Thread: New in Panama

Hello everyone!

Arrived in Panama 3 weeks ago with no plan really. In those 3 weeks I stayed at Panama City. Realized that place wasnt what I wanted and now I am residing in Coronado (which I really like). I'm 24 and really just wanted to travel a little bit and figured Panama would be a great place to start. Excited to be on the forums!!

Hi SJohnson and welcome to Panama Forum!

Congratulations! Sounds like you're already living the beach life at 24! Some of us aspire to do so for that brief period of time after a life of working and before we need a walker to get around. Feel free to let loose with your likes/dislikes of P.C. and Coronado.

Thanks guys!

Quality of life has always been very important to me even from a young age so it just seemed to make sense to do it. I work online so I can take my job with me where ever I go (kind of).

Likes:
- So far the beach has been great. I was worried about being on the Pacific side but I've been pretty happy thus far. There are some days where no one else is on the beach and thats during high season! My girlfriend and I found a kettle bell so we just get up in the morning and work out next to the ocean which is awesome! The black sand mixes with the white and sparkles like a diamond which is something I had never seen before.
- The people are pretty cool and patient with us. Our Spanish is not very good and honestly people dont speak as much English as I though they would have. This could be a negative but its not because no one seems to care. Americans are so judgmental of foreigners in their country, its nice its not like that everywhere.
- The food is very, very good! Dare I say better vs the US.
- The climate is not very hot or humid. I was expecting crazy humidity being on the ocean but its not at all. There is a nice breeze that comes off the water.
- Everything is cheaper. Gringo tax isnt as bad as I thought it was going to be.
- Using USD has been pretty cool.
- You can find anything you want here that is in the states.

Dislikes:
- Panamianias are freaking lazy lol. This isnt totally fair because I have a higher then average go getter attitude but sometimes its pretty bad. No singled out stories here but almost everything I do takes 50% longer then it does in the states (and it doesnt have to).
- Opening a bank account has been the most stupidly difficult thing I have ever done. My signature has kept me from getting one. I sat in HSBC for 3 hours, 1 of which was me just signing and signing. Eventually I just left because I couldnt waste any more time (no account open). This sucks actually because I need an account here otherwise I am going to a different country.
- I hate how the people treat their beaches here. I see Panamanians litter all the time. Maybe its just me knowing what happens to beaches over time but they really, really need to protect their shoreline better.
- Panama City is pretty gross and its very dumb that you cant get to the water.

Keep in mind all of these are from a limited perspective both in terms of exposure to Panama and time spent traveling. Besides the US this is the only other country I have been to so its not like I have vast knowledge of the world or anything. So far I am very glad I chose to leave the US. I was looking for experiences that would help me understand the world better and so far this has checked that box (mojitos on the ocean at night aint bad either ).

Well done. You will grow as a person here most likely. Too bad you gave up on the account.

Trying to Open a bank account in Panama is a true Kafkaesque experience.

I didnt really give up on the account I am just searching for a different bank that isnt going to give me as hard of a time. Multibank and BancoGeneral are right in town so I am trying there next.

Originally Posted by SJohnson

Hello everyone!

Arrived in Panama 3 weeks ago with no plan really. In those 3 weeks I stayed at Panama City. Realized that place wasnt what I wanted and now I am residing in Coronado (which I really like). I'm 24 and really just wanted to travel a little bit and figured Panama would be a great place to start. Excited to be on the forums!!

What atracted you to Panama and what city did you come from?

It's really easy to open a Bank Account at Banco Azteca, I did it last week, passport, reference from my European bank and $20, took about 20 minutes and was issued a VISA debit card there and then!

Originally Posted by Panamax

What atracted you to Panama and what city did you come from?

I came from northern Minnesota which is freaking freezing this time of year! I used to travel to Florida a lot when I was younger so I've always wanted that laid back beach lifestyle. Panama seemed like it offered those things on a cheaper dime. I also read a lot about starting businesses here and the benefits you get. With the state the US is in I figured it couldnt hurt to check things out. Call me paranoid but the older I get and more I learn the more freaked out I am about having all my money in one country.

Originally Posted by Podders

It's really easy to open a Bank Account at Banco Azteca, I did it last week, passport, reference from my European bank and $20, took about 20 minutes and was issued a VISA debit card there and then!

Thanks for the reference! I'll check them out next time I am in Panama City.

Originally Posted by SJohnson

I came from northern Minnesota which is freaking freezing this time of year! I used to travel to Florida a lot when I was younger so I've always wanted that laid back beach lifestyle. Panama seemed like it offered those things on a cheaper dime. I also read a lot about starting businesses here and the benefits you get. With the state the US is in I figured it couldnt hurt to check things out. Call me paranoid but the older I get and more I learn the more freaked out I am about having all my money in one country.

well i am impressed your only 24 and you are smart enough to see what is happening in the states , and just how much harder it is going to get , plus when the H.I.R.E. act takes affect . and i would guerss either you own PM or are at least thinking about it . good for you .

Thanks nakedguydb! Although, I am not sure what PM is...The thing that freaked me out the most (broke the camels back?) inside the US was the fact that everyone my age still in college or just getting out could not find jobs. I have a friend with an engineering degree who is now the manager at a pizza joint. Its like tons of little things like that are happening every day and most people dont even notice them. Its actually weird because it took me a lot of time to get to the mind set I am in right now. In a way I kind of feel robbed of my younger days. However, if it means I get to eventually carve out my own piece of the pie and be able to rise above then so be it.