Live BETTER For Less in Panama
An Amazing Adventure Is Waiting For You! Leave All Your Worries Behind... Let Us Take Care Of Everything For You! We're Your Panama Relocation Experts! Our 6 day 5 night ALL-INCLUSIVE Panama Relocation Tour ™ will introduce you to the inexpensive and wonderful lifestyle available when you … Get the Details
Hello and Welcome to Panama Relocation Tours I'm Jackie Lange owner of Panama Relocation Tours ™ in Panama. I've lived in 4 countries, visited 26 countries and moved 22 times so I know a lot about relocating.....even relocating overseas. Here's the story about how I accidentally started the … Find Out More
STRESS-FREE ITINERARY WHICH TOTALLY SURPASSED OUR EXPECTATIONS Thanks Panama Relocation Tours for putting together a stress-free itinerary which totally surpassed our expectations. For anyone considering an exploratory trip to Panama, Jackie Lange’s Panama Relocation Tour is a must! The 6 day … Find Out More
Moving to a foreign country is a whole new experience for many people. Living in Panama is not like living in the United States, Canada or Europe. Some things are similar but many things are done in a very different way. For a smooth transition to your new life in Panama, learn the 9 biggest mistakes new expats make when moving to, or planning to move to, Panama. If you avoid these mistakes, you will have a pleasant experience in Panama.
1.Relying on people in expat forums for advice on moving: TripAdvisor is great for looking for hotels when on vacation, but when moving to a foreign country it can be dangerous to rely on information on expat forums. You really don’t know who the person posting really is or if they even live, or have ever lived, in Panama. Many of the people who post on expat forums are new to Panama too so they are not your best source for information. You’ll get a lot of conflicting information which can cause confusion. Some people who post on expat forums have a hidden agenda to sell you real estate, illegal financial services, or something else. You should never, ever discuss your financial situation on forums.
2. Becoming too friendly with the locals too fast: Panamanians are genuinely friendly people. Expats are friendly too. It’s great to visit with locals at a restaurant, bar or charity events, but don’t tell people where you live or invite them to your home until you get to know them well. Don’t tell anyone how much money you have or what your monthly pension is. It’s best not to flash fancy jewelry. Sadly, even at church, you can’t trust everyone because some people go to church just so they can make friends with people they think have money then they turn on their sob stories to extract as much of your money from you as they can. Avoid people who claim to have a special way you can hide money from your government.
3. Don’t rush to buying real estate: I tell everyone on Panama Relocation Tours that they should rent for at least 6-12 months before they even think about buying real estate. There are several reasons for this. You need to make sure you like living in Panama and the Panamanian culture before you buy real estate. Also, Panama has a lot of different micro-climates. The weather can be completely different just a few kilometers away. Some areas get more rain or cloud cover than others. Some areas have more water problems than the rest of Panama. Some areas cannot get reliable or fast internet service. Friends who rented a condo by the beach were shocked to find out that many of the units are rented by the night so it felt like living in a hotel with a constant stream of strangers coming and going. Before you jump in to buying in a certain area, you need to make sure you like that area. Rent for 1-2 months to give each area a test drive before you sign a long term lease or buy. Also, keep in mind that rents are super cheap compared to buying so it may make more sense to just rent while you live in Panama. You can get out of a rental a lot faster than you can sell a property you buy. If you do decide to buy, always, use your attorney to do a title search and create the purchase contract with your best interest in mind. Understand that not all properties are titled in Panama. Some properties are ROP (right of possession) which has no title and could be disputed which would result in your losing the money you paid for the property.
4. Don’t move to Panama without visiting first: This is a biggie! People who just move to Panama without visiting first, almost always end of leaving within 6 months. They had no clue what they were getting in to. If you’re married, both of you need to check out various areas of Panama before you make the move. We designed Panama Relocation Tours to give you a good overview of the kind of lifestyle Panama has to offer in a variety of different places. So, we think the tour is the ideal way to discover if Panama is right for you. You’ll also learn about Residency Visa options, bringing your pet in to the country, renting a house, buying a car, and much more. Sure, you could fly to Panama, rent a car, then explore Panama on your own. Either way, come see many different areas of Panama before you decide to make the move.
