I have been in Panama for 20 years. Everything he said is spot on. Hope puts out a vid for people thinking about retiring here that would include quality , price, of “skilled” labor . Especially never pay up front, estimates, not showing up, etc. Racism, indigenous culture, dark skin color, even respect for females. Also, there is a reason they don’t make a big deal about Fathers Day ( who or where is your daddy, support $$$ virtually nonexistent. Education system, government corruption. Need to learn to stay under the radar. Also, Quantity trumps quality. More of something is always better, especially making noise. He mentioned the two pay days a month for a lot of people, this unfortunately may mean day or two after you may directly or indirectly exposed to the effect of “over indulgence”. Do I ever plan on going back to USA now,…lmao. Words of wisdom is have no expectations, patience, adapt, learn Spanish ASAP. The good outweighs the bad.
Lots of nuggets in this post, thanks for your feedback and contributing some bonus thought-provokers for those who are wanting to know about life here. I always say there is an unwritten rule of freedom to make noise not from noise lol and the same goes for SMOKE, and will be making a vid on these under-the-radar issues. What are the issues you’ve seen regarding skin color? I have seen the most racial issues to do with hostility against Estadunienses or if they think you are, and that is mostly (but not always) from drunk, drugged, or already angry people where it comes to the surface which it usually stays below. This video provides some more advice on being smart in Panama it may be of interest hope it meets with your approval too … th-cam.com/video/v1LRce4Cmqs/w-d-xo.html
Thank you very much for this wonderful video and for this information that serves the community. This information is considered a guide for visiting beautiful Panama. We hope to visit the beautiful city of Panama. Greetings and appreciation. The future of Panama, as well as the countries of Latin America, must be built. Train railways must be built to connect all these countries and cities, both economically and financially. The future is to strengthen the economy for everyone without exception
Thank you for this excellent video. I am currently researching Panama as a possible retirement destination from the UK. Somewhere permanently warm, reasonably saf, good health care and affordable are my main criteria, at the moment.
Welcome. I love it permanently warm (hot) too! There is also a range of climates to select here, in the interior. It’s reasonably safe but there are places very close to good areas where it can change. It is best always to not let people know/assume much about your situation. For a typical example, telling people you’re looking to buy or just sold a house indicates you may have money. Be very low key. Health care is very low cost if you use the national service. But it’s not like the UK.
Yes indeed! A few years ago we were going, got to the booth, but the tickets were sold out. On the still lengthy to do list. One of the things I love about Panama is there are still so many things I am still “needing” to do 😀
Thank you for the great tips! It's very helpful to know the part about no bribes for police, if you get stopped in Nicaragua, they want $10 or so. In Costa Rica, they'll look for something wrong with your car and go for $300 in fines, in Chile if you try to bribe them, they might arrest you.
I got dengue when I lived in Puerto armuelles in ‘98, a fun time haha. I am hoping to move down there after I retire. Actually, I do have a question as here in the states every public accounting firm is pretty much allowing working from home. Do you consider the Internet good enough down there to work from home? I love panamá and especially the nice people.
Thanks. Internet is good enough to work in most places. Outside the city you can expect more variety in quality and it’s no good to generalise. Wherever you are, power cuts also happen so a generator may be on your checklist. Most big apartment blocks have them, but not all.
Hello do you know when I Panama when having a rental vehicle, U.S. drivers license is only good for 90 days, how long do you have to leave country before your drivers licenses resets and the 90 days starts all over again?
You have done such excellent videos on living in Panama, we are in from UK, coming to Panama in November to have a second look see, we would love to meet up with you for a chat if you were willing, there could be dinner involved! I can’t work out how to P.M you.
thanks, I will be abroad then, but maybe further in future! I hope it goes well. Are you considering a particular area? There’s a message button here facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554702563059
I’m on Social Security. I get about $1,600 USD per month. I would like to know if I could live in Panama with that amount? I’m thinking near Boquete area/ nearby cheapest mountain cities.
90% of people need to have foreign income to make it work here, long term. Maybe 95%. The others bring skills needed in the country which then make it legal for them to work (not many cases) or start their own business here.
Please subscribe, I’m going to publish a new video on cost to live and it will be much better than most of the videos out there. Too many videos by people who have not seen much of Panama and live in an expat bubble, and/or have been there a short time.
I'll never figure out how people live in most places in Panama in hot humid temperatures that can get worse than Miami. Unless people want to live with air conditioning 24/7. I wouldn't be able to handle that.
Most of the time I love the hot tropical weather. One of the reasons I like it here. It’s aircon that bothers me more often. It’s usually too severe and lots of people get sniffles and colds, and you have to carry extra clothing for those environments. But I am definitely in minority! A lot of expats go to live in higher elevation places where the climate is cooler.
I have been in Panama for 20 years. Everything he said is spot on. Hope puts out a vid for people thinking about retiring here that would include quality , price, of “skilled” labor . Especially never pay up front, estimates, not showing up, etc. Racism, indigenous culture, dark skin color, even respect for females. Also, there is a reason they don’t make a big deal about Fathers Day ( who or where is your daddy, support $$$ virtually nonexistent. Education system, government corruption. Need to learn to stay under the radar. Also, Quantity trumps quality. More of something is always better, especially making noise. He mentioned the two pay days a month for a lot of people, this unfortunately may mean day or two after you may directly or indirectly exposed to the effect of “over indulgence”. Do I ever plan on going back to USA now,…lmao. Words of wisdom is have no expectations, patience, adapt, learn Spanish ASAP. The good outweighs the bad.
