I am thinking of visiting Panama in July with the idea of possibly retiring there in a couple of years, and exploring the county. The areas I am interested in are Rio Hato and areas near the new airport, El Valle, Some areas in Cocle, Veraguas, David and Boquette. I am curious about areas such as Penome, Santiago, and others. I am looking from the point of view of inexpensive options, and possibly an area which where values will appreciate later. My question is will it be too rainy to travel in July, and if there is a better way to travel than just renting a car.

Ok guys and gals. I need your assistance as I am preparing to embark on a definitively life changing journey. Let me begin by giving you a bit of background on myself. I have traveled my entire life. Mainly Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica. I am a master diver, a USCG capt, pilot, prosthetist/orthotist (I design artificial limbs and braces), an avid outdoors-man, and have run a guide service for both tuna fishing and waterfowl hunting. I am also a weapons expert (don't know if this will be of use here, hopefully not!) I am also married, 38, and have two boys 14 and 12.

We have contemplated a move to costa rica for approx 15 years and have many friends there, both ex-pats and Ticos with government ties. We have avoided the move there due to two major factors. 1st the nicaraguan gang and drug issue and second, it seems that everyone has already discovered it. My brother-in-law is Panamanian and has offered his assistance, however his entire family lives in Panama City and knows nothing about the Chiriqui area, seems to be considered the boondocks by them.

I am looking to simplify my life, introduce my children to a new language and culture, and do more of what I enjoy. We are looking at investing in a small resort in Boca Chica, focusing on catering to offshore activities. My brother is accompanying me as are his wife and boys of the same age as mine. He is not only a Prosthetist, diver, and fisherman, but an accomplished restauranteur. He will be looking at the offshore business but restaurant of some type as well.

We have never traveled to panama other than fishing the Hannabal Banks, I basically looked for the closest town with the best protected mooring to what I felt was the optimal fishing grounds and Boca Chica popped up.

I want to know the good, bad, and reality of this area. My wife and I are traveling down on the 10th of July (I know it is the rainy season) for one week. Who should we speak with? and Where should we stay? Any advice on cheaper jump flights from PMY? or is 228/person the norm? I know its hot, I'm from Arkansas so humidity and 100+ temps are the norm for us in the summer. I also come from a crime ridden depressed town in the Delta of Arkansas so unless it is more than petty property theft, I am not too concerned.

Thank you in advance for your advice and assistance. Looking forward to the adventure!

Mr. Martinelli has now included Costa Rica:

Decreto Ejecutivo N° 548 (de 14 de mayo de 2013)

Makes you wonder if he will take the step and add Venezuela or Colombia soon.....

Hi guys,
Well let me introduce myself I have been living and investing in Chiriqui for more than 3 years.
I am now interested in buying a condo to live at least a year in the city to feel the vibe of the city and then to rent it (investment)
I have worked in construction and sale for many many years and would like your opinion regarding the condo market in Panama City. I see there are thousands of condo for rent and sell. I guess it is a buying market and that you can make offers way below asking price but my question is once you own the property : is it easy and fast to rent? resell? I have a feeling that NO but everybody tell me the oposit. A piece of advice would be welcome

PS: for any questions regarding Chiriqui dont hesitate to ask I have now a good knowledge of the place

Hello friends today i am going to discuss about an website which is about consulate of panama. This page will help you in various ways such as visiting panama etc. Thank you....

To know more about it visit here- Consulate of Panama in Antwerp, Belgium | Consular and Maritime Services

Dear admin it is not spam.

Just returned from Boquete and wonder Are you kidding me? Where is the deal? Are they just looking for Gringo money? A half fixed up 1000 sq feet $180,000! Am I missing something? Should I offer 30 cents on the dollar?

Fast food chains in Panama are anything but fast maybe that is why the people here think they are good destinations? In terms of the Indigenous they will eat anything that crawls by and I am sure it is the same in Bolivia............. (NaturalNews) McDonald's happy image and its golden arches aren't the gateway to bliss in Bolivia. This South American country isn't falling for the barrage of advertising and fast food cooking methods that so easily engulf countries like the United States. Bolivians simply don't trust food prepared in such little time. The quick and easy, mass production method of fast food actually turns Bolivians off altogether. Sixty percent of Bolivians are an indigenous population who generally don't find it worth their health or money to step foot in a McDonald's. Despite its economically friendly fast food prices, McDonald's couldn't coax enough of the indigenous population of Bolivia to eat their BigMacs, McNuggets or McRibs.

