10 Things You Should Know About Dating In Panama

True love. Is it worth it to take a chance at finding love in a foreign country? I did. And I just passed the 13-year mark with Marlene. Well, you can't fall in love without putting yourself out there and playing the dating game, whether it be in the physical world or in the online arena. So what's different about dating someone from Panama? Let's talk about that.

"I met Marlene in Alaska, when she was there visiting her cousin, and I just

couldn't let her escape back to Panama without me." -Chris (U.S.)

A lot of people move to Panama with a spouse, making them part of an adventurous couple ready to settle down in this Central American wonderland. For those people, this article might not provide much need-to-know info, but I think, in many ways they could still benefit from this, because many of the topics I'll discuss in this article have to do with how we conduct ourselves in public. Life in Panama is different, and by acting the way we did back home, we can sometimes ostracize ourselves.

Now, for single people moving to Panama, and maybe even some Panamanians in the dating game, I hope this article gives you some new insight on the mixing and mingling world of love and new friendships. Now, before someone writes in saying, “Wait a minute, Chris. You’ve been married for 13 years. What would you know about dating in this day and age?” Totally true. I have been married to my Panamanian wife, Marlene, for a long time. However, both Marlene and I, have worked in Panama. We’ve been around young singles and not-so-young singles, and we’ve heard all the stories, all the complaints, and all the expectations. You should hear some of the stories we’ve been privy too.

Through what we’ve both learned, we’ve compiled a list, and I want to share that with you now. These are in no specific order, and as always, I don’t aim to upset anyone, not Panamanian and not readers from any other country. I love Panama and its people, so in no way is this meant to insult anyone.  

Just like when I wrote my 10 Things You’ll Hate About Panama article, which you can read HERE if you missed it, and in my 15 Quirky Things About Panama, which you can read HERE, I’m sure I’ll have people write in saying they’ve never seen or heard of such things and that I’m full of it. Someone wrote that they’ve never seen anyone put ketchup on food here in Panama and wondered where I’m getting my info. So again, these are all things I’ve either witnessed myself or have heard from friends, coworkers, or family members. This is Panama For Real. Let’s get to dating in Panama.

Before breaking down this list of 10 things you should know, I think it’s important to say that I know what a lot of people are expecting me to add to the list. It’s no secret that men (and women) have moved to Panama and have been swindled by some money-hungry, gold-digging lover. It happens. But as with most things negative here in Panama, it happens all over the world, and that’s why I haven’t added the subject to the 10 things list, but will address it on its own.

If you flip through the TV channels and check out some of the reality shows, you’ll see that in the U.S. plenty of young women are going after older men with money. If you turn to the world of online dating, it’s easy to find Latinas searching for wealthy men, Russian mail order brides, Asian seductresses, and American escorts all looking for a buck. It happens everywhere and definitely isn’t unique to Panama. And it's not unique to women. Ladies are screwed over by young men trying to sleep their way to the top, all the time, and gay men and women encounter this situation too. 

When you think about it, it’s just a big game. If you’re an older, single guy here in Panama, trying to pick up a 20-something sex kitten, you have to know what you’re setting yourself up for. You want that sex kitten for a reason, and that sex kitten is going to get something out of it too. If you’re an older woman, searching for a young, muscle-bound stud, a boy toy, chances are, he’s got goals too.

"I'm a REAL Panamanian woman. I'm single and open to finding 

an honest, fun, and loving man. No games here." -Lupe (Panama)

And it's not just young men and women pulling this scam. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's the haves and the have-nots. And there are plenty of people in Panama, and everywhere else, more than willing to date someone just because they think he or she has money. So just be careful. If you're out with someone you're freshly dating and they hint that they like a pair of shoes, okay, maybe you buy them a gift. But if it turns out they continuously ask for these "gifts" and every date seems to be a trip to the mall, you might want to stop and think about what you're getting yourself into.

That said, it’s important to note that Panama is full of lovely ladies and respectable gentlemen, more than willing to start an honest relationship with the right person. You, as a foreigner, just need to get realistic with your searching. You don’t go to South Beach in Miami and find the youngest blond with the biggest boobs in a string bikini, because you want to settle down and have a loving relationship, come on. And chances are, this bombshell doesn’t have her sights set on a 70-year-old man. 

