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Hi Gayle- thanks for writing to us here at the Insider.
It’s easy to get in touch with the Internations group. Here’s a link to their web page, where you can join and get free info:
https://www.internations.org/panama-city-expatsI have never been to one of their events- they don’t have a chapter here in David where I live. But Jessica says she enjoys going to their events and they are active in Panama City, so it’s perfect for you!
In case you’re interested, another group active in the city is called Young Expats in Panama, or YEP! for short. Here’s their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YoungExpatsinPanama/
Have fun making new friends and best regards, Linda
Hi Mark- thanks for your inquiry here at the Insider.
You are correct that the entire Pacific coast in Panama has a broad tidal range and you need to go offshore to reach deeper water.
However, that doesn’t prevent Panama from being a world-class fishing destination nor deter anglers from coming here to land many species of game and table fish.There are a few spots that offer easier access and have marinas and/or fishing boat fleets available:
Isla Flamenco at the end of the Amador Causeway has a large marina and boats have quick access to Panama Bay and the Pearl Islands.
Pedasi, on the Azuero Peninsula, faces east rather than south and has easy access to fishing grounds and islands just offshore.
Santa Catalina, just west of Azuero, is a fishing/surfing/diving village with fishing boats that head out to Isla Coiba and the Hannibal Bank. It’s a bit more remote but I understand the fishing is good.
Further west in Chiriqui Province the place to go is Boca Chica. The water near shore is deeper and a number of islands and reefs are easily reached from shore. Marinas and resorts offer a full range of fishing services.
And finally, right near the border with Costa Rica there’s a long peninsula that has good fishing just offshore. The town of Puerto Armuelles faces east on the coast and further along you come to Punta Burica. A few operators offer fishing trips in that area.On the Caribbean coast you’ll find marinas and good services in Bocas del Toro and to the west and east of the city of Colon. Shelter Bay and environs may be worth checking out.
So you do have some options… plan a visit and check them out! And feel free to write again if you need more info.
Best regards, LindaHi Sharon- thanks for your inquiry. As Jessica says, cycling is a very popular sport in Panama. There are cycling tours and events around the country, and they are very common here in Chiriquí Province.
You won’t find any bicycle lanes at all, and I have no experience with cycling myself, so I’m not sure how respectful local drivers are of cyclists. But I can tell you there are plenty of cyclists on the road. They always have escort vehicles with them when there is a tour.
The main roads are the usual courses. They use the new four-lane Boquete highway a lot (it runs past my neighborhood) and occasionally they use the Pan American Highway. I just saw a group of cyclists when I was out earlier today! For the larger events they close the streets in town and use the main roads in David. As Jessica points out, Boquete is very hilly and I don’t see many cyclists there.
Running is popular here, too, and one favorite site for runners here in David is the airport- there’s a perimeter road that people use a lot. They also use the Boquete highway, which has a gradual climb in elevation.
Panama hosts an Iron Man competition every year in Panama City. There are a few gyms in David and Boquete, so all in all I think you’d find places to train here with no problem. And you can’t beat the scenery!!
Hope this helps, and best of luck! Linda
Hi readers- just to get the ball rolling I’ll mention a couple of my favorite spots.
One is the town of Volcan in the Chiriquí highlands of western Panama. It’s about 1 1/4 hour from my home in David, and the drive along the windy road offers spectacular scenery. The town itself is pure rural Panama… cowboys on horseback, indigenous ladies in their colorful dresses, and a growing expat community.
Another favorite of mine is Boca Chica on the Pacific coast of Chiriqui. It’s really not a beach but more a boating and fishing town. But it’s also the access point to the marine park islands offshore, which are picture-postcard-perfect! It’s relaxed and peaceful with all sorts of fun water activities.
Now let’s hear from you readers about your favorite Panama places.
Chao, Linda Card, IL Chiriquí CorrespondentHi Ronald- I’ve seen several of your questions here and hope you are finding useful information. I gather that you’ve purchased property in Pedasi and plan to build a home there- awesome! I don’t live in Pedasi and I don’t know a plumber, but I have a few suggestions for you.
