[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Dennis,
In the May issue of IL Magazine I covered Uruguay – one of the interesting things about seasons that far below the equator is that they’re opposite to seasons in the US, so you could spend cooler months in the States and leave for the summer… heading to Uruguay for their cool weather period (May through August). It doesn’t take a whole lot longer than getting to Europe and it’s one of the easiest countries in the world for residency right now. So it’s an interesting alternative. Check out the May issue at https://members.internationalliving.com/magazine-issues/2024/ (and look for more on Uruguay in the September issue… plus the August issue, out now, has an interesting perspective on Argentina, one of my favorite all-seasons destinations).

Best,

IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi John,
I toured Cebu with stops in Manila and Borocay many years ago and have no experience in Davao but as it’s a city of at least 1.7 million it should have good private hospitals and clinics. You should join one or more of the Davao expats groups on facebook so you can start getting a clear picture of the current standards. Just remember to take individual posts with a grain of salt and read for consensus.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jessica Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Richard,

You’re right, the cost of renting a car for that long would be prohibitive from a larger outfit like National (which I use here for shorter trips since they have excellent service even if it is pricey with insurances… which people think they can save on but no matter what workaround you think you have, you generally do have to pay the insurance here).

It all depends on where in Panama you’re going. If you’re in central Panama City, or exploring places like Bocas del Toro, you might not feel you need a car. In Panama City there’s uber, and the metro and buses if you don’t mind that there are sometimes crowds waiting around rush hour. In Bocas you can do a lot by walking/biking or taking buses/water taxis.
Generally for the Coronado beach region and Azuero peninsula it’s nice to have a car, though you can make do without.

There are sometimes small regional car rental outfits (like Trinity or Coronado Car Rentalin Coronado) that charge far less than National et al, and many expats are happy to use their services for stays of one or even several months.

Some part-timers keep a car here and pay someone (or trade favors with a neighbor) to care for it.

Some folks who decide they want to test-drive life in Panama for six months will buy a used car and sell it when ready to leave (not from used car lots, as they charge a lot more for used cars than in the US, but rather direct from owner, usually via leads obtained from the expat grapevine… regional expat facebook groups, etc).

Hope this helps and you have a great time in Panama.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Patrick,

Congrats on joining the IL community, it’s great to have you! Remember in addition to the wealth of articles being posted on the main website http://www.InternationalLiving.com and running in the magazine https://members.internationalliving.com/magazine-issues/2024/ there’s also the IL YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@internationalliving/featured, great videos to watch while working out, commuting, unwinding, etc.

Explore & discover – happy trails!

Best,

IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Hi Mark,

Hopefully readers who have scouted Panama will chime in. I’ll just say I highly recommend coming down to see it for yourself, so it’s great that you’re planning a trip.

There are a lot of pros: the Pensionado residence program mentioned above, the strong dollarized economy, the welcoming people and long history of business- and foreigner-friendly policy, the out-of-this-world telecommunications, and the cosmopolitan capital with all its options for sports, entertainment, nightlife, culture, not to mention some of the best hospitals in all of Latin America. Some cons include customer service, trash collection in poorer areas, and driving habits. Though there are a lot of English-speakers it’s definitely not like Belize where English is an official language; here you do need some Spanish to speak to bus drivers, store clerks, etc.

International Living’s next Fast Track Panama event is slated for Feb. 7-9, 2025 – if you’ve ever attended an IL event then you know there’s always an incredible roster of experts, expat speakers, and exhibitors – people who live in Panama and really know what they’re talking about. Attendees have a chance to not only hear presentations but also chat with speakers. After the conference many feel confident to set out on their own in a rental car and explore, but exhibitors tend to offer a few specific area tours as well, great for those who enjoy being with a group (lots of friendships are made at these conferences).

Happy planning…

IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Thank you

[Jessica Ramesch]

With regard to the anti-mining protests, which were overwhelmingly peaceful: Panamanians in general do not blame or hate individuals when they take issue with government (or company) practices.

I.e., if you are Canadian (or American), people here tend to understand that you are not your government (or your mining companies).

The protests were last year and the protesters won – the Panamanian supreme court ruled in their favor and the government announced it would be closing the mine and no other/new mining operations may begin.

Thanks so much for your questions everyone, we answered most of them live and the recording is available here to watch anytime. You can also share with family/friends who are not yet members of IL using this link to IL’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Only members have access to watch and ask questions (here, you don’t need to go to Zoom).

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Yes there are local banks and you can also use ATMs to withdraw USD from your accounts in other countries but for most residents openig a local account makes life here even more convenient.

Thanks so much for your questions everyone, we answered them live and the recording is available here to watch anytime and you can share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

We asked frequent IL contributor and Pedasí resident Jim Gault who advised that there was actually relatively little disruption in Pedasí compared to other parts of Panama – which makes sense as Pedasí is in many ways less reliant on the PanAmerican Highway where the worst blockages were.

[Jessica Ramesch]

Yes there are local banks and you can also use ATMs to withdraw USD from your accounts in other countries but for most residents openig a local account makes life here even more convenient.

Thanks so much for your questions everyone, we answered them live and the recording is available here to watch anytime and you can share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

I believe so, charities especially – you should be able to find out tons more from local groups like the Pedasí Post on Facebook.

Thanks so much for joining us, the recording is available here to watch anytime or you can share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

I’d say it’s typical during storms but not light rains.

Thanks so much for joining us, the recording is available here to watch anytime or you can share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

As mentioned surfing, yoga, and juijitsu are among the most popular, and I know there’s pickleball and probably padel too. There’s only one small golf course up in Chitré so this may not be the best locale for golf but soccer for sure and generally there’s tennis all over Panama so I’m sure you’d have takers.

Thanks so much for joining us, the recording is available here to watch anytime or share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Thanks so much for joining us, we answered your question live and the recording is available here to watch anytime or share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Jessica Ramesch]

Thanks so much for joining us, we answered your question live and the recording is available here to watch anytime or share with family/friends who are not yet members using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7qaWPW6Q&ab_channel=InternationalLiving

Thanks again!

IL Panama editor Jess Ramesch

[Author]

Posts