Thread: Don't let the locals into your house

Here is a little fyi to all those folks living or wanting to live in Panama. Be very very careful about letting just any local into your house. This might sound bad but an expat friend of mine had some guys over for poker night and sure enough his wallet is gone. In David there have been several break-ins and murders. Typically there is no forced entry which means somebody had a key. Although the locals are usually fairly decent people the temptation of ripping off a "gringo" is to great. My own girlfriend did not want her own family from the city to stay with us during Easter because she does not trust them 100%. I always go out of my way to be nice to the locals but I would not want to show off the easily portable electronics I own. Do yourself a favor, take great caution in bringing a local(s) into your home.

As with anywhere in the world, don't put temptation in front of people. If you have small easily portable expensive items such as jewellry or electronics, a safe or a secure locked storage cabinet is a worthwhile investment. BTW anyone have any sources of small household safes in Panama? Especially of the type that can be securely fastened to concrete floors etc? Any ideas about the cost? Such as in this link Buy a Home Fireproof Safe Online

Hey Gordon, I do know of a place on Via Argentina that sells different types of safes. I also have a friend that lives in a new condo that had one installed in his closet.

Pricesmart has some (the equivalent of Costco)

Very true! even if you get "robbed" by locals, friends or family and you talk to them about it they will say they only borrowed it... I lived in a hostfamily in a room with another girl and she actually took everything (clothes, person things etc.) without asking or giving it back. Not everyone is like that though....my boyfriends family is OK

and here like everywhere in the world if you buy a new or used house , condo etc , change the locks , every tradesmen that built your place has a key , and this is not just a panama thing , it is a world thing .

Any place I have will get a floor safe installed. Basically a locked concrete box with a steel top that is hidden under a rug. Or a bed safe - some beds are made of concrete (no, not the mattress) and that would work without having to dig.

Now you got me contemplating one. I really would feel better when I leave the house on my video excursions. I feel good about the neighborhood and haven't had a problem in more than 1.5 years BUT you never know.

MRWOOHOO, I really had the impression that panamanians were more honest compared to other latinos like cubans for example.
I spent 3 months in Panama(mostly in PC) and they always gave me the exact change whenever I bought something or went to the restaurant, etc..........
On the other hand, I've been many times to Cuba and I can guarantee you that 90% of the time they'll cheat on you.

@Hosem1

yes you are right the most people are nice and steal nothing but like in EVERY country there also some bad guys.

@all
I would appreciate when you talk about some cases but please dont say every local is criminal.

I run a bar since to years here in panama and i missing money about 800,- $ from a conman. He was from the States and no Panameno. And another couple robbed 200,- $ and they was from Canada.
From a Panameno i missing 15 US$ (for drinks) and a Gastank.

Also Wild Bill was no Panameno!!!!!!!

so please dont say any local is criminal.
That is not True!!!!

Originally Posted by panamaproperties24

@Hosem1

yes you are right the most people are nice and steal nothing but like in EVERY country there also some bad guys.
I would appreciate when you talk about some cases but please dont say every local is criminal.

I run a bar since to years here in panama and i missing money about 800,- $ from a conman. He was from the States and no Panameno. And another couple robbed 200,- $ and they was from Canada.
From a Panameno i missing 15 US$ (for drinks) and a Gastank.

Also Wild Bill was no Panameno!!!!!!!

so please dont say any local is criminal.
That is not True!!!!

In my post I never said anything bad about panamanians. Why don't you read my post again.

sorry hosem1,
i changed my post already.
I forgot to at @all to the second part.

Again sorry

I have to say that I have been very discouraged of late reading all the negatives about the Panamanian people. I have read that they are rude, unfriendly, unwilling to help one in trouble..Recently someone [american] wrote that they couldn't wait to get away from the garbage strewn streets and petty crime...It has certainly dimmed my view and my hpoes of retiring in Panama. It was suggested that if one wants to be safe you have to live in the mountains but then there are no stores or entertainment and often no electricity. If you live in the city you must endure the trash, the heat etc and a/c costs are high. Not an inviting picture for one contemplating retirement. Now this: don't even let the locals in the house. What kind of life is that? I have lived in Mexico and will now reconsider my plans for Panama. I want to look forward to more than $.50 beer when I retire! Anyone have ideas of how it is in Ecuador?

I'm sure someone else will chime in, but here's my $.02 worth. Don't believe everything you read. Some of what you referenced may be true for certain parts of Panama. You really need to go to Panama and spend some time in the area you are considering and then make up your own mind.

Everybody's experiences and how they deal with them are different. I live on the Azuero and the locals are extremely friendly and I hang out with them. Personally I have never had a problem with anybody trying to rob me or my rented house. I do not live in a gated community and none of my neighbors speak English. The thing you need to keep in mind is that there are poor people. Very often expats flash and spend a lot of money compared to the locals. Walking around wearing expensive jewelry, clothes, cars, etc in front of people that have a hard time getting enough money to eat is going to bring some resentment. This can happen anywhere you go in the world. It's a matter of common sense and how you deal with the locals. Most of the Panamanian people I have met are very friendly and helpful. I cannot walk down the street in my town without saying hello and talking to several locals. Like TennVol said "You really need to go to Panama and spend some time in the area you are considering and then make up your own mind." Take some time and travel around the country a bit, it isn't that big of a place. I have no regrets moving here and for the most part love the people here. My friend that got his wallet stolen from his house made the mistake of inviting some fairly new drinking buddies from the local bar over for a card game. He wasn't thinking that day.

This is very subjective, but I would say that overall, people in Panama are about the same as the US in terms of honesty. Panama is beautiful and prices are pretty good. It is harder to get things done and done "right" (aka the way you are used to).

MRWOOHOO, Taking strangers from a bar to drink and gamble in his home, he was not thinking. It could have been allot worse than just his wallet. You never know who is going to be a sore loser especially with booze involved. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

My friend's Panamanian girlfriend had even warned him NOT to bring over the "bar buddies" because she did not trust them. But he wanted to be a good guy, feed them food, booze, nice beach house surroundings, etc.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

My friend's Panamanian girlfriend had even warned him NOT to bring over the "bar buddies" because she did not trust them. But he wanted to be a good guy, feed them food, booze, nice beach house surroundings, etc.

Reinforces the old saying "no good deed goes unpunished". Now he knows and the rest of us benefit from his mistake.

Yup, free learning experience for everybody new to Panama that reads this forum.