First, I would suggest you get as much information as you can from the realtor you worked with in obtaining your property, if, in fact, you used one. If you didn’t then you may want to establish a relationship with a realtor in your area who can help you with your many inquiries about wells, plumbers, water supply, etc. I believe Jessica gave you a link to one in an earlier post.
One of your earlier posts was about water supply and testing and you may have already resolved that. You probably know that the agency that manages the public water system in Panama is IDAAN and I’m sure they have an office near you. They may be able to answer your water-related questions and I believe they have water quality testing equipment so they can test your water, probably for a small fee.
Another resource is an expat couple who has lived in Pedasi for many years, Ted and Lisa Fuller. They own a B&B and often come to our IL Panama conference to talk about their experiences. They may have contacts or suggestions for you. You’ll find them here: http://www.pedasihotel.com/
Please let us know how you’re progressing and best of luck! Linda
Hi Wayne and thanks for your post. We often get questions from folks who are comparing Panama and Costa Rica, because they are so close in many ways.
I know a number of expats and retirees who have moved from Costa Rica to Panama over the last several years. The most common reason I hear for this is the cost of living.
For one example, sales taxes are higher in Costa Rica: from 10% to 25% on some things in CR compared to 7 to 10% in Panama.I have visited CR a few times and it is beautiful, no doubt.
Hopefully you will hear from others about their experiences, and ultimately you’ll have to visit both countries in person to know which feels right to you.
Keep in mind that IL has an annual conference in both Panama and Costa Rica, and there is an Insider page for CR, too.
Have fun with your research! Linda
Hi Jason and thanks for your post. What an interesting plan you have!
I live in Chiriquí Province just north of David. Panama does have building codes and does require building permits.
But as you suggest, I think enforcement may vary by location.I’m not aware of any earthbag construction here, but there are some container homes- built from shipping containers- so alternative construction is not unknown here.
My suggestion for you is to contact a real estate expert who knows the codes, the processes and the in-and-outs of building here in Panama.
As a starting point you may write to Margaret Summerfield, the Panama real estate expert who lives in Panama City. You may reach her through Pathfinder International, here: Pathfinder International Real Estate
info@pathfinderinternational.net; Website: http://www.pathfinderinternational.netIf you are interested in a particular part of or place in Panama, be sure to let Margaret know. She may be able to refer you to a local expert for specific information.
Best of luck with your research, Linda
Hi Cherie, and thanks for your inquiry. It’s a good question! The Caribbean coast of Panama is beautiful- white sand beaches, clear turquoise water and lots of marine life. The thing is, much of it is inaccessible or unavailable.
You mention Bocas del Toro, which is probably the most popular and desirable Caribbean destination in Panama. From there heading eastward, the coastline is completely undeveloped until you get near Colon. Part of the land is in the Comarca of the Ngobe-Bugle indigenous tribes, and off-limits to foreign ownership or development. There are no roads or land access points to the coast from Chiriquí Grande to Donoso, west of Colon.
We generally do not recommend the Colon area to our readers because it is not considered a safe or attractive environment for expats or retirees. There is a new initiative to rejuvenate Colon, so that may change in the future, but for now we just don’t recommend it with the confidence we have in other parts of Panama.
East of Colon the area around Portobelo and Isla Grande has potential for growth, but lacks reliable infrastructure at this time.
Beyond that the Guna Yala Comarca runs all the way to the border with Colombia, and this region is also off-limits to foreigners.So, you see, despite having many miles of Caribbean coastline, very little of it is actually available or accessible as a place for foreigners to live. The best places for you to explore, should you come to Panama, would be the area around Bocas del Toro and the regions just west (Shelter Bay area) and just east of Colon.
I hope this answers your question and that you’ll hear from a reader in Pedasi. You may also post your questions about that area here as a new topic.
Thanks, Linda
Hi Kelly, and thanks for your inquiry.
