Miscellaneous Information:
Time Zone: GMT-5 same as Washington, DC during standard time
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are the flat two-pined American type
Police: In Panama City the tourist police (policia de turismo) are better prepared to deal with foreign travelers and more likely to speak English – they wear white armbands and are often mounted on bicycles.
Tipping: 10 to 15 percent is customary in hotels (where it is not added automatically) and restaurants. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, and rates should be arranged before the trip.
Smoking: There are non-smoking rooms in hotels, and non-smoking areas in restaurants.
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LIFE IN PANAMA
Sample of Monthly Budget for Two People:
Rental or mortgage (on two-bedroom apartment in central Panama City): $700 to $1,500
Utilities with moderate air conditioning use (electricity, gas, water): $250
Supermarket items (food and household): $300
Maintenance and fuel for one small car: $200
Entertainment for two (movies twice a month and dinner four times a month): $150
Communication (phone, Internet, Cable TV): $100
Monthly total for a First-World lifestyle in the big city: Approx. $1,700 to $2,500
*In Panama, foreigners have equal property rights as Panamanians. Depending on the length of your assignment you may be intrested in owning a home there. Having equal property rights will make being a home owner much easier.
Food:
A typical meal in Panama would consist of a meat, coconut rice and beans. Locally grown fruits and vegtables would also accompany a dish including things such as yucca, squash and plaintains.
Healthcare:
Three reasons health insurance is cheaper in Panama than in the United States:
1. Since doctor fees and hospital visits are much less than that of the U.S., private health insurance is available at a significantly lower price.
2. Malpractice insurance is very low because the laws do not allow for frivolous lawsuits
3. The average income in Panama is about $400 per month, and many Panamanians, such as those who work in informal job positions, must pay for healthcare out-of pocket
*Since manufactureers price presciption drugs for the market, presriptions are low in Panama as well. Another reason prescription drugs tend to be lower in Panama is based on the fact that many drugs that would normally require a prescription in other countries are sold over the counter in Panama.
Climate:
The climate in Panama City is tropical with little variation between seasons. The year is seperated by the dry-season typically from January to March and the rainy-season generally from April to December.
The temperature rarely rises above 90° F and there is anywhere from 4 to 10 feet of rain per year. The majority of the rain falls within the rainy season.
Who can move you?
Moving in your native country is never easy so moving to a totally new county can present many challenges. Since you will not have a plane or a boat to travel with your items across the sea you will want to look into hirig a moving service. Moving services offer many different things, they can pack your house, ship your items, deliver, and unpack your things into your new place in Panama. Some families choose to pack themselves while others let the moving crew take care of it all, the choice is yours just be sure to have a plan ahead of time. Waiting to the last minute to make such an important decesion will create stress so be sure to call around early to get quotes and make your reservations.
Below is a resource to find out information on moving. They provide a free quote and have moving supplies as well as customer support information.
http://www.allied.com/international-moving-company/international-moving
Call 1‑855‑556‑3451 to start your free quote!
Panama Schools:
There are three international schools in Panama City that are accredited by the American School Association. The schools are listed below:
The International School of Panama
This is a great choice when ensuring your child’s education for high school and is considered to be the best education of the 3 international schools. It is the most expensive international school in Panama but has many perks such as how it follows the same school year as the United States. The school year starts beginning to mid-August.
Balboa Academy
This school has a more laid back style of American education. Children usually have very little problems adjusting to B.A education environment after transitioning from the United States. While the school is still expensive it is less costly than that of The International School of Panama and Balboa Academy does accommodate children with learning disabilities.
The Oxford International School
When comparing to The International School of Panama and Balboa Academy, the oxford International School is significantly less expensive. Though it is inexpensive it can be a tough school for American children especially if they do not speak Spanish. This is because the school has a full American curriculum as well as a full Panamanian curriculum. This is not really a problem though if you child is starting out in the primary grades. In high school the students will study 13 subjects in two languages so some difficulties may come up.
Click here for a complete list of schools in Panama City that are great options for educating your children.
Currency:
The official unit of currency in Panama is the Panama balboa which is displayed in the picture to the left. However, the official paper currency of Panama is the US dollar. One U.S. dollar is equal to one Balboa.
Since they now use the U.S. dollar in Panama you will not have to worry about converting to the Balboa.
República de Panamá