Quarterly Digest: The Latest Updates from Our Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico Correspondents

[dduggan]

[vimeo url=https://vimeo.com/event/5272809/2176fc3026]

We’re making a change to serve you better! Starting now, our Quarterly Digests will be available exclusively on our Community Site. Why the move?

• More accessible—We want to make these quarterly updates more accessible for you—with this move, you can find the digests easily, anytime on our community site.
• More interactive—We also want to make them more interactive. You’ll be able to ask our experts your biggest questions about moving overseas—and get real-time answers. And in the community site, we can keep the conversation going, too.
• More on-the-ground insights—We’re bringing you fresh updates from our correspondents around the globe, straight into each digest so you’re more plugged in and up-to-date about what’s happening.

In this quarter’s digest, join our correspondents, Jessica Ramesch, Bekah Bottone, and Bel Woodhouse as they discuss the latest updates in Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

[John Garrett]

Will there be an IL Meeting in Panama in and around December?
I would dlike to see Ronan’s Apartments & look for other opportunities
John Garrett
.

[Country Expert jessica ramesch]

Hi John, the next Fast Track Panama conference will take place March 20-22 during Panama’s glorious summer season. If you’ll be in Panama closer to December reach out to your RETA concierge, I’m sure they can help you view whatever good stuff they’ve got here.

November and December are extremely busy months in Panama with many holidays (and holiday traffic!)

Panama Holidays*

2025

Jan 1, 2025: New Year’s Day
Jan 9, 2025: Martyr’s Day (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
(Feb 7-9: International Living’s Fast Track Panama Event)
Feb 28-March 4, 2025: Carnival
Mar 5, 2025: Ash Wednesday
Apr 17-20, 2025: Holy Week (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1, 2025: Labor Day
Aug 15, 2025: Founding of Panama La Vieja (Original Site of Panama City)
Nov 2, 2025: Day of the Dead (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Nov 3-5, 10, 28, 2025: Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
Dec 8, 2025: Mother’s Day
Dec 20, 2025: National Day of Mourning (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Dec 25, 2025: Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24 & 31)

2026

Jan 1, 2026: New Year’s Day
Jan 9, 2026: Martyr’s Day (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Feb 13-17, 2026: Carnival
Feb 18, 2026: Ash Wednesday
(March 20-22: International Living’s 2026 Fast Track Panama Event)
Apr 2-5, 2026: Holy Week (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours Good Friday)
May 1, 2026: Labor Day
Aug 15, 2026: Founding of Panama La Vieja (Original Site of Panama City)
Nov 2, 2026: Day of the Dead (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Nov 3-5, 10, 28: Fiestas Patrias (Independence/national holidays)
Dec 8, 2026: Mother’s Day
Dec 20 (21?), 2026: National Day of Mourning (Dry – no alcohol sold for 24 hours)
Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day (Many businesses close at noon Dec 24 & 31)

* Subject to change. If a holiday falls on a Sunday observance may be moved to the following Monday via executive decree (dates in parentheses). May be announced only days ahead of time.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[coronadobeach2016@gmail.com]

well i thot i just did but dont see it. i think im an hour early? its 11: in🪻 Dallas n im guessing this is East coast so hour later? no
if an hour later. ITS NOW. WHERE N WHEN. I REALLY NEED TO WATCH YHIS ONE. PANAMA/C.RICA IS MY YEARS OF NARROWING DWN FROM EVERYWHERE!💦
I MISSED A TRIP NO ONE GOT BK TO ME. ALSO IM A SR.FE: IN DALLAS IF ANYONE INTERESTED IN NOT PREFERING TO TRAVEL ALONE? JUST THROWING OUT THERE PLEASE TELL ME WHEN TO WATCH!🙏👍🙃🤠😎KATHY ONEAL🏖️
coronadobeach2016@gmail.com
🏝️🌺💦

[SPICERFAM@GMAIL.COM]

Thanks.

[Anthony Graziano]

Thanks for sharing today!

[Eileen Anthony]

The video will happen live on this page??? Really? When? I’ve been waiting for 20 minutes!

[Valeria Collier-vick]

Hi – we fly in on Sunday to Panama City to complete our Pensionado Visa application process next week. Do you have any suggestions on things to do while we’re in Panama City?

[Country Expert jessica ramesch]

PLEASE PRESS PLAY

THANKS ALL 🙂

[Robert Slater]

Have better things to do.

[Gregory Dingle]

Just closed on a house in Costa Rica. Looking for options to transport my 2 labs from Florida. Also, would like recommendations on an international shipping company, door to door. We probably only need a 20ft. container.

Thanks

[coronadobeach2016@gmail.com]

****IS ANYONE GETTING ANYTHING!??! IM FEELING TOTALLY LEFT OUT!!!
KATHY~ DALLAS

[David Ballou]

I see something now — reload the page may help

[Country Expert jessica ramesch]

Hi Valeria,

While the obvious choice (The Panama Canal) is definitely worth a visit, see https://visitcanaldepanama.com/en/points-of-interest/miraflores-visitor-center/

I also highly recommend Casco Viejo, see this little write-up on fun things to do (go to the Panama City section): https://members.internationalliving.com/articles/bonus-content-vacation-in-panama-mag-11-2022/

And for a fun read and sense of all the city has to offer see: https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/december_2024/4235809/

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[David Rosenthal]

That does nothing. It appears that the line showing the progress of a video is jammed at the far end and it can’t be “pulled back”. A bit disappointing to a lot of folk, particularly with no comments from IL

[Author]

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