One indigenous woman, Esther Choque, waiting for a bus to arrive outside a McDonald's restaurant, said, "The closest I ever came was one day when a rain shower fell and I climbed the steps to keep dry by the door. Then they came out and shooed me away. They said I was dirtying the place. Why would I care if McDonald's leaves [Bolivia]?"

Fast food chain remained for a decade, despite losses every year

The eight remaining McDonald's fast food shops that stuck it out in the Bolivian city's of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, had reportedly operated on losses every year for a decade. The McDonald's franchise had been persistent over that time, flexing its franchise's deep pockets to continue business in Bolivia.

Any small business operating in the red for that long would have folded and left the area in less than half that time. Even as persistent as McDonald's was in gaining influence there, it couldn't continue operating in the red. After 14 years of presence in the country, their extensive network couldn't hold up the Bolivian chain. Store after store shut down as Bolivia rejected the McDonald's fast food agenda. Soon enough, they kissed the last McDonald's goodbye.

Deep cultural rejection

The McDonald's impact and its departure from Bolivia was so lasting and important, that marketing managers immediately filmed a documentary called, "Why McDonalds's went broke in Bolivia."

Featuring, cooks, nutritionist, historians, and educators, this documentary breaks down the disgusting reality of how McDonald's food is prepared and why Bolivians reject the whole fast food philosophy of eating.

The rejection isn't necessarily based on the taste or the type of food McDonald's prepared. The rejection of the fast food system stemmed from Bolivian's mindset of how meals are to be properly prepared. Bolivians more so respect their bodies, valuing the quality of what goes into their stomach. The time it takes for fast food to be prepared throws up a warning flag in their minds. Where other cultures see no risk, eating McDonald's every week; Bolivians feel that it just isn't worth the health risk. Bolivians seek well prepared, local meals, and want to know that their food was prepared the right way.

This self respect helps Bolivians avoid processed "restructured meat technology," often used by fast food joints like McDonald's.

The McRib: 70 ingredients all restructured into one

Did you know that the McRib is processed with 70 different ingredients which include azodicarbonamide, a flour-bleaching agent often used in producing foamed plastics? McRib's are basically "restructured meat technology" containing a mixture of tripe, heart, and scalded stomach. Proteins are extracted from this muscle mixture and they bind the pork trimmings together so they can be molded in a factory. The McRib is really just a molded blob of restructured meat, advertised and sold like fresh ribs. There's nothing real about it, the preparation or the substance. In fact, McRibs really came about because of a chicken shortage. The restructured meat technology approach kept the McRib on the menu, despite the shortage, and the profits continued rolling in.

This is the very disgusting idea that the Bolivians have rejected in their country.

I'm pleased to introduce our business, Simplify Panama.

We provide property management, concierge & shopping services. The company is
located in Panama City, and offers service throughout the country to individuals
and small businesses.

Our high-quality service standards are on par with North America. The company
owners have over 40 years collective experience in professional maintenance,
hotel/property management and customer service in the United States and Panama.

Our web site is simplifypanama.com.

Make life easier. Please contact us for details.

Hello,
Welcome everyone.
I am a new member.
Thanks.

Here it is folks

As of June 17, drivers will be required to have a prepaid card if they wish to use the Corredor Norte highway.
This is a separate card from the card used for the Corredor Sur, the National Highway Company says, since they do not have the technology to unify the two systems.
The seven-mile, four-lane road connects Panama City to the Reverted Areas and Northern parts of the city.
Panama’s transit authority says that this is part of the plan to automate the country’s transportation systems and ease traffic congestion.
Cards cost $2 with a minimum recharge of $5. Those who do not have cards will be fined.

You can buy the cards and refill it at any Epago branches which are located at Riba Smith supermarkets. Also at the garita on the Corredor Norte

I have been a member of this site for a long time, but have not visited since 2010. Reading some of the posts here it seems a lot has changed in Panama, so I am asking for input from people who live there or are in process of moving there. I have had a lot happen to me since 2010, so I have a few specific questions & would appreciate any input. I have not yet travelled

There was an income requirement for US citizens to prove to govmt that we have the means to provide for ourselves such as social security income, etc. I have a condition that has left me totally disabled at the age of 45 and have proof of income from Social Security. Life is not the same for me anymore so I hope to live out the rest of my life in Panama or another Central American country- i have been researching Panama the longest so I am partial to there. My hiatus from my search is over and i am ready to move forward again. My kids are almost grown so when the last one is college age I anticipate a completed transition to my new country in about 3 years- I would rather start too early than too late in my little mission.

