[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

UPDATE***
NOTE that further to the below the firm confirmed it was having difficulty with its email system but the issue has been resolved, so you should be able to contact the firm directly.***

Thanks for posting. I’m so sorry to hear that. We have that firm listed because it is usually very prompt in responding to customer queries. If you don’t mind emailing me so I have your email and the above description (jramesch@internationalliving.com) I’d be happy to forward to the firm myself and thus verify if there’s a technical issue.
Best,
Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks so much Phil! If we do cross paths please just remind me that it was here on the Panama Insider forum that we corresponded!
All the best!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi there Armand, I’d love to interview you about your experience living in Las Tablas. I might be passing through in October. If you think you’ll be interested in sharing for a possible IL magazine article then please email me at jramesch@internationalliving.com.

I’m sorry to say I don’t keep have a list of dentists but you can call the Santa Librada clinic in Las Tablas 9948566, or Clinica Dental Azuero 9963445 and ask “Tienen dentistas que hablan ingles?”

or call DR. GUIDO SPADAFORA who is not a dentist (dermatologist) but might be able to refer you to one as he works in Chitre
tel 996-3518, cell phone: (507) 6983-0944/ (507) 6674-8640

or drop by Posada del Mar hotel and ask Rebecca (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1052420-d1055309-r192288359-Posada_del_Mar-Las_Tablas_Los_Santos_Province.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT )

or post on this Chitre Expats forum http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=270&tpcid=3369085

But I would start by asking Jean Paul!

If there’s no one in Las Tablas you might have to go to Chitre but that’s a very short drive. As you already know many of the expats in Pedasi/Las Tablas go to Chitre regularly, as it is the region’s major town and hub.

There are dentists listed here but Jean Paul might have a better idea RE who speaks English: http://www.paginasamarillas.com.pa/busqueda/dentist+clinics-chitre+lang+en. I heard there was a dentist called Doctora Corro who speaks English but haven’t been able to find her online, maybe Jean Paul knows of her.

The good folks at Casita Margarita in Pedasi are another possible source of recommendations such as this.

I sent an email to my dentist here in Panama City to see if she knows anyone and will let you know if so. But let us know how you get on!

Hope this helps!

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Elizabeth,

Panama regulations make it extremely difficult to bring birds of any kind into the country. I’d suggest contacting a Panama attorney for legal info on this. There is an attorney contact listed in the rolodex of your panama insider : The Law Offices of Rainelda Mata-Kelly, Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas, Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama; tel. +507 216-9299; e-mail: rmk@mata-kelly.com; website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

good luck!!!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Philip,

Here are my thoughts and hopefully others will chime in:

Unfortunately there is no bus that goes direct. You’d have to walk out of the airport (the bus stop is clear on the other side of the large parking lot) and catch a bus to Albrook and then backtrack from there to Cerro Azul. Renting a car at Tocumen would be the more comfortable option. Once at Cerro Azul you can walk around, it’s hilly, but it’s more easily explored with a car.

We have a couple contacts listed here on your Panama Insider website that may be of use to you:

• Paul Haney develops property in Cerro Azul, where he lives with his son. Contact him at; cell +507 6695-4095; e-mail: paulfranklinh@yahoo.ca.

• Altos del Cerro Azul development (Luis Rivera); tel. +507 260-4813; cell +507 6671-8790; e-mail:lrivera@altosdelmaria.com or info@losaltosdecerroazul.net.

It’s good to let them know in advance that you’re coming so the gatekeeper is prepared to let you in.

From the itineraries section:

From Panama City, it’s a very short drive east…back toward the airport…and then north to Cerro Azul. This itty-bitty mountain hamlet has much to offer the potential expat, including a range of property for sale, low cost of living and real estate prices, and cool mountain weather. The scenery—mountain vistas and sweet Swiss-style cottages—may be a bit of a shock after Panama City’s gleaming highrises!
Places to stay are limited so it’s a good idea to book ahead. Treat yourself at upscale Ginger House (website:http://gingerhouse-panama.com) or if you’re on a budget try Hostal Casa de Campo (website:www.panamacasadecampo.com), an older facility.
Read more about Cerro Azul here: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/mountain-valley/#azul

Many gas stations, hotels, restaurants, and stores in Panama City and Cerro Azul accept credit cards, but you should always ask your hotel in advance, as there are a handful that do not. More on this: money atms and credit cards: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/

Hope this helps!

