One Year in Panama: BEST and WORST Things List! 

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Great video..just a quick observation. The selection in David or Bocas is substantially less than in Panama City. As a Panamanian I always hear Americans or other expats complain about this and that. Let me you tell you the straight truth. If you think selection and quality its in in the pits in Panama try shopping in Central America or other Latin American countries the selection is zilch. No selection even worse selection, lack of american merchandise, american groceries etc etc due to tariffs. But then in all honesty things get affected in Panama due to the climate and the humidity. I can assure that Panama City has a much larger merchandise selection than David. I lived in the US for over 20 years and moved back to Panama 10 years ago . This is my home and I shop for everything here. Sometimes Americans are so petty in their comments. Just irks me a Panamanian, when I lived in the US, would never there to speeak bad about the US. As I would get a dark stare. Now in the current climate, than everyone is rushing to get to Panama for political, cheap beer buck, social escape, retirement etc etc. Its simple you take someting you leave it behind and you take something else. If we had laws in Panama like in videos that I see on RU-vid where in New Zealand stores close at 7pm, or in Switzerland stores are closed on Sunday, or other countries charge an arm and a buck for residency, or we had kidnappings like in other parts of Central America. Then we can complain. People have their grand life on retirement, online job etc etc. While the mortals of Panama make dues with what we have. Life is not perfect..but there is a fine line to everything.

For the ants , my grandma use to use soap water, it works. And for the chitras, I put all over my legs and arms organic coconut oil. When I do gardening🤗

Love your channel. I have been watching since my wife and I decided to check out Panama, about 7 months ago. We will be in Panama in less than 2 weeks and Bocas Town in 3. I feel so prepared to explore. Thank you guys so much, you are living my dream retirement.

Wow. Congratulations! You are so knowledgeable about Panama, I had assumed you had lived here for years.

Congratulations 🍾 on 1 year,& wishing many more. You guys are living the dream.

Thanks so much, guys, for all the help, support and encouragement that you have given us in launching into our new life in Boquete (just coming up to celebrating our first six months!) For anyone out there considering taking the plunge, I would say "just do it" - & you will find that it's the best decision you ever made!

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm not sure where we will end up in retirement, but I appreciate folks like you taking the time to produce these videos. Keep up the great work!

Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing your anniversary with us 😊🥳

Wow! A Brian sighting! Mentioned alot but rarely spotted in the wild! Congratulatiions on your 1 year anniversary in Panama! We have broken ground on our new home in Pedasi and hope to be living down there in another 12 months or so!

Very informative video , in my humble opinion, thanks for sharing and best of luck in your 2nd year .

Happy for you;there is not a perfect place but you living your dreams and leaving LA it is probably the best decicion you ever make.Love the video you put it like it is.

really enjoyed this, guys. good to see you, Brian!

thank you! listened again! the woods behind you is beautiful! very nice talk! thank you, mark

Another great talk...and the nature, birds, insects, animals etc. that is so exciting to me. The garden and plants are next on my list of interests. Thanks to both of you. Cheers Kari

Congrats. Just got to Boquete and will be here a few months. It's beautiful.

Cant wait for the massive announcements! Gosh you guys are great.

Some day I wish to call Panama my home. Love everything about it and the way of life there. God bless

Your videos are incredibly helpful! 👏 🤗 🙌 Thank you very much!

Hi Mary, In regards to chitras, I had a horrible experience once in Colón, had to drive all the way to colon city to get a can of OFF. Make sure it’s the green can that says deep woods and you become invisible to the chitras, easy fix😀, love your videos ! Oh and I’m panamenian as well and it drives me nuts when people don’t show up on time, you’re not alone in this, and responsible people do show up on time,, I agree it’s most definitely not a cultural thing, love you guys 🥰

Thanks for the video !

Always good to see you guys 👍

Congratulations on your one year Anniversity! My wife and I will be vacationing in Bocas in 2 months, can't wait! We do have a question on mosquitos, would you recommend any vaccinations against mosquito born illnesses?

First congratulations to you both on your 1 year anniversary.🎊🎉 Next. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ON BOTH of your pros and cons list. I really like it here in Panama. (We are in the beach area) Hopefully we’ll grow to love it here. I must say it’s different. It is not the US. I think some expats gets sold the dream that it’s Paradise. (I wouldn’t go that far) it’s a beautiful change from what I’m use to in the states. As far as the con, “not showing up on time” OMGOODNESS!! This con can really make or break my 6 months here in Panama. It’s truly disrespectful and a total disregard for other people’s time. “It’s their culture” excuse gets under my skin too. A simple WhatsApp message to say I’m running late or can we reschedule will really go a long way. I’ve been told that I need to change my mindset. I can not ever imagine being disrespectful in that manner. Especially, when expecting to be paid plus a tip. Love your videos. Can’t wait to see what you have coming up in the new year.

