Patty thank you so much for really important information. Did you past the exams yo get panamian driver's license? What is the process of getting the license please? Thanks again 👍
@@lt5587 You can either get your current license apostilled through the embassy and it gets filed rather quickly in a neighboring building. Or take the written test, a brief drive check and have bloodwork submitted. If you have an immigration attorney, they can help you ☺️
Wow Patty, that is a comprehensive and accurate list of the trials and tribulations of driving in Panama. I think I fell in that same pothole, ruined a tire and split the rim. The tire shop was kind enough to tell me where to get the aluminum rim welded, $25 if I remember correctly. In the rain, beware of puddles, that's where they hide the potholes! One thing I can add to your list, it is very common for any lightbulb (or more) on a car to be burned out. Watch the vehicle, not the lights. My joke is, when you get a new car, take out every other light bulb so that you will have a spare in the future! The drainage ditch, a cuneta, is pronounced coo-NET-a. At least that is how my gardener pronounces it. But he is missing a lot of teeth and doesn't have a lot of book learning. But he sure knows about every plant, animal, and bird. He knows what he has to know to live here and be safe from the dangers. Last week, I told him that something smelled dead in my workshop. He sniffed and said, "It's a dead rat. We need to look for a live snake. Sure enough, he found it in a 5-gallon bucket under a rag. Panama. It's been a nonstop adventure for me for the past 18 years. Love it!
Hi, Patty. I'm loving your videos. So helpful as I decide where to live in Panama. May I ask, did you buy your car used in Panama? I'm definitely not trying to bring my car from Texas, but I've heard mixed opinions on buying used there since they have nothing like Carfax. TIA! 💙
I bought my car here. I bought it from another expat and he had all the records of maintenance and I believe I had it looked at, but I can't recall. Some people go through a 'broker' who helps find the type of car you might be looking for. Whether you go through FB ads, a dealer or a 'helper', bring the car to a mechanic not associated with any of those people. You can post in the FB group where you may be looking to settle down about finding a good mechanic. Buy a car that is common here, easier for parts and knowledgeable people to make repairs.
@@Pattybluehayes , interestingly enough driving does not stress me out. I find it actually relaxing. Lol I've learned to deal with the crazy numbnuts on the road.
@@davidsullins6225 No I don’t. But you can look on FB marketplace and Encuentra 24. Also, Craigslist is active here in Panama but I’m not sure how it is for car listings.
Firstly 30 mi = 50 km, 50 mi = 80 km. 62 mi = 100 km. (As a Canadian, I'm used to the conversion, having "crossed the river" many times for day trips in the USA.) I lived in Panama for 2006-2012 - 2 years in P. City and 4 years in Dolega, Chiriqui (btwn David & Boquete). In 2012, just after I left, they introduced the FNV so I went back and was one of the first to get this visa (before they made any changes and it cost me $3000 + got a work permit, cedulu, DL, etc.). Talking about the pointing and having to pull over I have a couple funny stories. Most Westerners have told me, "no sorry! If you want me you have to chase me." And they've been pulled. And these couple guys always make the cops chase them. And on that note ... When I was driving from Chiriqui to P. City I rounded a bend coming into Santiago and there was this motorbike cop holding his hand up for me to stop. I didn't see him until I passed him. I was doing about 140 km in what I think was an 80 km/hr zone! And it was good that I didn't. Because I never got a ticket. The reasons is is because once I passed him I looked in my rear view mirror and saw running back to his motorbike. He hopped on his bike and started jumping up and down on his bike frantically trying to get it stated. But his bike wouldn't start! WA-WAA!! My concern then was that he'd radio ahead, esp since there is a police station right on the highway and they often had police checkpoints setup there. But thankfully made it through that. So I stopped for lunch and waited it out. I never got a ticket from that. I also thought that he might have taken my number plate but when I went to renew, there was no issue there either. So I got away with it. And it was the only time I would have ever been pulled over. Not that I don't speed but I knew where they liked to hide and simply slowed when I was in those areas. And you'll also get drivers on the other side flashing their brights at you warning you there's a cop ahead, or, perhaps there's some other danger up ahead (e.g., an ox in the middle road; yep! I've seen that too!). I also know people, when they've been pulled over will just bribe the cop. This was back 12+ years ago so I'm not sure if you can still do that. But I know people who have (and was with one when it happened). If you did this in the West, you'd be in more trouble but down there, the rookie cop only makes $300 a month and, if they behave and get promoted, every stripe on there arm represents a raise of $50 per month. So a sergeant (3 stripes) makes $300 + $50 x 3 = $450 per month. So, in a way, you can see why they need to take bribes. This is common all over Latin America (and I've witnessed this in several of these countries too) ... just don't do it Uruguay. Uruguay is similar to the West and you will find yourself getting arrested for bribery. I was stopped at a roadside checkpoint in Uruguay and they asked me to get out. They went through all my luggage. (Thankfully I was warned not to bribe before I went there.) Just don't be in a rush there. Let them do what they want to do. Yes, it's an inconvenience. But just be patient. If you have nothing to hide - which I didn't - eventually they'll let you go, as they did with me eventually.
