Panama Expat Experience Archives | Panama Relocation Tours

Last Updated Mar 23, 2020 - by Jackie Lange

REPLAY: Ellen Talks About Her Life in Panama

Unfortunately, this Covid-19 virus has put a stop to international travel and coming on a Panama Relocation Tour so you can see how you can live better for less.

But the Panama Relocation Tours team will be providing weekly conference calls or videos with expats who live in Panama who will give you glimpse of what their life is like living in Panama. These weekly conference calls or videos will give you additional information to add to your research about relocating to Panama.

Listen to the replay of a call with Ellen who came on a Panama Relocation Tour with her family in 2014. They moved from Alabama to Playa Blanco, near Coronado, then relocated to the Boquete area. She and her husband and son have lived in Panama almost 5 years. They have the Friendly Nations Visa and work permits so they can work in Panama. Her son is now 16 and thriving in Panama.

In this call she will talk about:

♦ Why they moved to Panama
♦ Why they moved away from a beautiful beach town
♦ Moving to Panama with 3 pets
♦ Cost of living in Panama
♦ Health care in Panama
♦ How Panama has improved her health substantially
♦ What she misses about the USA
♦ What she does not like about living in Panama
♦ And much more

Check out her views!

NOTE: We do not give out contact information for the people we interview for these “My Life in Panama” conference or video calls because they don’t want to be bombarded with emails. If you have a question about living in Panama, please email [email protected]

NEXT WEEK: We will be doing a video interview with a couple who lives in CHAME, which is a beach town few miles east of Coronado. Stay tuned for more details.

Last Updated Mar 19, 2020 - by Jackie Lange

Keep The Dream of Retiring in Panama Alive

Last week, Panama closed their borders to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The only people who can come in to Panama are Panamanians or foreigners who have a permanent residency Visa. And those who do come in must be in self-isolation for 14 days.

We’re not on total lockdown but everyone has been advised to stay home and practice self-isolation. That means you don’t invite friends or neighbors over or go walking around town. You can still go to the grocery store if necessary. There is a nationwide curfew from 9pm to 5am.

As of March 18th, Panama has 86 cases and 1 death due to the Covid-19 virus.

Movie theaters, bars, malls, gyms, museums, etc were ordered to close. There can be no social gathering so the Friday Panama Relocation Tours Alumni Happy Hours have been cancelled. Even beaches are closed to the public. All schools are closed.

Grocery stores are still open but only 50 people are allowed inside at any one time. No one is hoarding. There is still plenty of food and even toilet paper. Senior citizens get to go to the front of the line if there is one.

Pharmacies are still open too. Hardware stores are still open. Many workers are wearing masks and gloves and some shoppers are too. Masks are still for sale in pharmacies and hardware stores.

Restaurants that are still open can only offer take-out or home deliver service. No dine in service is allowed. Some restaurants have closed temporarily.

Yesterday, they put a ban on alcohol sales throughout Panama. People seem to be more upset over that than the virus. You cannot buy alcohol anywhere in Panama. I have one bottle of vinto tinto (red wine) which I’m saving for the day they announce the “all clear”!

We had to cancel Panama Relocation Tours through April 17. We hope it is resolved by then so we can resume tours. Most of those who had a tour cancelled switched to a tour later in the year before those dates are completely sold out! We’re still taking new reservations for 2020 and 2021 every day.

It all sounds drastic. And it is. We’re fighting an invisible enemy.

[Read more…]

Last Updated Nov 13, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

16 Years as an Expat in Panama

Richard Detrick and Nikki Steele have lived in Boquete Panama 16 years. Watch this video to learn why they decided to retire in Panama. See their beautiful Tuscan style home on a 4 acre coffee farm in Palmira which is about 10 minutes from downtown Boquete. Richard also shares his best and worst experiences in Panama and his biggest fears/frustrations about living in Panama. Be sure to watch to the end of the video when Richard shares his recommendation for anyone considering relocating to Panama. Richard sometimes joins us for dinner during the tour and he has some articles about life in Panama on his blog at www.RichardDetrich.com

Here are some views from Richard and Nikki’s back patio. It’s lush and green all year with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s and evening temperatures in the mid-60s. You never get tired of the weather or these amazing views!