Have questions not related to the video? Come over to the I Go Panama facebook group at facebook.com/groups/igopanama and I'll be more than happy to help you out over there!
Good tips indeed. You are 100% correctamundo about Q.Roo. Inlaws had a place in Akumal, dealt with some corruption but not as much as you see in Playa del Carmen, as in very little. Once we got to Akumal we usually either walked or used bicycles
cops in panama are general super good and do their work ,when it comes for checkpoints they are most of the time to see if your a suspect or someone they looking for and to avoid other bad people from escaping ,when it comes to bribes well cops from outside the city on Panama are super strict to the law but in the city theres many cops that will take a 20$ bribe for minor things you do but never offer it before he ask you entonces como hacemos or como nos ayudamos and the situation with the paperwork yea cops outside of the city are super nice because they all know each other since are small towns and they normally are you neighbors, but theres sometimes that those cops might tell you they will search your car when they do that make sure your seeing what they doing
I'll never pay a bribe in the city, out of the city, if asked, for something major or somethine minor. I just don't like to reward bad behavior! Good observation about the big city cops vs. the small town cops- that makes a lot of sense!
@@IGoPanama yea never bribe them i dont support that but sadly city cops they usaully very agressive when it comes to like 20$ bribes for the soda you know hahahaha
LOL- what is it with Panama and "the soda"!! At the Almirante water taxis to Bocas, we never need our bags carried (because we live here and don't have bags!)- so the guys will always ask us for a soda! Like I carry around a cooler on me full of soda to hand out or something! 😂
I have a place in Coronado and have a Panama license and both times they took $70 from me but having to deal with the cops for other things I found they were very nice. So what do I think about the cops here, is some are very nice and honest while a few are some what dishonest.
I agree. Most are honest and nice, but like anywhere, there are some bad apples. They didn't take $70 from you, you gave it to them. Big difference! Don't pay cops cash bribes, or you'll be doing it all of the time because they'll expect it.
I have a question about the tourist visa! I'm coming to Panama in October 2023! I'm staying about 28 days! Do I still need a tourist visa? I'm staying with family who have rented a condo for a year! They will be driving and I'm staying with them! And if a need how much and where will I get it? Love your channel and hope your having a great weekend!
Oh, I'm just following you around so I can make timely videos to make your transistion easier. LOL Seriously though, best of luck with your residency, getting your license, and making Panama your home!
***I grew up with a father I know Panamanian motorcycle police transit officer also my stepfather was a police officer captain I see so much things differently; Sincerely Mr.Vinniebc.*** ***🌿🙏🇵🇦🙏🌿***
@@IGoPanama yes, the ones you withdraw money from your bank acvounts, en theintruction are in Spanish, you have to choose the payment option, there are several thing yo pay from a ATM
I’m not a speeder but paid 3 speeding tickets at the side of the road but going forward I believe dark tinted windows may of helped .... Cuba was the same especially varadero to habana....
I would never pay a ticket on the side of the road, but that's just me. We drove from Havana to Vinales to Santiago de Cuba with zero problems. Loved our time in Cuba!
you were lucky with the police because you are from other country not necessary USA but if you were panamanian believe me you will get a ticket ASAP right away via satelite......but sometimes yeahh you find very kind police officer and polite and very decent people in that institution....here in the city is another story..in the country side people are diferent.
I registered and successfully completed an online driver's license course in Panama. I am still waiting to hear from them so that I can go to Sertracen. It was supposed to take two weeks. I'm now in my third week. The virus is probably slowing things down so I need to have patience but I need to get things done.
dont try bribing the panamanian police if youre not a panamanian, most of them get super pissed, you can drive without a license but only on dirt roads, not on real roads, they will stop you there, and if you have your residents card and arent more than 3 months in panama just dont show them your panamanian id, only your license and your passport, when youre lucky, they dont see the stamp in your passport
Great video, as always. Loved the Costco, erm, PriceSmart one. Ever since our trip to Spain in 2020, I would recommend people get an international driver's license when traveling. When we got to Spain, the car rental wouldn't give us our car unless we had an international driver's license. Last time I was in Panama, I was driving from Colón to a beach nearby. There was a police checkpoint. I presented them with my passport and California DL, and I think the cops were a little stumped by that, and let us go without any incidence. If you have an international license, me thinks that they would be even more stumped by the excess of paperwork, and let you be, lol.
hi im u.s citizen and retired im thinking retiring in panama how much its gonna cost me to fix all my paper works to get my residency .cool video very informative thanks
No you are wrong. I had a check point tell me there was a false charge on my car and they were going to impound it and i would have to find a way to get home, and i was 5 hours from home. So instead of sitting on the side of the highway, i paid the bribe. Then had to pay to get the false charge off my car and it cost $700 buy the time I was done, but i got to drive home. always pay the bribe instead of dealing with what can be the outcome.
I'm not sure what I'm "wrong" about. I said that there are corrupt police. I said that I would not pay a bribe, but it's up to the individual how they want to handle it. Sorry that happened to you.
Spanish. We speak a little, and when that isn't working (like at the police station where the conversation was a little more complicated) then the google translate app is a life saver!
In 1996 I was lost driving around Panamà I circled around this block 3 x and passed the same officer on the side walk and he waved me to pull over. I said I spoke little iglish and he said $20 3 x so I paid him and he walked away.
@@IGoPanama Thank you.. I would like to ask when you guys left LA did you take any furniture ?? My wife and I are debating weather to get a container or just start over. We listen to your video about vehicles. Thank you for your information and education. We’re in the east cost for now.
Yes......it's just gotten pushed further down the list. But it's on there! We actually have another small shipment coming next Saturday and then a big one coming in about another month.
National Police are usually cool and profesional as you described…but the Transit Agents (ATTT) in the City are pure evil, it’s 100 times better to be stoped by a police than by an agent (ATTT scarce in comparison though). Stick to the speed limit, have your paper work in order and you’ll be fine. Also is good to know that foreigners are lucky because the police and people in general will usually try to help (extra mile) since they’re not from here. Be nice and flash your lights when you see a police in the highway hehe.
I've only seen the ATTT directing traffic around construction areas and sometimes at checkpoints. I haven't had any issues with them, but I don't live in the city. You're the 2nd person to say that in the city it's a little trickier!
@@donflavio7477 Thats great. I was born there too. Please tell me why its such a disgusting country. Also please tell me why you have not fixed it. Is it because you benefit from the corruption. Aloha DH
