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COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH
ParticipantWe appreciate your input, thanks Jeff. Apologies if the wording felt misleading to you.
I’ve driven to David from Panama City at least a couple times (often more) every year for the past ten years…each time in a small car, nothing fancy. The final stretch between Santiago and David has never struck me as bad, though of course I understand these things are subjective.
Yes, that one segment of the Pan-American (which runs the length of Panama, with the exception of the Darien Gap) is undergoing an expansion right now, and with big bulldozers and the like going to and fro there are likely some issues (like potholes caused by heavy machinery), but we have a correspondent in David, Linda Card, and she hasn’t reported any major difficulties (she just drove from David to Santiago to check out the region for IL Publications).
Also, I’m not sure what you’re basing your above comment on (the bit indicating it will take many years)…the expansion is moving along at a reasonable pace; there’s no indicator that it’s taking any longer than it would in a similarly rural part of the U.S. We appreciate your suggestion to fly, but note that those expenses can add up when you live here and drive to and from David often. Most of the expats living in David drive or take buses a lot of the time.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments and we hope you’ll post again.
Regards,
Jessica
ParticipantHi Chris,
Good of you to share with us. Yes, I rarely–if ever–get bitten here in the city as it’s quite developed (construction tends to lower mosquito populations…less standing water, etc) and the municipalities do tend to spray to keep things under control.
Thanks!
ParticipantDear Sir or Ma’am,
Thanks for posting. Very few people do this so it’s possible no one on this forum will be able to answer “yes.” Though the border between Panama and Costa Rica is safe and transited by many people every day, I cannot say the same for borders between other countries between the U.S. and Costa Rica. You can find posts on the Internet by the few intrepid (or foolhardy) souls who have driven from North America through Central America and for the most part, they all point to a certain level of risk and danger, so we do not recommend it.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama EditorParticipantHi Bob,
Unfortunately even high-level government officials cannot yet tell us how soon the hospital will open. We were told end of 2014 and then January 2015, but it has yet to open. There are a few projects that were allegedly mishandled by officials in the previous administration (2009-2014) that are being investigated now under the new administration, so it may take some time to work it out. I’ll post here as soon as I can tell you anything concrete. In the meantime, there is a small health center in Pedasi, there are larger clinics in nearby Las Tablas and there are several hospitals in Chitre (less than an hour from Pedasi). Don’t hesitate to post additional questions or comments,
Best,
Jessica
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International LivingParticipantHello David, you can drive or fly, both are easy to do.
Getting to David is easy. Drive about six hours from Panama City on the perfectly paved Pan-American highway or take a $13 air-conditioned bus (choose the slightly slower overnight bus if you want to save on the night’s lodging and sleep your way to Chiriqui). If you prefer to fly, Panama’s domestic airlines, Air Panama (website: http://www.flyairpanama.com,) offer flights daily (about an hour each way).
More information here:https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/chiriqui-boquete-beyond/
Hope this helps!
Best,
Jessica
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International LivingParticipantHi Cherie,
Most expats say they wish they hadn’t bothered. The best, easiest thing for most is to just sell you car there and buy a new car in Panama (if you decide you need one…many expats get here and decide they don’t want or need to drive).
Importing your car can be expensive and unnecessary. If you do bring your car, keep in mind it may be hard to sell once you’re ready; used cars are tough to sell in Panama, because a lot of Panamanians (even first time buyers) prefer to go for new cars and financing is cheap and plentiful. And if your model isn’t common here, repairs can be an issue. Repairs on locally purchased cars (or models popular in Panama) are cheap, as parts are plentiful. You will find that new cars cost about the same in Panama as in the U.S.
Moving goods or vehicles overseas can be quite expensive (more than a few thousand dollars in shipping alone). Panama doesn’t set the price–your shipping company will set the price. And no, I do not think you can move an SUV internationally for $1000. The figures I have heard are closer to $4000.
If you plan to move a container-full (or partial container-full) of items or just you car, most large U.S. moving companies have international arms that handle relocations to other countries. You may be able to save by using a Panama-based company, though coordinating from afar can be time-consuming. If you’d like to reach out to a relocation/shipping expert here is a Panama-based one:
CARIDAD Y. AGUILAR President, Ptypackers (Panama International Packers) and Carybenha Investment Corp. Albrook Commercial Park, Warehouse D-9, Panama, Republic of Panama Tel. +507 232-7155//232-7154; Dir. +507 230-3092; cell +507 6617-8581 Email: caridad@ptypackers.com Website: http://www.ptypackers.com
And: Panama Relocation; tel. +507 271-0029; e-mail: info@panamarelocation.com; website:www.panamarelocation.com. This full-service relocation company assists people with “every aspect” of moving to Panama.
