We are making our first trip in June

You can make your own tour, we did in 2013. Especially now with WAZE. Be sure to have a "Smartphone." and when you get to Panama, buy a local phone company chip so that you can get around easily. ***

good advice mostly ,, i was a guide for my first two years here ,, i was able to save many people much more than the 85 a day i charged plus expenses ,, plan your trip using google earth and asking questions ,, what might look like a day trip is two days and when you get there want to leave immediately or extend days exploring . this time of the year it can be so hot in areas but the carribean side is not one of them as the wind comes our of the north now constantly  ,, the pacific side south to pedasi is bad because the wind out of the north crosses the entire dry country before it hits that coast ,, and it is dry and hot land .. "day trip"  toboga island swim, snorkel, eat some seafood .. or contodiora island ,, very costly but is an overnight adventure .. porta bello is a day trip maybe onto isle grande a poor taboga my opinion .. fort san lorenzo if you rented a car or have a guide with a car .. the beach at veracruze week end day can be a hoot ,, lots of folks much music beer drinking and some not so cheap any more restaurants ,, the causeway and bio museum worth the visit // theo old city ,, and the older city names are confusing but worth a walk thru ,, lots to see and do then their is boca chica and bocas del toro ..

You could definitely visit Panama using public transportation from Panama City all the way to David and Boquette close to Costa Rican border. There's only one Panamerican highway that runs across Panama. Make 2-3 day stops(depending on your time frame) in various cities (Aguadulce, Penonome, Santiago) while traveling. There's always an inexpensive hotel available in close proximity to bus station and taxis are readily available to take you there.

Panama is not a bad place to visit from late December until late March (dry season). Any other time of the year you'll be suffocating from intense heat and humidity... additionally the blood sucking insects will eat you alive.
Having said that... NEVER consider relocation to Panama on permanent basis. You're going to be  ripped off anywhere you go and nothing gets done without offering multiple bribes. All administrative branches employees are incompetent....."Wonderful and friendly Panamanians" are genetically programmed to pretend to be your closest friends every time they smell money and potential personal gain. The electricity and water shut down at any time without warning...medical care is mediocre (with exception of Hopkins Hospital in Panama City), the country is polluted and filthy...everyone throws garbage from vehicles on the road, used motor oil is disposed directly on the ground poisoning water table, there's virtually no wildlife left...locals slaughter everything that moves and If you don't mind your house to be broken into each time you're away ...you found the right country to relocate.
I could go on...just trying to prevent you from making a regrettable decision.

International Living is the largest corporate in deception... Please don't believe in "How wonderful Panama is for expats".... International Living is closely associated with real estate companies within Panama.
Please feel free to ask questions.

Have you even ever been to Panama? Most of the stuff you posted might be some other country, not Panama.

Yeah, our experience here hasn’t been that either. We are very happy with Panama. I wonder what happened to European44 to make him so bitter.

If you are worried about heat, you might be happier at a higher elevation so pick out a couple mountain towns to visit, El Valle, Volcan, Boquete for example and if you want Caribbean, Bocas del Toro. Just a guess, not knowing much about what you want and need to be happy.

Hi... I lived in Panama 14 years. It takes quite a long time... sometimes 2-3 years to realize hard reality. I frequently spoke to expats there and vast majority of short-termers are still brain washed getting used to new environment. On the other side of the spectrum most long-term expats have similar point of view to mine, put their property on real estate market and move to another country i.e. Costa Rica which is very well organized in comparison to Panama.
There's a reason why not one U.S. based company has investment nor a factory in that country considering proximity of Panama Canal and ease of cargo shipping to the U.S.
I still recommend Panama as vacation destination but never as a permanent home.

We have been here 6 1/2 years, thankful every day for being here. I’m sorry your experience went so badly.

No one can tell you if Panama will be right for you.

It is true that in general you are NOT going to get anywhere the same level of efficiency or customer service quality as you would generally in the USA, there are the occasional exceptions of course. Taking a few trips to a few areas is definitely the way to get a general feel if a place is right for you. Of course there are going to people trying to scam foreigners so don't be overly trusting and especially if there is a lot on the line. Continue to do your research online and take that information with a grain of salt. I have actually found that the general crime, economy, healthcare situation is worse in Costa Rica than in Panama. But so much revolves around your own personal situation. Someone with millions to burn is not going to have the same experience in any country as someone who is coming on a $1500/month pension.

***

Have a great day!
RP
Joyful Feet Immigration

I would have to agree with kristc99 & Joyful Feet we have been here 2 years and love living in Chiriqui, but everyone to there own. It all depends on what you want .