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Panama: My two Dogs:
I moved my three dogs to Panama last year with very little trouble. The trick is good planning! All of your paperwork must be completed within 10 days of your date of travel.
First contact your airline to be sure that they will allow you to bring two dogs with you on the flight. If they are small dogs frequently they will be allowed in the cabin.
Schedule an apt with your vet 10 days before departure for a health certificate and validation of all shots including rabies. Your vet can download the proper form (APHIS 7001 Health Certificate)and fill it out for you. Be sure to check it carefully! You will also need a Rabies Certificate, and receipts showing you paid for all the vaccinations including the Rabies shot. Take this all to the local USDA for validation. (The USDA will charge you $50/dog unless the dog is a Service Dog)
The next step is to either send or take all of your paperwork along with proof that you are flying to Panama within 10 days to the nearest Panamanian Diplomatic Office. I lived in Florida so it was fairly easy to drive to Tampa. Otherwise you will have to arrange for overnight mail both ways (remember the 10 day rule!!)
The consulate will also charge you $50/dog.
Make copies of all your paperwork and email or fax a set along with the "Solicitud de Cuarentena Domiciliaria" (Home Quarantine Request which is available from the website www.minsa.go filled out. (PTY fax is: 507-238-4059 or 3855)
Panama: Tropical fruit and veggy gardening.:
I too, would like to start a vegetable garden and would appreciate any advice. So far I am having great success with flowers, and legumes.
Please feel free to email me or pm me. I am starting lots of seeds but who knows if I have the plants that will like it here......
Panama: New to David and Boquete Area:
If you are at all interested in the coast, you might visit Puerto Armuelles. This town is rising from the ashes so to speak and prices are still excellent. We have a hospital, great new roads, grocery stores and incredible views.
Feel free to contact me if you are headed this way, and Welcome to Panama!!!
Panama: U.S. gifts to bring to Panamanians:
Most Panamanians will be delighted with whatever gifts you bring to them. Recently I brought a friend back a set of nice Barbeque Utensils (he just got a gas grill) and his wife a very nice set of placemats & napkins. Children love anything with College Emblems (tshirts, sweats etc) and depending on the age perhaps games or books in English.
A good idea is to ask the parents what the children are interested in...sports gear is always a hit! Good luck and I hope you enjoy your visit.
Panama: Must Leave:
As always, "Attitude is Everything"!
Yes, you can live well on what you make. Do yourselves a favor & come down to rent and explore for several months before you make a decision on where you want to live. Panama City area is more expensive than many other areas and there are lots of undiscovered great places to live. That's one thing that makes Panama such a great place to live. Take your time, and immerse yourself in Spanish! Knowing the language makes a huge difference and Panamanians really appreciate that you are trying.
You can order some really good books on Amazon such as the Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish and a really good dictionary. Good luck!!
Panama: Bringing My Dog to Panama:
I know this has been discussed before, but I would like to hear from someone who has recently (this year) brought a dog into the country from the USA.
Exactly what is required and what is the timeline? My Vet said the USDA APHIS Form 7001 is good for 30 days. Does this have to be "certified" by the USDA?
And where do I send it? What forms have to be certified at the Panamanian consulate? What are the timelines?
What about certification for parasites (worms)?
I haven't seen anything on this, but I know other countries are very strict in this regard.
Thanks for any insight you can offer.
Panama: Making plans to visit!:
Although renting a car is expensive, it is well worth it. There are many very different areas of Panama & to really see and experience them you will want the freedom to explore.
I would not rent anyplace for the whole time you are here...you will undoubtedly discover fun places to stay while driving around. There are so many really nice little towns, and we've made great Panamanian friends in towns we visited while searching for our new "home"!
Much will depend on what kind of weather you like, what you enjoy doing, and what your priorities are.
We sat down & made a list: #1 Close to a good hospital, #2 Close to clean ocean with jungle & breezes etc, etc.
That will help you rule OUT the places that just won't work....
There are so many good organizations that need help, that you won't have any trouble finding in most areas.
Good luck & if you get down to Puerto Armuelles give us a call!! We're always happy to meet & show you around.
Panama: Real Estate Prices:
If you rent for 6 months or so, you will have time to travel and visit other areas of Panama. Who knows? What you will find is where you don't want to live!
I thought I liked Boquete until I visited Puerto Armuelles, where I could have jungle, the ocean and the breezes with a good view of Volcan Baru. It's a bit warmer, but I can still come and visit Boquete. (Where sometimes it seems like the party never ends!)
Take your time, and don't rely on the internet for all your prices. The best opportunities usually come by word of mouth and networking.
Panama: Panama, what you may NOT know:
How do I get to listen to the Boquete Chatter? Is it a computer radio show?
What days & Times?
Thanks, V
Panama: Puerto Armuelles:
We traveled to Puerto Armuelles last summer as part of a thorough exploration looking for a place to settle. My requirements were : 1. To be within 45 minutes of good medical care. 2. Have both jungle & ocean with beautiful views. 3. Be within an hour of shopping & building materials
4. Kind, welcoming local people. 5. Affordable living.
We both are familiar & comfortable with the Latin culture; we also speak pretty decent Spanish.
Puerto Armuelles has a good small hospital & is 45 minutes from David,the 2nd largest city in Panama. Great hospitals, VA care, and access to just about anything you will need.
Puerto is right on the beach, and the views nearby are magnificent! The gulf with jumping tuna, Volcan Baru, and the jungles all the way to Costa Rica and Punta Burica. The property prices are far below what we found anywhere else in Panama. Puerto is very safe, being near the border, the police patrol regularly, and enforce curfew. (. Under 18? You must be in your own home by 9 pm)
The city was left by Chiquita Banana/ United Fruit Co so beautiful neighborhoods exist, with an airport and good opportunities. We have good grocery stores, fresh fish market, hardware stores, a few decent restaurants & places to stay, with more soon to come. There are banks, wi-fi and local folks who welcome expats. The group that is here is not large, and we hesitate to see a rush of "developers" come here & jack prices up as has happened elsewhere.
But a new 4 lane highway is under construction, business is growing and soon Puerto Armuelles won't be a kept secret any longer. The people here are kind and friendly. They are working hard to restore Puerto to a pretty coastal town. Certainly the opportunities are here.
Did I mention that we are also 20 minutes from Paso Canoas and its trade free zone? The border of Costa Rica there is 30 minutes from Gulfito, Costa Rica.
Feel free to come visit! You will be surprised and perhaps find your new home . Contact me so we can get together too!! Love to meet you & show you around! Veronica
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