5. Don’t get too involved with too many different things: When you move to Panama, it is tempting to get involved with every charity, card game, painting class, cooking class, and hiking group you can find. This is a great way to meet fellow expats and Panamanians too. But you may find that by the end of the week you are exhausted. It is better to pace yourself. Give yourself time to get settled in to your new home and town before you get involved in too many activities. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit on the porch sipping coffee (or wine) and taking in the amazing views. It’s time to relax. You don’t need to be busy every minute!
6. Don’t sit at home watching TV: Politics have made some people so furious that they stayed glued to the TV to see what’s going to happen next. There’s nothing you can do about it when you live in Panama. So turn off the tv, especially the news, and get out to meet people in your new town. Get involved in some of the local activities (not too many). You’ll enjoy your life in Panama much more if you get out of the house, meet people, and get involved in some of the local activities like live music at local restaurants or volunteering.
7. Don’t expect Panamanians to speak English: Some do speak fluent English, but others don’t. Don’t get frustrated with Panamanians who don’t speak English. It’s not their fault. You’re living in “their” country so it is your job to learn at least some of their language. DuoLingo.com will teach you a few words every day.. for free. There are also Spanish classes and private tutors. I have to admit that I don’t speak much Spanish but I know enough to get by just fine. A little Spanish and a big smile go a long way in Panama. If necessary, you can hire a translator to go with you to help with some things.
8. Don’t get the wrong Visa or plan to do border hops: If you’re going to live in Panama, get a residency Visa. The Pensionado Visa is ideal if you plan to be retired. With a Pensionado Visa you cannot sell a product or any service in Panama, not even part time. If you want to work, the Friendly Nations Visa is ideal for you. Panama makes it easy to get a residency Visa so there is no reason to live in Panama without getting a Visa. Nothing upsets Panamanians more than seeing “gringos” working who are not legally allowed to work or seeing expats living in Panama full time who don’t have a residency Visa.
9. Don’t start a business too soon: Instead of starting a business right away, it is better to move to Panama then do a lot of market research to determine if the product or service or restaurant you want to open is even needed – and what your pricing structure should be. The business you have in your country may not work well in Panama. Some “gringos” open a restaurant a few months after they move to Panama charging twice what other restaurants charge then wonder why they don’t have any business. You need to consult with an attorney to make sure you can legally run the business you have in mind. Get the appropriate Residency Visa with a Work Permit (you cannot work in Panama without a Work Permit). You’ll need to set up a corporation, get a RUC number (tax id number), hire an accountant, set up a business bank account, get a merchant account so you can accept credit cards, and perhaps other licenses or certificates depending on your business. Foreigners are not allowed to operate some businesses.
Panama Relocation Tours is the expert when it comes to helping people relocate to Panama. We’ve helped hundreds of people make a smooth and easy transition to life in Panama. We feel that educating people about the pros and cons of each area in Panama helps them make a decision about which area is best for their personal needs and lifestyle. During the tours, we reveal exactly what you need to do before you make the move and once you arrive in Panama. This takes the stress away.
Because of this education, 37% of the people who come on a Panama Relocation Tour move to Panama within 3-6 months. Another 10% move within a year. And another 10% of tour attendees move to Panama within 2 years. Yes, 57% of people who come on a Panama Relocation Tour move to Panama!
Let us help you take the guess work and confusion out of relocating to Panama, join us for a Panama Relocation Tour this year.
With a coast running along two sides of the country, the Caribbean and the Pacific, there are no shortages of amazing beaches in Panama. They are as varied as the people who visit them.
Which beach would YOU like to spend the day at?
Boca del Drago – Located in the northwest of Isla Colón, the main island in Bocas del Toro, is one of the best beaches on the island. There are a couple of restaurants where you can get delicious fresh seafood and a cold beer and cabins where you can spend the night. Clear water makes for good visibility and coral growths just offshore offer world-class snorkeling here. Starfish beach is about a 15 minute walk and is known for its abundance of stars!
Cayos Zapatillas – These are actually two small islands that are part of the National Marine Park of Isla Bastimentos. The beaches have beautiful white sand and the water is perfect for snorkeling and viewing large varieties of underwater life. Hawksbill sea turtles are also known to nest here.