Very informative video! I appreciated your honesty about the bugs. Have you tried any of the solutions offered like the oil? I’m doing my research because insects love me:/ very happy to hear you don’t have many mosquitoes but it only takes one to be annoying lol. Citronella oil keeps them off me here in Midwest. Wondering if that works well in the jungle? Looking forward to your next video! 😊

Congratulations

I'm not sure how I found you, but I loved listening to your "best" and "worst" about Panama. I live in far northern Florida; I've been to the Volcan area twice; and I had to laugh about your tales of noseeums, fire ants, and all sorts of insect pests. We have all of the ones you mentioned and more, so bugs wouldn't be anything new to me. I envy you your veggie garden. We've tried and tried to grow veggies, but everything is devoured by wild critters. We live out in the boonies on some acreage, we wanted to live in the woods, we expected wildlife and birdlife, but we didn't expect them to devour even the hottest peppers we planted. And politics? I figure that, wherever I go, I'll wear a pin that reads "I do not discuss politics" in English and in the language of the country in which I'm then living. I do not want to discuss US politics. Ever. Thank you for being so genuinely yourselves. I'm joining your FB group right now.

Great video guys! Not gonna lie, didn't expect to watch the whole thing, but you had me hooked! I lived in Panama City for 13 years, and even living in the capital, I can relate with the quality of stuff. I'd actually bought a lot of my stuff from Amazon and got it shipped with couriers (companies like Airbox Aerocasillas, MBE etc. There are a lot). Maybe you could see if you could work with those in Bocas? You could get quality stuff and not have to wait until you are able to travel to the US. I think the worst thing with the products is that the actual good products are just so overpriced, that even paying the shipping from the US, you get a better price for the same product most of the times. For me tho, the government agencies used to be easy, but they have been so bad the last 5 years that I had enough, and had to leave (I'm referring to Migración and MITRADEL). I still love Panamá so much, such a beautiful country with so much to see! And friendly and lovely people.

Omg, the puppy is keeping you busy!!! We have 3 dogs. Thank you for your videos. I appreciate this one very much. Glad to know about the road to David. We will be using that road. I understand the small group of people you keep around you.

Congratulations on your One Year Anniversary!! I am glad that you guys are doing fine and chose to continue and thrive in your Panama Adventure. With regards to the bugs (specifically relating to sandflies, blackflies, etc. - from someone that has survived the Peruvian Amazonian jungle - use baby oil on your uncovered arms, legs and neck areas as it creates a barrier. A shower using tea tree oil body wash helps a lot to repel and wash out the toxins on the bites. If you got bitten - use Windex liberally. Yes, Windex or similar (you can thank me later) and you will notice that they will not bite you as much during their feeding times. For ants - my father in Nevada used coffee grinds after he made coffee to sprinkle in his garden and worked like a charm in preventing fire ants from hanging around the area. Give it a try and let me know if it worked for you. I am back in the USA after a couple of weeks in Panama City BUT now you are looking at a Temporary Resident Permit holder (valid until June 2022) with a Panamanian bank account and sporting a brand new Montecristi white toquilla straw hat. (Geezus, I even have a message stating that I was voted as a desirable passenger by the Panama City Uber drivers) Well, wifey and I are taking our time in learning about the different biomes in Panama - we felt safer in the urban environment but eventually we will drift into the Caribbean coastline as well as Panama West. Looking forward in reading about your experiences during these last few weeks... :D

We live in southern Alabama and my husband is a general contractor. He gets a lot of work because he always shows up when ge says he is going to. I just wonder if that’s a common occurrence everywhere now.

Great video again! I truly loved your input and enthusiasm! Beautiful puppy, but a handfull while teething! fACT: It is true that all insects need to breathe and they do not like oil....coconut oil, baby oil...etc. It prevents them from breathing and they die! So logical! I had an ant problems in my bathroom, saw their entry holes, two three drops of baby oil and they have not revisited me since (like five years ago). You can pour boiling hot water and cook them like lobsters! LOL! Great advice from both of you! Thank you so much for this video and all the other videos, past and future!

