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Hi David- thanks for posting here at the Panama Insider.

Boquete is in the highlands of Chiriquí Province at an elevation of about 3500 feet. The exact elevation depends on which part of the district and the town you’re in, of course. This elevation provides what some consider the ideal climate, namely daytime temperatures ranging from 75 to 85 F. At night the temperature ranges from 60 to 75 F and it can be quite cool.

Because it is surrounded by rainforest Boquete is also quite rainy. During the wet season of May through November rain is frequent, though it may not last all day, but just for a time in the afternoon or evening. In the drier season of December through April the highlands see less rain but may still have sprinkles, cloudy days and occasional rain. So you need to consider the dampness as well as temperature and elevation.

It’s hard to make a recommendation because people react differently to environmental factors. Some people with asthma do better at some elevation while other don’t. The only way to know for sure is to make a visit to the places that interest you most, and if possible at both the dry and rainy times of year, to see how you and your wife feel. One advantage to renting if you do come to Panama is that you can move around to find the place that suits you best.

Be sure to read the pages here about “Where to Live” and you’ll find great insights about the different features of the best locations throughout Panama.

Good luck with your research and please post again if you have more questions.
Linda Card, Chiriquí Correspondent

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Hello Readers- I just thought I’d chime in here about Panama’s tropical climate, particularly in Chiriquí Province where I live.

Our hottest, driest months are March and April, when the summer season has taken its toll. With little to no rain and hot, sunny days the foliage tends to wither, and frankly, on some days, so do I!! But then May comes around and the rain returns and it truly brings everything back to life, including me!

I love rainy season. Typically the rain comes in the afternoon or evening, so the temperature drops and we feel refreshed.
That coolness lasts all night and into the morning, and I love the crispness of the early morning at this time of year.

Once the sun shines it warms up and I generally do my errands and chores in the morning. Then I can relax at home and wait for the dark clouds to roll in, the air to cool off, the breeze to pick up and that scent of rain on the earth… ah, lovely rain!!

My home is in David, in the lowlands, and keep in mind that it’s noticeably cooler all year in the highland towns of Boquete and Volcan. Also, there are numerous “microclimates” in the highlands, which can affect the amount of rainfall, clouds and wind.

If you’re planning to move to Panama it’s a good idea to visit at various times of the year, during our “summertime” and “wintertime” so you know what to expect in your new home.

Hope to see you in Panama some day!
Linda Card, Your IL Chiriquí Correspondent

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Hi Molliann- thanks for posting your question here on the forum.

Panama does have emergency response services including EMT, fire and police units. We have a 911 system you can call, but the operators speak Spanish so it may be a challenge to non-Spanish speakers. Still, it is available and will respond to emergencies.

There are private ambulance companies and my next-door neighbor is an EMT who works for a local ambulance company. I know that both Hospital Chiriquí and Mae Lewis Hospital here in David have ambulances.

What I suggest to people who move here is to become established with a doctor, clinic or hospital where you live. Most doctors will give you their cell phone number, and you can get other numbers as well, for the hospital’s ambulance service, for example. If you ever have an emergency you’ll have the numbers to call. Your doctor will certainly know what to do in an emergency.

In Boquete there is a volunteer group called Alto al Crimen, or Stop the Crime. They formed to help the police more effectively solve local crimes (such as home break-ins) and have been very effective. They also saw the need for help with emergency services and created a hotline that anyone may call in an emergency. The hotline is managed by a bi-lingual young man and he is very capable of handling emergencies and getting help to people.

Here’s their website if you want to know more: http://www.altoalcrimen.org/

So we certainly do have emergency services, and as in any place you might live, it’s best to be as prepared as possible for any emergency by knowing who to call.

Hope this helps, Linda

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Hi John- thanks for posting your inquiry.

In all my research about importing cars, I have not found any age limit. However, the age of the vehicle, as well as its value, affects the amount of fees imposed by the Panamanian government. It can be quite expensive, with shipping, taxes, import duties and other fees for legal and customs brokerage services.

