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COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH
ParticipantDear John, leasing is very rare here, I don’t know of any company offering short term leasing right now. I don’t know whether or not this would work, but one expat says he placed a “car wanted” ad on craigslist and found someone in Panama willing to take $400 for 18 days. Probably a bit risky.
The easiest way to get around is via taxi (in the city…or buses, planes, ferries to other parts of the country).
I have a little car but I never take it outside the city, I usually hire someone to drive me or fly (or take a ferry if going to Contadora Island).
IL Panama editor Jessica Ramesch
ParticipantDear Bob, this is a great question and though I have heard of people saying they plan to start a high-end or quality such business here in Panama, for now there are no facilities except the ones for the underprivileged and middle class or well-to-do people in Panama opt for in-home care because it is inexpensive and culturally this is the norm. I hope this is not too disappointing to you and let us know if you have more questions. In-home care, nurses, assistants, physical therapists, all are way more affordable than in the US though! But countries like Mexico are more advanced in actual elder care businesses because it has more expats/is bigger/has a longer history with this type of need.
I hope this helps, all my best
IL Panama editor Jessica RameschParticipantDear John, my understanding is that you might qualify for another residence type but not the Pensionado Program. It’s important you check this with your Pamama attorney…if you don’t have one here’s the info for the Panama attorney listed here on your Panama Insider website.
Rainelda Mata-Kelly (Law Offices Rainelda Mata-Kelly), Street address: Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas, Punta Pacifica, City of Panama. Mailing address: P.O. Box 0818-00534, Panama City, Republic of Panama; tel. +507 263-4305; fax +507 264-2868; e-mail: rmk@mata-kelly.com; website: http://www.mata-kelly.com.
Hope that helps, thank you!
IL Panama editor Jessica RameschParticipantDear Howard,
This type of item is not listed at the Customs Authority website http://www.ana.gob.pa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=100 as “customary” for a tourist.I’m going to ask that you send this question to your Panama attorney (if you do not have one try the one listed in this, your Panama Insider website, Rainelda Mata-Kelly, see below).
Double check this with the attorney, but here’s what I believe:
It might be easier if you: are a resident of Panama and have a receipt showing the item is not new and is simply intended for use in your Panama home. One grill only.OR if new and you say it’s for a gift (and hey, if that is the case and you have a wedding invitation or similar to further prove it, great).
• Rainelda Mata-Kelly (Law Offices Rainelda Mata-Kelly), Street address: Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas, Punta Pacifica, City of Panama. Mailing address: P.O. Box 0818-00534, Panama City, Republic of Panama; tel. +507 263-4305; fax +507 264-2868; e-mail: rmk@mata-kelly.com; website: http://www.mata-kelly.com.
Hope that helps, thank you!
IL Panama editor Jessica RameschParticipantHi Linda! Nearly every expat in Panama opts for private mail services in Panama. The Panamanian national mail system is unreliable, whereas local couriers provide fast, reliable service, often via P.O. boxes held in Miami. Companies offering these services in Panama include Airbox Express/Aerocasillas (website: http://www.airbox.com.pa) and Mailboxes, Etc. (website: http://www.centam-mbe.com). These companies make it very easy to receive mail and shipments, so you don’t have to go through “Amazon withdrawal.”
Hope that helps, all my best
IL Panama editor Jessica RameschParticipantHi Linda! I pay $400 to $600 a year for excellent coverage plus roadside assistance, seems like a great deal to me! Hope that helps! 🙂
IL Panama editor Jessica RameschParticipantDear Jeanne,
I hope this article I wrote helps, there might be a few new developments since I wrote it but it will get you started and you can contact the developers or post additional questions here, ok? Thanks so much!
IL Panama editor Jessica Ramesch
Golf in Panama
Golf has come a long way since the first Panama course, Summit, was built in the 1930s for Canal Zone workers. Panama has hosted championship tournaments such as the annual Panama Claro Championship (a component of the PGA Nationwide Tour) and the world’s largest amateur tournament, the BMW Golf Cup International.
Summit Golf & Resort: Known as the best course in Central America, Summit is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Panama City. The world-class, 18-hole, par-72 course was built in the 1930s and recently redesigned by Jeffrey Meyers. Overlooks the Panama Canal and Camino de Cruces National Park. Green fees start at about $50.
Tucan Country Club & Resort: Just over the Bridge of the Americas, about 15 minutes from Panama City’s Ancon sector, Tucan is a 180-acre private, gated golf community. This course is bordered by tropical forest and offers distant views of the city skyline and the Panama Canal; 18 holes, par-72 layout over 6,618 yards.
Royal Decameron: Located on the Pacific Coast beach of Farallon, this resort and development features an 18-hole, par-72, Randall Thompson course. Green fees range from $30 to $50. Ask about resident retiree discounts, “ladies days,” and twilight rates.
Hotel Coronado Golf & Beach Resort: Located in Coronado, this development boasts a Fazio-designed, 18-hole, 72-par course. Probably one of the most expensive in Panama with fees of about $120 to play.
Valle Escondido Resort & Development: Perhaps Panama’s most picturesque nine-hole executive course, Valle Escondido runs through a coffee plantation. With doubled-up boxes you can play 18 holes here; green fees start at around $40.
Cielo Paraiso: Located just outside of Boquete, the Cielo Paraiso development’s course was designed by Michael Poellot. All golfers are welcome and the “member for a day” program varies in price from $50 to $80 for 18 holes, including cart.
Chitre Club de Golf: Located in Chitre, this is perhaps the cheapest course in Panama. Green fees at the nine-hole course start at about $5. This is golfing at its most basic, so don’t expect golf carts or extra amenities.
Other courses under construction or coming soon include: Vista Mar (development in Lago Mar/San Carlos), Bijao (development in Santa Clara), and Buenaventura (development in Farallon). If you’re a Pensionado you may be entitled to discounts.ParticipantDear Rebecca, hope you’re well. I think you’ll find this dedicated site to Boquete more useful in understanding the Boquete microclimates, even without daily updates it’s nearly all the info you need to plan a trip: http://www.boqueteweather.com/ (especially the annual data here http://www.boqueteweather.com/climate.htm)
Hope that helps!
Jessica Ramesch, IL Panama editor
ParticipantHi folks! You can use online tools like the popular hotel review site Trip Advisor to sort/filter for pet-friendly lodgings! A word of advice, however…if a hotel/inn online looks good to you and you want to stay there, don’t discard it if it doesn’t say “pet-friendly” in the description. Some places will say yes though they don’t advertise it…so it is always worth asking.
Have a great day!
ParticipantThere are small clinics but for extensive medical care, Boquete residents head to David’s private hospitals, just 30 to 40 minutes away by car. The city of David is the capital of the province (Chiriqui Province) and boasts a great deal of amenities and conveniences that make life easy on Boqueteños…malls, large supermarkets and pharmacies, restaurants, etc. Most expats you will talk to in the Boquete/David area will tell you they have had very good experiences with the quality of care in the medical facilities.
Have a great day! -
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