THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO LIVE OR INVEST IN PANAMÁ

If you are planning to visit Panama or invest in the country below is a list of useful information to bear in mind.

Country General Info:

1. Capital: Panama City. The population is 1.673 million (2015).
2. Cost of Living: Will depend of the life style that you want to have.
3. Country Code: +507
4. Currency: USD. In the most remote regions of Panama, you can find ATM´S. Be aware that Panamanian ATMs will charge a fee if the machine is not one of your bank's. Panama Balboa but cannot be used outside Panama.
5. Ethnic group: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Native American 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), black or African descent 9.2%, mulattoes 6.8%, white 6.7% (2010 est.)
6. Government: Democracy, headed by a President. Current president cannot run for a second consecutive term.
7. Language: Spanish is the official and pervasive language with English being a common second language used by Afro-Caribbean communities and by many in business and the professions. However, be aware that supermarket cashier, bank officers and others professions do not speak English. The university of Panama offer Spanish course for foreigners cost is 200 dollars. Website: http://consulta.up.ac.pa/PortalUp/CentrodeLenguas.aspx?menu=298 Email: centro.delenguas@up.ac.pa
8. Manners: Panamanian greet when they enter to a place. "Buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening). Handshake is a standard greeting among men, and women are often kissed on one cheek.
9. Measurements: Panamanians use gallons for gas; pounds for rice, meat, and vegetables; kilometers and meters for distances; hectares for land.
10. Military: Panama does not have a national army. Instead, Panama has a national police force. In 2007, Panama created an armed border protection force to combat the flow of drugs and weapons entering the country via the jungle border with Colombia.
11. Pet Friendliness: Panama is relatively pet-friendly, however the process for bringing your pets can be a little overwhelming.
12. Population: The current population of Panama is 4,233,497 as of Thursday, August 15, 2019, based on the latest United Nations estimates.
13. Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant.
14. Safety: Relatively safe. Petty theft, opportunistic crime, credit card fraud, and muggings are common in major cities like Panama City. We recommend do not leaving anything of value in your car, and being alert when you are walking. Carry just the necessary items.
15. Seasons: There are two Rainy Season (May to November) and Dry Season (December to April). The temperature remains constant year-round, though the rainy season is more humid than the dry season.
16. Surface: The total land area is 74,340 Km2 (28,703 sq. miles)
17. Time Zone: GMT -5, which is the same as EST. Not daylight savings time in Panama.

1. Airports: Tocumen Airport is a hub airport. Thus is easy to travel around.
2. Public Transportation: Public transportation is not as great as in first world country. Panama has a metro, however it is highly recommend having a car. There is no taximeter in Panama.
3. Metro.There is a subway with two lines.
4. Taxi.There is not meter in Panama. Taxi driver has the tendency to overcharge if you are foreigners.
5. Uber: You can move within Panama by using UBER; you can download the application on the phone. It is pretty safe to use and cheaper. Also, you pay in advance by your phone, and you know the car and person that will pick you up.

1. Potable water: You can drink water from the tap. Avoid drinking tap water in Bocas del Toro and Comarca de Guna Yala.
2. Alcoholic Beverage: Panama offers several national brews, and even a few craft brews: Balboa, Atlas, Panama, Soberana, 507, Casa Bruja Rana Dorada, and Istmo. Seco is sugar cane based made liquor that is also popular among locals. Panamanians mix Seco with soda, milk, or straight up. Rum is the other liquor of choice, and there are three local varieties: Abuelo, Cortez, and Carta Vieja. Imported beer, wines, rum, and other alcohols are available in the whole country.
3. Membership Stores: Price Mart is a membership stores similar to Costco; at Mega Depot, you do not need to purchase a membership to shop.
4. Organic Food: It is available in major market, as well as in specialized stores such Organica. However, prices are high. Thus is recommendable to buy it online.
5. Panamanian Diet: Panamanian Diet is a mixture of African, Spanish, and Native American including rice, beans, chicken, beef, pork and seafood is popular and abundant. Breakfast is usually eggs, sausages, and flour and corn-based fried pastry. In the non-touristic cities is possible to find nice pizza restaurants, Italian, Chinese.

1. Beauty Salon and Spa: are easy to find in Panama and has affordable Price.
2. Entertainment: Hollywood movies can be watch in English with Spanish subtitle.
3. Entertainment area: Casco Viejo, Costway, Calle Uruguay
4. Golfing. The country currently boasts several golf courses. Golf course within the city, §Santa María Golf & Country Club, Tucan Country Club, Campo De Golf Ejecutiva PAR 3, Club de Golf Panama, Vista Mar Golf, Beach & Marina, Buena Ventura Golf, Hacienda Country Club, Executive 9 Hole Holf Course, Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa, Mantarraya GolfClub, Bijao Golf Club
5. National Sports: Baseball, soccer, and boxing
6. Outdoor Activities: hiking, bird-watching, fishing, surfing, sailing, rafting, swimming, snorkeling, and horseback riding
7. Restaurants: Eating out could be expensive, but there is much variety.
8. Radio: Ultra Stereo is Panama's only all-English music radio station. It can be found on the FM dial at 98.9. Some of the other radio stations play music in English, but the DJs might speak Spanish.
9. Shopping Malls: The main malls are Soho Mall (super-upscale), Multiplaza (high end), Multicentro (Outlet), Altaplaza, Albrook Mall, Metro Mall.

1. School Year: The Panamanian academic year goes from March to December with a two-week holiday in June and July. Schools following the USA educational system use the USA calendar. Summers vacations are in January and February. Spanish is the main language of tuition for undergraduates, but some universities offer courses in English at master's level.
2. English Speaking Universities in Panama

Florida State University:

Address: Florida State University Edificio 227. Ciudad del Saber Panama, Republic of Panama

Phone: +507-317-0367.

