Our 6-day, 7-night ALL-INCLUSIVE Panama Relocation Tour ™
will introduce you to the inexpensive and wonderful lifestyle available when you retire in Panama.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a Visa to visit Panama?
If you are traveling from the United States or Canada, you do not need a visa. You can get into the country with your passport and stay for up to 6 months. If you’re traveling from other countries you probably do not need a visa. Send an email to [email protected] with the country your passport was issued from. We will contact our attorney in Panama to verify if you need a visa or not.
Are there any special passport requirements?
Your passport must have at least 6 months until it expires. You will not be allowed to fly to Panama if your passport does not have at least 6 months before it expires. Check your passport now and start the process to get it renewed if necessary.
Can you help us with pre-tour and post-tour vacation planning / travel arrangements?
Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to assist you with making pre or post tour plans or extended vacation plans. For general recommendations about where to stay and what to do, we recommend going to TripAdvisor.com
What airport do I fly in to in Panama?
You will need to arrive at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The airport code is PTY. Once you sign up for a Panama Relocation Tour and give us your international flight arrival information, we will arrange for airport shuttle service to our preferred hotel in Panama City. Even if you arrive several days before the tour check-in day, the airport shuttle service is available for you and included in your tour fee.
When should I book my international airfare?
According to a study by CheapAir.com you can get the best price on airfare to Central America by booking approximately 2-3 months before your travel date. You should book your airfare no later than 30 days before your tour check-in day.
Your flight into Panama must arrive before 11pm on your tour check-in day and your flight out of Panama should depart after 2PM on your tour check-out day.
Do I need to make any hotel reservations?
You do not need to make any hotel reservations between tour check-in day and tour check-out day. All hotels during those dates are included in the cost of the 6-day, 7-night tour and we will make all those reservations for you.
If you arriving in Panama before your tour check-in day we can reserve additional nights for you at our preferred hotel in Panama City (at your expense). If you staying in Panama after your tour check-out day, you are responsible for make your own hotel reservations for the additional nights.
What’s included in the tour?
(1) We will provide airport shuttle service from Tocumen International Airport to our group hotel in Panama City.
(2) Your hotel room on check-in day at our preferred hotel in Panama City.
(3) All transportation, lodging & meals during the official Tour. Tour as outlined on the itinerary, 3 meals a day (1 entree per meal), local driver fluent in English and Spanish plus your Expat Tour Guide with the information you need to relocate to Panama Plus meeting expats throughout the country.
(4) After the tour: Ground transportation from Boquete to David and a domestic flight from David to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.
What’s NOT included in the tour?
(1) International airfare, airfare change / cancellation fees, airline excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages, hotel room upgrades, extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service).
(2) Pre or Post tour / vacation planning services, hotel reservations, car rentals, house rentals, and transportation.
Can you accommodate my food allergies / restrictions?
Please understand that we (Panama Relocation Tours) are not involved in the preparation of your food. Throughout the tour we visit 3rd party restaurants who handle all of the food preparation. For this reason we ask that you please be responsible for communicating your dietary needs and preferences directly to the restaurants we visit, when we visit them. You do not need to inform us of your dietary needs in advance.
All of the restaurants we visit are able to make accommodations for all food allergies and almost all dietary restrictions / preferences including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian. At each restaurant you will be able to choose from a menu with at least chicken, fish, & a no meat option. You will also be able to make substitutions in order to make the menu better align with your dietary needs.
Food allergies:
If you have a food allergy you are responsible for communicating that directly to your waiter at each restaurant we visit. We also recommend that you ask your waiter what is in your dish and how it is prepared. Make sure your waiter understands what you are allergic to and explain that cross-contamination must be avoided. You may want to speak with the manager just to be sure.
For more tips on how to handle food allergies while dining out please visit this site:
https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/managing-lifes-milestones/dining-out/at-the-restaurant
What happens if I arrive in Panama before my tour check-in day?
Our airport shuttle service is included in your tour fee. Once you sign up for a Panama Relocation Tour and give us your international flight information, we will make arrangements for your airport shuttle service from Tocumen International Airport to our preferred hotel in Panama City.
What happens if I want to stay in Panama after the check-out date?
If you want to stay in Panama after the tour check-out date, you need to let us know which day you would like to fly back to Panama City from David so we can book your domestic flight. Transportation from Boquete to the David airport is included in your tour fee. You’ll need to find and make your own hotel reservations for the extra days after the tour check-out day. We recommend TripAdvisor for finding hotels.
Do I need to bring an electrical converter?
Panama uses the same electrical outlets as the US and Canada, 110 volts. If you are coming from Europe you may need a converter.
Do the hotels have hair dryers?
All hotels where we stay during the tour have a hair dryer in the room.
What will the weather be like?
Near the coast, it will be in the high 80’s, low 90’s. In the mountain areas, it will be in the mid to upper ’70s
From April through mid-December, it is the rainy season. But it does not rain every day or all the time. There are usually clear skies in the morning and then about 4 or 5 it will cloud up and rain for an hour or two. You should bring an umbrella and a light rain jacket.
In January and February, it is the main part of the dry season. There will be less rain and it will be windy.
Can I use my cell phone?
Please contact your cell phone company for details about what is included with your plan.
Do I need vaccines / shots?
Vaccine requirements and recommendations vary based on a number of factors including:
- Country of origin
- Your full travel itinerary
- Pre-existing medical conditions
You should consult a health care professional preferably six weeks before travel to determine which, if any, vaccines are appropriate for you. Note that during the tour we only travel west of Panama City and only go to the more developed parts of Panama. We do not go into any jungles or onto any farms or islands.
Can I use my Credit or Debit Cards in Panama?
Most hotels and some restaurants take Mastercard or Visa. Panama is a cash-based society and many places only accept cash. Of course, all your expenses are covered during the tour so you will not need cash during the tour. But we do recommend bring about $500 cash to use before or after the tour. ATM machines are readily available at banks so you can get additional cash if necessary.
Why do you require everyone to sign a non-compete agreement?
We have worked very hard to build this business, establish contacts and relationships which we share exclusively with our tour guests. We provide the highest quality tour with the most information. We will not allow someone to come on the tour who is planning to start a competing business or write a book about relocating to Panama. During the tour, each tour guests will be provided with proprietary trade secrets and confidential data. Each tour guest must agree to retain said information as confidential and not disclose same to any third party.
Have more questions?
Send an email to [email protected]
or call 972-496-4500