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
or
Do It Yourself!- Save 10-50% on The Panama Insider Discount Card- hundreds of great businesses offering exclusive discounts all on one page!
http://www.thepanamainsider.com/discounts
Be Well,
Ellen Ring
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tags: panama, insider, real, it’s, bocas, signs, boquete, don’t, people, watchFour Words: Know The Right PeopleFor 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
or
Do It Yourself!- Save 10-50% on The Panama Insider Discount Card- hundreds of great businesses offering exclusive discounts all on one page!
http://www.thepanamainsider.com/discounts
Be Well,
Ellen Ring
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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