Website: https://panama.fsu.edu/about-us/

Quality Leadership University (QLU)

Address: Calle 45 Bella Vista y Vía España, Ciudad de Panama (Close to Avenida Balboa)

It is an small campus

Phone: +507 264-0777

Website: https://qlu.ac.pa/english/

Housing in Panamá

1. Apartment Rental Fee: A rental in a new building with a water view can be USD 1500 a month or higher. It is possible to find something more affordable at around USD 800 a month. On the other hand, in the province, you could rent a brand-new three-bedroom house for USD 250 a month.
2. Apartment Real Estate Company. Premier Casa Panama. Email: reservations@panamacasa.com. Website: https://www.premiercasa.com/ko/panama
3. Real Estate Company. Panama Casa Realty. Email: lill@kerycruz.com. Phone: +82 010 3002 1824. Website:https://www.panamacasarealty.com/en
4. Panama Property Management Company Panama Casa, Apartment Rentals and Management. Email: Jeff@janelbi.com Website: https://www.panamacasa.com/en
5. Domestic Help: Panamanian usually has a help services in their house. A live-in house cleaner costs between USD 250 to USD 400 a month. Cleaning service is available for an approximate fee of USD 25 a visit.
6. Electricity: 110V.
7. Internet Providers: Cable Onda, Cable, and Wireless, PaNet.
8. Mail: There is not a door-to-door mail delivery service in Panama. The best option for getting mail in this country is to open a Miami post office box with one of the companies that offer this service. The correspondence is delivered to Miami and then brought to Panama. Check for Mailboxes Etc, Airbox Express, and Air Facility.
9. Possible Issues: Water and power outages are common outside of major cities.
10. Property tax: The property tax amount is calculated based on the highest registered value. The first $30,000 dollars is exonerated and the balance is subject to a tax of between 1.75% and 2.1%. The 20-year property tax exemption was for properties with occupancy permits issued before December 31, 2011. Properties currently under the old 20-year property tax exemption will continue to enjoy the benefit. Besides, the following revised Panama property tax exemption exists for new constructions:

The property tax rates for al properties that are not register as a primary residency, as of 1 January 2019 are:

1. Disease: There is some risk of dengue fever and local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified.
2. Drugstore: Arrocha is a pharmacy similar to CVS. You can also find Farmacia Metrox and others.
3. Emergency Service: 911
4. Medical facilities: Quality and affordable medical and dental care are available throughout Panama. The cost of treatments is generally cheaper than in North America and Europe. Many doctors and dentists speak English. Punta Pacifica Hospital is affiliated with John's Hopkins in the USA. Variety of medications are available in Panama without a prescription. Narcotics and antibiotics do require a prescription.

SANTO TOMAS HOSPITAL
(Panama City's Public Hospital)
34 Street East and Balboa Avenue
Panama City, Panama
507-5830

HOSPITAL PUNTA PACIFICA
Boulevard Pacifica and Via Punta Darien
Panama City, Panama
204-8000
Emergency: 204-8185/204-8184/204-8000
Emergency: 204-8185/204-8184

HOSPITAL PEDIATRICO (San Fernando)
Calle 66 Oeste y Av. Central España
Panama City, Panama
278-6600/229-2299

HOSPITAL NACIONAL
Avenida Cuba, between 38th & 39th Street
Panama City, Panama
207-8100/306-3300
Doctors' Offices: 227-5444
International Office/Insurance Liaison: 207-8354

PANAMA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Avenida Manuel Espinosa Batista
Bella Vista, Panama City
263-7622/263-7758
223-5555

CLINICA HOSPITAL SAN FERNANDO
Via España, Las Sabanas
Panama City, Panama
305-6300 (Dial #2 for English)
Emergency: 305-6305
International Relations/Insurance Liaison: 305-6408; Fax: 305-6420

CENTRO MEDICO PAITILLA
Avenida Balboa and 53rd Street, Marbella
Panama City, Panama
265-8800
Emergency: 265-8888

Doctors' Offices: 269-5222

Working in Panamá

1. Minimum Wage: The minimum a full-time employee in Panama City earns is USD 624/month.
2. Holidays: Panama has many holidays. If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the day off is automatically changed to the following Monday to create a long weekend. Not all businesses close during national holidays, but all banks and government offices will close. Panama has a significant Jewish population, and many of the country's Jewish-owned companies are also closed for Hebrew holidays.
3. Dress Code: Most Panamanians wear suits and other business wear during the workweek in Panama City. Jeans are also a standard clothing option. Shorts are not appropriate for those working in the city, neither to visit governmental office.

Expat Community in Panamá

1. Expat Scene: Large groups of expats in Panama are retirees because of the country's pensioned program, which gives retirees discounts. Panama City has a younger expat scene, and you can often find digital nomads or backpackers in the Bocas del Toro islands for three- to six-month stints.
2. Expats Groups in Panamá

• Expats In Panama: www.facebook.com/groups/2397416901/
• Expats in Panama https://www.facebook.com/groups/373914536102683/
• The American Society Of Panama: www.amsoc.org/
• Young Expats In Panama: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngexpatsinpanama/
• St. Andrew's Society Scots Club: 6613-2977; info@standrewspanama.com
• Panama Expats Meetup https://www.meetup.com/es-ES/Panama-Making-Friends/
• Expats Give Back: www.facebook.com/ExpatsGiveBack
• Playa Community Coronado: http://playacommunity.com/en/
• Panama Mamas: www.facebook.com/groups/panamamamas