There are no officially preferred models, if that’s what you mean. But some makes and models of vehicles are more popular than others, which means parts are more readily accessible and less expensive, and most mechanics will be familiar with how to do repairs.

The most popular makes here in Panama (in no particular order) are Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi. Obviously, Asian car models have a huge presence here! I seldom see Ford or GM vehicles, and luxury dealerships are only to be found in Panama City.

I hope this helps! Chao, Linda

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Hi William- thanks for posting. Panama has excellent internet services and coverage in all but the most remote areas. It’s typically ranked among the best in Central America, and even Mark Zuckerberg is getting involved! He met with our President Varela at the Summit of the Americas to sign Panama up for the new access app, internet.org.

I’m no techie or digital expert, so I don’t know the specifics, but I can tell you that cable, DSL and satellite are all available here. I have cable service through Cable Onda at my home in David, and I pay about $40 per month for 9 meg service. My work depends on the internet and I’m very happy with the service I have.

Other providers in Panama include Claro, Digicel, Cable & Wireless, Planet Telecom, Movistar, Mobil Phone, WIPET and paNETma.

There are more and more people here working from home via the internet, both nationals and expats, and the providers have responded with improved service to meet the demand.

I hope this helps, and feel free to post additional questions you may have.
Linda

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Hi Gayle- thanks for posting. While there is some awareness of and accommodation for handicap access in Panama, it is limited. Many shopping centers and stores have handicap access parking spaces, and urban areas have sidewalk ramps. Larger stores and shopping centers may have elevators, and most hotels have elevators. Wheelchair mobility may be a challenge due to curbs, steps and narrow doorways.

Panama City is probably the most accessible area of the country because it has more new buildings and there’s a greater awareness of the need. Public areas, such as the Cinta Costera, are more likely to have ramps and sidewalks are in better condition.

The medical facilities in Panama City are the most advanced in the country as well and you will find pain management specialists at the hospitals and affiliated clinics.

You can find more information about medical specialists and services in Panama at this site: http://www.healthpanama.com/
If you scroll down the page you’ll see the Panamanian Institute for Pain Treatment, for example.

I hope this helps and good luck with your research. Linda

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Hi Greg- I made the drive from David to Santiago and back in January, and to Boca Chica in February. There are several companies working on the road construction project, and I was impressed by the progress they are making. But they still have a ways to go and I would expect the work to continue the rest of this year.

Because they are actually building a new road parallel to the existing one I found the delays to be minimal. There are stretches where traffic moves a little slower because of the workers and equipment present, but I didn’t have any long waits due to the work in progress.

The section east of David posed no problem in February and we got to Boca Chica in a little more than an hour, from just north of David.

So the work is still ongoing and it will affect your trip if you drive. The good news is that with Copa now offering flights to David from Tocumen, we have more options for flying and the price has come down on Air Panama, too.

Have a safe trip, whatever you decide. Best regards, Linda

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Hi Bob- we just wrapped up our Fast-Track Panama conference and Rainelda Mata-Kelly was one of the speakers.

I chatted with her and asked your question. She said once you move to Panama to live here you’re allowed six months to bring your household goods duty-free.
Here’s her contact info in case you want to write to her directly: Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.com

Another speaker was Caridad, the owner of Panama International Packers shipping company. She said while the law states the exemption is $10,000, in practice the limit is not observed and you may bring whatever you want.
Here’s the link to their site: http://www.ptypackers.com/en/index.html

Hope this helps. Best regards, Linda

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Hi there- thanks for posting your questions.

To answer the last one first, the drive between David and Boquete is 35 to 45 minutes, depending on your exact destination. The 4-lane highway makes it a very easy trip. For comparison, the drive between David and Volcan is about 60 to 75 minutes, and though it’s only a 2-lane road it’s a lovely drive.

The quality of medical services in David is generally very good. There are two full-service private hospitals (Hospital Chiriquí and Hospital Mae Lewis), as well as clinics, diagnostic services, specialists and MD offices. The private hospitals do all types of surgeries and the hospitals are well staffed. My husband was an in-patient at Hospital Chiriquí for two weeks and he received good care, equal to the US. I have friends who have had back, hip, shoulder and wrist surgeries, all with good results.

