Coming to Panama

Hola Jonathan,

No order to my answers.

1. You don't need a converter.  Most outlets are 110 (identical to the US) so you should be okay.

2. The police do a couple of interesting things, like they have road blocks set up and check points where they will tell you that you are speeding and they demand a payment in cash or they will write you a ticket.  They can't write you a ticket.  They cannot give a speeding ticket to an American and it won't be enforced.  So you tell them to just give you the ticket.  They will then continue to ask for less and less money - you continue to tell them you have no cash on hand and to just give you the ticket.  This goes on for about 15 minutes.  They ask for money and you tell them no and they keep lowering the amount of the ticket until finally they realize you are not afraid and you won't give them any money.  You see a lot of tourists come here, get scared that they are going to get a ticket and PAY UP - why on earth they do this I don't know but they do.

Now you had better stop for this little game, do not blow them off.  If they have to chase you down your goose is cooked.  There is nothing anyone can do for you.  So be respectful and nice but firm that you have no money and that you want the ticket. (This little game has happened to my husband three times so I've seen it in action - it's quite funny when you know what the deal is).

The other caution in Latin America is that if you have a car accident - and contrary to what you learned in the US - DO NOT move the car.  The second you move the car you admit that the accident was your fault.  You can be jailed and even deported.  So drive safe and stay alert but be careful.

3. I have several family members who are gay.  They will all tell you that they are not comfortable in many parts of Latin America.  The most openly accepting city is Buenos Aires.  Latin America is a very heavily populated Catholic nation and as such they are not comfortable with gay couples.  But if you keep it toned down and not flashy you should be okay.  I hate to say it but don't have any shows of affection and you should be okay.

4. If you walk around during the day, without any jewelry (keep the jewelry at home) and no phones or other gadgets you make yourself less of a target.  I would also ask your hotel if the area you want to walk in is safe.  I lived in Boquete and while it was safe to walk around one couldn't because there weren't any paved streets or roads or shoulders to walk on. 

Hope this helped.  Let me know if you want other information.  Enjoy Panama.

Hey Jon,

All great questions. El Cangrejo (the crab) is one of the most up and coming, hip and trendy areas in the city. A friend of mine lives in that area and she and her husband are very happy. It's a safe area to walk around. I've walked most of that area with my 8 year old daughter and we were fine. That was during the day though. The place seems as fine as any other (or better) at night too. However, in any part of Panama, just like any other part of the city, you want to be careful at night. Don't go walking into any dark alleys, don't stop to talk to any crazy looking strangers, don't carry all your cash on you at one time, don't flash around I-pads while walking down the dark street, and all that other stuff you should know not to do.  It's no different in Chicago, Manhattan, Miami, etc.

You asked if gays are welcome in the area? Panama City is a very gay-friendly city. You should be fine. I just called up a good friend of mine, Bruce, who is gay, and he said, "El Cangrejo just happens to be one of the gayest places ever...I mean it's not Europe...or Chicago...or San Francisco...but it's one of the gayest places in Panama City."

I don't know if you're into the nightlife, but I asked him the names of a couple of gay discos/club/bars. He always talks about going out, so I figured he'd be the one to ask. He gave me the following list and the general area, incase you want to tell a taxi driver where to take you.

Distincion - is in Paitilla, which is probably close enough for you to walk to from El Cangrejo. It's definitely a short, maybe $1.50 taxi ride away. He said that's the classiest of the clubs. And the area makes it probably the safest.

Icon Club - This is another place he likes to visit, but it's not nearly as close to where you'll be staying. Nothing in PC is that far though. This one is on a street called Tumba Muerto.

Scape - Is a gay bar in an area called El Dorado.

Of course you've got tons of other things to do and casinos are close to El Cangrejo. You guys will have a great time I'm sure. If you get the chance, not sure if they'll be doing any concerts when you're in town, but a famous Panamanian tipico group called Samy y Sandra Sandoval play a lot of live concerts in the city. I call them the Panamanian Beyonce because all of their music seems to be of the "if you like it then you should have put a ring on it" type. All angry man music which I swear draws tons of women and tons of gay people for some reason.

If you want to get outside of the city, probably the most gay-friendly town would be Las Tablas. I was there visiting with my wife, for an article I had to write, and we saw two men holding hands as they walked down the street. Several people in town mentioned the gay population.  The town itself is a bit boring, real small town, almost third-world feel to it, but it's super close to a great beach town called Pedasi and another great place to visit, Chitre, where you'll find a small mall, decent restaurants, and even a small movie theater. There is a nice, quiet beach located on the outskirts of Las Tablas too. You won't find a friendlier and more affordable town than Las Tablas.

