So you’ve heard there’s gold in them thar hills. You’ve loaded up the truck and ready to move to Beverly Hills. Or maybe you just want to mosey through and see the view.
Here’s the Truth about Panama and the ways in which we are going to serve you.
The Panama Insider, Budget Vacations Panama, and Panama Go 2 Girl Services understand you have put in a lot of effort to get here and make this a special trip. Sometimes last minute planning can lead to delays, disappointment & generally getting less than you feel you deserve. You see, Panama, in some ways, is still like the wild wild west- cell phones might not work due to in-climate weather or poor signal through concrete walls, boat captains could be on the high seas, roads washed out, Indians without internet, different weather conditions throughout the country, and the list goes on.
Your Logic Does NOT Apply!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten frustrated because I just couldn’t understand why they didn’t understand me. Sometimes people really don’t care about helping you, and they really are short sighted. But then I remember that I am the visitor, and if I’m in their country, I owe it to them to do my best to assimilate and accept the culture, rather than being an invasive fokin gringo. Just remember, what is logical to you, is probably not logical to them, and until you arrived, your logic didn’t matter to them. So get over your pride quickly, because you are the visitor. Try to remember this the next time you’re at a government office, waiting for your check at the restaurant, can’t communicate effectively in Spanish, at the grocery store with a mispriced item, trying to exchange something you purchased, or in a ridiculous traffic jam. These are the prices we pay to get away from whatever it is we’re escaping back home.
Panama IS a developing nation & tourism is very new to Panama. This said, we suggest you plan ahead, and keep in mind that while Budget Vacations Panama, and the Panama Go 2 Girl, always goes the extra mile to ensure you’re satisfaction, there are such things as unrealistic expectations.
Just remember the 6 P’s:
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
Example: Christmas Eve 2009: From Bocas del Toro to a 2-day sailboat trip in San Blas, for one person. Average sailing tours are 3 days, not always available, and in a group, it’s about $90-130 per person daily. Though we found a boat willing to work on Christmas, the client got all the way to San Blas, declined to pay $190 per day, declined to enjoy the paradise islands from an island hotel w/ tours, turned on her heals and spent the last 2 days of her vacation riding buses all over Panama searching for paradise. Meanwhile we had family in town, and dedicated 3 days of concern and 5 hours of actual work. For this reason, we now accept credit cards, wire transfers, and require upfront payments for special circumstances. We believe in getting exactly what you want out of life, but sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Even so, you still gotta pay the man.
Personally, we love to fly by the seat of our pants, and planning often is just a ‘general idea’ for us since the real joy is in discovering the journey. This is why we’ve created operator assistance- so that if you’re not planning weeks or months in advance, at least you’ve got a lifeline to help make things fall into place, rather than spending your actual trip squinting at an outdated guidebook. We don’t guarantee satisfaction; that’s up to you and your set of expectations. We do guarantee, however, that if it’s difficult for us, we are definitely saving you a lot of time, frustration, settling for less, and angry moments.
Just remember the 6 P’s:
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
So we humbly appreciate your last-minute flexibility, and hope you’ll consider us your helpful Panama go 2 guys. As long as we have a strong idea of who you are, your needs, wants, budget, and limits, we’ll always have a back-up plan worthy of your business. If that’s the kind of life-line you’re looking for, then welcome, you’ve come to the right place.
Pick the Panama Insider Membership that's right for you. Get almost instant answers on which places best fit your style, budget, needs, and desires- all at sustainable prices. If you’re in town now, Contact Us for immediate support. Out here in the Wild Wild West, it’s good to know an insider.
Panama- Top 10 Things to Watch Out For in Panama
Four Words: Know The Right People
For those who have already been to Panama at least once, you’ve dropped a few bills here, I’m sure.
Panama shopping is excellent with great deals and style. Panama has great international cuisine, bars, lounges, music and art scenes. It’s also an ideal place to do business- by Latin American standards.
Here’s our list of Top 10 Things to Watch Out For in Panama:
10. Cars- The driving here is ‘juege vivo’- meaning ‘Me 1st!’- 4-way stop signs do not exist. Get a reliable bi-lingual taxi driver through The Panama Insider.
9. ‘Rush Hour’ Traffic- 8-9:15am, 11:30-1:20pm, 4pm – Casco Viejo, 4:45-7:30pm.
8. Panama Immigration Lawyers- Make sure they have all your documents in order and paid up annually. Get Receipts. Be careful about advance payments. Be prepared to grease some palms.
7. Handymen- painters, plumbers, electricians, contractors, developers- Canadians are beginning to provide a ‘higher’ standard for residential construction and supplies.
6. Real Estate Agents, Developers & THEIR lawyers/ Translators- Don’t get duped. Find out how to smell the warning signs with a separate liaison. Many a city slicker leaves Panama empty handed. Get an insider perspective away from the salesmen. Custom relocation tours available in Bocas del Toro, Boquete and Panama City.
5. Bad Customer Service- Overcharging on your bill, waiting forever and having to ask to receive your bill, your inability to communicate in Spanish, unrealistic expectations, forgetting that Panama is STILL a 3rd world country. Patience, Persistence, Perseverance!
4. Panama City Taxis- DO NOT LET THEM GRINGO TAX! Say NO! The rest of us have to live here and hate hearing ‘$5’ for a $1.50 ride. FUNK THAT JACK! Bring exact change and learn the tariffs.
3. Theft in Bocas del Toro- Bocas is known as the backpacker and expat Panama party town. You also can’t drink the water there- which may explain why everyone is always drunk! Beer is cheaper than bottled water! I don’t know if people just tend to do more stupid stuff while in Bocas del Toro, or not. One thing is for sure, a lot of tourists are soon parted with their drug money while attempting to get cocaine & weed in Bocas del Toro. If it is near a holiday, do not leave your things lying around. Never put down your bag at Aqua Lounge, BarcoHundido, Casa Verde, or Mondo Teitu. These places have made good targets in the past. In fact, it’s hard not to get robbed during peak times- find out when those are!
2. Avoid Boquete Chiriqui during September, October, November, and until mid December. The rain is relentlessly dominating. 4 Wheel Drive is often required at times. All that rain can be a bit depressing, and people are crankier since the Boquete economy revolves around outdoor activities and real estate. White Water Rafting is at its best! The climate is better in San Blas & Bocas del Toro at this time.
1. Don’t take my word for it! You won’t know until you go! So let’s get down to business and make it happen!
Find The Panama Insider Benefits Package that’s right for you!
http://thepanamainsider.com/relocation-services
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Be Well,
Ellen Ring
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