What do I need to know before moving to Boquete?

"Boquete is a small mountain town in the Chiriquí province of Panama. It is known for its temperate climate, lush vegetation, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Expats should be aware that Boquete is a small town with limited amenities, so it is important to plan ahead and bring any necessary items with you. Additionally, Boquete is a popular tourist destination, so it is important to be aware of the local customs and laws. Expats should also be aware that the cost of living in Boquete is higher than in other parts of Panama, so it is important to budget accordingly. Finally, Boquete is a great place to learn Spanish, as there are many language schools and classes available," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Boquete, Panama.

"Come and visit several areas before making the move. We have snakes, though I haven't seen one yet. We do not have mosquitos. If you select an International Mover, avoid Move Management. They are very efficient on the US side, but they use PIR on the Panama side. PIR can't create a ACH to withdraw funds from your checking account, nor can they swipe a debit or credit card. As Manny Rojas in Miami,says, you can always pay in cash. (his relatives in Panama City run PIR) If you do not have two thousand in cash it may take you nine days to get the cash from an ATM, meanwhile, port charges, at $50 per day, keep mounting. I was withdrawing from 2 different banks in the US banks on a daily basis. BTW, every ATM here spits out $20.00 bills. You may have to fight with your US bank to make them understand that there is no Foreign Exchange issue in Panama. Mastercard charged as much as $12 foreign transaction. They have since reduced those fees to $5 or $6. Visa charges $4. If you don't have a place for your goods to be delivered, PIR charges $500 per month or any portion thereof, even one extra day will cost you $500.00. One more thing, if you send them a wire transfer, their bank charges PIR $90, which they will gleefully pass on to you. Bring buckets of cash or avoid Move Management. Your local US contact will drop you like a hot potato as soon as your goods are on the water. There is a storage place on the way to Boquete called Chiriqui Storage run by Hellmut and Linda Pederson. One good sized locker is $100/mo. A 20 ft. container would take two lockers," commented one expat who made the move to Alto Boquete, Panama.

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Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
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