Advice on buying a vehicle in Panama
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Friday, 30 April 2010 18:44
This is an e-mail inquiry about buying a car in Panama.
On Apr 30, 2010, at 12:34 PM, Kevin wrote:
QUESTION:
Roberto, do you have any tips for buying and registering a car in Panama?
Thank you.
Kevin K.
MY ANSWER:
Check the site under "Destinations" and click on Panama - I have 3 articles on buying or registering vehicles in Panama. Hope you enjoy. RC
PS: It can be an very, very frustrating process - especially f you are not fluent in Spanish. I am using Nasira who just started Paperwork Panama to do all my vehicle registration, plates, stickers and insurance - contact her at:
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.
Roberto
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:34
Before you bring a vehicle to Panama
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Thursday, 29 April 2010 14:54
Here is a question about bringing a North American vehicle to Panama - it was answered by Nasira of Paperwork Panama - a new service that helps people with any paperwork they need done in Panama - a godsend!!! Roberto
QUESTION:
Hello Roberto,
We are going to look at a 1986 Dodge Roadtrek camper van this weekend. We are considering buying something like it to drive from Alberta to Panama next winter. Do you think there would be a resale market for it down there? I realize that motor homes and campers are not that common. Wondered if that would work for or against us for selling it when we got there. Hope to drive around Panama and decide if we want to become pensionados and live there at least 6 months of the year and possibly more. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Debra
ANSWER:
Dear Roberto,
Dodge is not a brand that the Panamanian market knows or handles for sale.
I wouldn't recommend her buying the camper van for resale in Panama for the following reasons:
1) Locals prefer Japanese, Korean, and European cars.
2) None of the mechanics know how to fix those cars.
3) The parts are very difficult to find. Panama is not the target market for those cars.
Regards,
Nasira
Roberto's Note: Yes, you could sell it to another expat, but they know you are limited in your resale options, and they know they will have problems finding parts or mechanics who can work on it too - and their offer, if you get one - will reflect that.
An option is don't sell it - keep it and rent it out as housing during peak times or use it yourself. There is one RV park in Panama that I know of - XS Memories in Santa Clara (
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). See my article on RV's In Panama in the Panama Destination section.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 21:02
Tax withholding from Canadians living in Panama
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Tuesday, 20 April 2010 12:28
Here is a common question about tax withholding from Canadians living in Panama:
Dear Roberto,
Hello... sorry to bother you but I am so frustrated trying to get answers from Canada Revenue Agency. I am trying to find out about our income tax situation if we go south for the winter or make a permanent move.
I was told that there is a non-resident withholding tax on our pensions of 25%. That seems a bit ridiculous if we were permanent residents of Panama. Also, told that there is a form NR4 or 5 that allows you to request a reduction but no way to contact the people to give them a hypothetical situation and find out how much we would actually have to pay without being in Panama and filing this form AFTER we make the move.
Do you have any idea where I can find out the criteria they consider. My husband's pension is $2600 per month and mine is $920 CPP disability pension. Those are gross figures and losing 25% of that would really reduce our income.
Thanks again for your time, should you decide to respond.
Sincerely,
Debra C.
I asked a tax expert, Jordan Caplan of Soberman LLP to comment on this one. Here is his response:
Dear Rob,
In general, Part XIII of the Income Tax Act applies a 25% withholding tax on Canadian Pensions paid to non-residents. This can be reduced if Canada has a tax treaty with the country the non-resident resides in. Unfortunately Canada does not have a tax treaty with Panama.
The person asked a pretty specific question about being a non-resident of Canada. That means they would not be paying any tax in Canada other than the withholding of 25%. If they just go South for the winter and maintain Canadian residency, which means paying taxes in Canada there would be no additional withholding.
As always, this is of a general nature and I would caution anyone facing this situation to speak to their professional advisors to determine their facts and whether this applies to them.
Best regards,
______________________________________________________
Jordan Caplan C.A.
Partner, Assurance & Advisory
Soberman LLP, Chartered Accountants
T 416-963-7191
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/jordancaplan
Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 21:05
Where is Woody's?