A friend of mine used a dental clinic in Panama City and was very happy with them.
It is Pacific Dental Clinic here: http://www.en.pacificdentalclinic.com/I don’t have any personal experience with them, but consider my friend to be a good reference.
I hope this helps, and maybe other readers will have some suggestions for you.
Best of luck, Linda
Hi Ronald- thanks for your inquiry and Happy Holidays!
Yes, homeowners insurance is available in Panama. In fact, if you borrow funds to purchase a home with a bank mortgage, for example, insurance is a requirement. There are numerous insurance companies and agents in Panama and insurance is easy to obtain.
You would want to cover your home for at least it’s market value, if not more. Payment of the premium will be determined by you and the insurance company. Some home owners may prefer to pay by the year, some quarterly, and some by the month, so it depends on your circumstances.
To find an insurance agent in Pedasi I suggest your contact the realtor you worked with in buying your home. They should have this information and any other details you need to know about home ownership in Panama.
Also, you may contact an insurance broker directly. Here’s the contact info for a broker who serves many expats here in Panama:
Kevin Bradley; e-mail: kevin@panamakevin.com; website: http://www.panamakevin.com or contact sales executive Ana Isabel Ponce; tel. +507 322-1634; e-mail: ana.ponce@colasa.net. Kevin is a licensed, bonded insurance agent with 20 years serving the Panama market. He may also be able to put you in touch with someone in Pedasi.I hope this helps and good luck with your move. Linda
Hi Ron- Happy Holidays!
There is no shortage of fresh veggies to feed your critters here in Panama. It may be hard to find kale in Pedasi, but you may find “acelga” which is like Swiss chard. I get it at the grocery store in David and it’s delicious and very healthy! Zucchini is common here, but not yellow squash. Of course you could grow your own, which might be a good plan for you if your pets are finicky eaters.
As for the crickets, that’s a good question! I have never seen them packaged for animal consumption, but then I’ve never looked. They may be something you need to order from home, so I suggest you bring a supply with you when you come.
You will find animal supply and pet stores in Chitre and Las Tablas. The Melo Company has stores all over Panama with a wide variety of animal-related products.
It’s fairly simple to bring cats and dogs to Panama, as long as you follow all the steps and meet the time frames. You can read more about this here: http://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/#pets
and here: https://www1.internationalliving.com/pdfs/BringingYourPetsToPanama.pdfBringing other types of animals to Panama (e.g. not dogs or cats) is more complicated so be sure to research this before you bring them. You may want to consult with an attorney to get the details about this. If you don’t already have an attorney in Panama you may want to contact legal expert Rainelda Mata-Kelly. Here’s her contact info:
Rainelda Mata-Kelly (Law Offices Rainelda Mata-Kelly), Street address: Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas, Punta Pacifica, City of Panama. Mailing address: P.O. Box 0818-00534, Panama City, Republic of Panama; tel. +507 263-4305; fax +507 264-2868; e-mail: rmk@mata-kelly.com; website: http://www.mata-kelly.com.
Best of luck with your plans! Linda
Hi Al – thanks for posting your inquiry here. There are a number of resources you may find helpful in locating a short-term rental.
If you scroll down to the bottom of this page you’ll find numerous realtors listed, who may be able to help you secure a rental: http://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/rolodex/
VRBO (http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/central-america/panama) often has short-term listings for rooms, apartments, and more.
Airbnb is another site that has short-term listings, here https://www.airbnb.com/s/Panama–Panama
TripAdvisor has a forum where you may post an inquiry, as well as lots of listings, here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g38273-i20910-Panama_Iowa.html
Another recent post may be useful to you. Jessica provided information about expat contacts in Panama City, and you may want to reach out to them. You can read her post here: http://internationalliving.com/forums/topic/expat-groups-or-meet-in-panama-city/
You’ll find excellent resources right here at your Panama Insider page about traveling around Panama, and these entries may help you plan your trip: http://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/travel-itineraries/
Good luck with your planning and please post again if you have more questions.