Pensionados in Panama are entitled to a one-time exemption from duties on the importation of household goods (up to $10,000) and currently get a break on luxury tax when importing a car
Learn more here on your Panama Insider website: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/#goods
Hope this helps.
Best,
ParticipantHi Bob,
It’s probably bistec picado or bistec criollo…I’ve never made it but if you look under these names there are some recipes online, this one contains tomato and achiote so it would have that red color that you describe:
It says you season the meat with salt, crushed garlic, and achiote oil and let it sit for 10 minutes, then fry with two cubes of beef bouillon and chopped tomatoes and onion (you could add peppers too?), cover and turn periodically till cooked through.
Hope this helps!
ParticipantHi there,
Great question.
The best supermarkets for fresh produce are typically Riba Smith (any), El Rey (particularly the one on Calle 50, though the Via España one close to you usually isn’t bad), and Super 99 (only the one in Punta Pacifica, the rest are pretty sad when it comes to fresh produce).
Riba Smith has a small organic section, even.
The Bal Harbour strip mall in Paitilla also has two “Chinos” (Chinese owned mini-marts) that specialize in providing hard-to-find items, including Asian ingredients (seaweed, condiments, udon noodles, etc.) and fresh produce from around the world. I’ve found everything from cactus fruit to enoki mushrooms there (items I’ve never seen anywhere else in Panama).
As for simple farmers stalls you’ll find a super cheap one in Parque Omar, that’s my favorite for potatoes, tomatoes, local fruit…and you can get fresh fruit smoothies too. It’s a little more convenient to El Cangrejo than the larger Curundu market you asked about (you can go there too! I just wouldn’t walk…take a taxi or even get a friend to drive you/go with you the first time to show you the ropes, etc.)
ParticipantHi, El Cangrejo is great, safe and walkable as it is in downtown Panama City, but I would not walk to Curundu as, on your way, you might stumble into a sketchy area such as the end of Transistmica/Simon Bolivar. If you’d like to see a local style market try the fish market at the end of the Cinta Costera, right by the entrance to Casco Viejo. There are little food stalls and lots of visitors have enjoyed it.
Have a nice time.
Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama EditorParticipantHello,
No you do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car or drive here.
Tourists can drive in Panama for up to 90 days, If asked by a traffic police officer, you should be prepared to show your valid home country driver’s license and your passport–both the photo ID page and the page bearing your entry stamp, so officials can calculate how many days you have been in the country.
If you plan to be here for more than 90 days you will not be able to continue driving on your home country license: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/visas-and-residence/
Best,
Jessica Ramesch
IL Panama EditorParticipantPS When I think of farmer’s markets in the States, I remember sunny days, nice long tables laden with fresh produce and honey and prettily packaged organic cookies, that sort of thing. Here in Panama however farmer’s markets are simply stalls with produce…beautiful fresh produce, yes, but simply presented, no frills. So they’re fine to go check out but not something I’d do for an outing, unless it’s a market like the one in the mountain town of El Valle which has handicraft stalls etc, not just farmer stalls. Hope that helps.
Best,
Jessica
ParticipantHello B,
The stores I know of are:
-Alfaro http://www.cialfaro.net/
-Supro http://www.supropanama.com/
-Deka http://www.dekapanama.com/store/
If they don’t have exactly what you’re looking for I’m sure they can order it or tell you where to find it.
By the way, Casiolandia I believe has a small selection of musical instruments http://casiolandia.com.pa/pages/sucursales
And lots of stuff gets posted on websites for resale, such as Encuentra24.com. As always with used items and their owners, caveat emptor.
Best,
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International LivingParticipantThanks Linda, glad to have you onboard and covering the Chiriqui region for us!
Best,
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International LivingParticipantHello Chris,
Chikungunya is a disease that, as far as we know, has come to the Americas, in its present form, from Africa. The word comes from the Makonde language of Tanzania. The first regional case was reported in Florida (since then there have been about 11 cases transmitted there). Over 4,000 cases were reported from U.S. territories in 2014, mostly transmitted via Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
As of January 9, 2015, there are 42 countries/territories in the Caribbean/Americas region with reported cases of transmission. Hard-hit countries include Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, with anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 reported cases per country by September of 2014 and exponentially more suspected cases by now.