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Tuesday, 16 March 2010 13:49
HERE IS ANOTHER E-MAIL, ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE CANADIAN BAR, WOODY'S
Hi Roberto,
we have been reading your website with interest. We have just built a house on the beach in Gorgona and while we still live and work in Canada, we hope to be able to spend more and more time there.
I see you mentioned Woody's bar in Santa Clara. I wonder if you can tell us where it is?
We might drop in on our next trip to Panama Apr 2-17. Maybe we'll even run into you.
Rgds
Gerald & Olga
MY RESPONSE:
Dear Gerald and Olga,
By all means, please e-mail me when you arrive in Panama and we will get together. Santa Clara is only 2.5 kilometers from Woody's, so it is very easy to get to.
Actually there are two Woody's (as of March 2010), with a third one at Santa Clara beach in the plans.
The Woody's most people refer to on Travel Advisor is the original Woody's in Farallon, just west and down the beach from the
Royal Decameron Beach Resort.
If you are driving, take the road to the Decameron from the highway. Go all the way to the end (which is the entrance to Lobby One of the
Resort) and turn right at that stop sign.
Go past the entire resort, past the Fiesta Casino, past the Spa and just into the small fishing village of Farallon. You will pass a connivence store
and an artisans shop. Turn left at the wall with the large Woody's sign painted on it. It will curve at the beach. Stop at the Woody's sign. There is
a lane-way to the beach which runs past a house that is owned by the local boxing champion - he trains young kids at his outdoor gym. Say
hello on the way by. The whole family is really nice. Woody's is right on the beach. Walk or drive to the end of the lane.
For those staying at the Decameron, just walk to the water, turn right and walk 300 meters. You will see the large Canadian flag (and hear
Monique, co-owner from Newfoundland) long before you actually step into the beach bar.
If it is late at night, take a cab, it costs $5 from Playa Blanca Resort, $3 from The Decameron - which is a rip-off, so negotiate.
Both Monique and her and her husband Woody are retired Canadian Air Force (Woody just turned 50 in March).
The atmosphere at Woody's Beach Bar and Grill is beach casual, with English-language, beach-style music. They serve great hamburgers,
wings, and poutine - that heart-stopping Quebec contribution to international cuisine (calling melted cheese and gravy over deep fried french
fires cuisine may be a stretch).
They also serve a dinner special of two lobster tails, three huge shrimp and salad for $25 (as of this printing)
The second Woody's - Woody's 2 is at Playa Blanca Resort, just a few kilometers further west. It is also on the beach, right inside the resort, but it
is not part of the all-inclusive. It features Captain Jim's Pizza, 10 inch thin crust pizza's in many variations - Ask for the Yolanda's "Artista Pizza"
(pineapple, ground beef, bacon and double cheese) - all the pizza's are well worth a try.
Jim runs the para-sailing at The Decameron Water Sports shop. Sylvie (his new bride) is from Quebec and is Monique's business partner,
helping newcomers to Panama as relocation specialist's - whatever you need from buying a house to finding a school for your kids, an English-
speaking dentist, mechanic, or hard-to-find stuff, they are the pair to talk to.
Woody's is the headquarters of the area's Canadian (and American) expat population.
Come out for Hockey Night in Panama - Woody's is "THE TRUE SOUTH, STRONG AND FREE"
See you on the beach!
Roberto
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:39
Where in the world should I retire?
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Friday, 05 March 2010 15:16
HERE IS AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED ASKING WHERE IN THE WORLD THEY SHOULD RETIRE. MY RESPONSE FOLLOWS.
Hello Roberto,
What am I looking for? - I wish I knew
We live in Alberta and have some properties on Vancouver Island where we
will be spending our summers but as I grew up in UK - can't stand the thought
of wet winters - so looking for somewhere for about 3 months every year.
Still really can't decide to buy a place or save the capital and just rent -
the advantage is you can go somewhere new every year but on the downside -
you are not making a base and building up a new group of friends - so that
is the first thing and second where oh where...