Thanks for the conversions! It's funny, I always feel like I'm going so fast when the sign allows 100km😆 But it's not fast at all. You escaped without a ticket!!! Bravo. I know where Dolega is, I've been there. I wish people would stop paying the bribes, but it seems like it's been going on a looooong time.
Ha, Hilux dreams......love it. So, internet rumor has it (don't know if it is true) that there is a rental car company in Coronado that will pick you up at Tocumen airport and they do not require the "mandatory" insurance. Interesting about your family background. I'm half Polish and half Slovak myself. Hmm any chance you may have been gringoed on your car repair and that's why the Naturgy insurance company is saying your repair costs are too high compared to typical Panama repair costs? Just a thought. Could you do a video on the process to go to the US embassy to get your US driver's license apostilled?
I don’t think I got the gringo price but you never know 😕I’d also heard that about the newer car rental in Coronado but a friend called and said they do charge the liability insurance fee. So many grey areas! I think @IGoPanama and @PanamaRelocationTours have good info on getting embassy apostilles for licenses. I didn’t do it that way because they canceled my appt.
Hi Patty, new subscriber here. Question for you do you personally know people who have rentals for short-term bases? I'm looking to come to Panama mid January and stay through February just to get a feel for the country and find a more permanent place to live. I've been leery about Airbnb and would feel better with a recommendation for rental property. I guess I should start in Panama City, but I'm also open other places.
Thank you for subscribing!!!! In Panama City, Air bnb is only available in a few buildings for less than 45 days. Someone mentioned Panama Sol realty helped them get a short term rental. I don't know anyone in the city with any rentals, sorry. Someone posted this in a PTY Fb group quartierhomeresidences.com/.../apartments-for.../ Also, some hotels have kitchenettes. I hope you find a nice spot.
I miss Feather 😢 The vendors in the street are migrants on their way to the US trying to get money to complete the journey. Of course any transaction in which money is going from you to the government is gonna be a breeze, they'll make sure of that. Collecting money from the government is another story 😂
@@guillermogouldburn763 Awww, I’ll have Feather do a comeback ☺️ Are they migrants? It looks like they are local to neighborhoods around where traffic backs up. So dangerous!!
Patty thank you so much for really important information.
Did you past the exams yo get panamian driver's license?
What is the process of getting the license please?
Thanks again 👍
@@lt5587 You can either get your current license apostilled through the embassy and it gets filed rather quickly in a neighboring building. Or take the written test, a brief drive check and have bloodwork submitted. If you have an immigration attorney, they can help you ☺️
Wow Patty, that is a comprehensive and accurate list of the trials and tribulations of driving in Panama. I think I fell in that same pothole, ruined a tire and split the rim. The tire shop was kind enough to tell me where to get the aluminum rim welded, $25 if I remember correctly. In the rain, beware of puddles, that's where they hide the potholes!
One thing I can add to your list, it is very common for any lightbulb (or more) on a car to be burned out. Watch the vehicle, not the lights. My joke is, when you get a new car, take out every other light bulb so that you will have a spare in the future!