So you also don’t go to Panama, hit the casinos, and find the youngest, hottest, guy or gal with the tightest body. You have to look deeper than that if you want to find a good man or woman in Panama, just like anyplace else.

My Canadian friend, Michael, just moved to Panama and had an

unfortunate experience with dating. He's single again, ladies!

You’ll notice that I’ve included photos of single people and some couples in this article. Real people are out there. And the couples? These are all interracial couples (sounds weird to call it that), Panamanians who’ve met and have fallen in love with someone from a foreign country. So it can be done. These are people who are in committed relationships. So let’s talk about some of the stuff that makes these relationships work.

The list you’re about to read is the 10 Things You Should Know About Dating In Panama. Some of it might be a bit controversial. It might piss some people off, but none of this is fairytale. This is all info collected from single people out in the dating world. You may not agree with some of it, but I’m sure if you ask around, you’ll find someone who does. And as always, this doesn’t pertain to every single Panamanian or gringo or other foreigner, but it does apply to quite a few of them, lol.

Dress Appropriately – 

This is probably the number one complaint I hear from Panamanian friends. "Why do gringos always look like backpackers? Why don't they ever dress up?"

Now this is a pimped out way to dress for a date

I get it, trust me, I do. If your life back home was anything like mine (I wore a suit 5 days a week), you’re loving being able to throw on shorts, a tank top, and a pair of flip flops. And that’s fine if you’re just lounging around your home, chilling out in a hammock, or running in to the supermarket real quick to pick up some eggs. But if you’re going on a date, Panamanians would hope that you’d dress accordingly.  

“I went on a date one time and this guy showed up in shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt. We were just going to the movies, but I wanted to dress to impress him and apparently he didn’t care to do the same.” -Lisette (Panama)

That’s a very real situation. Just because we’re in a place with a laidback lifestyle, don’t leave your manners back home. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if you’re going out on a date, it’s a good idea to dress as if their opinion of you matters. At least throw on a pair of jeans, some casual shoes, and a button up shirt or polo. And cologne or perfume is also greatly appreciated J.

You Might Meet The Parents – 

Unlike in the U.S., where we’re all itching to get out on our own as soon as we reach the age of 18, Panamanians will typically stay at home until they’re married. This could mean well into their 30s. It really doesn’t matter the age. If they’re single, they might still live at home.

"I met Alberto when we lived in the same building. He courted

me by constantly making me Panamanian derretidos." (Lilieth, Nicaragua) 

Now, this doesn’t apply to all Panamanians. I know plenty living on their own, but it’s very common here to share a home with your parents. I have friends who’ve left the home, one has even gotten married, and after the divorce, he’s back with his parents. This is a very family oriented country. So there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes it’s the opposite, and it’s the single parent moving back in with the child. I’ve seen that too.

How does this apply to dating? Well, first, you might unexpectedly meet mom, and second, you might not get invited in at the end of the date, not if there are family members waiting inside. Panama is huge on respect for the family. So make sure you keep that in mind.

Don’t Be A Wallflower – 

One of the biggest turn offs for Panamanian women especially, but it also applies to Panamanian men, is a date who doesn’t dance. Dancing is a big part of Panamanian culture. If you’re young, you’ll probably end up in a nightclub (still called discos here) with reggaeton, rap, and techno. If you’re a little older, you’ll probably be taken to a salsa or tipico club, so be ready to dance.

"Randy and I worked together for awhile. It wasn't until after I left the job that he 

got the guts to ask me out." -Anabell (Panama, Randy is from the U.S.)

The good news? It doesn’t necessarily matter whether or not you can dance. It matters that you try. Marlene used to get so mad at me because I didn’t want to dance. I always felt like people would make fun of me and giggle, like, “Look at the goofy gringo.” And they probably do. Now, I try to just get out on the dance floor and have a good time. Sure, there are times when I don’t feel like dancing, but Marlene will usually convince me.

If You Don’t Dance, Someone Else Will – 

I’ve written before about the “no shame” Panamanian men, and some women display. If a man likes you in Panama, he’s going to tell you, either with a whistle, a hiss, or a honk of the horn. And some women are the same.