WE have just come back from BVI where our son and daughter in live are
living for 2 years - it was fantastic but not the easiest place to get to
from Western Canada.
So it has to be by the ocean, warm, fairly safe and biggest of all access to
good health care.
Are you permanently settled in Panama or do you have itchy feet!!
Thanks for your time
Regards
Carol
Dear Carol,
I lived in North Vancouver for two years - right under the second narrows bridge - I even remember my address; it was 1234 Munster Ave! (I never met the Adams Family however)
I loved BC, but it was too hard to do business with the rest of Canada and New York, so I had to move back to Ontario.
I am never permanently settled. My father was in the Canadian Air Force, so I am accustomed to moving every few years. I never set out to settle anywhere, but needed a base to keep on exploring retirement destinations.
It started with my wife and I, like so many others, wanting to get away from Canadian winters. We had always enjoyed New Orleans, and thought we could live on our boat for the winter down south, so we put down a deposit on a dock space just three weeks before Hurricane Katrina. That disaster cemented in my mind the decision that I would never invest anywhere that could be wiped out by a hurricane, earthquake or a volcano. No-one can afford to lose a huge chunk of their retirement investment in a natural disaster - especially one that you can't buy affordable/ adequate insurance for.
If you want to live in the Western Hemisphere (Which I did, in order to stay closer to family and make it easier for friends to visit) that means the "no hurricanes" decision limits your options to the very south of Costa Rica, Panama and northern Colombia. We said "No" to Colombia for the drugs/civil unrest issues, and "No" to Costa Rica for the ridiculous squatter's rights, the lack of retiree benefits, the outrageous importation taxes and general feeling of them not wanting us moving there. Visiting? Yes. Spending tourist dollars? Absolutely! But not to buy land and retire. We personally experienced that feeling when we tried to buy property on the beach. Friends that we had made over the past month literally turned their backs on us when they found out we were planning on buying land there.
Our plan was to do five months in Canada, five months somewhere south, and two months traveling. We did that. Once. Then, after nearly freezing to death in June in Picton and then getting eaten alive by mosquitos in July, we said the heck with the lousy summers Ontario was having, and decided to go back down south. We packed up our dogs in our Honda Odyssey and headed south, stopping at twenty six retirement destinations along the way.
We took a whole month doing it, staying with friends, exploring, taking our time. After 12, 123 kilometers, and 18 border crossings with two large dogs we made to Panama on Dec 23, 2008. That journey is posted on my site under "An Incredible Journey".
After all our years of research, we finally decided to buy a house in Panama so that we could have a winter home; a southern base of operations.
The major reasons why we chose Panama include;
- Excellent medical system with English speaking, US trained doctors and nurses.
- Very good, modern infrastructure (put in by the Americans): Cell phones systems, fast internet, drinkable water, decent roads, etc
- A large expat community made up of mainly US and Canadians and South Americans, and increasingly, some Europeans.
- The relative safety/low violent crime towards foreigners (not low crime for Mexican, Colombian and Panamanian drug dealers who are fighting each other over control of the drug smuggling routes)
- Relatively low real estate costs (NOT DIRT CHEAP. Oceanfront and luxury gated communities within two hours of Panama City are very expensive, but there are some reasonably priced, low-priced housing available (under $50,000 US$) in the interior (not the city). There are waterfront deals further out from Panama City in the Azuero Peninsula and in Chiriqui Province, near the city of David. Some people love the Caribbean side - I find it too wet and buggy. Construction costs are $600 - $700 per square meter, finished, with a swimming pool - MUCH cheaper than Canada.
- Inexpensive cost of living; Compared to Canada, living costs are a real bargain. A retired couple that owns their own home can live quite well on $1,500 a month. That is going out to dinner once in a while, having a maid and a gardener, etc. You can rent a house for $500 - $800 a month in an excellent area. Beer is .49 cents in the grocery store, Lindeman's Bin 222 is $5.95, and 2 liters of CLOS white (Chilean) wine is $3.83. A bottle of wine at dinner will cost you $12 - $15. Lunch at a fonda (local stand) will set you back $1.75 - $2.50.
