I live in Ecuador, but visit Panama frequently. I consider Panama for a permanent settlement, but 2 things, so far, bother me. I welcome critic from those who live there, maybe I'm exaggerating... Here we go:
- The way police solicits bribes. Give u an example. Driving on the Panamerican highway towards Costa Rica. A cop with a radar stops us. Going 5 km/h too fast, fine $70.00 according to him. Let me see the radar, officer - NO, I just gonna give you a ticket... but he is not even moving to give it. All right, time's money, $10.00 was the lowest I had, that was what he got. By the look in his eyes I immediately understood that I gave him too much.
A couple of hours later - another cop. According to that one, we were driving on the left lane - can't do that, the lane is for passing only! Same game with the ticket... $2.00 this time, set us free. An hour later - another one. What now?? Driving with sunglasses on - I guessed... He checked everything: papers, luggage, 15 minutes he made it look like he was calling somewhere, and just when I was about to offer him a "regular" $2.00, the SOB reluctantly gave up. And I thought Ecuadorian cops were pieces of sh...t... but that was before I met the Panamanian ones...
Just few examples from our last visit. IS IT NORMAL? You'll never see it in Ecuador, not like this... Panama is about as expensive as back north, and THIS on the top???
- Try opening an account in a Panamanian bank. The length of the process itself, the employees having absolutely no idea about fees, services and in general how things work in their own bank, astound me. Once again, I compare to Ecuador, which is a pretty much screwed up country in its own way, but with an efficient banking system nevertheless...
Anyhow, what's your thought on all this.
Thanks in advance.