San Blas – On the other end of Panama’s Caribbean coast is an island chain that is inhabited by the indigenous Kuna Yala Indians. Perfect for exploring native cultures or just relaxing and swimming in the clear water. These islands are also popular among sailors and ecotourism fans.
Isla Coiba – Located off the Pacific coast of Panama in the Gulf of Chiriqui. Coiba is part of the National Marine Preserve and is best known for the abundance of large fish and sea mammals that are seen here regularly. Read more about the history of Coiba HERE.
Santa Catalina – Once a secret surf spot but not today. Some of the best surf in Panama has attracted people from around the globe for international surf meets. There are even surf camps where they give lessons for those who are new to the sport. You can also enjoy the peace while sunbathing, reading, and watching the waves.
Isla Contadora – Part of the Pearl Islands and best known as the place where pirates and merchants stopped to count their pearls before heading back to Europe to trade. A popular tourist destination, Contadora has a small regional/domestic airport and has regular flights to and from Panama City.
Playa Venao – Another popular surf spot on the Pacific side of Panama, located Southwest of Pedasi on the Azuero Peninsula. Waves break in both directions and there is a soft sandy bottom which makes this spot popular for all skill levels. It’s a bit off the beaten track and the vibe here is relaxed.
Red Frog Beach – Located on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro. Monkeys and sloths are common in the jungle here, as well as the poison red dart frog that the beach is named after. Great for surfing, swimming and sunbathing.
Taboga – The island is known as the “island of flowers” and is only an hour from Panama City, making it a popular weekend getaway for the locals. Get there by ferry from the Amador Causeway. The beaches are beautiful on the island. Boat tours for fishing, whale watching, snorkeling, and sightseeing are available, as well as walking and nature tours.
Isla Grande – In spite of its name, it is actually a small island in the province of Portobelo on the Caribbean side, near Colon. Local water taxi service is available to reach the island. There are no cars on the island, only walking paths. You can enjoy a wonderful meal at an island restaurant, a walk along the beach, or snorkel all day.
Although we have 10 beaches listed here, each is number 1 on someone’s list,
so we’ll let YOU decide the order!
I found this announcement in a Texas newspaper on October 28, 2016:
“The US fast food company Wingstop has announced that the franchise has plans to open 30 stores in Panama and Colombia, starting in 2017.”
I actually stopped at Wingstop in David (Chiriqui Province, Panama) about a month ago with a friend. We enjoyed a plate of wings with our favorite sauces and a Corona, while sport events were playing on several wall-mounted TV’s. Sound familiar? If this is your idea of an afternoon out, you really won’t be missing much in Panama. The fast-food joints that you have come to know and frequent back in the U.S. are becoming more and more common throughout Panama today.
Panamanians have always had a close relationship with U.S. culture over the years, mostly due to the Panama Canal. As a result, businesses, products and services associated with the United States are popular among the general population.
The economy in Panama has been growing steadily for over a decade. Panama also has the highest per capita income in Central America and the US dollar is legal currency here. With the increased purchasing power comes a desire for more popular (as seen on TV and movies, I believe) experiences and services. This trend has fueled investment by major multi-national food chains in recent years. Most of these franchises and restaurants are still found in Panama City, but they are popping up in the interior of the country as well, and more and more are appearing in Chiriqui, Veraguas, and Herrera. Several large shopping malls have recently opened in these areas, providing a boost to the growth of these franchises through their popular Food Courts.
Here is a sampling of the restaurants and cafes that I have personally seen here in Panama: McDonald’s, Burger King, Smashburger, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeye’s Chicken, Carl’s Jr., Taco Bell, Dominos, Little Ceasar’s, Pizza Hut, Nathan’s Hotdogs, Subway, Starbucks, Coffee, Bean & Tea Leaf, Dunkin’ Donuts, Dairy Queen, and of course Wingstop.
For the most part, these chains are very similar in pricing and products to their US counterparts. There are some notable differences though.
You won’t have to worry about getting your fast-food fix in Panama. Watch for my next report where I’ll share some of the popular full service restaurant chains that you can find in Panama today (hint: think TGIF & PF Chang’s).