[Jessica Ramesch]

While International Living generally does not organize tours or make introductions you will find rolodexes full of contact information in IL books (e.g., Escape to Panama, http://www.ilbookstore.com)

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

To the responses here I’ll just add that in any country it depends on the city/town/neighborhood you choose. All the countries we’ve listed here today have excellent, safe communities. Research the countries you’re interested in here on the IL website and then you can drill down into communities within your chosen countries. We have plenty of profiles on the website and in International Living magazine that highlight what life is like and how safe expats feel in specific neighborhoods/towns.

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Most expat communities share info about fun activities on expat Facebook pages. Search the name of the place you’ll be visiting with the word expats (e.g., Boquete expats) and see which groups are active. You may also want to “follow” restaurants and other venues advertising live music.

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

In most of the places we’ve featured here you can get by with English and a translator app but before scouting a country we recommend reading about it here on the International Living website so you at the very least know what language is spoken as the national language. We recommend learning as much as you can, starting with polite basics like “please” and “thank you,” which will help you be a more respectful visitor and potential expat.

In Belize English is the national language, making it a great option for anyone who’s very apprehensive about learning or dealing with another language. Read more about Belize here on the IL website (https://internationalliving.com/countries/belize/).

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

If you’re not already signed up for and reading the free Field Notes newsletter you may want to sign up, they’re very informative:
https://globalintelligenceletter.com/subscribe-3/

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Mikel, there are several options for residency. You can read about visas here on the IL website at https://internationalliving.com/countries/panama/visa/ and/or watch this video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Ab76QTi_Q&t=2s&ab_channel=InternationalLiving.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Panama City is the ultimate nightlife city, see this month’s issue of International Living magazine for a full-length feature article.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hello, we always recommend enlisting the help of a reputable attorney, licensed in the country in question, to help you with immigration/visas and real estate or rental matters (contracts, etc). In many countries the same attorney can assist you with all these things but it can vary from country to country.

Re Panama: In our Escape to Panama book we list contact information for Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly whose firm, Mata-Kelly & Partners, specializes in visas and real estate, among others.

Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Mata-Kelly & Partners
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the US/Canada: (011 507) 216-9299
rmk@mata-kelly.com
http://www.mata-kelly.com

Similarly you can find resources on the other countries you’re interested in here on the IL website and at the IL Bookstore (http://www.ilbookstore.com).

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hello, we always recommend enlisting the help of a reputable attorney, licensed in the country in question, to help you with immigration/visas and real estate or rental matters (contracts, etc). In many countries the same attorney can assist you with all these things but it can vary from country to country.

Re Panama: In our Escape to Panama book we list contact information for Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly whose firm, Mata-Kelly & Partners, specializes in visas and real estate, among others.

Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Mata-Kelly & Partners
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the US/Canada: (011 507) 216-9299
rmk@mata-kelly.com
http://www.mata-kelly.com

Similarly you can find resources on the other countries you’re interested in here on the IL website and at the IL Bookstore (http://www.ilbookstore.com).

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Sondra,
There are a number of English-speaking doctors in Panama and in expat communities lots of bilingual help is available. I highly recommend regardless always carrying a description of your meds and relevant conditions in Spanish (or the language of whatever country you are visiting). You can use ChatGPT for good online translation. Google Translate is another option.

Yes to moderate temps near a beach. In Panama, the mountain town of Boquete is about 1.5 hours or less from the nearest beach, La Barqueta. The mountain towns of Sorá and El Valle are about 45 minutes from beaches like Coronado and Gorgona.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Ed,

You are correct in that Boquete offers a cooler, springlike climate.

You can read about all these places on the IL website, (http://www.InternationalLiving.com, search “Boquete” – make sure you spell placenames correctly, otherwise you won’t get results).

There are insects in all these places. In Panama I follow regular fumigation guidelines and that keeps my home free from real nuisances like roaches and silverfish. In some parts of the country scorpions are common and you want to shake out items if you’re at beach level. In my part of the country we have termite flight season and beetle season (usually May or June-July) they’re harmless and it’s a non-issue for me.

If you’re concerned about diseases read up on vaccinations, health advisories and more: for Panama you can check online sources that offer recommendations specific to the different areas of Panama, including the World Health Organization (website: http://www.who.int), the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control, website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/), or the Canadian Foreign Affairs Office (website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca).

(And remember, if you do plan to look into any vaccinations or pre-trip treatment courses, it’s best you see your healthcare provider at least four to six weeks before you travel.)

While we recommend places we and many expats feel safe in, no city on earth is 100% free from crime. By reading the profiles we feature of expats actually living in these places you can get a true sense for just how safe they feel there and what safety concerns they are able to leave behind when moving out of the US.

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi L, we still see lots of happy expats in Colombia, particularly Medellín, you’ll find lots of info on the IL website (http://www.InternationalLiving.com, search “Colombia”).

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi J, check out the November 2024 issue of IL Magazine for a profile of an expat and member of the LGBTQ community in Panama.
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Brucie,

You can read a vast number of accounts from expats who rent and expats who’ve bought in IL Magazine and on the IL website – there are good arguments for each and you can live well no matter which route you choose.

I’d say at least half of the areas we cover are not urban.

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

More and more we’re seeing expats say it’s best to have a U.S. (residential, not commercial) address if you maintain accounts (brokerage, bank) in the States. If you’re not already signed up for and reading the free Field Notes newsletter you may want to sign up, they’re very informative:
https://globalintelligenceletter.com/subscribe-3/

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Author]

Posts