About BoqueteGirl

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

United States

About BoqueteGirl

Retired and loving life in Boquete, Panama

Advice for New Expats

Explore your destination first, before moving there. Take time to study the culture. Research the economy and government.

I would love to live in...

Maldives

Favorite Cuisine:

Italian

Favorite Sports Team:

Seattle Seahawks

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Emergency in Coronado re meds:

Have you tried to get a prescription at the hospital? You may have to go into emergency in PC. I do know that some of the meds that my husband is on is only able to be filled in the hospital pharmacy. Also email the John Hopkins in the U.S. and ask what you can get in Panama. They may recommend a relative to the meds you are taking. John Hopkins is affiliated with Punta Pacificia in PC. That is where I would start. Wellbutrin is also called Zyban and also has other names in foreign countries. Here is some info you may find helpful::: Wellbutrin XL GlaxoSmithKline, Chile; GlaxoSmithKline, Colombia; GlaxoSmithKline, Costa Rica; GlaxoSmithKline, Guatemala; GlaxoSmithKline, Honduras; GlaxoSmithKline, Oman; GlaxoSmithKline, Panama; GlaxoSmithKline, El Salvador; Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Canada; GlaxoSmithKline, Argentina; GlaxoSmithKline, Thailand; Valeant, United States. Hope this helps just a little.

Panama: Escrow services does anyone have helpful info:

Escrow is alive and well in Panama. It is just not called escrow as we know it. When we purchased our home the down payment and all funds went into a "escrow" account at our bank and no funds were paid to builder/seller until we received a occupancy permit. Which is necessary in Panama. Funds were withheld until all paperwork was in order. I have sent you a PM with the name of the Real Estate Attorney who handled our legal issues on the purchase. I do not have her permission to post her info on this public forum. They are very particular about things like that in Panama. Good luck on your new home.

Panama: Obtaining car insurance and plates:

When we purchased our car from PC the dealer took care of everything. Even provided us with insurance through a company they use. I did not want to drive it off the lot without insurance. The company he used charged us for one year insurance. We paid about the same price upon renewal with a insurance broker in Boquete. Within about 3 or 4 weeks of arriving in Boquete, they sent the title and all appropriate papers (fed-ex) to us. We did nothing the first year. When it was time to renew, we went down and did the inspection and went to Dolega and took care of the renewal. Extremely easy to do. Make sure you use a reputable dealer in PC. The dealer we used came highly recommended by some friends who at the time had lived in PC for 10 years and had sent many people to him. ALL happy customers. The Panamanian owner of the dealership was a graduate of Notre Dame and he and several of his staff speak English. If you need a referral, just let me know. You will find auto insurance in Panama a little more expensive than the U.S. ,,,,but not a lot.

Panama: Drivers license:

We took care of "everything" in David. Our Attorney has an office in Boquete and she sent one of her assistants with us. Easy Peasy.....Done in an hour.

Panama: Wino needs info please!:

My husband and I are both wine lovers from WA state. We are part owners in a winery in Woodinville, WA. The largest privately owned winery in the states. We have been very pleased with the different wines we have been able to purchase here in Panama. One of our favorites is wines from the Coppola Vineyard in CA. at $15 to $30 a bottle. Also we can get our neighbors wine from Chateau Ste Michelle for $13. to $20. a bottle. We have enjoyed wines from Chili. Got some good wines from Casillero del Diablo for $5. to $10. a bottle. Try their Carmenere blend. $5.00. Good luck and enjoy.

Panama: moving to Panama in 2 weeks!:

Please call the airlines as they will be the ones who determine whether or not they allow you to fly. Speak with a supervisor and get their name and employee number. Also speak with the Attorney who will be handling your Pensionado visa. As they all have said, get an additional return ticket that is refundable. You will pay a little more for it,,,,but it is refundable.

Panama: Panama's Banking Interest Rates:

@Lamastus First the only time FDIC would not protect ALL your money is if there were a catastrophic financial falling. Then it may fall under a portion of your funds. I too retired from banking/managing an investment firm and will give a little insite to insurance backed money, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that protects the funds depositors place in banks and savings associations. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Since the FDIC was established in 1933, no depositor has lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds. FDIC insurance covers all deposit accounts, including: Checking accounts Savings accounts Money market deposit accounts Certificates of deposit FDIC insurance does not cover other financial products and services that banks may offer, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance policies, annuities or securities. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. That is why it is very important to only keep $250K in each account type. It use to be $100K but changed around 2010 (?) Just a little FYI for y'all.

Panama: Getting to Tocumen:

We have done that trip many times and it is safe to assume at least $30. some charge $35.

Panama: Vet in David:

We have no pets because of our travels. But I can tell you ALL our neighbors have pets and they're people they use who come into their home and watch their pets. Their pets never have to leave their home, which is less stressful on the animals. Most of the pet setters are American and they fully trust them. I will speak to them if you wish. I know of one lady they use all the time so you have to book well in advance, I will also ask about your inquiry of the vet you mentioned. if you want. Good luck..

Panama: police shakedown:

Hello All, Please ALL,,, You can NOT drive 3 months. You can only drive 90 days. If you arrive on March 1st and drive until May 31st. That's 92 days and if you get stopped you are in violation. I know it may sound picky, but, it could mean a violation of the law. Also, staying in the country for 6 months is wrong as well. It's 180 days. For some, this could be a very important factor as well. If you happen to get stopped by a nasty police officer, he can make it difficult for you. I had my Attorney explain this to me. I kept saying 3-months, 6-months and she kept correcting me. (90 days, 180 days) Hope this helps a little.

Date Joined:

3/31/2014

Total Posts:

659

Posts/Day:

0.60