Just returned from Panama
We stayed 2 nights in David at Hotel Ciudad de David, very nice hotel right in the middle of David. We meet many Americans here that were either doing the same discovery we were or were there coming / going to Costa Rica crossing the border for Passport reasons. We gained a wealth of information here in the two days we were here. We decided not to go to Bouqete as we had concluded Panama just really wasn聮t for us. We spent the day at Las Olas resort on the Pacific. Very beautiful, but again the garbage on the beaches are such a shame, we live on the Gulf Coast in Southern FL and just don聮t see that.
All in all I would not hesitate to go back and vacation as it really is a beautiful country, to me it was a diamond in the ruff, and the people are so very kind and helpful. And we meet some great people from the US , Canada, Costa Rica & Panama that we will stay in touch with!
If you have any questions I can answer please let me know.
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I'm sorry your trip didn't turn out like you expected. I remember the first time I visited (my wife is Panamanian) and I thought, "There's no way I can live here." Here I am several years later. To get a good view of what Panama can really offer, you'd need to get outside of the two major cities in Panama, which are Panama City and David. You mentioned your age, and I don't know what that is, or if that would be a factor in not wanting to go too country or local, but I really wish you would've gone to see Boquete. It really is a beautiful place. And there are so many other beautiful places in Panama. It's hard to see that when you're in the city. Plus, where you stayed, next to the canal, is not even in the cool parts of the city. Did you get a chance to check out Casco Viejo or Punta Pacifica or Costa del Este on the outskirts of the city? These are all nice, clean places. Don't give up just yet. If you felt that Panama was for you (at some point in time) it might be worth visiting again and getting out of the cities. Go to the mountain towns like El Valle or Altos del Maria or go hang out in the expat bars in Coronado. This can be a really cool place.
Chris
For people interested in Panama, I'd advise joining the following yahoo groups:
americans_in_panama-subscribe@yahoogroups.com (The owner/moderator of this group is a jerk but sometimes you'll find a useful tidbit of information)
Gringos_in_David_Panama-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Panama_laws_for_expats-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
panamaforum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
As with any yahoo group, you'll have to wade through a lot of posting that don't interest you, but search the archives and ask questions.
I am glad someone is happy there.聽 Do you know of any rentals there that would take a dog, cat, human, and possibly a horse?聽 Is it relatively safe there? I was looking to move to Boquete but sounds like Volcan is less expensive.聽 I am a quiet country type, outdoorsy and likes the quiet.聽 Is it quiet there also?
thanks for all of the info and other chat sites, Julie
Volcan has gotten more "social" activities, but if a lot of socializing is what you like, then Boquete is a better fit. You can subscribe to news.boquete@gmail.com. There are numerous emails every day announcing activity after activity.
I'm not one for much socializing myself and Volcan suits me very well. However, do NOT up and move anywhere before visiting to see for yourself.
I had read enough on the yahoo groups about Volcan to know that's where I wanted to visit. So I made a two-week trip, went back home and sold my house, and three months later my container was on the way. I've never regretted it for a second, and I have no desire to return to the US, ever.
Interesting - we just went to Las Olas yesterday and saw a minimum of trash on the beach. IMO the beaches a bit farther away are even more lovely.
What do you enjoy in the way of entertainment? This could be a problem here if you want concerts and shows. If you enjoy hiking in the woods and visiting beautiful places and other such things, you will have plenty to do.
Thanks for writing.聽 I used to go to concerts and shows when I was younger but now I am into horses and animals.聽 I love the outdoors and ride my horse in lots of parks, ranches, etc.聽 It looks like Bouqete is my kind of place with the mountains and valleys and woods.聽 It sounds like you are happy there.聽 I am trying to find a sm place to rent.聽 Do you know anyone that is reputable, like how about Wolff realty or casa realty?聽 Julie
Write to Eduardo Horna. riochiriqui /!\ I AM A STUPID SPAMMER /!\ (dot) com He works in Boquete and David, is very ethical and reputable, and also speaks fluent English. He found the perfect house for us. Maybe he can help you too.
jultes wrote:Kris,
Thanks for writing.聽 I used to go to concerts and shows when I was younger but now I am into horses and animals.聽 I love the outdoors and ride my horse in lots of parks, ranches, etc.聽 It looks like Bouqete is my kind of place with the mountains and valleys and woods.聽 It sounds like you are happy there.聽 I am trying to find a sm place to rent.聽 Do you know anyone that is reputable, like how about Wolff realty or casa realty?聽 Julie
Agree with everything you say. But you just barely scratched the surface of the country.
We live in El Valle and the expats here started a litter cleanup and recycling program so our beautiful town is pretty clean. But litter is definitely my biggest peeve with Panama. Many positives for me here in El Valle-friendly locals, very safe, great expats, respect for local culture, simple living, and did I mention beautiful? Drawback to El Valle?-not much organized social activity. If I wasn't busy with a biz, I would start regular activities. Wouldn't take much...
As far as trash and litter, the best hope is the the likely next Prez. is an environmentalist. We'll see what happens...
