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Last Updated Nov 26, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

REPLAY: Retire in Panama Q & A Call November 2019

WOW! We had 190 people on the LIVE Q & A Conference Call on Saturday, November 23rd. The questions kept coming so I kept answering them for almost 2 hours. Then the power went out for about 3 minutes (it happens in Panama). I called right back in to the conference line to finish answering questions.

It’s a big decision to relocate to Panama so we know it helps to get answers to some of your questions before you come check out Panama during a Panama Relocation Tour. Since 2010, we’ve been offering Panama Relocation Tours and our monthly Q & A conference calls. We have the experience you can trust, and need, when making a life chancing decision to relocate to Panama.

Click on the link below to listen to the replay of the November Q & A Conference Call

Last Wednesday, I chartered 3 boats to take Panama Relocation Tours Alumni to an island off the coast of Boca Chica Panama for a fun beach day. The next beach day is scheduled for January! Here are some of the photos

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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!

Last Updated Nov 12, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

Should You Ship Your Car to Panama?

During a 6-day 7-night all-inclusive Panama Relocation Tours, we go in to great details (including special tips) about shipping household goods, cars and pets to Panama. Since 2010, we’ve been offering Panama Relocation Tours and have completed more than 112 relocation tours as of November 2019. We’ve helped 1000s of people relocate to Panama the easy way. Here’s an overview of important information you need to know if you are considering shipping your car to Panama.

SHIPPING A CAR OR MOTORCYCLE TO PANAMA

It will cost about $3500 to $5,000 to ship your car to Panama. If there is a lien (loan) on the car, you’ll need to either pay it off or get permission from the lender to take the car out of the country. Once the car arrives in Panama, you have 30 days to get it re-registered as a Panama car which will cost about $1500. Failure to get your car re-registered will result in it getting impounded. The price difference depends on how far you are from a port.

Once the car or motorcycle arrives in Panama, you will also owe import taxes which are based on the value (that Panama) puts on your vehicle. The import tax is usually between $500 and $2000.

North American cars have emission controls and catalytic convertors but Panama cars do not. Therefore, you may have a hard time finding a good mechanic to work on your North American car and it could take months to get any parts which are needed.

A good example….Friends thought he was getting a heck of a deal by buying a 2008 car with low miles for $4000. The car had been brought in from Georgia. Because the gasoline in Panama is different, the lowest octane is 91 and there is no ethanol in the gas, he started having problems with the car. One time they drove from Chitre to Boquete but the car overheated many times along the way until it finally just stopped. I helped them get a wrecker to take it to a local mechanic. The mechanic determined that he needed certain parts which took 3 months to get to Panama. Three months (with no car) and $3500 in repairs later, the car still has problems in Panama.

IS IT CHEAPER?

Moral of the story, it’s not always cheaper to bring your car to Panama. If you do bring your car in to Panama, it would be a good idea to bring the parts most frequently needed with you.

I know you’re going to ask… NO, you cannot fill your car up with your household goods when you ship it to Panama. The car must be completely empty and drain the oil and gas too.

Good cars are readily available in Panama. You can buy new cars or go to a used car dealer. I used a car broker to help find the first car I purchased in Panama. You just tell the car broker how much you want to spend and what you are looking for then they go find the car for you. The car broker has the car inspected and handles all the paperwork to transfer ownership to you. My first car was a Kia Sportage with 25,000 miles which I purchased for $9,000. My second car was a Nissan X-Trail with 25,000 miles which I purchased for $7500. A few months ago I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe with only 5,000km for under $20,000 (it still has the factory warranty).

A tour client shipping his motorcycle to Panama READ THE DETAILS HERE