How hard is it to open up a bank account in Panama? It depends on which of these 3 groups you fall into: Permanent Panama resident status with a cedula (Panama ID card) Foreigner, Not American American (even with a cedula) Group 1 is the easiest, Group 3 is the most difficult. Americans Can Get Bank … Read more
Panama offers expats amazing buying power. Housing is inexpensive compared with many places in the US and Canada. Food costs are cheaper, especially if you shop at vegetable stands, fish and meat markets, or buy from local farmers. Labor costs are similar to those paid 30 years, or more, ago in the US. For example, a gardener … Read more
UPDATE – 3/25/19 – Includes new location in David, online info options, and more. Did you get a traffic ticket in Panama? No worries. It isn’t hard to pay a ticket. But it can be inconvenient since it must be paid in person. However, you can have someone pay it for you. We have done … Read more
We recently spent an extended visit in Seattle, Washington. Given all sorts of pressing reasons, we ended up staying in Seattle for almost 10 months. I recently asked my just-turned-13-year-old to write her pros and cons of both living in Panama and Seattle. It was a simply an assignment for her […]
A Few Personal Details Juan Carlos Varela, 50, is from one of Panama’s richest families. The family owns and operates the country’s biggest liquor producer, Varela Hermanos S.A., which was established in 1908. Varela graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1985 with a BA in industrial engineering. He is married to the journalist Lorena … Read more
Updated July 4, 2017 Read this post for details on how to be healthy in the tropics It can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you move to Panama. The ubiquitous fried foods and the ever available sugary processed treats tend to add pounds to the waistline. While there are health food stores … Read more
July 2013 Reyn and I talked with Lief Simon of Live and Invest Overseas to get his perspective on how much it costs to live in Panama. Listen in below. Video Transcript Us: Hello, this is Betsy and Reyn, with Living in Panama, and today we are talking with Leif Simon about the cost of living … Read more
July 9, 2013 Last year my ankle was terribly swollen and in major pain. It had been that way for a week. It was not a sprain since it had started suddenly while I was sitting. Immediate Attention Needed I was leaving for the States in a few day, so I needed to attend to … Read more
Last year, I tagged along on a tour of a banana plantation in Puerto Armuelles, Panama. In this video, a gentleman who used to be in charge of growing bananas for Chiquita explains how a banana grows. Basically, it takes 5 and half months before the banana plant “gives birth” to the banana fruit. Then … Read more
Updated: Nov. 14, 2017 “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated“, Mark Twain is quoted as saying. To continue to get his royalty checks, Mark Twain had to prove to his publishers that he was still very much alive. Similarly, to continue to get your SSA checks, you have to prove to Social Security that you are still alive. … Read more
A group of us decided make a day trip to Boquete Panama for a zip lining thrill and a few other stops. Watch the video to vicariously zip line with us. You will also get a look at 2 other stops we made in Boquete A delightful garden: Mi Jardin Es Su Jardin The new and beautiful … Read more
The Tax Man is everywhere. This is not a problem, unless you are trying to hide from him. Reyn and I are not trying to hide. In fact the thought of being targeted by the IRS puts my guts into knots. I really want to play by the rules, but of course, I don’t want … Read more
Free guide
How to buy Panama real estate with confidence and ease, written by the family that lives in Puerto Armuelles.
Living in Panama
Titled beachfront and ocean-view property in Puerto Armuelles, from a family that has lived here for over 13 years.
We are real estate advisors, not real estate agents.