LindaHi there- thanks for posting here at the Forum.
For information about rentals we suggest you contact Pathfinder Real Estate, exclusive marketer to IL.
Here’s their contact info:
Pathfinder International Real Estate
info@pathfinderinternational.net
Website: http://www.pathfinderinternational.netThey can help you locate rentals that are pet friendly and any other details you need to know.
Hope this helps, LindaHi there, and thanks for your post. I can’t tell you an exact dollar amount, but a taxi from Tocumen Airport to Coronado would be quite expensive, because it is more than an hour’s drive. For comparison, the taxi ride from Tocumen to downtown Panama City costs $25 to $30.
Some of the resorts and hotels in Coronado offer shuttle service from the airport, so that may be an option for you. Check with the hotel where you have reservations to find out.
Another option is to arrange your own transport with a tourism or transport company. I’ve copied the ones Jessica noted above for your convenience, so you may contact them directly.
• Local Travel Agent: Casey Halloran, Co-Owner, Costa Rican Vacations & Panama Luxury Vacations, In Panama: 1-866-393-4192, Web: http://www.vacationtopanama.com.
• For road trips, tours, and transportation in Panama (including airport pickups) contact local operators like Inside Panama, message: transport@insidepma.com, tel: +507-6675-6601; Turista Internacional, message: incentives2@turistaintl.com, website: http://www.turistaintl.com; Sealandsky Journeys, message: ditase@yahoo.com, tel: +507-6630-0847; or Marco Colucci, tel: +507-6672-1201, message: macoluche@hotmail.com.
Have a great visit! Linda
Hi Bob and thanks for posting. You’ve raised a very important issue for all of us, no matter where we live, namely our safety and security.
Unfortunately, there has been some increase in crime in Chiriquí in the last couple of months. Incidents are covered in local news and many online sites, which is a good thing. I went to a meeting about this in Boquete at the Tuesday Market two weeks ago, and four members of the Panamanian police forces were there to speak to the large group (about 150 people). The police and government of Panama take security very seriously.
Officials say they have a moratorium on leave for Chiriquí police personnel and other measures to ensure all available manpower to investigate and make arrests. We were told an additional 200 police officers will be assigned to western Panama by the end of the year. Boquete has a new police chief who was among those present at the meeting I attended. He said he is committed to the security of the residents of Boquete, said his door is always open to those who want to talk with him, and he views the police and residents as a team, working together for everyone’s safety. They stressed the Neighborhood Watch program (Vecinos Vigilantes in Spanish) and encouraged residents to join the program in their communities. So there are a number of efforts both locally and nationally to deal with crime and increase awareness. We’re not sure yet whether this was just a wave of crimes of opportunity, but at least three arrests have been made in the last couple of weeks.
There is a volunteer group here that you may also have read about, Alto al Crimen or Stop Crime. They work with the police to help prevent crime and solve cases when something happens. They and other security experts have been very active in response to these recent incidents, improving their services, being more visible and pro-active in the community and offering home and personal security advice and products. So there’s a lot going on within the expat community, too.
I don’t know if there have been similar events in the rest of Panama, but I have not read or heard of any major new concerns. We will never be crime-free, anywhere we live, sad to say.
The incident at the border that I read about concerned Aduana (Customs) and plants, and is a completely different issue, unrelated to the recent crimes in Chiriquí. Recent reports indicate that Customs and Immigration are enforcing existing laws at the border. So it appears the days of lax enforcement are over, and we all need to be aware of the laws and remain in compliance with them.
Ironically, these recent crimes may end up being a valuable lesson, a wake-up call to shake us out of our complacent daily lives! Panama is still a very safe country and Chiriquí is a wonderful place to live. Boquete is an awesome community, both in its physical beauty and community-spirited people. We all need to be aware that no place is perfect, we must take responsibility for our own security as much as we can, and enjoy life.
Thanks again for your post, and we welcome other replies as well. I hope you have a wonderful visit to Boquete next year!!
Sincerely, Linda -
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