P.S. For others interested in Cerro Azul, there’s a section on it here, on your Panama Insider website: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/where-to-live/mountain-valley/#azul

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Phil, thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. Yes you can call the U.S. from Panama if you buy a cell phone here; the rate will depend on which provider the service comes from. As mentioned on this website (https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/) the local providers are Movistar, Digicel, Claro, and Cable & Wireless. I am not sure what their rates are for a pay-as-you-go cell phone, which is what you’d buy here. I’m a resident so I am on a contract with Movistar (about $50 a month for a smart phone plan…i.e., data and calling) and I call Canada frequently for pennies a minute. If you have a smart phone and/or an Internet number then you can use that for calling the US by using your smart phone’s wifi at times when you have a connection (or roaming but this can be very expensive). Internet numbers, often known as a VOIP telephone numbers, like Vonage (website: http://www.vonage.com) and Skype (website: http://www.skype.com) provide good online calling services.
Regarding your trip, I have listed my best tips & suggestions for you on this site, you will find several sections on places like Coronado, which is on the way to Pedasi (there are many mentions, perhaps start here: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/travelers-panama/#must), as well as Pedasi itself. Please take a look and if you have any questions please feel free to create a new post or email me.
Hope you enjoy Panama!
Thank you,
Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Kathryn,

I’ll just add a couple things to the great answer posted by Linda, above.

Guna Yala is the “Comarca” or autonomous reserve ruled by the Guna indigenous people. Guna Yala is the place and Guna is the ethnic designation for the tribe. The official name was San Blas but that is no longer the case, though some locals still use it out of habit. I don’t call it San Blas because the tribe members fought hard to keep control of their lands and preserve their culture and language, particularly ancestral names like Guna Yala.

About bugs: I personally tend to bitten more on the beach in Bocas than in Guna Yala, but everyone seems to react differently, and if you’re aboard a boat (which you can charter from Panama City to any marina in the country), you may find the bugs don’t bother you as much, as the sand and mangroves tend to be big draws for chiggers. There are of course mosquitoes and other types of bugs and critters (there are relevant posts on this forum, see https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/creepy-crawlies/ and https://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/mosquitos-and-biting-bugs-in-boquette/ ).

I personally don’t love Isla Grande, mentioned above…lately it seems to be crowded.

Make sure you read the Panama Insider sections on Bocas and other destinations before you go, you’ll find helpful tips (for example, you will find one or two ATMS in Bocas, so you may want to withdraw cash in Panama City!).

Hope this helps.

Best,

Jessica

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Thanks Linda! Technically the Panama Canal reverted to Panamanian administration in 1999, but yes there was a very long (20 years) transition period and the Panamanian staff that took over the operation was well prepared to run the waterway…and has done so successfully. And yes, there is sure to be a big celebration when the third lane is inaugurated, though there is already talk of starting construction on a fourth lane immediately afterward, so the project may not be “done” for a while yet!
Happy 100th Panama Canal!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

That’s good Rich, you sound very clear on what you like and want! I hope the info on this website and any assistance we can offer on the forum is a help.
Best,

P.S. Ask locals and they will tell you David has a reputation for being the warmest city in all of Panama. More on climate in the Panama Insider articles posted on this website!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. I have used Mailboxes, Etc a few times, one of the things I like about them is that you can become an “occasional client” and not sign any contracts. I pay about $7 per kilo, I think, for each item delivered.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Rich,

I’ll chime in on a couple things:

1- David isn’t on the water so you’d be at least a half hour (maybe more…Linda how long is the drive these days?) from the nearest beach, La Barqueta (site of the Las Olas development).

2- The Coronado area is referred to by locals as the Arco Seco or Dry Arc, because the region gets less rain than other areas of the country. (About 69 inches a year, versus about 129 inches on Panama’s Caribbean coast). Locals have a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” That’s because when it does rain, it’s usually only for an hour or so.

Though the rainy season is long—about seven months, from May through November—mornings here tend to be sunny year-round. Entire days of rain are very rare, and often the sun reappears before sundown. Humidity can be high but temperatures are never extreme…the yearly average is 88 degrees F, meaning that there are days that get in the 90s but also plenty of mild days…i.e., mornings and evenings in the 70s and days topping out at mid-80s F.