- Panama uses the US dollar as their official currency - not some wildly fluctuating currency that I couldn't get cashed anywhere else in the world.
- Easy to get your money in and out of the country, with a stable, solid banking system. Over 80 international banks including Scotiabank, HSBC, CitiBank, Barclays, etc.
- No property tax on new construction for five, ten, fifteen years — up to twenty years depending on purpose/use.
- No tax on foreign sourced income, no tax on bank interest (3.75% on my chequing account, if I lock it up for one year 4/.25%, three years 5.75% interest.
- Probably the best retiree benefits program available anywhere; With a Pensionado Visa you get a 10 - 50% discount off internal airfares, car rentals, hotels, groceries, restaurants, medical and dental visits, prescriptions, movie and concert tickets, everything.
- Weather: hot - all year around. Temperatures vary by altitude, not by seasons. There are only two seasons here; the dry season (December - April), and what I call the green season (May - November) where everything grows. It rains an hour a day and at night in the rainy (green) season, and you don't have to water your gardens! A swimming pool is an essential item down here, unless you are in the highlands which are much, much cooler (and wetter).
- No hurricanes or volcanos, but we do have some serious earthquakes, especially in the mountains near Costa Rica, but they can happen all over Panama.
- they have TWO - count 'em, TWO OCEANS within 80 km of each other at the narrowest point (the canal)!!! Over 1,000 islands, all with warm, lightly salted water. Great beaches (NOT Cuba white, but beautiful). Great surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and world class deep sea fishing.
So those were my reasons. You have to think hard about what YOUR priorities are. Read my article on the site: THE SEVEN "C"'s - it helps define what elements are most important for you.
There is a direct flight from Vancouver to Panama during the peak seasons (December - April) with Air Transat or Nolitours (could be West Jet where you are). They sell all-inclusive packages to The Royal Decameron Beach Resort and Playa Blanca (both close to each other, within 3 kilometers of my house - on the Pacific in the interior of Panama. Take an all-inclusive package - it is cheaper than buying a direct flight - and check it out. Contact me when you have booked and we'll try to meet up.
Many Canadians who are not planning to live here full time are buying a condo at one of the two all-inclusive resorts and letting the resort rent it out for them when they are not using it - a 'lock and leave' situation which might suit your plans. Do you golf? The Royal Decameron has an 18 hole course. Playa Blanca is building the second largest swimming pool in the world - 17 acres - right on the ocean. They are renting sailboats - to sail inside the pool!!!!
As I say on my site, I am not a real estate agent, developer or a broker. I am not "selling" Panama. I like Panama, and I do get excited when I talk about it, but I have no vested interest in whether you buy here or not. I bought here only because it suited MY lifestyle - it may not be your cup of tea (couldn't resist the Mother County reference, I'm sorry)
I always suggest that one should visit a destination repeatedly, and rent before they purchase anything. This applies to Panama as well.
Take care Carol. I hope this response helps.
If you are visiting Panama, please drop me a line. I do enjoy getting together with readers when they visit.
Roberto Chocolaté
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:39
How much do I need for Pensionado Visa?
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Monday, 22 February 2010 13:07
This is an e-mail I received recently asking what amount per month is needed for Pensionado Visa. The confusion arises when websites do not update their information. The rules changed in August 2009.
Do you know of a resource for up to date information on the requirements for retirement on a pension in Panama? I just saw a question on this site for $1000.00 and $250 for spouse per month. I thought I had recently read $2000.00 per month. I could be confused as I have been looking at several CA countries and Mexico. Also is that gross or net?
Thanks, Micki R.
Dear Micki,
The amount required is US$ $1,000 plus $250 for a spouse or each dependent. That is the amount paid into your bank account each month (you will need to show five months bank statements showing the deposit being made into your account).
There is no age restriction on who can apply for pensionado.
The benefits of obtaining a pensionado are significant;
- 50% off entertainment anywhere in the country (movies, theatres, concerts, sporting events, etc.)