This applies to dating too. Don’t be surprised to see men staring at your date (or women).

If you're afraid to dance, take a salsa class

A friend told us about one night when she was at a casino, with a guy she’d been dating for awhile. They were having a great time, dancing the night away to the live band. When they finally took a break and sat down for a second, a guy immediately approached, completely ignored her date, and asked her if she’d like to dance. She was surprised because she’d had men look at her and flirt with her and stuff, but it was the first time she’d been approached like that while with her boyfriend. She turned the guy down and had to calm her boyfriend down, who was not surprisingly pissed.

So, back to the dancing thing. This guy had been dancing with his date and someone still tried to step in, so imagine if you’re just sitting at a table, and your lady looks bored (or your man). There’s a good chance someone might come along to turn that frown upside down.

Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Spanish – 

My Spanish still stucks. I’m very well aware of that, but I’m forced to try all day, every day, in order to get my point across. I understand that some people are embarrassed to try (I still am sometimes), but if you’re on a date with someone who speaks very little, if any, English, it will be so much appreciated if you just try.

"The moment I met Tom 17 years ago in Japan, I knew he was trouble."

-Virginia (Panama/U.S., Tom is from the U.S.)

So don't be afraid. If your date laughs or giggles a little, they’re probably not making fun of you. It’s usually because they find it cute that you’re trying. It’s the same when someone tries to speak English around you. I used to love my wife’s accent and found it not only cute, but extremely sexy when she’d try to speak English. Now, she’s great with English (and still sexy honey, don’t worry) and I hardly notice an accent.

If you’re at a dinner, try to use a little bit of Spanish when glancing over a menu. What better way to communicate and flirt a little than having your date help you with your language skills? Plus, after a couple glasses of wine, you might even find it a little easier to roll your Rs.  

Watch Out For That Latin Jealousy –

For a place where the people seem shameless, there’s definitely no shortage of jealousy.  Panama is full of hot women and handsome studs, so don’t let your eyes wander when you’re with your date. You can try and play it off all you want, but they’ll probably notice and it’s not the best way to get the ball rolling. It’s no different form any other place in the world, really. If you start your date by checking out other women (or men), that’s keying your date in on the fact that you’ll probably continue doing it throughout the relationship.

"Gay relationships in Panama can be a bit confusing and difficult because

Panamanians are so sensitive and jealous. I haven't found my soul mate yet, 

but I'm still in the process of searching." -Phablo (Guatemala, living in Panama)

And unfortunately, Panamanian men aren’t know for being loyal to their women. It’s a fact, a sad one, but true. I know people in the States and in other countries cheat on their spouses, but I never heard about it there the way I do here. I’m always hearing stories about cheating spouses, and most of the time it’s the double-dealing husband. So Panamanian women expect that. It’s up to you to show them something different. And trust me, if you set off down an unfaithful path, you’re going to see a fiery temper fly.

Here’s Whatsapp -  

Right now it’s Whatsapp, but in the future it could be any text messaging service or hot phone application. Whatsapp, if you don’t already know, is a free app you can download for your Smartphone. It allows you to chat with other people, I think anyplace in the world (I text friends and family in the U.S. all the time), as if they were right here in Panama. It’s hugely popular here.

What does that mean? It means you might end up speaking to your date through text messaging over the phone instead of actually speaking. It’s just the way things are here. So it’s a good idea to download the app ahead of time to make it easy to communicate.

"We met while working together in the U.S., and moved to Panama last year.

12 years of marriage and still going strong." -Alyce (U.S., Juan Carlos is from Panama)

Something to add, don’t be surprised to see your date text messaging during dinner or a movie. I know, I know, it’ unacceptable. It drives you crazy. And it’s not a good sign on a first date (or any date for that matter), but Panama is ridiculously plugged in. Everyone, and I mean everyone from age 12 (or younger) to age 70 (and up) has a Smartphone and is constantly checking it.

I mentioned on Facebook just the other day that I was shocked to see a girl on the back of a motorcycle, chatting away with both hands while the driver zigzagged through traffic. That girl must really trust her thighs.