In Boquete and Volcan you will find a few MD offices and clinics, but no hospitals at present. There is a new facility in Volcan, and one under construction near Boquete, but they are not yet open for service to the public. Most folks come to David for their medical care. Also, Boquete has become a nexus for alternative medicine and healing arts recently, and you’ll find some interesting practitioners there.

For more unusual or delicate procedures it may be necessary or advisable to go to a hospital in Panama City. There are daily flights between David and the capital, or you can make the drive in about 6 or 7 hours.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please post again if have more inquiries.

Best regards, Linda

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Hi again Bob- this is a very good question, and one I haven’t seen before.

I have written to Rainelda Mata-Kelly, our expert Panamanian attorney, to relay your question to her.
As soon as she replies I will post her answer here.

This is a holiday weekend, so it may be a few days, but be sure to check back here.

Thanks for asking, and keep posting! Chao, Linda

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Hi Bob-thanks for your questions. Here’s the answers:

1) No, once your application is filed you do not have to remain in country. You may leave and return with the multi-entry visa, and your attorney should keep you advised of the status of your application.

2) Once you have your visa and cedula you may be out of Panama for up to two years without losing your status. So once you have your visa you may leave the country and return before two years have passed with no problems.

Be sure to visit the Insider pages where you’ll find lots more information about residency and visas, here:
https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/visas-and-residence/

Hope this helps. Chao, Linda

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Hi there- I certainly understand Jessica’s comments about the risks involved in driving through Central America, and I’m one of those intrepid (or foolhardy!) souls who has done it!!

Back in 2010 my husband and I drove from Panama to the US and back. We had no problems, but we had traveled throughout Central America by bus and boat before we made that trip, so we were familiar with the region and we knew what to expect.

At every border crossing you must obtain permission from Customs to bring your vehicle into the country, and then you go through Customs again when you leave the country at the next border crossing. This is not difficult, but it is time-consuming and you really need to speak Spanish to communicate with the border officials. You will need your original vehicle title and registration as well as copies.

It is not safe to drive in any of the Central American countries or Mexico at night, so we drive only in the daytime. The trip takes longer that way, but there are too many road hazards (huge potholes, animals, bicycles, etc.) to risk driving at night.

Unlike in the US, you will not find hotels, motels and chain restaurants at every intersection, so you must plan where you will stop every night and make sure you find secure accommodation.

So it can be done, but just know what to expect before you go. You may write to me directly at chiriqui@internationalliving.com if you’d like more details about making the trip, based on my experience.

It’s much simpler and less stressful to take the bus or fly, that’s for sure!! Check out Tica Bus, for example.

Best regards, Linda
IL Chiriquí Correspondent

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Hi there- the Dermatologist that I go to is Dr. Karen Zapata Montenegro.
Her office is at Hospital Chiriquí in David, #301 in the tower section on the top floor, and is called Clinica Flor de Piel.
The phone number is 777-8091 and her cell number is 6554-9475.
Dr. Karen is very gentle and soft-spoken. She understands and speaks English quite well, and is very thorough.

Keep in mind that Feb. 13-18 is Carnival here in Panama, and many offices and businesses may be closed.
I suggest you call her cell phone (rather than her office number) to find out when she will have office hours next week.

Best wishes, Linda

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Hi everyone- We are gearing up for the big event here in Panama City in April! Jessica has shared some great information, very thorough and useful to all our readers.

I’ll be attending, of course, for the entire conference, and will have a table in the exhibitor’s hall, as well as giving a couple of presentations.

Between Jessica and me, we have the entire country covered and will be happy to field your questions or just have a chat.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope to meet you in April.

Linda Card, IL Chiriquí Correspondent

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Hi Lori- yes, the book store is still available. It’s called The Book Mark and the current owner is Michael Ellis.
I know that he is eager to sell the business, so feel free to contact him.

Contact Information: Email: Ellis_m_1@yahoo.com Phone: 011-507-776-1688 or 011-507-6468-9547

Best regards, Linda Card, IL Chiriquí Correspondent

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