- 30% off bus, boat & train fares
- 25% off airline tickets
- 50% off hotel stays from Monday through Thursday
- 30% off hotel stays from Friday through Sunday
- 25% off at restaurants
- 15% off at fast food restaurants
- 15% off hospital bills (if no insurance applies)
- 10% off prescription medicines
- 20% off medical consultations
- 15% off dental & eye exams
- 20% off professional & technical services
- 50% off closing costs for home loans
- 25% off residential power up to 600 kw
- 25% off residential phone service charges
- 25% off residential water bills of up to US$30
Tax Exemptions: As a qualified Panama "pensionado" (retiree), you will be entitled to:
- A one-time exemption of duties on the importation of household goods up to US$10,000 in total value
- 100% duty exemption on the importation or purchase of an automobile.
I hope this helps. Roberto Chocolaté
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:39
Why Santa Clara over other beach communities?
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 17:53
The following e-mail came in today. I thought everyone would benefit from the answer. Roberto
Roberto:
My husband and are are both dual citizens of Canada and the US and are interested in retiring in Panama. We will likely retire within the next three years however we are interested in buying real estate now. I noticed that you live in Santa Clara - why did you pick that community over the other pacific beach communities. Do you have contacts in the real estate community that we could work with?
What about the Caribbean side of Panama - my husband and are both scuba divers and are under the impression that the diving is better there - any comments?
Any and all assistance is welcomed as we are likely planning a trip to Panama in the next couple of months. The information on your web site has been helpful and will continue to serve as a valuable resource as we move forward towards retirement - thank you.
Mary Beth :)
Dear Mary Beth,
Thank you for your kind words. I am pleased that you have found the site useful. It's fun to be able to report honestly and not have to worry about an advertiser canceling or a boss not liking what I report. I don't make any money from the site, but I do get a lot of free meals and stuff as I review resorts, hotels, restaurants, and tours/attractions in Panama - it's worth it to me.
I find it amazing that the site is attracting over one hundred thousand hits a month!
Like most people, I first came to Panama on a holiday/researching retirement destinations. We stayed at one of the only two all-inclusive resorts in Panama (The Royal Decameron or Playa Blanca) which are both based here in this area (that alone should give you a hint as to best locations in Panama)
NOTE: A third all inclusive resort called Breezes just opened, calling its location as being on Santa Clara beach - they are not - they are in Sea Cliff which is 5 km away - but Santa Clara has a much better reputation. Breezes is gorgeous by the way - expensive, and geared for a younger holiday crowd (families with kids) but fun.
Why Santa Clara?
Santa Clara is considered one of the best beaches in Panama - whiter than most, very long, uncrowded (except on holidays when EVERYBODY goes to the beach). It has very calm, warm waters, excellent bars and restaurants and beautiful homes on the ocean.
Our house is not on the ocean, we are 300 meters away. We are the poor kids on the block. We can't see the ocean, but we can hear it and walk to it easily.
We chose the Pacific side because we don't like rain. The Caribbean side is MUCH wetter than the Pacific. In fact Santa Clara is located inside the "Dry Arch", which means this area from Farallon to Coronado gets more sunshine than any other location in Panama. However - this area is HOT, all year 'round. My wife wanted a tropical climate and this is it.
Some people prefer the cooler mountain temperatures (70 - 85 degrees). As the movie title suggested; Some like it hot.
There are many different climate and living styes in Panama - from hot, Antillian/wet Caribbean, bone dry desert, lush tropical jungles, hot beaches, exotic islands, cool mountains and a steamy, cosmopolitan capital city of 1.3 million Latinos.
My suggestion - as always - is to rent first. Give yourself time to experience all the areas, both in dry and wet season. The cool, lush mountains are also much wetter than the beach areas, especially in what I call The Green Season (or the growing season)
Every paradise has its thorns. I live in one of the most exclusive beach communities in Panama. However, as I write, hundreds and hundreds of evangelical Baptists are screaming over loudspeakers on bother sides of my house - front and back. Imagine four solid days of loud music, fireworks, amplified praying, singing, screaming, clapping, cheering and yelling from 7 A.M to 2 A.M. After four days of this they are now talking in tongues. They have rented the empty property beside me. They will go home this after noon, and life will return to "normal". It is a small price to pay for never having to shovel a driveway again or worry about a hurricane.
