try to include information you will need to compare and contrast: size and/or number of bedrooms and information about the quality (how old is it, is the layout local style or international style, how many bathrooms, what kind of neighborhood or convenience of location, etc.) The point being that one person may say “I rented for just $400/month” and another person may say “I rented for $1200/month”…both are likely telling the truth about properties that differ in the above.

Hope that helps,

If you haven’t already, try getting a second opinion and real estate referral from the below (please see below contacts)

Best,

HELPFUL PANAMA INSIDER CONTACTS

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
Message: 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.
Message: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks very much for sharing your experience Roman, we appreciate your feedback and are glad the info helped.
Best,
Jessica

Jessica Ramesch
Panama editor

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Dale and Linda (and Marion?):

Though they are only an hour and fifteen minutes apart, Santiago and Santa Fe are quite different, both in terms of size and altitude/micro-climate.

If it is Santa Fe that you are interested in, you may want to try getting directly in touch with the only real estate office in town, which is http://tuterealestate.com/ (Janethitchens@yahoo.com, Panama cell phone +507-6677-3806), to inquire about rentals.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama editor

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Arthur,

Thank you for posting your first Panama Insider forum inquiry. International Living takes pride in being your best resource for information about life as an expat…in Panama and other locations around the world. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you where to find the information you seek and how to prepare for your visit:

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

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

Travel:

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.

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.

More about International Living:

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

Buy subscriptions, detailed reports, and other products online with a click of a button 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

************************************************************
International Living holds highly informative seminars in Panama every year. Exhibitors and speakers range from legal and real estate specialists, to expats who have already made the move, to tax and insurance experts. The 2013 Fast Track Panama event is slated for April 4-6, 2013. For information about obtaining the recordings and presentations package from that event please contact IL customer service or the IL bookstore, info for both included in this email.

To contact IL Events, visit https://internationalliving.com/events/contact-us/.
************************************************************

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

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks for that comment, Bob. You’ve underscored what I think can be interesting about sharing info on this forum…occasionally someone may throw out a suggestion that’s outside the box of what you were thinking. Thanks again!
Best,
Jessica

[Author]

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