Lots of nuggets in this post, thanks for your feedback and contributing some bonus thought-provokers for those who are wanting to know about life here. I always say there is an unwritten rule of freedom to make noise not from noise lol and the same goes for SMOKE, and will be making a vid on these under-the-radar issues. What are the issues you’ve seen regarding skin color? I have seen the most racial issues to do with hostility against Estadunienses or if they think you are, and that is mostly (but not always) from drunk, drugged, or already angry people where it comes to the surface which it usually stays below. This video provides some more advice on being smart in Panama it may be of interest hope it meets with your approval too … th-cam.com/video/v1LRce4Cmqs/w-d-xo.html
Hi, what does this mean? “Racism, indigenous culture, dark skin color, even respect for females.”
Thank you very much for this wonderful video and for this information that serves the community. This information is considered a guide for visiting beautiful Panama. We hope to visit the beautiful city of Panama. Greetings and appreciation. The future of Panama, as well as the countries of Latin America, must be built. Train railways must be built to connect all these countries and cities, both economically and financially. The future is to strengthen the economy for everyone without exception
Thank you for this excellent video. I am currently researching Panama as a possible retirement destination from the UK. Somewhere permanently warm, reasonably saf, good health care and affordable are my main criteria, at the moment.
Welcome. I love it permanently warm (hot) too! There is also a range of climates to select here, in the interior. It’s reasonably safe but there are places very close to good areas where it can change. It is best always to not let people know/assume much about your situation. For a typical example, telling people you’re looking to buy or just sold a house indicates you may have money. Be very low key. Health care is very low cost if you use the national service. But it’s not like the UK.
0:25 Hola. On the Pacific side the Pearl Islands are the only place that have beautiful white sand beaches. I live on Isla Contadora.
Yes indeed! A few years ago we were going, got to the booth, but the tickets were sold out. On the still lengthy to do list. One of the things I love about Panama is there are still so many things I am still “needing” to do 😀
Excellent video! Very helpful!
Glad to hear it! Please subscribe not to miss more!
I appreciate the different points that you cover on this video!
Thank you for the great tips! It's very helpful to know the part about no bribes for police, if you get stopped in Nicaragua, they want $10 or so. In Costa Rica, they'll look for something wrong with your car and go for $300 in fines, in Chile if you try to bribe them, they might arrest you.
Thank you, great information!
Glad it was helpful! Please subscribe for more informative videos coming soon!
I wish I’d have watched this earlier- such good info- thanks!
Thanks! Working on a second one! Any suggestions welcome lol. Please consider subscribing! Regards Ian
I got dengue when I lived in Puerto armuelles in ‘98, a fun time haha. I am hoping to move down there after I retire. Actually, I do have a question as here in the states every public accounting firm is pretty much allowing working from home. Do you consider the Internet good enough down there to work from home? I love panamá and especially the nice people.
Btw good video
Thanks. Internet is good enough to work in most places. Outside the city you can expect more variety in quality and it’s no good to generalise. Wherever you are, power cuts also happen so a generator may be on your checklist. Most big apartment blocks have them, but not all.
Can you use the Metro from Colon to the Airport or even Albrook Mall from Colon? Thanks
There is no Metro from Colon. There are buses between Colon and Albrook yes, it’s the national transportation hub.
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it! Please subscribe if you haven’t!
Excellent video. Very insightful.
Glad it was helpful!
Perfect! Many thanks!
You're welcome! Please consider subscribing!
Really enjoyed it, thanks...
Excellent, thanks! Working on a sequel! Please consider subscribing not to miss my future work. Regards, Ian
Hello do you know when I Panama when having a rental vehicle, U.S. drivers license is only good for 90 days, how long do you have to leave country before your drivers licenses resets and the 90 days starts all over again?
Sure! Think of it like this: From entry, not from time away
Great advices!
You have done such excellent videos on living in Panama, we are in from UK, coming to Panama in November to have a second look see, we would love to meet up with you for a chat if you were willing, there could be dinner involved! I can’t work out how to P.M you.
thanks, I will be abroad then, but maybe further in future! I hope it goes well. Are you considering a particular area? There’s a message button here facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554702563059
excellent tips!!!
Glad it was helpful! More to come!
I’m on Social Security. I get about $1,600 USD per month. I would like to know if I could live in Panama with that amount? I’m thinking near Boquete area/ nearby cheapest mountain cities.
Yes you can, but will you be satisfied with your life style at that amount?
Why don’t you try El Salvador? Or Paraguay/Uruguay.
Much better places.
@@gardielestrada1787 I thought Uruguay had the highest cost of living in Latin America.
Thanks so much for such informed video. I'd like to visit Panama from Cameroon. I wonder if you can assist
Welcome! Please subscribe to the channel, we need to get to 1000 subscribers to be able to make more content.
What would you recommend for looking at the job market of Panama?
90% of people need to have foreign income to make it work here, long term. Maybe 95%. The others bring skills needed in the country which then make it legal for them to work (not many cases) or start their own business here.
Please subscribe, I’m going to publish a new video on cost to live and it will be much better than most of the videos out there. Too many videos by people who have not seen much of Panama and live in an expat bubble, and/or have been there a short time.
Fellow viewers: Click on Everything Panama with the flag icon and then click on “videos” there are many to watch. That’s what I am doing ❤
I'll never figure out how people live in most places in Panama in hot humid temperatures that can get worse than Miami. Unless people want to live with air conditioning 24/7. I wouldn't be able to handle that.
Most of the time I love the hot tropical weather. One of the reasons I like it here. It’s aircon that bothers me more often. It’s usually too severe and lots of people get sniffles and colds, and you have to carry extra clothing for those environments. But I am definitely in minority! A lot of expats go to live in higher elevation places where the climate is cooler.
@@EverythingPanama Most people don't want to spend life in a sauna!
𝐩𝓻Ỗ𝓂Ø𝓈Ｍ 👍