We live about 4 hours from PC and gringe at the thought of having to go there for anything!!!
Your biggest problem areas are banking and immigration. The banks are not opening gringo accounts anymore bcoz of the IRS nonsense and if they do you would have needed to give up all your personal information including but not limited to your children's and parents info as well. Immigration is not only a nightmare of incompetence but a hellhole of bureaucratic bullshit for gringos. If you are anything but a gringo it's easy....but for gringos they like to screw you around for a few years. True you can get a carnet that you have to renew ever 6 months to a year but almost impossible to get your permanent cedula/residency. There are plenty of liars/lawyers who say "no problem, I can help you." Just remember, if their lips are moving they are lying. I've been here over 7 years and just finally gave up like 100's of other expats and are here over our legal time.
There is just a few of the problems with living here, so think carefully b4 deciding聽 on Panama. Maybe pick another country!!!
I have a beautiful operating organic fruit/veggie/vaca finca with water and a 2 story beautiful 6000sq' villa available. All equipment included. Cash but I prefer gold....no agents unless you have a hard buyer ready to buy.
Jim
Good luck
A few months ago I got my E-cedula. No hassle at all - I used my wonderful lawyer. (Well, the only "hassle" was that it required a trip to Panama City - I don't like going there either.)
I read frequently on yahoo groups about new expats getting bank accounts. As I recall, Banco General is recommended a lot. I agree that the process of opening a bank account has no doubt gotten more onerous but that's the fault of the gestapo IRS and US government, not the banks in Panama. (Sooner or later that problem will come to a halt as the USSA will lose the status of having the reserve currency - and thus being able to tell the rest of the world how to handle their finances.)
I still love living in Panama and have never regretted my decision to move here. I love Latin America in general and I've spent time in Mexico and numerous Central and South American countries. Of all of them, I prefer living in Panama hands down. To each his own, however.
Where is your finca located, how many hectares, and what are you asking for it? (By the way, I love the picture of the dog. Yours?)
I've been here for over 7 years and all I get is screwed around by 3 lairs and the immigration morons. We've given up with the cedula stuff. We went there they basically said I had to start all over and the would issue another carnet good for 6 months then I could apply for my permanent cedula. I said why don't you just give it to me now??? They just stare at you or get up and leave. The have all my doc's and filings in the system so why do I have to start all over again bcoz they changed the law again??
I have over $1mil plus a Teca Finca, which is for sale as well, invested here so I'm pretty much stuck here. We left CR bcoz the USSA took it over so we left with 100's of other expats and came here. Little did we know that bagboy martinelli would sell out the country and the people. Moscoso told Bush to F off and she wasn't changing the Constitution to suit the USSA and their nation building goals.聽
Don't get me wrong.....I like it here if it weren't for all the political corruption, militarized police, phony police check points, high prices, groceries that are outdated, short dated, store returns all from USSA vendors. True we don't pay any taxes but that is going to come sooner than later.
As far as info on the Finca goes, I'd rather not discuss that on this blog. You can communicate with me directly by email. fenixmgmt@gmail dot com.
Yes, the dog is mine along with 5 others and 2 cats. They are my KidZ.
If you have any specific questions we'd be happy to help. We have been involved in checking out Panama for months and just got back from eight days in Volcan and a full day in Panama City.
We have really enjoyed our time there.
joel and terre
joel
We liked David much better but our next trip will be more geared to the coast/beach areas. I will also take the time to check out some of the other areas mentioned. We don't need organized social activities. Heat is not a factor for us as we are from Southern FL on the gulf coast.
So glad to hear about the litter cleanup!
jonoyakker wrote:Bpcahoon,
Agree with everything you say. But you just barely scratched the surface of the country.
We live in El Valle and the expats here started a litter cleanup and recycling program so our beautiful town is pretty clean. But litter is definitely my biggest peeve with Panama. Many positives for me here in El Valle-friendly locals, very safe, great expats, respect for local culture, simple living, and did I mention beautiful? Drawback to El Valle?-not much organized social activity. If I wasn't busy with a biz, I would start regular activities. Wouldn't take much...
As far as trash and litter, the best hope is the the likely next Prez. is an environmentalist. We'll see what happens...
jultes wrote:Thanks Kris, I appreciate the info.聽 How long have you lived in Panama?聽 Julie
Thank you, Jeff
I have learned that there in El Valle you built up kind of an anti-waste program - I am planning to go into schools and try to establish some consciousness for this beautiful country and nature before it is too late (for the nature and the kids - once used to throwing all waste out of the cars and on the beach...) - but don't know yet where to start and how. So I thought maybe build on someone's experience! Do you have a cotact for me?
Thanks a lot ni advance and Happy belated Earth Day
Maike
I enjoyed reading your posting re: Volcan.聽 My wife & I are going to visit Panama in July and we had planned on focusing on the Boquete area.聽 How did you find the home that your renting?
Do you have a recommendation of a real estate person how is knowledgeable and willing to spend the time needed to explore?
I'd appreciate any advice that you may think of value.
Thanks in advance, Jeff
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