It is Carnival time in Panama. Sleep is not an option anywhere in Panama during Carnival. Buy ear plugs. Go out and enjoy the parades, the parties and the dancing. Learn to do the meringue and salsa. Everything is closed during Carnival anyway.
If this bothers you, consider a nice quiet rest home in Florida, or a strict gated community that is devoid of any Panamanian culture.
I say again - give yourself time to learn and experience this exciting, and sometimes frustrating country.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:39
Cell phone numbers in Panama
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Saturday, 23 January 2010 14:53
THIS E-MAIL CAME IN FROM A RECENT VISITOR
This is an enquiry e-mail via http://www.retirementdetectives.com/ from:
Abe
Hey Rob
Just left Panama a week ago and loved Woody's. Great to get a Cesear away from home. While there Monique gave me her business card but the cell number on it seems to be a misprint. It has 11 numbers on it.
Would you be able to provide me with a phone number for either Woody's bar or Monique as friends of mine might be interested in real estate in Panama.
Thank you.
Abe B.
Cornwall, Ontario
MY REPLY:
It is OK Abe - cell phones in Panama have an extra number, a 6, indicating it is a cell phone - just dial it normally. Remember to dial the
country code - 011 from Canada, then (507) then the 8 digit number.
Glad you enjoyed Panama - come join the Canadian slum - I warned the Panamanians that we would multiply if they didn't spray!!! LOL Roberto
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 18:39
Are my retirement funds safe in Panama?
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Thursday, 24 December 2009 15:19
HERE IS AN E-MAIL THAT CAME IN, ASKING IF CANADIAN RETIREMENT FUNDS WERE SAFE IN PANAMA BANKS:
This is an enquiry e-mail via www.retirementdetectives.com from:
Jo Ann F
Hi Roberto,
We are leaving for Boquete on Jan 7,2010 for our exploratory visit. We are from the Saskatchewan prairies. We retire in June this year and with the arthritis etc have decided to winter away.
From your articles you are considering living full time in Panama.
We are wondering about our retirement income. Is it safe in Panama banks? Will we pay less income tax there or will we be paying Canadian and Panama tax?
Thank you for your help.
Jo Ann
ROBERTO CHOCOLATE'S RESPONSE:
Dear Jo Ann,
Yes, to the best of my knowledge, the banks are very safe in Panama. There are over 80 banks here including Scotiabank, HSBC and Citibank (although Citibank is in the weakest shape due to US problems). Stanford Bank (a victim of the UK-based ponzi scheme fraud with Sir Allen Stanford) has been purchased by a wealthy business group in Panama.
If you open an account with Scotiabank you can have your checks deposited in Canada and take the money out here by ATM - USD $500 at a time, $3.00 per transaction - my daily limit is $2,000 - set that with your bank)
Consider other areas as well - El Valle, Altos Del Maria, and Caldera are all highland areas with lots of expats and cooler weather. You may even find them too cold. There are areas that are flat - you might think you are back home except it is 90 degrees and sunny.
If you maintain any connection to Canada you will still file/pay Canadian tax. Check with a lawyer how to leave Canada if that is what you want.; You will not be double taxed. There is no tax on bringing in foreign income into Panama and no tax on bank interest. No property tax for 20 years on new construction (that qualified before Aug 2009). You can bring up to $10,000 tax free in personal effects once - (you set the value on what you are bringing in) and import of buy a vehicle tax free every two years (car, truck, boat, motorcycle, van, RV, ATV, moped, etc)
Contact me when you arrive - will you be going to any other areas> Boquete is five hours from Panama City - three hours from where I live (Santa Clara - the Pacific beaches area)
Roberto
PS: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 19:02
Advice on driving from Canada to Panama
Written by T. Rob Brown (aka Roberto Chocolate)
Saturday, 19 December 2009 10:54
THIS E-MAIL CAME IN ASKING FOR ADVICE ON DRIVING FROM CANADA TO PANAMA
On Dec 18, 2009, at 6:50 PM, Allyne M wrote:
Hello,
My sister and I (with our Boyfriends) are driving our RV from Canada to Panama with our dog Trooper. We have about 4 months to go there and back. My mom and dad own a house in Panama, and referred me to your site. I was wondering if you could let me know how the boarder crossings were like, and what papers did you need for your dogs to get across. Also if you needed to send anything in a head of time for certain crossings or countries. Panama seems to be the worst from my research (we have to get papers certified by the foreign affairs office ,then send them to the embassy in canada). Could you let me know if you had to do this as well??
