Living in Panama Archives | Page 3 of 67

Last Updated Jul 31, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

No Air Conditioner Needed in the Highlands of Panama

Today I saw in the internet that much of the United States is under a heat wave with record high temperatures. Yuck! I remember those days in Texas when I went from my air conditioned house, to the air conditioned car (with a steering wheel too hot to touch), to the air conditioned stores and there was never any fresh air. I don’t miss that kind of weather at all!.

One of my reasons for moving to Panama was to get away from hot Texas summers and cold Texas winters… and the high utility costs that go along with extreme weather temperatures. Now, I live in Boquete Panama where it’s about 75 degrees during the day and about 65 degrees at night. NO AIR CONDITIONER NEEDED! I don’t even have or need an air conditioner or heater at my house. I leave my windows open all day to enjoy the fresh air! That’s how I was able to go from $350 – $400 a month electric bills in Texas to $25 a month electric bills in Panama. It’s a big savings, but even more importantly, it is just a BETTER way to live!

If I get in the mood for warmer weather(rare), I can be at a Pacific Ocean beach in an hour or I can drive to the Caribbean in less than three hours.

So, I thought it would help to cool you off a bit with some picture of the highlands of Panama where you don’t even need an air conditioner.

[Read more…]

Last Updated Jul 31, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

Why David Panama Should Be On Your Radar

David is the capital of Chiriqui province which is in far western Panama, next to Costa Rica. It usually ties for the second largest city in Panama with a population of about 170,000.

David has a developed infrastructure yet a much lower cost of living than other places in Panama. Tour clients are renting furnished houses or condos in the $350 to $650 range in David. You can buy a new small house for as low as $50,000 in David

David has an international airport and a major bus terminal with connections throughout Central America. You can even catch a bus from David to the Caribbean side of Panama. With your Pensionado discount, it is only $10.60 to take a bus from David all the way to Panama City (a 7 hour drive) or go to San Jose Costa Rica.

There are two large private hospitals in David plus a large modern public hospital. Every specialist is available in David, including cardiologists. You are never more than 15 minutes away from a 24-hour hospital in David.

The city has several shopping centers and malls. In early 2020, the Federal Mall with 400 stores will open. There are two movie theaters with movies in both English and in Spanish (about $2 for a movie).

There are also countless restaurants (with air conditioning), bars and casinos around the city. American fast food restaurants are readily available in David too.

You’ll never be far from a 24-hour grocery store. There’s a daily farmers market with fresh fruits and vegetables. And there is an amazing fish market with fish that was just caught that morning. David has car dealerships, furniture stores, clothes stores, electronic stores, wine stores, gyms, office supplies, fabric stores and much more. [Read more…]

Last Updated Jul 31, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

How to Avoid Gringo Pricing

Gringo pricing is when you are charged more for something just because you are a foreigner living in or visiting Panama. It can happen. It has happened to me a few times too. But there are things you can do to avoid being gringo priced.

Gringo pricing is more likely to happen when you use a taxi. If you get in a taxi then tell them where you want to go without asking the price in advance, you may be in for a surprise when you arrive. Here’s an example:

One time a friend and I grabbed a taxi to go to a grocery store in Panama City. We are both blondes so even with perfect Spanish, the taxi driver knew we were “gringos”. I did not ask the price before I got in the cab because I had taken that trip before and knew the “right price” was $3. But when we arrived at the grocery store, the drive wanted $10 EACH. We said no way and gave him $5 then got out of the cab. If I had asked how much (cuanto cuesta) before I got in the cab, this situation could have been avoided.

There are two solutions to avoid gringo pricing with a taxi: (1) use Uber where available because you will know the price before the driver arrives and the fee is charged to your credit card so no change is necessary, (2) when using a taxi always… ALWAYS.. ask for the price before getting in the cab. If you don’t like the price, use a different taxi or an Uber.

DON’T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST

The more you look like a tourist, the bigger chance you could be charged a gringo price. If you wear a flowery shirt, have a fanny pack, always have a backpack with you or have a big camera around your neck, you scream tourist (aka stick out like a sore thumb). Tourist are much more likely to experience gringo pricing than other foreigners living in Panama.

GET BIDS

Sometimes it is gringo pricing and sometimes a company is just more expensive.
A few weeks ago, I got 3 bids for getting a new septic system installed at my house. The company most recommended by other expats wanted $2400. I paid $700 by using a company recommended by my Panamanian friends instead. The company who wanted $2400 spoke prefect English. The company I hired charged me $700. They spoke some English. I got another bid for $800 but they did now show up when they told me they would to give me a bid (24 hours late) so I marked them off the list. When you need to get a project completed, it pays to get bids. You can always hire a translator if you need help communicating with contractors.

If I was getting a septic system installed in Texas, there would be a big variety in pricing too. It is gringo pricing then? No, not necessarily, it’s just that some companies charge more than others. [Read more…]