I'm new to your channel. I'm planning on a visit with my adult grandsons soon. Please advise on what you use to prevent/treat bug bites. Bugs really love me a lot, so I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Great video! I do have a question about the gun permits. Is your permit for cpl? I know you have to register them, is your permit for that too. And are you buying them there or shipping them from the US? Thanks

I have been here 4 1/2 years. I get almost everything from the US. Hot Express makes a lot of money from me. I totally agree that the " brand name" items are not what they say they are. Mostly counterfeit. And overpriced. I can order from Amazon or Home depot and have the quality products shipped here and still save money. Also, I might spend half a day in David just running around trying to find things. Shipping from the US usually takes 3 to 5 days to get to me all the way to Puerto Armuelles. But I still love Panama.

For your ant problem I recommend you to use coffee grounds on nests, also rice.

There is something of recycling going on in Dolega. I believe is with the Dolega authority and a lady from David.

We need another property tour to see all the progress! 😀

I love nature view.

Les escribo en español para que practiquen. Felicitaciones por el año lleno de sorpresas y desafíos. Sus opiniones me parecen muy interesantes. Me alegro que estén disfrutando de su estadía aquí y se nota que sus perros también, ambos son adorables. También debo decir que no todos llegamos tarde. Saludos 😘💕🇵🇦

Just to be fair: #1 and #3 could also be Costa Rica or Belize #2 could be literally anywhere that you have space for a garden zone 8 or higher that's not a desert, from Virginia to Central Valley CA to Panama. #4 and #5 could be anywhere in Central America #6 I think would be ok in CR or BE, depending on where you are and what personality types are involved Keep up the good work!

One more thing to absolutely love about Panama: No smash and grab. 😉

Bats? Interesting bats? I have an entire family that lives part time in my living room and full time in the upstairs bedroom that we simply can’t use because we can’t chase out the bats and I refuse to harm one single Jaír in any of them! Currently Building homes for them outside and blocking all the holes to try and keep them out. Benefits of having my buddies around are a lot fewer bugs than I expected!

Hi great video just one question, why would you need a gun permit

Could you do tips about growing vegetables that would be awesome. Yuca is soooo good.

my wife just left BOCA, their rental house was beside a disco blaring music until 3am,power was out 3hrs at a time

Slowly but surely I am watching all of your videos. As many have said before, thank you for them. They are a great resource for an ex-pat considering the move. For this video, do you know how to can. Like the old fashion pioneer women used to. It is VERY easy and will be valuable as you become more proficient in growing your own food. You can can anything, veggies, meats, fish, anything. I am happy to give you a wonderful tutorial for this process. Please reach out to me for that,

Hello from Panama City

Ty guys, I plan to retire El Valle 2025, I love to book the airbnb in panama city to apply for my penciato visa, I too want to grow. Herbs, plants, love to cook n create recipes

Wait, what? You're wearing a Panama dress!! As in, a dress with the map of Panama on it! Where'd you get that?? So cool!!

"...wildlife..." In walks the dog into the picture, making sure to be seen and not left out of the video. LOL!

Don’t worry you will learn Spanish. If I could learn English of course you can learn Spanish. Spanish I feel it is easier than learning English. I love your dogs. Super cute. I love the feeling of small town.

Well the problem is that the usa citizens want that Panama adapt to them. They have to adapt to the country. Even myself I left Panama for 18 years to Texas and I had to adapt to this country and it is a lot of things that I would like to have from Panama. It is very different to live in the countryside of Panama than the city. The city has a lot to give. Your decision is to live in the forest you should know what to expect.

This was the first video of yours that I have seen and I loved it! I have a very unique situation that I would love to share with you. The short of it is that I’m a single dad living in Arizona. I have dual citizenship with the US and PaNaMa. I inherited 2 incredible properties in PaNaMa from my dad. 1 is 1.5 acres on Lake Gatun and the other is 27 acres of prime farm land directly on the Pan American highway in Veraguas. My idea that I’m looking for a expat/pats to partner with me on is in developing an eco off the grid glamping on the canal resort called “Paradise Lake” For the farm land in Veraguas I would like to connect with farmers who would like to lease the land. I have subscribed and plan on joining your FB group. I look forward to talking to you. Any help that you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

😀😀😀

It was funny when you mentioned the low quality materials on brand clothing.. I'm sure, that you have seen Panamanians proudly wearing " Polo " shirts that look more like an undershirt...