The drainage ditch, a cuneta, is pronounced coo-NET-a. At least that is how my gardener pronounces it. But he is missing a lot of teeth and doesn't have a lot of book learning. But he sure knows about every plant, animal, and bird. He knows what he has to know to live here and be safe from the dangers. Last week, I told him that something smelled dead in my workshop. He sniffed and said, "It's a dead rat. We need to look for a live snake. Sure enough, he found it in a 5-gallon bucket under a rag.
Panama. It's been a nonstop adventure for me for the past 18 years. Love it!
Very interesting and informative. I appreciate the time you take to share information. Thank you.
Thanks - glad you found it helpful :-)
Hi, Patty. I'm loving your videos. So helpful as I decide where to live in Panama. May I ask, did you buy your car used in Panama? I'm definitely not trying to bring my car from Texas, but I've heard mixed opinions on buying used there since they have nothing like Carfax. TIA! 💙
I bought my car here. I bought it from another expat and he had all the records of maintenance and I believe I had it looked at, but I can't recall. Some people go through a 'broker' who helps find the type of car you might be looking for. Whether you go through FB ads, a dealer or a 'helper', bring the car to a mechanic not associated with any of those people. You can post in the FB group where you may be looking to settle down about finding a good mechanic. Buy a car that is common here, easier for parts and knowledgeable people to make repairs.
@Pattybluehayes Thanks so much for the quick response and excellent info.
So funny. When you talk about your experience driving in Panama, it sounds like Colorado Springs in US. Lol
@@dagmarthespiritualhealer 😆😆 Oh, on my 8 month RV trip in the states, I saw some crazy stuff!!!
@@Pattybluehayes , I believe it. I've never seen such crazy driving as in Colorado Springs, US. Btw, I drive for a living.
@ Well that must be stressful 😵💫
@@Pattybluehayes , interestingly enough driving does not stress me out. I find it actually relaxing. Lol I've learned to deal with the crazy numbnuts on the road.
Great information do you know roughly what a 4 door 4x4 Hilux diesel costs ?
@@davidsullins6225 No I don’t. But you can look on FB marketplace and Encuentra 24. Also, Craigslist is active here in Panama but I’m not sure how it is for car listings.
Firstly 30 mi = 50 km, 50 mi = 80 km. 62 mi = 100 km. (As a Canadian, I'm used to the conversion, having "crossed the river" many times for day trips in the USA.) I lived in Panama for 2006-2012 - 2 years in P. City and 4 years in Dolega, Chiriqui (btwn David & Boquete). In 2012, just after I left, they introduced the FNV so I went back and was one of the first to get this visa (before they made any changes and it cost me $3000 + got a work permit, cedulu, DL, etc.). Talking about the pointing and having to pull over I have a couple funny stories. Most Westerners have told me, "no sorry! If you want me you have to chase me." And they've been pulled. And these couple guys always make the cops chase them. And on that note ...
When I was driving from Chiriqui to P. City I rounded a bend coming into Santiago and there was this motorbike cop holding his hand up for me to stop. I didn't see him until I passed him. I was doing about 140 km in what I think was an 80 km/hr zone! And it was good that I didn't. Because I never got a ticket. The reasons is is because once I passed him I looked in my rear view mirror and saw running back to his motorbike. He hopped on his bike and started jumping up and down on his bike frantically trying to get it stated. But his bike wouldn't start! WA-WAA!!
My concern then was that he'd radio ahead, esp since there is a police station right on the highway and they often had police checkpoints setup there. But thankfully made it through that. So I stopped for lunch and waited it out. I never got a ticket from that. I also thought that he might have taken my number plate but when I went to renew, there was no issue there either. So I got away with it. And it was the only time I would have ever been pulled over. Not that I don't speed but I knew where they liked to hide and simply slowed when I was in those areas. And you'll also get drivers on the other side flashing their brights at you warning you there's a cop ahead, or, perhaps there's some other danger up ahead (e.g., an ox in the middle road; yep! I've seen that too!).
