[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for posting. Though Chorrillo got a bit of a facelift with the Cinta III and social housing projects, I am still wary…and most of the locals I talk to seem to feel the same. It might be ok to do the walk from Casco to Chorrillo during the day given how busy the bridge is (it’s not lonely and isolated), but I always err on the side of caution. I find in Panama it’s really easy to not become a target for crime. Just takes a bit of good old-fashioned awareness, as in any major metropolitan area anywhere in the world. With so much of the Cinta to enjoy between Paitilla and Casco, might be a good idea to avoid the less-transited (by pedestrians) section.

Hope that helps!

Best,

Jessica

Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama Editor

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Kathleen,

Chiriqui Correspondent Linda Card and I are available to answer questions from you and other Panama Insider members. (Please search and add to existing threads; only create new threads for new topics.) If you are looking to converse with expats in Panama, you may want to take a look at the Moving to Panama section of this website, there are some expats (bloggers and more) listed there. In my experience expats in Panama are often happy to volunteer a bit of their time and answer questions. Do a bit of networking (more at https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/#expat) and I’m sure you’ll get some takers.

Thanks,

Jessica
IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Beth, once you start the application process your Panama attorney should be able to change your status to temporary resident, so you can stay in Panama if you like. Your attorney will also file for a multiple entry permit so you can come and go in case you mean to travel.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Dale or Beth,

The above was an older list from 2013. I’m sure most of the contacts are still good but in any case, here’s an updated list from 2015.

Road trips, tours (day tours, eco-tours, etc), ground transportation, airport pickups, etc:

• Panama Vacations, http://www.vacationtopanama.com

• Ancon Expeditions, http://www.anconexpeditions.com

• Roadrunner Panama, web: http://www.panamaroadrunner.com

• Inside Panama, email: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601

• Panama Travel: http://www.panamatravelunlimited.com, info@panamatravelunlimited.com

• Sealandsky Journeys, email: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847

• Marco Colucci, tel: +507-6672-1201, email: macoluche@hotmail.com

If you search the forum for related posts (using a keyword like taxis, rentals, or transport/transportation) you’ll find some more info that may be of interest. Don’t hesitate to post again if we can help you with anything else.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Beth or Dale,

For shorter stays you’ll also find that review sites like Trip Advisor allow you to filter lodging options for factors that are important to you, such as pet allowances.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Unfortunately Chad, I am not aware, as I specialize in Panama, but if you could kindly post that question on the broader IL Community forum, which is free access, then my fellow editors in Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and on the island of Roatan will be happy to chime in. Please visit https://internationalliving.com/community/ to post. Hope this helps.

Best,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks Bob, we hope you have a wonderful visit! Feel free to post any thoughts about the experience!

Best,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

My pleasure!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Great update Linda! Yes, very true, no place is completely free of crime, and despite its reputation as a modern, prosperous country, Panama too has its crime and bad areas. In Panama City and Coronado crime tends to be non-confrontational or opportunity crime, so I still feel very safe living in the city and visiting Coronado often. I avoid bad areas, which are quite apparent and hard to stumble into, as most fringe the city. Random violent crime is pretty much unknown here. Most crimes are for money, not aimed at hurting random people. In recent weeks the opposition newspaper, Panama America (owned by the former president), has been publishing articles daily about “the people’s increased perception of insecurity” but the current administration says crime stats show a decrease, not an increase in crime. Homicides are down and I can’t remember the last time I worried about my car being broken into (maybe in the 90s), but I do take care not to leave my cell phone lying around so it doesn’t get swiped, that type of thing will happen if one is careless. Like most people who grew up in the States, I am also always very aware of my surroundings, particularly when parking or walking to my car. Overall, most expats here agree it is easy to not become a target because crime does not tend to be random or confrontational. Hope this helps. Best, Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

No, only citizenship, not residence, qualifies one as a Panamanian national. Most of the Canadian expats that live in Panama are residents, not citizens. That means they do not hold Panamanian passports, or vote in Panamanian elections, nor can they hold certain positions (such as those in the medical profession) that are reserved for nationals.

While it is possible to become a nationalized citizen of Panama, it takes at least 7 years to do so and naturally you would need to pass the citizenship test in Spanish. Then there would be an additional rigorous process to get your medical qualifications certified or validated by pertinent authorities here, possibly you would have to satisfy additional requirements before being legal to practice medicine here.

It is not legal for a Canadian doctor who is not a Panamanian citizen to treat Canadians or patients of any other nationality on Panamanian soil, unless perhaps said doctor is doing volunteer work via an approved organization (in which case the patients would be underprivileged Panamanians).

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Chad,

Thanks for visiting the Panama Insider forum. Medical professions are restricted to Panamanians, unfortunately. This is the case in many Latin American countries. Nurses in Panama rarely earn more than $600 to $800 a month, so the wages are not comparable to the U.S. or Canada (The cost of living is low here, so wages are also low). Most of the expats that move here find there are many creative ways to parlay their skills into an income abroad. Many work as consultants or independently (often online) and some even start their own businesses.

You will find lots of great information in International Living’s free Fund Your Life Overseas mailings (visit the IL website http://www.internationalliving.com to learn more and sign up at no cost).

Don’t hesitate to post again (create separate threads for unrelated topics).

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for visiting the Panama Insider forum. We’re sorry to hear you had trouble with booking your Copa flight. I just went to the website’s main page and put in some sample dates within the parameters mentioned above and was able to enter the PTYSTYLE promo code, so it looks like it is working for the above specified dates etc. If you need help you can contact Copa directly with any questions, they have a website http://www.copaair.com/ as well as toll-free lines and an “Ask Ana” question function on the website.

Hope it all works out and don’t hesitate to post again.

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for visiting the Panama Insider Forum.

Renting a car for that amount of time will be a little pricey by most standards, but since you have a bit of time you can contact a few different companies and get quotes, and then choose the one you like best. See the below “related posts” section.

I have not tried them all, but the last time I got a few comparative quotes, National had the best price, so I have continued to use them. Not sure if they still have the best rates but I have been happy with the service and professionalism to date. This forum thread suggests that a company in Coronado has the best prices: https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/car-rental-in-playa-coronado/, you may want to check that out as well.

Unfortunately car rentals are simply pricey, here as in the U.S., and at present there seems to be no cheaper alternative if you’re going to drive the whole time you’re here instead of using public transport all or part of the time.

Hope the information here and in these links is helpful, please don’t hesitate to post again if you have any additional questions.

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

Related posts:

https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/need-for-rental-car-in-panama-city/

https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/update-panapass-required-to-pay-tolls-panama-city/

https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/drive-to-almirante/

https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/flight-to-david/

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Good stuff, thanks for the comments everyone!

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for visiting the Panama Insider forum.

If you’re looking for central, walkable areas in Panama City, you may want to check out popular downtown neighborhoods like El Cangrejo, Paitilla, or San Francisco. You can read about these and other neighborhoods and more here on your Panama Insider website (https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/panama-city-suburbs/#three). Don’t hesitate to contact Pathfinder International with any real estate and rental queries, the company’s contact info is listed on travel threads on this forum (such as https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/carnival-holidays-end-of-day-friday-through-ash-wednesday/) and on the rolodex section of this website (along with a host of other helpful contacts) and I am including it below for your convenience.

Yes, you do need to show a return itinerary, though we’ve been told most expats simply show a printout of a reservation.

Hope this helps, don’t hesitate to post any other questions (create separate threads for separate topics).

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

Real estate: International Living does not sell or broker real estate or rentals. But you can send your real estate/rental queries to Pathfinder International Real Estate, exclusive real estate advertiser to International Living:

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

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