Watching you guys smack bugs is making me itch :)

Loving the dogs lol…

Congratulations to Both of you. Great video

I don’t like when people don’t show up on time either. I feel that no only happen if people are from Panama cz I know people from other countries that like to be late all the time. It is matter of each person level of responsibility. I feel I respect people time so I expect the same in return, but unfortunately no everyone feels the same way about be on time.

😄 respect for my time..... exactly the words I've used a few days ago. Waiting all the day for persons that shifted the schedule and finally didn't come at all. One day lost time 😞 and I would have had to do very important things.... Quality: I've rented a house that is only 5 years old. All the built-in furniture yet isn't in a good condition, as well as all the fittings in the bathrooms and kitchen....🙄 Style of driving: terrible...... especially this week (David), extremely disrespectful, inconsiderate, stubborn, dangerous.... Little respect for nature, landscape 'beautified' by plastic waste (more eastern of Santiago), road conditions generally in a way that I try to drive never in darkness 😃 But all the rest is worth to live here. Feeling well 👍👍

Congrats on your first “Panaversary.” Thanks for sharing your pros & cons. I do this every 5 years. With respect, I’d point out that a couple of your cons show cultural bias that could be recognized as such. The downside of the “tranquilo” lifestyle we all love here is the mañana mentality where tomorrow just means sometime in the future. You just gotta go with the flow.😄As for the quality of goods available in your region, Panama isn’t a US consumer society, and as you so wisely say, you just make do with what you can find. Trying to carry your North American lifestyle around with you like a snail shell will get cumbersome after a while IMO.

😀✋

it's the same in costa rica from what i seen

how is this country for single man age Between (50-55) to live life in panama city? Don't know any Spanish

Is there any pygmies or wild tribes living in the jungles?

Get dry molasses and use in the yard. It will help with the fire ants. Make sure it's watered in are it will burn the grass. Or put corn meal down on the ants as they cannot digest it and they will die.

For products or Items that you guys use daily why don't you make a trip to Panama City where you'd have more choices. It would be way cheaper to go to Panama City than to fly to the USA.

can u buy from amazon?

I agree with your comments Pablo. I Watched a few times a Channel of a black american Panamanian . Born un Brooklin . Moved ti Pma bc her panamanian parents returned ti Pma. But it appears as though she complains just abóut everything. She Even complained about not being vaccinated esrly enough. My opinión is that you dislike just about everything is best to return home and not stay in a place that fíes not Offer the well being expected.

You guys do a great job. Amazing transformation over past year. Love you are committed to protecting wildlife and appreciate not spraying toxins all over the place. We stumbled on a fun Australian guy who has dog training down to an art. "Doggy Daycare Farm Trips" is entertaining, like both of you. Also, little guy might enjoy stuff to chew on and chase. Maybe you already have toys, and they're in the jungle somewhere. : )

Just don't relate with people who don't respect others time, I'm always on time cuz I'm over 35 yo with family and my life and time just slip away

Use red pepper for ants.

i'll be over if ya got a min of 36 beer in the fridge

Christmas without snow gah sounds miserable

i think we know who wears the pants!

Rename the dog "Leave it"

Ants and bugs? I thought you liked nature!

I'm panamena. I'm here complaining but Panama. Not go to Panama. I'm live USA. Complaining here to. Etc. People not friendly USA. You have neighbors never talk you. I'm miss the my country.

Looks like the bugs and mosquitoes are eating you alive . Itching and scratching throughout the video

I live in panama and I want to leave

Honey, go to Do it center in Panama. Otherwise order it from USA. Ah yeah if you are in a rural area don’t expect to order meals, I mean be real. And at the end of the day if you find it “hard” to live in Panama. It is pretty simple move back to were you came from the place that “meet all your standards”

I notice there is a whole lot of scratching of various itches all over your body in Panamá!

Latinos sindrom. 🤣😂

Congratulations 1 Yr. You mentioned you are getting Gun permit, okay my question you need the gun for what, hope for hunting the ants?

Hi Guys, This is Hugue from Brussels - Belgium and i've decided to move to Panama and live there happy ever after. I'll come either in May of June, stay a month then fly back to Belgium after openng a bank account to communicate the said number to the Office des Pensions then fly back to Panama for good. The original reason for moving was fiscal but i must say that warching the abundant vlogs, including yours i have been seduced by all Panama has to offer so that's decided : Panama it will be. During my exploratory visit I'll be in Boquete half and in Bocca Chicca for the other half.I've applied to join your facebook group and i'll wait for your reaction to it . Thanks for all the useful content that you've been bringing so far. I'm not a very social person myself so we'll see. Cheers Hugue