You Said 8 o’clock (ish) right? – 

I can hear my Panamanian friends groaning on this one, but come on guys, it’s so true. Tardiness is just part of Panama’s mañana attitude. Everything is super chill and relaxed here, which is one of the main reasons you’re interested in Panama, right? I mean we all come here hoping to escape some of the stress and work-before-life mentality. Well, that relaxation carries into all parts of life here.

"I met this devil dog at a Farewell party, we started hanging out with no expectations, 

and love just happened. We've been together 4 years now. Couldn't be happier." 

-Dafne (Panama, Brendan is from the U.S.)

If you’re planning a party, you need to know that if you tell people to show up at 7pm, no one will arrive until after 8 (if that early). I found this out when I threw my first big birthday bash. I worked at a call center and invited almost everyone in the building. I think the party started at 9pm or something like that. At 9:30 I was standing in my empty living room thinking, “Damn, this sucks.” The neighbors were having a hoppin’ party down the street. Why was mine so dead?

By 11pm my party was almost out of control. I had people on the back balcony, stuffed into both living rooms, and out in front of our house on the street. 

I tell you this because you need to know ahead of time that if you tell your date to be ready, or to meet you, at 8pm, expect them to be ready at 9. It’s not meant to be disrespectful and it doesn’t mean they’re going to stand you up, it probably just means they haven’t arrived yet, and it’s as simple as that.

Push Buttons – 

I don’t know whether you kiss on the first date or not, and I don’t know how many dates you’re going on with your potential suitor, so I have no idea of knowing how it will end up. Let’s say things escalate and you’re both all hot and heavy, looking for a place to do the ditty. We’ve already established that there’s a good chance you won’t be able to go back to their place and I know nothing about your place. Maybe you’re staying in a crowded hostel or maybe you have kids at home with the nanny. For whatever reason, you’re looking for a place to wind down your date.

If you’ve ever seen those buildings on the side of Transistmica or Avenida Domingo Diaz or many other places, the ones that look like cheap Vegas hotels, and didn’t know what they were, they’re called Push Buttons. They’re basically in-and-out, convenient places for people to have a secret rendezvous. They're not whore houses as some people seem to think. You'll need to bring a date with you.

This is a push button

When you drive in, you’ll see a bunch of open garage doors. Just pull your car in, park, turn off the ignition (seriously, people have been nervous and ended up dead from leaving their car running in the garage), and push the button to close the garage door. That signals someone inside that you want a room. Prices differ, depending on the type of room (you pay more for the fancier ones) and the amount of time you want to use the room. I think the average for a cheap room is about $12 for two hours, something like that.

The attendant will take your payment through a slot in the door and then you can enter. You never see the attendant and your car is secure in the garage, so it’s all secret and discreet. I’ll write more about this some other time, but I just thought you should know, in case you’re nearing the end of your date and you’re either being driven into a push button, your date mentions it, or it’s your idea altogether.

Using Protection -

I have to be careful with this one, because it might upset people. I won’t say that EVERYONE in the U.S. uses a condom during sex, but I can tell you that it seems that NO ONE wears one here. Ok, I’m sure some people do, lol. 

However, I've heard some wild and crazy sex stories, from people with no shame, blurting out their adventures for all to hear. Sometimes, after hearing these insane hook up stories, I'd say, "Please tell me you wore a condom.” The reply was always something like, “Ha, what? No.”

This was the reply when talking to male and female coworkers, gay and straight. I met a guy one time that was dating one girl, sleeping with another girl, and had just hooked up with a 3^rd random girl. None of these 3 girls knew what was going on. Was he wearing a condom? Not with any of them.

I was talking with Marlene about it, when planning to write this post, and she said the exact same thing, that she was blown away by the amount of people not wearing protection. These are young college kids and business professionals, young and older.

Condom directions on our hotel nightstand in Las Tablas

So, whether you’re dating someone of the same sex, or the opposite sex, this is something you need to keep in mind. I’m not going to sit here and preach to people, but seriously, for your safety, for the safety of your date, and to make sure there aren’t any more single mothers out there, you should seriously think about using a condom.

If you’re reading this article, and you’re not someone who goes without protection, ask around. You might be shocked to find out how many people are going at it completely naked. 