I also know people, when they've been pulled over will just bribe the cop. This was back 12+ years ago so I'm not sure if you can still do that. But I know people who have (and was with one when it happened). If you did this in the West, you'd be in more trouble but down there, the rookie cop only makes $300 a month and, if they behave and get promoted, every stripe on there arm represents a raise of $50 per month. So a sergeant (3 stripes) makes $300 + $50 x 3 = $450 per month. So, in a way, you can see why they need to take bribes. This is common all over Latin America (and I've witnessed this in several of these countries too) ... just don't do it Uruguay. Uruguay is similar to the West and you will find yourself getting arrested for bribery.
I was stopped at a roadside checkpoint in Uruguay and they asked me to get out. They went through all my luggage. (Thankfully I was warned not to bribe before I went there.) Just don't be in a rush there. Let them do what they want to do. Yes, it's an inconvenience. But just be patient. If you have nothing to hide - which I didn't - eventually they'll let you go, as they did with me eventually.
Thanks for the conversions! It's funny, I always feel like I'm going so fast when the sign allows 100km😆 But it's not fast at all. You escaped without a ticket!!! Bravo. I know where Dolega is, I've been there. I wish people would stop paying the bribes, but it seems like it's been going on a looooong time.
that top left painging with blue background with a bronze jar , who painted it ?
@@eloyhbermudez My mom!!!!! It’s one of my favorites of hers 💛 She died in 1991 and I’ve taken all of her paintings with me in all my moves 🎨
@@Pattybluehayes and the bottom one of the pond is from your mother as well ?
@ Yes ☺️☺️And the pink young woman portrait.
Ha, Hilux dreams......love it. So, internet rumor has it (don't know if it is true) that there is a rental car company in Coronado that will pick you up at Tocumen airport and they do not require the "mandatory" insurance. Interesting about your family background. I'm half Polish and half Slovak myself. Hmm any chance you may have been gringoed on your car repair and that's why the Naturgy insurance company is saying your repair costs are too high compared to typical Panama repair costs? Just a thought. Could you do a video on the process to go to the US embassy to get your US driver's license apostilled?
I don’t think I got the gringo price but you never know 😕I’d also heard that about the newer car rental in Coronado but a friend called and said they do charge the liability insurance fee. So many grey areas!
I think @IGoPanama and @PanamaRelocationTours have good info on getting embassy apostilles for licenses. I didn’t do it that way because they canceled my appt.
Wow driving in Panama seems like a mess. I have seizures and cant drive and the transport in southern Ecuador is very affordable thankfully!
@@rvmommabear 😆😆 it’s definitely an adventure on the roads here! Public transportation is good here though.
Hi Patty, new subscriber here. Question for you do you personally know people who have rentals for short-term bases? I'm looking to come to Panama mid January and stay through February just to get a feel for the country and find a more permanent place to live. I've been leery about Airbnb and would feel better with a recommendation for rental property. I guess I should start in Panama City, but I'm also open other places.
Thank you for subscribing!!!! In Panama City, Air bnb is only available in a few buildings for less than 45 days. Someone mentioned Panama Sol realty helped them get a short term rental. I don't know anyone in the city with any rentals, sorry. Someone posted this in a PTY Fb group quartierhomeresidences.com/.../apartments-for.../ Also, some hotels have kitchenettes. I hope you find a nice spot.
So in other words driving in Panamá is like Rusian Rulette 🙉🙊🙈😭😁😁😁😄😄😃🤭🙉😡or a Adrenaline rush 😁😄🙉🎰
Yup - a bit of both ;-) I really have to generate my energy to drive into the city and then I'm wiped out for the next day.
Hola Beautiful 🌸🌺🌼 saludos desde Texas
@@edypanama7221 Hola!! ☺️
Thanks can’t wait to leave this rat race:)
@@XX2LFEUSNVET Come join the 🦥 race 😆
I miss Feather 😢 The vendors in the street are migrants on their way to the US trying to get money to complete the journey. Of course any transaction in which money is going from you to the government is gonna be a breeze, they'll make sure of that. Collecting money from the government is another story 😂
@@guillermogouldburn763 Awww, I’ll have Feather do a comeback ☺️
Are they migrants? It looks like they are local to neighborhoods around where traffic backs up. So dangerous!!
@Pattybluehayes Most, if not all, are migrants. The buskers as well.