Howdy.
My wife and I are nearing an early retirement. For the past couple of years, we have been researching the possibility of retiring full or part time overseas. We have narrowed our choices down, and started the 'boots on the ground' phase....and are continually looking for new choices.
For our first trip, we spent a week in Costa Rica last July. We met some great people and had an exceptional time. We only had time to run down the coast from Jaco to Ojochal, but it gave us a quick overview of some things. The roads were 'interesting' and the lack of wind really surprised me (I expected more of a Caribbean type wind). My wife has never found a place that is too hot for her, and I'm good w/the heat, but definitely need shade and a wind. We had planned to make a return trip, but it looks as though CR may be following in the US's footsteps regarding taxation. So, we're putting CR on the back burner and will now turn our attention to Panama.
So, we're looking to spend a week cruising the coast lines starting in the last week of June into the first week of July. We like the 'country' as opposed to the 'city', so we want to avoid PC like the plague. We'll fly into David from PC, and then shoot the Pacific coast from the CR border on down to Pedasi. Then head over to Bocas to see the area and visit a couple we met last year in CR that bought in Bocas instead of CR for the same tax reason.
Any advice you can provide to assist us in our first Panama trip is appreciated. We don't speak spanish, and I'm hoping to reach a few contacts via email (probably real estate agents) prior to getting there to kind of act like a mini tour guide for each of the areas along the coast we'll stop. We'll probably spend the first and last night in a hotel near the airport, so if there any recommendations (pro/con) that would be a great help (one w/a bar/restaurant would be a plus....the first day is gonna be a long one).
We're salt water people...I've told everyone we've talked to, "No boat, no move". So, that's why we are attracted to the coasts. I guess that's all I have for an introduction. I hope to discuss this and many more things in the months to come w/the group.
Thanks,
Joe & Carol from a small Island in Maryland
Trip to panama
Hi Joe & Carol,
My wife and I are in almost the same position you are, viz. 'boots on the ground' tour of Panama.
We will leave Vegas this month and drive along the Panamanian coast. I cannot imagine retiring without being near a beach. I have considered Ecuador, where I spent a year, and had a great time living on the beach in Salinas, where mansions are less expensive than most places. Ecuador has magic beaches and such a feeling of freedom. A good buddy of mine who grew up in Ecuador, and now has property and relatives in Panama, told me a couple of days ago, he chose Panama over Ecuador for it's stability, beauty and the progress in modernization.
I too have my eye on Pedasi and Boquete. We shall see! Looking forward to your future posts.
Regards,
Derik & Limei
Hello Joe & Carol,
I have created a new thread from your previous post on the Panama forum, as the previous discussion was only about presentation of new members.
You may share your experiences on this new one and also has better interactions from other members.
Thank you,
Marjorie
My advice will be very limited because I live in Panama City. Since you are early in your explorations, I suggest reading blogs written by people who live in the areas that you are considering. You will be able to follow their decisions to move to Panama, the "why?" from each will be answered. The blogs follow people making the move, finding a house to rent or even, sometimes you can follow the building of a house in Panama. Sometime a blog is like a daily/weekly diary of events in their chosen spot to retire and can really help one see what life will really be like.
I can suggest a few blogs to start:
For Pedasi: www.toddysplace.blogspot.com (Also called POSTCARDS FROM PANAMA)
For David: www.thepanamaadventure.com (This blogger posts on this forum sometimes)
For info on PC, plus videos and reports on Coronado and other beach or mountain towns: www.panamaforreal.com
There is also a blogger in Boquete but she just had to add her US political views to her blog so I "forgot" her website!
I used Panama Equity Real Estate for my rental. They are very attentive, professional, and honest. Everything went perfectly, including a perfect English translation of our rental contract. They have some listings in Pedasi and Coronado, as well as Panama City. www.panamaequity.com
Just a note on PC for others. There is plenty of salt water and there are many boats here in PC. My condo is right above the Bay of Panama and I have two big catamaran boats parked right below my balcony, ready to sail to the Pearl Islands. There are speed boats, fishing boats, small boats, small yachts sailing all the time. PC is a good place for boating enthusiasts.
"Sometime(s) a blog......."
PacificaMaryAnn, thanks for the mention 
Here's a list of good Panama blogs
http://blog.thepanamaadventure.com/ David
http://www.chiriquichatter.net/ David
http://onemoregoodadventure.com/ Chiriqui (Boquerón)
http://hollycarter184.wordpress.com/ Boquete
http://tombseekers.wordpress.com/ Boquete
http://mcmoller.wordpress.com/ Pedasi
http://indacampo.wordpress.com/ Pedasi
http://panamadude.com/ Pedasi
http://time4panamaniacs.blogspot.com/ Panama City
http://panamaforbeginners.com/ Panama City, and lots of great general info.
http://www.2RetireesinPanama.blogspot.com Chame and Coronado area
I live in David, if I can be of any help. There aren't hotels at the airport, but there are quite a few in town which isn't far. http://thepanamaadventure.com/links.html#Hotels
realtors in panama are completely useless
they are not able to answer even any basic questions
don't waste your time they know absolutely nothing
www.panamarealtor.com is not the best
but better than the rest
Panama Equity is a highly professional real estate agency. They have rental listings as well as sales listings. Our agent responded quickly to our emails and answered all of our questions. He stayed in touch wit us until we were ready to sign a lease. We completed the lease via the internet. The agent provided an English translation of the lease. There are no fees paid by the lessee because the agent's commission is paid by the listing property. The agent made all of the deposit arrangements for us and everything proceeded perfectly and on time. www.panamaequity.com
To say that realtors in in Panama are useless is ludicrous. Renting directly through an expat is the risky choice.
www.panamaequity.com useless website
no replies
I personally know Kent Davis from www.panamaequity.com and think he's a good, honest guy (despite his past affiliation with Cpanama Real Estate Services that I don't recommend.) He's fluent Spanish and English.
all these realtos know diddlysquat
the inventory of properties for sale is humongous
property tax and maintenance fees burden, overextended lifestyle bad economy
crime and corruption is biting everyone like in the US
Welcome to Panama! You will love the coast of Panama, and the biggest surprise for us was the difference in topography on the Azuero peninsula as compared to the coastline nearer David In Boca Chica and again down to Puerto Armuelles. You are smart to take your time and not just jump at the first property that you "fall in love with".
We ended up in Puerto Armuelles because I wanted land similar to Gulfito, Costa Rica where the jungle comes to the ocean, land is very affordable, and I would have access to good Medical Care, decent grocery shopping and not have to drive over an hour to a major city (David).
No matter what anyone tells you, Due Diligence is your responsibility!! For example: We found that in many areas in the Azuero Peninsula access to water was a problem during the dry season.
Get your own attorney, and beware of Americans posing as " Realtors". It is illegal, and the government is starting to crack down on it. Take your time and don't get talked into paying inflated prices. There is a LOT of nice property for sale. There are wonderful people out there that can find you the home you dream of and you will have lots of fun looking!
Contact me when you make it to Puerto! Veronica
Good advice finessable!
For someone just visiting to check it out, it is too soon for a realtor. You don't want to buy anything until you have lived here for at least a year, and realtors resent being used as tour guides. If you want to get an idea of what is available in an area you like, check bulletin boards in supermarkets, look for signs as you drive around, and talk with the locals. After you have lived here for a year or more you will have local contacts who can alert you to good possibilities, you will have a much better idea of what things should cost and how they should be built for this climate, and you will have the experience you need to be sure you will be happy in the area you choose.
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