Boquete, Panama
An American who moved to Boquete, Panama encourages newcomers to arrive with the attitude that you are willing to make adjustments to your expectations and keep in mind that things will be different than you expect, you'll thrive here!
Boquete
The only cross-cultural training I received was from reading about the local culture, norms and attitudes.
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I spoke very little Spanish when we arrived; I have been taking lessons for the past few months and find it easier to communicate now, since not everyone here speaks English.
Not really - we have traveled extensively, so expected at least some of the differences.
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If you arrive here with the attitude that you are willing to make adjustments to your expectations and keep in mind that things will be different than you expect, you'll thrive here! Please don't expect the local population to adjust to your expectations - arrive with an open mind, be willing to embrace the differences, and be adventurous!
Absolutely - initially, we found the differences charming and delightful. As time goes on and you have needs you want met, it becomes a bit more frustrating to understand the "manana" attitude here, but you have to be willing to accept those differences and adjust to them. Do we get frustrated? Of course! But if you understand that Panamanians find it very difficult to say "no", you can adjust how you ask for things and make sure you understand that time and commitment have a different meaning here.
Culture shock can affect people differently. Personally, I haven't found culture shock to be much of an issue, but friends have been very frustrated by both the attitudes here and the language difference. Panamanians have different priorities, and if you can adjust to that you'll do well. Family, faith and fiestas are the Panamanian way!
I appreciate the dedication to family - it's refreshing to see entire extended families spending time together and enjoying life!
The difference in attitude regarding such things as appointment times - even if you agree to meet at a specific day and time, if a Panamanian has a family event, another appointment or just decides not to come, they may show up an hour or two late or the next day. You need to be prepared to schedule and re-schedule without getting too frustrated!
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She is absolutely right about not saying "no"., even if it is the only right answer. Panamanians are positive oriented and saying "no" comes hard. One has to ask the right question in order to get a correct negative answer. Ex, the car won't start vs the car cannot start. Either way, the car is not going anywhere, but giving hope that the car will start eventually. But placing the blame squarely on the car, which is incapable of defending itself. So if you can overcome this culture shock, you will really enjoy living in Panama.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Panama from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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11 expats talk about what it's like to live in the beautiful mountain town of Boquete, Panama. From the Tuesday Market at the BCP to group hikes and drinks at Mike's Global Grill, expats love living in Boquete.
Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.
Support your favorite restaurants in Boquete as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
An expat who moved to Boquete, Panama talks advises newcomers to find a short-term rental to have time to explore without committing to one place. She has found that rental prices in Boquete are about a fourth of what they are in the US.
An expat in Alta Boquete, Panama talks about choosing Alta Boquete and making the move there. She talks about what to bring and what to leave behind, one moving company to avoid and other recommendations.
A retiree in Boquete, Panama talks about life in Boquete. She explains that it's easy to meet people in Boquete through the newcomers' club, Tuesday Market at BCP and through numerous volunteer activities. She cautions anyone coming to Panama with intention of working to make sure that you can legally work in Panama before making the move.
An expat retiree in Boquete, Panama offers some insight into the best way to retire abroad there. Includes information about cost of living, health care, finance, and more.
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