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.
Visit our Help Center for answers to even more questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a visa to visit Panama?
Passport holders from the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, the UK, most countries in the EU, and many other countries are not required to obtain a visa before visiting Panama. More info: Visitor Visa Requirements
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. More info: Passport Requirements
Is a COVID-19 test required to enter Panama?
Yes. Travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to their arrival time in Panama. If a test is not possible within that time frame, a COVID-19 rapid test will be mandated at the airport before customs and the traveler will have to cover the costs of said test. (USD$ 50). See our Traveling to Panama During COVID FAQ.
Can you help us with pre-tour and post-tour vacation planning / travel arrangements?
We are a small company and must focus 100% of our efforts on ensuring our tours go smoothly. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to assist you in making pre or post-tour trip plans or extended vacation plans. More info: Extending Your Trip
What airport do I fly 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 up to 5 days before the tour check-in day, the airport shuttle service is available for you and included in your tour fee. More info: Booking Your International Flight
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 11 PM on your tour check-in day and your flight out of Panama should depart after 2 PM 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) for up to 7 days prior to the Tour. If you are staying in Panama after your tour check-out day, you are responsible for making your own hotel reservations for the additional nights.
When is the last day of the tour?
The tour ends on check-out day, Friday morning. We will provide ground transportation from Boquete to Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) David as well as a flight from David to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City.
The standard departure time from Boquete to Tocumen International Airport is 10:00 AM on your tour check-out day, Friday. If you’d like to depart Boquete after your tour check-out day or at a later time that is ok. The airport shuttle service and domestic flight we provide are available for up to 14 days after your tour check-out day. If you would like to stay more than 14 days after check-out day then we will reduce the price of your tour by $100 per person and you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation back to Panama City. Note we must have your departure transportation scheduled at least 30 days before your tour date.
What’s included and NOT included in the cost of the tour?
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 that 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 provided that you arrive not more than 7 days before your tour. 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 (PTY) 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 for up to 7 days after your tour check-out day. 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?
Visitors from the U.S. and Canada do not need to bring a power plug adapter to Panama. Visitors from other countries should check this website to see if they need an adapter.
The standard voltage is 110 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Do the hotels have hairdryers?
All hotels we use during the tour typically have a hairdryer in the room. If there isn’t a hairdryer in your room you can ask the front desk for one.
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 & lifestyle
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 and 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 bringing 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. Using a foreign debit card, a maximum of $250 can be withdrawn from an ATM machine twice a day. There is a $5.25 fee per transaction when using a foreign debit card at the ATM.
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 guest 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.
Does Panama have restrictions on who can come into Panama or getting a residency Visa?
You would need to talk to a Panama Consulate to determine if there are any restrictions for you to come into Panama.
If you have a felony criminal charge you will not be able to get a residency Visa to live in Panama.
Do you offer other more affordable options for those who want to move to or just come check out Panama?
We offer the Online Panama Relocation Guide which has the same information that you’d get on a full 6-day tour. And within the Online Guide, you will find information about how to do a self-guided tour in Panama in specific areas. The self-guided tour information includes how to get to the town, where to stay, things to check out, what the weather is like, popular expat hangouts and who to contact to see rentals.
And, we offer Private Tours for $200 per day, with a two-day minimum. The Private tours are for 1-2 people in your family and cover specific towns/areas.
Have more questions?
Check out our Help Center or send an email to [email protected]
or call 972-496-4500