In February 2010, my husband and I visited Panama for the first time to see if it would be a good place to retire.
For eighteen months prior, Iโd already visited several other countries to see if they โfelt rightโ as a place to retire. But none of them did. Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia did not tick all the boxes for us.
We had high hopes that Panama would be THE place to relocate to. But after so many disappointments in other countries, we were being very cautious.
It was exciting and scary at the same time.
Leaving Texas in February meant we were leaving cold, grey weatherโlike a black-and-white TV. But arriving in Panama in February was like turning on a huge color TV. Everything was so lush and green. The sky was bright blue. The tropical air was warm, and the air smelled so fresh. Panama felt alive!
We flew from Panama City to David, in far western Panama, where we rented a car. We mainly visited highland towns for several weeks because our #1 objective was to live where weโd never need an air conditioner or a heater again.
There were no relocation tour companies to show us the way.
You donโt know what you donโt know until itโs too late. That trip had some big ups and downs. Despite a lot of research, we made a lot of costly mistakes. To name a few, I got a $1200 phone bill when I returned to Texas. The car rental was $1800 for two weeks because they wouldn’t accept our insurance.
A lot was riding on that trip because we were running out of countries to move to. I did not want to be stuck in the 100+ degree summers and 20-degree winters in Texas anymore. Not to mention the high cost of living and political turmoil.
Obviously, we decided that Panama had what we were looking for, so we moved to Panama.
This decision totally changed my life and my husband’s life… for the better!
Knowing if we made the right decision was a big leap of faith. But we saw it as one step away from a totally different lifestyle. We needed a change! In the worst-case scenario, we could return to the US or find a different country.
Here I am, still living in Panama. Sadly, my husband passed away a few years ago. Iโm so glad he got to enjoy the amazing lifestyle in Panama.
Shortly after our 2010 scouting trip, I told my real estate investor friends, โI am moving to Panama.โ Just saying those words made it โrealโ in my mind and heart.
Surprisingly, several people asked me to take them on a trip to Panama so they could see what I saw. I did a 7-day tour with eight investor friends a month after my initial trip. Then others started asking me about my โPanama tours,โ and thatโs how Panama Relocation Tours was born in 2010.
Shortly after that, others asked me about a tour of Panama, so being the serial entrepreneur I am, I started Panama Relocation Tours in 2010.
On my first tour with real estate investor friends, I found a two-bedroom rental with fantastic mountain views. Without even talking to my husband about it, I signed a lease. It just felt right!
Since 1992, I have owned a real estate investing business in Texas. I buy, sell, and lease houses every month without discussing it with my husband, so deciding to rent a house in Panama was nothing new for me.
When I asked if it had high-speed internet, they said sure. But, after I moved in, I discovered it was only 3Mpbs. I had to pay $135 a month to upgrade to 10 Mbps. At that time, there was no higher speed available. Now fiber optics is available on that street.
Visiting a country, you have never been to tests your bravery and emotions. It helps to have someone show you the way.
A scouting trip is critical to determine if a country is right for you. No matter how many articles you read or videos you watch, you have to see Panama up close and personal to know if itโs right for you.
You need to see many different areas in the country to see what resonates most with your spirit. Then you must dig deeper to see if the town has the amenities you need to be happy.
Is there a hospital?
Whereโs the closest doctor’s office?
Does the grocery store have the stuff you need?
Are the ex-pats friendly or clicky?
Is there a vet for my pets?
Can I get health insurance?
Can you really get away from the constant political division, or does it exist in Panama? Are the restaurants affordable?
Does anyone speak English? Can you function in Panama if you don’t know Spanish?
I won’t lie to you, it’s a big decision to relocate to Panama!
Since 2010, one of the interesting things we have discovered in doing Panama Relocation Tours is that many people who THINK they want to live at the beach change their minds after seeing other areas. And many people who THINK they want to live in the highlands change their minds after seeing other areas. That’s why it’s good to keep an open mind and check out several different areas.
If youโre ready to come to see if Panama is right for you, weโre here to help.
Weโll take care of all arrangements in Panama, so you donโt have to worry about making costly mistakes like I did when I came to Panama for the first time in 2010.
Our friendly bi-lingual driver will meet you at Tocumen International Airport, then everything else will be taken care of.
Our all-inclusive 6-day, 7-night Panama Relocation Tours includes all your hotels, all meals, snacks, all the information you need for a smooth move, a flight back to Panama City. PLUS you get free access to the Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide after your tour. You also get free ongoing support in our private Facebook group.
Our goal during Panama Relocation Tours is to show you popular places (and off-the beaten-path places) to live in Panama while teaching you all the things you need to know to have a hassle-free move. This will help you decide where to move toโor not. Panama’s not right for everyone.
A Panama Relocation Tour bridges the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in Panama so you can relocate with total confidence.
Once you decide to take that leap of faith to start a new lifestyle in Panama, weโll be right here to hold your hand and help!
With the information you get during a Panama Relocation Tour or in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide, youโll know exactly what to do and how to do it! Youโll learn the right process for getting a visa, finding a rental, getting your pets to Panama, getting health insurance, and all the other things you need to do to relocate successfully to Panama.
Youโll even get a six-month checklist of things to do six months before your move, five months before your move, etc., and one month before your move. Using the checklist, nothing will fall through the cracks!
Come join us in Panama! Youโll be super proud of yourself for making the decision.
You will discover a new kind of freedom and a chance to recreate yourself.
Yes, you can get a Do-Over!
Your life really can change for the better. It all starts with the decision that you are ready to seek a better way to live.
You donโt have to be stuck in the same-old, same-old for another month, year, or decade! There is a better way in Panama.
Come see how you can LIVE BETTER for LESS in Panama.
Join us for an all-inclusive 6-day, 7-night Panama Relocation Tour or a Private Tour of Panama.
CLICK HERE to see details about an all-inclusive Panama Relocation Tour
If youโre undecided, contact us to discuss your concerns. Email [email protected] or call 972-496-4500.
Make one crucial decision TODAY to change your life FOREVER!