Well, that's it for the 10 Things You Should Know About Dating In Panama. I'm sure some of you out there could easily come up with more. If so, fill us in in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading and thanks to everyone who sent in photos for this article. You guys rock! 

As always, don't forget to check out www.PanamaForReal.com and like us on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Panama-For-Real/418977398194595

The new Q&A Monday! Reader emails answered starting today.

Hey everybody,

Wow, the support I've received since launching The Stay at Home Gringo blog and Panama For Real has just been amazing and lately emails have been pouring in. I try my best to help people out. Sometimes it might take me a little while to reply to your emails, especially if I'm in the middle of working on a location report or video, but I try to get to each email and respond in a timely manner. 

I'm getting more emails than comments on the blog or website and I still plan to answer emails directly, but my concern is that so many great questions are being asked and readers are missing out on those questions and the answers. So, my new plan is to spend each Monday, writing the Q&A. I'll only post readers first names and the question, and then I'll post my answer. Keep in mind, I'm not an immigration expert or a tax expert or a real estate expert. I'm just an average Joe living in Panama. So I'll do my best to answer questions and will oftentimes refer you to a lawyer or a real estate expert. So...let's get this started. Here are some of the questions I've received over the last week and a half. 

Patti wrote (about her family's upcoming move to Panama): 

One of my girls (the 16 year old) is ALL IN. She's in grade 11 and since we homeschool here, we are just going to carry on with homeschooling there...one year left by the time we settle down there.  My 18 year old was a little concerned about the whole thing when we first brought it up in August...she finally figured out what she wants to do with her life and now she feels like it won't happen if we move.  She wants to be a medical lab technician or a RN...so the language barrier is a huge concern for her.  And I think it is for all of us.  My youngest wants to be a Vet, so that requires post secondary schooling too. So we are processing every bit of information that we get, and praying for wisdom in everything.  I also think that my oldest is concerned that there won't be any guys to date/marry when she's ready to date/marry, or that there are men there who would be willing to marry her she just won't be able to understand them! hahahah!  Any thoughts on the dating scene??  

Chris replied (it's weird talking about myself in the 3rd person, like I'm The Rock or something "The Rock says!"): 

I read this email to my wife, Marlene, and she wants to answer the concerns of your 18-year-old. I'll do the typing, but it's her words:

"The first point, about the studying for her career as a lab tech or RN. In David, which is 30 minutes from Boquete (approximately) there are 4 university options that you can visit the websites to. I'll give you the details of these schools.  

UNACHI http://www.unachi.ac.pa/ Universidad Autonoma de Chiriqui – This is a free school, but your daughter will need all of the credits from every school she's ever attended along with her diploma. Try to authenticate her diploma with the Canadian government. This is an all Spanish school. But it's free and they offer Spanish classes. What might make sense is for your daughter to spend the first year or two at least, learning Spanish because in her career Spanish will be necessary. 

Universidad Latina de Panama-Chiriqui  http://www.ulat.ac.pa/es/sedes/otrassedes.php – This one isn't free, but it's known as being one of the best schools. With this school she may need to do some studying in Panama City as well. 

Columbus http://www.columbuschiriqui.ac.pa/ - Also not free

UDI (Universidad del Istmo) this is another popular school. This is their main website, but they have a branch in Chiriqui http://sitio.udi.edu//

UDI in Las Tablas

"For your other daughter, wishing to be a VET, we're not sure if there is a school she can attend in Chiriqui. She could definitely enroll in a school in Panama City though. The good thing is that out in Chiriqui, they're in desperate need of volunteers. Your youngest daughter could volunteer to work for any of the organizations out there, even being underage. I know there are a few that assist with spaying and neutering pets. Most of them would probably accept your daughter as a volunteer and teach her a lot of what she needs to know.

"Same with your oldest daughter. A lot of the clinics and hospitals need volunteers, so as she's learning Spanish and going to school, she can volunteer to get some of the credits she needs. 

"As for the dating scene, your daughter, being a foreigner should have no problem snagging a man. But in all honesty, it's getting a good man that might be the problem. Panama is unfortunately full of players (not all Panamanian men, but most). But out there in the area you're considering moving to, you'll also find a lot of other foreigners from all over the globe. So many young entrepreneurs are moving here too and conducting their business via the web. So it shouldn't be nearly as difficult as she thinks.

