1. Questions!
• Why move to Panama?
• Cost of Living, cost of retiring?
• Desire to try a new lifestyle?
• Tax savings?
• Politics?
• Only one of the above is good reason!

2. More of the Same
• Have you ever lived outside of the US or
Canada before? (Military does not count)
• Are you ready to make MAJOR changes
in your life?
• Do you speak Spanish, are you willing to
learn?
• Are you willing to stretch your brain?
• Are you economically self sufficient?

3. Expats
What you can expect, surprise!

4. The only constant is change

5. Come without
Preconceptions
• Come without an attitude that you know
anything about this culture, you don’t.
• Come without a feeling your culture is
superior, it is not.
• Come without thinking Panama will
change to suit your needs, it won’t.

6. Come with Dreams
• Come with an open, receptive mind
• Come with a willingness learn
• Come with an income
• Come with a desire to change and grow

7. Be ready to do it differently

8. Many people leave
• Panama is not for everyone
• Panama is not for Type “A” people
• Panama is not static, nor is it efficient
• Panama is not the USA or Canada

9. Many People Stay
• This is a land of great opportunity
• Financial
• Personal
• Spiritual
• Emotional
• Cultural

10. A chance for a new life

11. It is different here

12. But it is not Kansas

13. It’s better than Kansas if...

14. Your eyes and ears are
open
• Be aware the laws are different, do it
right the first time.
• Be aware that you are a target.
• Be aware everyone is a target, you are
not special. ----Juega Vivo
• Be aware other expats often are doing
the shooting. “Trust but Verify” R.R.

15. The Culture is Rich

16. The Culture is Fun

17. Panamanians are open to
new immigrants
• Panama is a country of immigrants
• There has been a US influence here for
100 years
• There are many well educated
Panamanians
• There are many dual citizens here
• The country is in flux with great changes

18. The Canal and the City

19. The Interior

20. There is Chamber Music

21. and rolling concerts

22. Cowboy Culture and

23. elegance too

24. Canadians in El Valle

25. Virginian’s in Santa Marta

26. Spay and Neuter Clinic

27. North Americans & Panamanians

28. You can sing

29. Community Theater

30. Learn Folklorica

31. Run a Bookstore

32. Study the Culture

33. Practice Dancing

34. Display your art

35. Open a Bakery

36. Buy fresh foods

37. Discover new Foods

38. Eat great food

39. Grow your own coffee

40. Live on the Sea

41. Become a Beachcomber

42. Live in the mountains

43. Explore what man made

44. Explore Nature

45. Rerun your childhood

46. Hang out with new friends

47. just relax

48. or touch a life

49. What is the expat
experience
• It is exactly what you make it.
• If you choose to live the same life you
had, you can have it.
• If you choose to create a new life you
can create it.

50. Think before you leap
• Healthcare
• Cost of Living
• Taxes and Services
• The Law
• Your reasons for making a change
• Are you ready to change or should you
stay in your own environment

51. Consider Health Care
• Health Care in Panama is good, but your
Medicare or Canadian coverage does
not work here
• There is local private insurance but if you
have pre-existing conditions ..
• Public Health care is not always great,
but at times it is good

52. Cost of Living
• Cost of living here is not low
• You can live in Mississippi for less
• Imports cost more here
• If you live like a local it is cheaper but
you might not like the lifestyle

53. Taxes and Services
• Taxes vary. Do not believe there are
none.
• Services from the government are less
than you might desire
• This is the wild west of Panama
• US Citizens still pay US taxes, with
some exemptions

54. The Law
• Panama is a Civil Law Jurisdiction
• Steal a Chicken go to jail, steal a million,
take the judge to lunch
• Even if you win you may lose
• Lawyers here cannot commit
malpractice; the concept requires
enforcement
• Stay out of the legal system in Panama

55. Decide on your future
• If you are unhappy where you are you
will not be happy here
• Your personal problems come with you
• Do not come to escape the law or taxes
• Do not come for political reasons
• Come to learn, grow and experience a
new life