I am not interested in PC at all. i want to focus in the Chiriqui region or the Bocas region depending on which one is most appealing. I am not looking to invest in real estate nor any other get rich crap that a lot of people get hung up on. I will likely live there and pay rent until I find the right place for me. Can anyone tell me how much I should expect to pay rent for a small 2 bedroom house that is not in a luxury area, etc.? I am planning to live as the locals live regarding a place to live. I am looking for a place with Internet accessibility, etc but nothing fancy. I am divorced and will likely stay single. Bottom line is I want to live nicely, but not extravagantly in Panama.

Also, when I was doing my research previously the best way to get my mail was to use a mail forwarding courier for a monthly fee. Is this still the best method? The way I understood it was I would have my mail sent to a PO box in Florida & then a private company would pick up my mail and get it delivered to me in Panama, etc.

There was supposed to have been a new International airport built in Panama that was not too far from Las Tables on the coast- any info on that? I would rather fly there than into Panama if it is there.

Thanks for your input and feel free to lend more advice, etc

This man is a Venezuelan national selling falsified currency and trying to steal money by wire transfers.

His ID card is V-17.772.470 (V-1777247)

He works with Banesco and has a cuenta corriente with them:

0134-0945-559461129722

He also works with Banco Provincial:

0108-0017-08-01-00241423

His email is irvingaalcala@gmail.com

Full information:

Attached Thumbnails

 

Anyone been to Chepo? Nice place?

Greeting to all,

THIS will put Panama on the map as far as movies and shows are concerned. Panama could be the the next NewYork or LA in the movie industry:cool:... I saw my old condo in the tv:D :cool:

Ok, so now that the police in Panama are copying Rio De Janeiro UPP pacification style. The bandas from El Chorrillo have decided to follow and excute rivals once they exit they neighborhood. A shower of bullets right in front of El Panama hotel and Fiesta.... No suspects. What's funny is, it's always cops in the front entrance of Fiesta casino... Wtf is going on?

Critica en Linea


Redacción
Web


Una persona murió y dos más resultaron heridas, durante una balacera que se produjo en los alrededores del Hotel El Panamá.


Los sujetos dispararon cuando la víctima salía del casino y en la refriega resultaron heridas dos personas que caminaban en ese momento por el lugar.


Se informó que la víctima residía en el corregimiento de El Chorrillo. Al lugar llegaron los familiares de la víctima, quienes tuvieron que ser controlados por la policía.

Hello,

We have just joined the Panama Forum and thought we'd introduce ourselves. We are a semi-retired, late 40s couple who are planning to retire in Panama in 2014/15. No children. One dog (so far). We are dog-lovers so I'm sure we'll adopt a rescue dog once we make the move.

Our goal is to rent first for a few months and then decide which part of Panama suits our lifestyle. Both renting and buying is an option. We are also looking forward to taking Spanish lessons either here in Vancouver or once we re-locate.

The Forum looks like a very useful source of information that we'll use as much as possible. Thank you all in advance for the consideration and the sharing of info. We look forward to making friends with many ex-pats and locals alike!

Sincerely,

Lauren, Ron, and Dex
Vancouver, BC

It's 2013 and they don't have the technology... Pure bullshit!!



Mandatory Corredor Norte Card Coming Soon
June 7, 2013
By st.di.
As of June 17, drivers will be required to have a prepaid card if they wish to use the Corredor Norte highway.


This is a separate card from the card used for the Corredor Sur, the National Highway Company says, since they do not have the technology to unify the two systems.


The seven-mile, four-lane road connects Panama City to the Reverted Areas and Northern parts of the city.


Panama’s transit authority says that this is part of the plan to automate the country’s transportation systems and ease traffic congestion.


Cards cost $2 with a minimum recharge of $5. Those who do not have cards will be fined.

The real estate market in Guanajuato lacks homes that meet international buyers' standards. The paltry supply of such properties makes available homes expensive, but prices are still reasonable when compared to other areas of the country, especially those on the coast. Now, something like that would be untouchable for all but the wealthy or someone who could get investment partners in Guanajuato real estate.

Here is some info from Christopher Thompson, former resident of Panama:

Investor Alert - BEWARE! of Zoom Development in Panama

Apparently it's a true story.....

When a Panamanian says "the world's second largest pool" I immediately think about a Kuna Indian with a garden hose, flat land and bags that are used to dam overflowing rovers. Then I make it much smaller than I originally thought.