Toward the end of last year, zones near Panama’s capital city were fumigated after three cases were detected. By the end of the year we had 20 to 25 reported cases.
Panama is home to the renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute as well as its own Gorgas Institute. These organizations are leaders in studying the disease and mosquitoes that spread it, the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, or tiger mosquito, which originated in Asia but are found in Canada and the U.S. all the way down to South America.
Panamanian health authorities first detected the tiger mosquito here in 2002 and kept tabs on its spread. This comprehensive data—uncommon in many tropical nations—along with years of mosquito surveys by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, has been very helpful. Last May, a genetically modified mosquito that promotes sterility was released in a Panama City suburb by Panama’s Gorgas Institute. The modified mosquitoes are expected to greatly reduce problem mosquito populations (we don’t yet know the time frame).
Regardless, experts expect Chikungunya to continue spreading all over the Americas/Caribbean region (we don’t yet know the time frame).
Regarding diseases and travel:
As we say on your Panama Insider website, 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 malaria (Panama hasn’t had a yellow fever case since the 1970s).
Health authorities typically recommend prevention (protecting yourself from mosquito bites, particularly around sunrise and sunset) as there are no vaccines for chikungunya or dengue.
Mosquitoes that spread disease are found in many parts of the world, and at different times of year, so make it a habit to do what you can to prevent bites year-round.
Always make your own informed decision about travel and vaccines/any other medical considerations after reading the latest vaccinations and health advisories from trusted health industry sources.
You can check websites 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.
ParticipantHi Bob,
For some reason my carefully typed out reply seems to have disappeared, trying again. Please let me know if I miss anything or you have more questions. thanks very much.
1- driving in Panama City can be frustrating and even scary if you’re new. While a rental car is great for driving from Panama City to/in other parts of Panama, you might find it less stressful to explore Panama City on foot or letting someone else do the driving.
Getting around Panama City:
Rental Cars: There are many rental companies in Panama, including National Rent A Car: http://www.nationalpanama.com/english/index.htm. Find more companies listed at: 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 $6 to $10. Taxis do not use meters; they carry charts showing the price increase by district and number of passengers. Taxis are yellow and have ID numbers painted on their sides. Taxis charge extra for pickup at hotels, airports, and other tourist destinations. It is not customary to tip yellow taxi drivers (unless the driver has gone above and beyond or helped load luggage). Always ask the taxi driver what the fare will be before getting in.
Tocumen Airport fare (yellow taxi) should be $25 total for up to two people or $10 each for groups. “Tourism taxis” are white, you will find them at Tocumen Airport. These and private ground transport companies usually charge around $35 total for up to two people. For more airport fares see: http://www.tocumenpanama.aero/index.php?cccpage=transporte_publico. Services like Uber do operate in Panama but are not regulated by the government, insurance authority, etc., so caveat emptor. I have successfully used one of these services called TuChofer.com several times. Panama City is quite small in terms of area but traffic can be heavy especially during rush hours (7-8am and 530-630pm) so although everything is close sometimes it can take an hour to cross town.
Waze is an excellent app to have on your smart phone and help you navigate Panama City.
2- There are a great many new hotels in Panama, which recently had a hotel construction boom with more rooms in the pipeline than any other country in the region save Brazil. I usually just check review sites like Trip Advisor to see which hotels are getting the best ratings at the time. You’ll find listings online for 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. If it is your first visit to Panama City then you might want to stay downtown (more central), in areas like Bella Vista or El Cangrejo where it is easy to get taxis and even the metro (in the Panama City section of your Panama Insider website you will find a breakdown of city neighborhoods and avenues).
Not as central: Casco Viejo and the Ancon district in what used to be the US military Panama Canal zone…both have their own charm but can feel “far” as they’re 10 to 20 minutes from downtown so you may want to just visit them but stay closer to downtown. Also Casco is the nightlife spot of choice for the city and can get a bit congested and loud.
3- Send your real estate/rental queries to Pathfinder International Real Estate, exclusive marketer to International Living:
Pathfinder International Real Estate
info@pathfinderinternational.net
Website: http://www.pathfinderinternational.netYour Panama Insider missive for January will be out next week with a little writeup/video of the Cinta Costera or coastal belt, which one can drive or walk from downtown to Casco.
Enjoy…
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