Marlene and Estefania in Boquete

"I strongly suggest that your daughters put a lot of focus on learning Spanish. Young kids soak it up easily (under the age of 10), but your daughters will probably need to put a lot of effort into it. This is can be the most rewarding experience of their lives, especially since they are already being home schooled, but they need to have an open mind and just roll with the punches. 

"My husband had a rough time and still does since he doesn't speak Spanish very well. He gets frustrated a lot. So they need to be prepared for that and you need to be ready to be there for them. Take classes with them and just embrace this move as a family." 

Alyce wrote:

Hello Christopher!  Love your blog so much!  My husband (the Panamanian) and I (the gringa) just moved here at the end of October with our 3 kids.  I was hoping you could help me with a little info about getting a visa/residency.  We've been told that we have to get an attorney to represent us, but am not sure whether I should believe that.  We brought our marriage certificate, my birth certificate and my FBI background check, all authenticated through the Panamanian Consulate in Houston and have seen the list of other documents required, but can't find the solicitud/application available anywhere so far.  Any insight you could give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much!

Chris replied:

Thanks so much for the kind words and for checking out my site. I really do appreciate it. Wow, you're kind of in the same boat I was in when moving here. I wish I had a good answer for you. My father-in-law has taken care of everything for me (he's a lawyer, but not an immigration lawyer) and we've run into a lot of hiccups, and he's finding things about by trial and error.

I've been here over 4 years and I just got my permanent residency. I've heard of people with great immigration lawyers who've gotten it much quicker. 

I'd definitely go with an attorney. I know people who are going at it alone, but many of the papers have to be signed by a lawyer, so you will need one at some point. It's great that you brought all the paperwork with you. I had to fly to Miami just to get that police background check authenticated by the Panamanian consulate.

I'm so sorry I don't have a great answer for you. Immigration and taxes are the two areas I try to avoid because they change so rapidly and they're so darned complicated. Let me see if I can get some answers for you on this whole thing. I seriously think you're better off getting a lawyer. I'm in the process of finding a good attorney I can refer people to. As soon as I find this person, I'll let everyone know. 

I'll get back to you as soon as I find something out. If you figure it out before me, let me know, lol.

Thanks again for checking out the site and welcome to Panama.

P.S. To all readers out there, if you know a trustworthy lawyer here in Panama, who speaks English, and truly knows the immigration system, please comment below so I can contact them. Thanks guys!

Alissa wrote:

I really enjoy your blog and have been to Panama twice searching for the right place to call home.  I am not a retiree, but my parents are, and they were the ones with the idea of Panama. I think we have fallen pretty hard for El Valle de Anton.  We have adored our time there and actually met a decently sized group of expats.

Now, what really is the deal with working? Are we able to work or not? Is it better to have your own business? Is that even possible?  I would like to move there and be able to support a family.  Any guidance and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you!

Chris replied:

Thanks so much for checking out the site and for writing. El Valle is a beautiful place. I'll be doing a report on that area as soon as I can. It's a great place to call home for sure. Something about that place makes me feel like I'm driving to the Kellerman's place on Dirty Dancing. It just feels like a big resort town.

El Valle de Anton from above

So the deal with working? Uff, that's a tough question. It kind of depends on how you're setting up your immigration stuff here. If you're coming here as a pensionado, you can't work (because you're considered a retiree). If you're doing the new "Fast Track" visa, that's specifically for bringing more workers over here, then you can work.

However, finding a job here is the hard part. I'm legal to work here since I went the "I have a Panamanian wife" route. There's definitely no shortage of jobs in Panama, but even with the work license, it's hard to find a legit, good paying job. I did the call center thing for awhile and they work you like 6 days a week for about $700 per month. You can find other jobs, especially if you have a degree, and even better if you speak Spanish, but the best paying job I've found so far was only $1500 per month.

I don't imagine the job market in little ol' El Valle is booming, but it's possible you can do some sort of freelance online gig or even land a photography job (especially in such a beautiful town). I'd definitely consider opening a business here. That's the whole reason I'm doing Panama For Real. I'm just tired of writing about Panama for other people. 

