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Hi Ivan- thanks for your question. The specific documents you need to have apostilled will vary some depending on your personal circumstances and the type of visa for which you apply. However, there are a few you will need in all cases, for yourself and every member of your family. All of these must be original documents. At minimum you will need:
1. Birth certificate
2. Marriage License
3. FBI Background ReportI strongly suggest you contact an attorney for more information and to answer any other legal questions you may have. From our Panama Rolodex, here are the contact details for Rainelda Mata-Kelly in Panama City:
The Law Offices of Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas
Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the U.S. or Canada tel: (011 507) 216-9299
Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.comThere may be time frames that apply to the required documents as well, and she will be able to advise you about these.
This is not an exhaustive list, so it’s important to discuss your specific situation with an attorney.I hope this will help you get started.
Best regards, LindaHi Robert- it sounds like you’ll have a nice long visit to explore Panama. Excellent!
1. You do not need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get around in Panama. My SUV has 4-wheel drive and I’ve used it exactly once in five years, to reach a remote animal refuge up a steep hill in Chiriquí Province. Numerous highway projects in recent years have done a lot to improve the roadways throughout Panama, so you’ll have no problem with a regular car.
Tocumen International Airport has several car rental agencies, including Alamo, Payless and Thrifty among others. I have no personal experience with these, so you may want to do a comparison through Expedia, Trip Advisor or similar site.
2. In short, no. The only route to Almirante is through the town of Gualaca. You have to head south from Boquete on the 4-lane highway and take the turn-off to Caldera, then take the right hand turnoff to Gualaca, where you then turn north. The road rises up and over the Continental Divide and crosses a large reservoir, then slopes back down toward the Caribbean coast. Near Chiriquí Grande the road to Almirante heads to the left (west).
It is a spectacular and scenic drive, with views of the Pacific and Caribbean along the way. It’s fully paved so you do not need 4-wheel drive, but the roadway is uneven in places so you need to be alert.
Be sure to read all about traveling through Panama here at the Insider. There’s a wealth of information here for you: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/travelers-panama/
And the Panama Rolodex is chock full of useful contacts here: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/rolodex/
Please write again with any other questions you may have and have fun planning!
Chao, LindaHi there and welcome to the Insider! There are many different types of visas available in Panama, and they all require a Criminal Background Report from a national or federal authority. In the US that is the FBI, and anyone may request their FBI report. You will find all the details about it here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/identity-history-summary-checks
The other requirements for the visas vary based on the specific type of visa. Some require a minimum guaranteed income, others require a minimum investment in property or a business, while another requires a work contract or formation of a company. Determining which is the best visa for you is a very important task and you may want to consult with an attorney about this and for the best answers to your questions about the criteria for denial of a visa application.
You may submit your inquiry directly to Panamanian attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly. She will be able to address your specific questions. Here is her contact info: Suite 406-407, Tower B, Torres de las Americas, Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the U.S. or Canada tel: (011 507) 216-9299
Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com; Website: http://www.mata-kelly.comYou’ll find more details about some of the visas options on the IL Panama page here: https://internationalliving.com/countries/panama/visa/
Best of luck, Linda
Hi Dave- lots of folks bring their pets to Panama, and there is a process to do so.
First, you’ll want to check with the airline you plan to travel with to get specifics on their requirements.
Then you need to get an international health certificate from your vet within 10 days of your departure.
This completed certificate must be endorsed by the USDA, then authenticated by the Panamanian Embassy or consulate.
Another option (sometimes easier) in the US is to have the certificate Apostilled by the Secretary of State where you live.
You need to carry this completed document with you when you travel with your pet.Three days prior to your arrival in Panama you may download and submit a Domestic Quarantine Form that allows you to take your pet with you from the airport. Without the required forms the normal quarantine period is up to 40 days. Once you arrive in Panama a vet will meet you at the airport to provide the documents you need for your pet to remain in Panama.
All the details you need are here on the IL Panama page:
https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/moving-to-panama/#petsAll of these steps include fees, so there is a cost involved. While it may be difficult to leave your pooch behind, for a short visit of a month or two it may be the better option. Then if you come back to Panama for a longer stay, you’ll be familiar with the country and you can bring your puppy with you.
I hope this helps, Linda
Hi Kathryn- as a former cruising sailor, maybe I can answer your questions. San Blas and Bocas del Toro are both fabulous areas for snorkeling and other water activities.
San Blas, since it is the comarca of the Guna Yala people, is much less developed as you have discovered. There are few facilities for tourists and they are rustic, so you will not find A/C and bugs may be a problem. The closest marina is at Shelter Bay, just west of Colon, and you may find charters available there. Shelter Bay has a nice hotel with A/C, and closer to the San Blas islands Portobelo and Isla Grande have a few hotels.
Bocas del Toro is beautiful and has much more infrastructure and amenities. Most of the hotels will have A/C and there are a number of tour companies that offer day trips or longer to the reefs and best snorkeling spots. There are a number of marinas and a considerable boating community at Bocas as well, so charters are more of a possibility.
Another option, on the Pacific coast, is Santa Catalina, a small beach town in Veraguas Province. There are some hotels with A/C there, and it is the access point for Isla Coiba and several other islands. The snorkeling and diving there is known as some of the best in the world, but the islands are a little further offshore. Tour companies in Santa Catalina offer boat trips and tours to the island.
I hope this is helpful to you as you continue your research.
August 11, 2014 at 11:37 am in reply to: FREE ADMISSION: Panama Canal, Miraflores Visitor Center #581355Wow- thanks for all the info Jessica! The canal centennial is a really big deal here, as one might imagine.
The Panamanian people are deservedly very proud of the canal and the success they have had with its administration since 2000.
And we can expect more celebration when the expansion project is completed!