Most restaurants and the new shopping plazas are a short walk or bike ride from the residences inside the Coronado gates. Panama City is fab, I choose to live here and I love it, have been here for over eight years…but it is much more busy and hectic than Coronado! Lots of construction and major infrastructure projects …good for the economy…but they make driving or walking a challenge in some parts of town, especially Obarrio…the areas you mention are good right now, Casco just underwent a major reno, so construction is mostly done…it is extremely lively on weekends these days, the city’s most popular restaurants and bars are here.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Unfortunately customer service (logins, subscriptions, etc) is handled by another department and I do not have access to assist you with the correction. Kindly contact IL customer service (see https://internationalliving.com/about-il/customer-service/). I’d do it for you but the way the system is set up, it’s much more effective if you do it, providing your email address etc so customer service can get back to you directly.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Rich,

I’ll chime in on a couple things:

1- David isn’t on the water so you’d be at least a half hour (maybe more…Linda how long is the drive these days?) from the nearest beach, La Barqueta (site of the Las Olas development).

2- The Coronado area is referred to by locals as the Arco Seco or Dry Arc, because the region gets less rain than other areas of the country. (About 69 inches a year, versus about 129 inches on Panama’s Caribbean coast). Locals have a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” That’s because when it does rain, it’s usually only for an hour or so.

Though the rainy season is long—about seven months, from May through November—mornings here tend to be sunny year-round. Entire days of rain are very rare, and often the sun reappears before sundown. Humidity can be high but temperatures are never extreme…the yearly average is 88 degrees F, meaning that there are days that get in the 90s but also plenty of mild days…i.e., mornings and evenings in the 70s and days topping out at mid-80s F.

Most restaurants and the new shopping plazas are a short walk or bike ride from the residences inside the Coronado gates. Panama City is fab, I choose to live here and I love it, have been here for over eight years…but it is much more busy and hectic than Coronado! Lots of construction and major infrastructure projects …good for the economy…but they make driving or walking a challenge in some parts of town, especially Obarrio…the areas you mention are good right now, Casco just underwent a major reno, so construction is mostly done…it is extremely lively on weekends these days, the city’s most popular restaurants and bars are here.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Unfortunately customer service (logins, subscriptions, etc) is handled by another department and I do not have access to assist you with the correction. Kindly contact IL customer service (see https://internationalliving.com/about-il/customer-service/). I’d do it for you but the way the system is set up, it’s much more effective if you do it, providing your email address etc so customer service can get back to you directly.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Steve,

Availability can vary, with 4-5 (or more) US or regional brands usually on the supermarket shelves. It seems to me that Science Diet and Purina are always obtainable.

There are plenty of good local vets (sometimes they will sell different brands of pet foods as well), if you want recommendations for the Coronado area you can likely find some via the most popular beach community website in English: http://www.playacommunity.com/.

Hope this helps!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for posting on the forum. I sent the below to you via email on July 25 and am including here in case other forum readers are interested in reading:

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.”

And remember: Unless you’re severing all ties with home, you’ll probably want to maintain a permanent address/postal address back home. You can use it to maintain the benefits of your home residence in some cases, as well as for sending, receiving, or forwarding mail.

Hopefully others will post as well.

Regards,

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Bill,

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. An automatic Hyundai Accent hatchback 2015 model, for example, will run you about $15k here. You can talk to Rainelda about the cost (duties etc) of shipping your car here. You might also try:

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. Tell her you are an International Living member if you like.

Short term rentals usually do not require much in terms of references. Long term rentals are a little different, we have some info for you at: http://internationalliving.com/COUNTRY_CLUBS/PANAMA/WHERE-TO-LIVE/ (see the section on renting) and if you look, on this website, at our recent missives, Linda Card, our Chiriqui editor, recently wrote a good piece about renting. (https://internationalliving.com/category/country-insider-websites/panama-insider/panama-news-panama-insider/ I think it was June).

Hope this helps/ Don’t hesitate to post again if you have unanswered questions. It is helpful if you post each question (topic) separately.

Best regards,

Jessica Ramesch

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