Hello from El Valle

The great thing about Panama, is that many of the small towns here are lacking something. This means great opportunity for you to move in and open up shop. For example, in Pedasi, one of my favorite beach towns, an Australian couple owns a bakery, a guy from the U.K. has his own real estate business, a lady from France owns a souvenir shop, a lady from Spain runs the newspaper...sky's the limit. If you move somewhere and realize the pizza in the area sucks...just open your own pizzeria. In El Valle, there's still plenty of opportunity, and more and more people are moving to that area and visiting that area. 

Of course, opening a business requires money though. I moved here right after the recession wiped out my job, so I've been struggling a bit. If you're moving here with any sort of retirement or permanent income, or if you have a chunk of change you can put towards opening your own business, you can find some great opportunities here.

It's definitely a tough place to try to go about a normal career.

Jim wrote:

Hi Chris, discovered your blog and find it very helpful.  I have been in Panama 5.5 months and need to do a border run to renew my visa. I plan to ride the bus over the Costa Rica border, turn around and come back to get my passport stamped.  I believe there is a rule wth immigration that I have to show a round-trip ticket, and can't simply buy a one-way ticket back into the country.  I am told I simply buy a round-trip bus ticket where I probably will never use the return ticket.  Do you have current knowledge of how to play the border run game without getting stuck?

Chris replied:

Thanks so much for checking out the site and for reaching out to me. A friend of mine just did the border run so I'm asking him all about it as I write this. Here's the process he went through.

1. He and his girlfriend bought tickets to the border between Panama and Costa Rica. They did this at the Albrook Bus Terminal and the ticket was about $21. Apparently it's a shorter trip and costs less than going all the way to San Jose, Costa Rica. To get to San Jose (which is what some people do), you'd need to travel about 8 hours farther.

Here's the border where the bus drops you

2. Once you get to the border, you just walk over, and the whole process takes a couple of hours, but the bus drops you right at the office, so it's very easy. You only pay about $1 (for a stamp) at the border, so crossing over is very easy.

The Immigration Offices

3. Don't forget to exchange some money for the Costa Rican Colones. You can do that at the border. My friend says you can use dollars, but you'll be charged a lot more.

My friend tells me a guy with fanny pack is usually at this corner exchanging money

4. My friend and his girlfriend stayed the night in a town called Golfito. He said you can catch the bus right there at the border for about $3.50 with a  company called Transgolfo. It's about an hour and 45 minute ride. He saw other people turning around and going right back to Panama. I heard you have to stay one night at least, but he said people were returning right away, that it's a bit of a free for all, anything goes kind of thing. He and his girlfriend stayed one night in Golfito, at a hotel called "Samoa del Sur" and then returned.

Where you catch the bus to Golfito

Here's the hotel link: http://www.samoadelsur.com/ and he said the cost was about $65 per night for a room with two beds.

IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU GET OFF THE BUS AT THE HOTEL, MAKE SURE YOU FIND OUT WHEN IT WILL BE BACK THE NEXT DAY SO YOU CAN GET A RIDE BACK TO THE BORDER. MY FRIEND SAYS IT RUNS ABOUT EVERY TWO HOURS AND YOU CATCH IT IN FRONT OF A LARGE MINI-SUPERMARKET.

5. When you get back to the border, you'll need to find a place called Tracopa. There you'll need to buy a ticket from David, Panama to San Jose (so it's basically a wasted ticket just to show you have plans to return to San Jose at a later date).

6. Cross back over the boarder, showing your purchased ticket (for your future trip from David to San Jose) and either $500 cash or credit card (they basically just want to make sure you're not homeless and coming to Panama broke).

7. Once Panama has allowed you to cross the boarder, you'll need to buy your ticket back to Panama City in a little house-like building (a border office located only about 50m from the building you exit after crossing over). From there, you just go back to the same place where the bus dropped you the first day. The bus schedule is strange, with like 4 hour gaps or something like that, so make sure you check the schedule for that too.

So all that was a long way of saying, "Yes, you will need a return ticket when crossing back over to Panama, that way they think you have intentions of leaving."

I hope this all helps. Thanks again for contacting me.

So that's it for this Monday's Q&A. Keep the emails coming and I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks again for reading,

Chris