Hi again Rich- Jessica has given you a lot of good info. Let me also address your latest questions.
As she says, David is not on the water, and the beaches near here are not developed so it may not be the best place for you. It’s about a half-hour drive to the closest beach, Las Olas.
The climate of David and Panama City are about the same, but the city benefits from ocean breezes (just like Fort Myers Beach!) so it is a bit fresher at times, and more buildings/businesses have A/C in the city. Compared to FMB, it is warmer here year-round. Even in SW FL it is quite cool in Jan. and Feb. but here it is hot and dry in those months.
You have some great options to explore when you return to Panama! Best of luck, Linda
Hi there- while I now live in David, I lived in Fort Myers Beach, FL for many years, so I know just what you mean about walking the beach! I loved being able to do exactly what you’re describing, with all the places to stop along the way.
I have not found anything truly comparable to that here in Panama, but Coronado is pretty close! Access to the beach is not as open as FL, but once you get there it is unrestricted, with miles of sand in either direction. There are many residential options within walking distance to the beach, and even more by bicycle.
There are some restaurants and bars along the beach too, mostly associated with resort hotels. Coronado and Gorgona have grown a lot in recent years and there are plenty of stores and shopping centers, mostly along the Pan-American Highway. The area is small enough that I think getting around on a bicycle is feasible. And I think the cost of living is probably comparable to Panama City.
My compatriot, Jessica, may have more to offer on this subject. And you’ll find a lot more info and photos at IL’s page here: https://internationalliving.com/countries/panama/coronado/lifestyle/
Happy beachcombing! Linda
Hi Steve- I live in David and have been using Airbox Express for 5 years. Using one of these mail forwarding services in the fastest, easiest way to get packages from the US. I have no complaints with Airbox service, but their fees can be high, so it pays to shop around.
Panama does not have residential mail delivery, so I also have a post office box at the David Post Office. It’s useful for local mail and as a local address.
Good luck with your move, Linda
July 22, 2014 at 3:43 pm in reply to: Purchasing a vehicle in Panama, versus shipping one from Tampa Bay, FL, USA #579389Hi Bill- I fully agree with Jessica’s comments above. I know folks who imported vehicles and regret it. It is not worth the hassle and expense, especially for an older model, and Chevy is not a common brand here. When you visit you may want to rent a car to get around, and all the major rental companies are here.
Although you don’t mention where you would like to stay when you visit, I think you will find some useful info in the article I wrote in June about renting. There are a few sites listed there that you can check out.
Best of luck with your plans, Linda
July 5, 2014 at 4:37 pm in reply to: When are the new airports running international flights? #575806Hi Greg- many of us are asking the same question! Unfortunately, at this time I don’t know of any flights planned for the immediate future. We hear occasional rumors, but so far none of the airlines has committed to regular service between the US or Canada and David or Rio Hato.
If Jessica has other or more current information, I’m sure she’ll add it here soon.
June 11, 2014 at 10:03 am in reply to: SAFETY – Why the bars on the windows and coiled barbed wire on the walls? #566663Hi Lynda- we are all concerned about our safety, where ever we live, and crime exists here in Panama as anywhere else. (I read about violent shootings in the US almost every week.)
It is common to see security bars on windows and doors here, and I have them on my house in David. They are a basic precaution against burglary, which is perhaps the most frequent threat here. Properties with high walls and coiled barbed wire are a bit extreme, but not unusual. Many of the newer communities and developments here are gated communities, because this is what buyers prefer, not only for security but for a sense of exclusivity.
I do not believe crime here is any more of an issue than elsewhere, and in fact Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America. I’m sad to hear about the attorney who was robbed, and I think street crime is more of a problem in Panama City than elsewhere in the country. I feel perfectly safe here, and I go wherever I want by myself.
That said, you have to have common sense and know there are areas in any place to avoid. Don’t engage in behavior that might put you at risk, don’t flaunt your wealth in public, don’t make yourself a target or a threat. Wouldn’t you do the same in LA, Miami or NYC?
It all comes down to your own comfort level, and of course you want to feel safe here. Perhaps the best way to decide is to visit Panama and get a feel for it in person. Then you’ll know if it’s right or not for you and your husband. Best of luck!
Hi Lynda- yours is a question that comes up from time to time, and worth asking.
At this time, the government of Panama does not allow guns to be brought into the country. I have been told by an attorney friend that this is the result of concerns over the use of guns and the crime rate in the country, so the government is addressing that by restricting gun imports.
Once you are in the country it is possible to purchase guns, as long as you comply with the local legal requirements.
I hope this is helpful to you. Regards, Linda
Hi Mike- I don’t know the answer to your specific question, and since it is a legal query, it may be best to ask an attorney.
You may want to submit your question to Panamanian attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly:
Email: rmk@mata-kelly.com
Website: http://www.mata-kelly.comPerhaps she can assist you.
Regards, LindaHi Linda- yes, Panama has emergency services, including fire and police stations and ambulances. We also have a 911 Emergency System, but it’s not quite the same as elsewhere.
911 is only for Medical Emergencies if you need an ambulance, and it mostly serves Panama City and surroundings.
If you need the police or fire dept. you need to dial them instead.It is important to know and note the emergency numbers where you live and even save them in your cell phone.
Here in David, where I live, there are different numbers for the various emergency services, and I have them saved.Also, responders to these phone numbers may speak to you in Spanish, so you need to be able to communicate with them in Spanish.
In Boquete, which is a very popular expat community, a group of volunteers have established an emergency response system that is available 24/7, for any emergency, and manned by bilingual operators. This is a great service to the residents of Chiriquí Province.
There is a similar, informal system in Bocas del Toro that operates via VHF radio.I hope this answers your questions.
Regards, Linda -
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