Let me know,
Thanks,
Dear Allyne,
Yes, Panama was the most complicated paperwork, especially as we were staying here with our dogs - the others were aware we were "in transito" but in practice Panama was the easiest country to enter (It was Dec 23rd, they were packed - and I paid $10 because there was no vet to inspect - and we were in). They are trying to clear up the corruption at Immigration.
If you live closer to Toronto you can do all of Panama paperwork there at the Consulate on Bathurst St.
DO NOT pay attention to statement that the paperwork for Panama must be "within 10 days". That rule is only for arriving through the airport, and put in by the vets, not the government of Panama. You do not have to send paperwork ahead, but if you call ahead, they will have a vet ready to inspect, cuttting down your waiitng time.
The way to get paperwork done for Panama is to first get the correct forms, get them notarized, then get the notary's signature authenticated by Official Records Office (Toronto or Ottawa), then make photocopies, and then take all of that to the Panamanian consulate or Embassy.
All countries need an international vet certificate and recent shots list. Check the website of each country to see if they need anything else.
The only county that does not have an embassy in Ottawa is Nicaragua. You will need to go to their embassy in Washington DC (sort of on your way anyhow).
We did the trip in 30 days, stopping for a week in Guatemala to visit friends. You have lots of time.
DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. I almost t-boned an 18 wheeler at 80 km an hour because it was across the entire highway — completely dark without even a reflector. The engine died when it tried to cross the major highway and the driver just left it there. Small kids, entire families, and farm animals all over the roads are equally dangerous/hazardous.
A tip - pack everything in clear plastic containers, and have a list of everything (in Spanish if you can) - taped to the top of each box - that way the customs guys can just look in, see what you have and you won't have to haul everything out for them to inspect. The dog will discourage them from coming inside to inspect as well.
Always use the young guys at the border to help you. They are well worth the $5.
Try to arrive at each border in the morning. Every border - entering and exiting - will take 2 - 3 hours - so bring coffee, something to read and relax. Vets only work day hours and take lunches off - so mornings are best, and not Sundays.
It was an amazing trip - if you stay on the pay roads it will be smooth sailing. The free roads are much, much rougher, but more interesting sites.
Check the web for news of any problems - but know that every country you go to, they will tell you the NEXT country is very dangerous. We did not go through El Salvador - but others have (see Chris and Kristin - www.drivetheamericas. com) They loved El Salvador. They have just driven from California to South America and are on their way back.
The book - Traveler's Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America by Rob Sangster and Tim Leffel was the most useful book (and I bought them all)
I bought a Magellan GPS - it took us to the front door of the Nicarauguan Embassy in Washington - a godsend. They now have fairly good maps of Central America you can buy online - Google "GPS maps for Central America". About $150 per country. GPS maps for Mexico and Costa Rica were really needed.
The so called World Phone from Rogers and Blackberry's so called "global services" did not work - useful only in Canada and USA. Buy cheap cell phones with SIM cards and pay as you go minutes.
Good luck, write it all down, take lots of photographs and send them to me - I will post them on the site.
Drive carefully during the day, don't drink and drive and for God's sake - don't let anyone near your vehicle if you think they have smoked/touched or even thought about drugs - it is more serious than you can even imagine.
E-mail me along the way. I look forward to buying you guys your first cold one in Panama! Roberto Chocolaté
PS: it's now Dec 19th - it is 94 degrees and sunny. Bring sunscreen.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 May 2010 19:03
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