Resource Guide Panama

Resource Guide Panama www.larmgroup.com © Copyright LARM Group TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Welcome to Panama Panama History & Culture 4 Country Details Currency & Taxation Local I.D. Obtaining your Driver’s License Purchasing a Car in Panama Registration Used Cars Gas Stations 8 Home Finding Apartments and Houses Associated Fees for Renting a Property Utilities 9 Education Bilingual English Schools Catholic Schools Bilingual Jewish Schools Bilingual Schools (French, British, Japanese, Greek) Academic Calendar Recommended Timeframes to Enroll 11 Banking Opening a Bank Account ATMS 12 Medical System Insurance Finding a Doctor Hospitals Emergency Contacts 13 Transportation Transportation & Commuting Airports 14 Embassies & Consulates Embassies Consulates © Copyright LARM Group TABLE OF CONTENTS 15 National Holidays 16 The Local Panama Flavor Food Eating out in Panama 18 Landmarks & Tourist Spots Panama Canal Casco Viejo Chiriqui Highlands San Blas Islands Bocas del Toro El Valle 20 Entertainment Arts & Culture Nightlife Sports & Activities in Country Shopping 21 Helpful Tips Safety Dialing In/Out of Country 22 Notes © Copyright LARM Group As part of our Latin American Relocation Management (LARM) family, you can rest assured that we have your relocation needs covered. Our focus is making sure you experience a smooth transition, from start to finish. We have put together this guide with important information and resources that will help ease your relocation process as much as possible. We want to remind you that we stand by, ready to support and guide you whenever you might need it. If you have any questions or feed- back, please feel free to contact us directly. LARM Panama LARM USA Headquarters Prime Time Building, Office 19-C 1961 NW 150th Avenue, Suite 103 Costa del Este Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Panama City, Panama. Phone: + (954) 239-4081 Office: + (507) 271-0029 Email: [email protected] Fax: + (507) 271-4647 Email: [email protected] LARM - PANAMA RESOURCE GUIDE 1 © Copyright LARM Group Welcome to Panama Panama is a country of rich diversity and uniqueness, from its location to its people, to its terrain. Panamanians are made up of about 70% Mestizo (or “mixed,” meaning indigenous and Spanish primarily), 6% indigenous, 14% African descent and 10% white, including Caucasian and Chinese. Panama’s primary language is Spanish. 2 © Copyright LARM Group History & Culture Sailing westward from Venezuela in 1501 in search of gold, the United States. The alliance was based on America’s Rodrigo de Bastidas was the first European to explore the promise to construct a canal for Panama. Panamanians are Isthmus of Panama. One year later, Christopher Columbus friendly and accepting of many different cultures. Because visited the isthmus and established a short-lived settlement of its warm weather, Panama is known to have a more in Darien. Vasco Núñez de Balboa’s tortuous trek from the relaxed culture, where punctuality is not a main priority. It Atlantic to the Pacific in 1513 demonstrated that this isth- is a great hub for food and art as well. Its art is a unique mus was, indeed, the path between the seas, and Panama mix of both indigenous and modern influences. Some of the quickly became the crossroads and marketplace of Spain’s typical icons in art and clothing are: the Mola, a colorful empire in the New World. fabric with complex patterns that include symmetry in the design; Panama´s typical dress, la Pollera, influenced by Panama was part of the Spanish Empire for over 300 years Spanish aesthetics, and the Panama hat which is also an (1513–1821) and its fortunes fluctuated with the geopoliti- example of strong tradition that evolved over hundreds of cal importance of the isthmus to the Spanish crown. During years. Panama’s food is full of fresh, island-inspired dishes, the 16th and 17th centuries, at the height of the Empire, no including tropical fruits, fresh vegetables and fresh catches other region would prove to be more important strategically from the waters. Some popular dishes include patacones, or economically. Panamanians celebrate their independen- or fried plantains and chicken rice. ce from Spain on November 28 (1821) and separation from Colombia on November 3rd (1903). When Panama sepa- rated itself from Gran Colombia, it made an alliance with LARM - PANAMA RESOURCE GUIDE 3 © Copyright LARM Group Country Details Full country name: Republic of Panama Main Regions: Provinces (10): Panama City, Colón, Coclé, Darién, Herrera, Capital: Panama City Los Santos, Veraguas, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, Panamá Area: 75,517 km / 29,157 sq. mi Oeste. Population: 3,802,281 (2014) Comarcas (Indian Regions - 5): Guna Yala, Madugandi, Wargandi, Embera-Wounaan, Gnobe Buglé. Official Language: Spanish Main Cities: Panama City, San Miguelito, David, Colón, Currency: Panamanian Balboa (PAB) / U.S. dollar (USD) Santiago, Chitré, La Chorrera, Penonomé. Government: Democratic Main Beaches and Islands: Gorgona, Coronado, Punta Religion: 75-85% Catholic Chame, Venado, Santa Catalina, Santa Clara & Farallón, Area Code: 507 Contadora Island, Isla Grande, Taboga, Coiba, Bocas del Toro, San Blas. Location: Located in Central America between Costa Rica and Colombia, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Climate: Tropical climate, it has two seasons: Summer Pacific Ocean (dry season) and Winter (rainy season). Summer: (January – mid April): 80-90°F (25-30 C°) **High Demographic: Humidity. Ethnic Groups: 70% Mestizo, 14% Zambo, 10% White and Winter: (Mid April – December) 6% Indigenous. Density: 140.6 sq/mi Gender growth: Female (49.49%), Male (50.50%) 4 © Copyright LARM Group Currency & Taxation Local I.D. • Official Name: Balboa (PAB) Personal Identity Card-Cédula • Exchange Rate: U.S $1.00 = PAB $1.00 The Cédula is an official document that presents a set of *The Balboa is fixed at parity with the United States Dollar* particular characteristics that distinguish a citizen. When a citizen turns in 18 years old, they will receive the Personal Taxes: 7% Identity Card as identity document. The ID card is required in Commercial, Civil and Police ac- tions in the Republic of Panama. For example; it is mandatory to use the ID card in all bank related procedures. LARM - PANAMA RESOURCE GUIDE 5 © Copyright LARM Group Obtaining your Driver’s License How long can you drive with your foreign/current What do you do if an Ambulances/Fire Truck is Driver’s License? passing? A driver’s license from another country can be used in Please move aside and give them priority. Panama for 90 days with a tourist visa. After that you will be fined or taken in to the police station for driving without What to do if a cop stops you? proper documentation. It is very important that once you have your residency status you immediately do the driver’s If stopped by a police officer, make sure to stop as instruc- license process. ted and wait to be asked for your information. You will need to provide your driver’s license. SERTRACEN constantly changes the requirements needed to certify a license from a foreign country, please make sure Throughout the year there can be random checkpoints, you have all the documents (in some cases to include a blood usually at night, where cars are stopped and the driver is type test if this is not on your current driver’s license) before asked for his driver’s license. Many of these checkpoints you go. For more information, visit: www.sertracen.com.pa are placed nearby bars, discos and restaurants or on the major streets to avoid car racing. If the police thinks it is What do you need to know about driving in Panama? necessary, they may also perform alcohol tests. This may include the Breathalyzer or asking you to step out of the car • Drive on the right side and take the person to the closest police station overnight. A fine will be issued and a ticket for disorderly or drunk • The minimum driving age is 18; however, you can driving will be given. Also, a fee will be required for the car get a learner´s permit at 16. to be released. • Vehicle registration document, proof of identity, Rules of transit book (Reglamento de Tránsito) insurance documents, valid driving license and accident report form should be kept in the car at all times. • The use of cellular phones while driving is prohibited • Third party insurance is mandatory • Seat belts must be worn by the driver and front seat passenger. • Children under 5 years old must be seated in a special car seat in the rear. 6 © Copyright LARM Group Purchasing a Car in Panama The following documents will be required: New cars in Panama are generally sold by dealerships, • Copy of the seller’s ID where the Retail Price is often less flexible than elsewhere. • Copy of the new owner’s ID To purchase a car, the buyer needs to provide a proof of identity and legal residence in Panama. • Transfer card (Traspaso), which is provided by the municipality, signed by both parties When purchasing a new car with a bank loan, the buyer • Certificate of vehicle inspection for the current year has to provide a cash deposit, which reserves the car, while (Inspección Vehicular) the paperwork is completed. The car dealership handles the ownership transfer. • Certificate of sole title of the vehicle (Registro Unico de Propiedad Vehicular) Cars may not leave the dealership without insurance as all • “Paz y Salvo” from the seller’s municipal office, vehicles in Panama must have at least a third-party insuran- which declares that there are no outstanding tickets ce policy. or dues on the car. • Receipt of payment of the road tax (impuesto de circulación vehicular) from the municipal office that Registration issued the license plate The Dealers take care of this step, if you buy a car through a Dealership.

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