I hope this helps. Thanks again, so much, for asking that question. I write a blog about the nuts & bolts of living in Panama at www.thestayathomegringo.blogspot.com and you just reminded me how important it is that I write a blog post directed at the gay community because the "gay friendly" question comes up a lot.

Hope you guys have a great time in Panama.

Chris

Thank you Flo and Mike for the information; it was and should be very helpful.  Coming from New York City, I will definitely know the "times" to take my daily walks and how to not be targeted.  Glad to hear that the area we chose is urban and up coming as the city is where we will relocate to if and when the day comes.  Sorry to hear about the police, but I will take your advice Flo and act accordingly.  Mike, thanks for all the info on the nightlife, but as we're an "old married" couple, nightclubs have gone the way of my platform shoes (from the 70's).  Based on the info from you and Flo we should have no issues as we are not flashy or find the need for public displays of affection.  In fact, when meeting us, many are surprised of our sexuality.  Thanks again for the replies and am looking forward to making this journey.
Jon

Michael,
I screwed up....I thought we were staying in the Crab, but found out tonight we are staying in Casco Viejo.  Any way you can tell me a little about this area?   
Thanks
Jon

Hello Jonathan
If you don't like the Casco viejo you can always stay at a gay friendly bnb like Dos Palmitos 65818132
Great people, near the Canal, close to the Casco Viejo.

Hey Jon,

Casco Viejo is a really cool place. Most of the architecture is either Spanish Colnial or French (both attempted to build the canal at one point). It's like the Soho of Panama. It's full of hip cafes, jazz bars, nice restaurants. At night everything's lit up and musicians play in the street. Right now the only problem is all the construction that's going on there. It's still worth checking out. There's a really cool hotel there called Tantalo, where they allowed 12 (I think it was 12) different artists to each pick a room and do whatever they wanted with it. The food there is excellent. Their shrimp macaroni & cheese is awesome. From their rooftop bar you get a great view of the city and Casco Viejo.

Casco is also pretty safe. Especially during the day. You'll see the tourist police clad in black uniforms and red berets all over the place. The Panamanian "White House" or Presidential Palace is located in Casco, as is the old theater where the International Film Festival of Panama is held, a couple of museums and art galleries, and a bunch of old architecture and churches.

One thing I have to warn you about though, is an area called Chorillo. It's very close to Casco Viejo and it's one of the worst parts of the city as far as crime goes. A buddy of mine lived there for awhile, right on the outskirts of Casco leading into Chorillo and he said he saw, from his balcony, several robberies. Tourists would wander into the area in the late evening, camera in hand, and a group of three guys would jump out of the shadows and pounce on the tourist. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's a reality, so if you're going to be staying in Casco Viejo...stay in Casco Viejo, or take a taxi when you're headed out of the area. Don't wander too far off the beaten path.

Like I said before, the actual Casco Viejo area is a fun, hip, and trendy place right now. It's got great nightlife and lots to do. It's where they filmed most of the season of Prison Break that took place in Panama. They always showed the actors at cafes and hanging out in the gazebo at the town center.

If you haven't already, check out this site for all things Casco Viejo: http://www.cascoviejo.org/content/

My understanding is that private health insurance is costed reasonably well in Panama provided one secures it before the age of 64.  I will be 64 in a matter of months so i am interested in securing insurance if, in fact, what I heard is true.  Two questions: 1) is my information correct that reasonably prices health insurance is available prior to ones 64th birthday; 2) what is the name of a good insurance company with which to work?

Casco Viejo is beautiful! And, yes, stay away from Chorrillo. Even Panamanians who don't live in the area stay away. My husband's (who is Panamanian) cousin drives a taxi in that area and I have seen the bullet holes in his car and heard the stories. My husband also has a sister who lives in Chorrillo (God only knows why she doesn't move) and no one will visit her because of the area.....sad, I know.

Medical insurance is fairly affordable if you don't have any pre existing conditions that they feel will cost THEM in the long run. I'm speaking from experience.....my husband's employer (ACP..aka the Panama Canal) wouldn't cover me because I had gastric bypass.....a surgery that has made me healthier than I've ever been in my life. But, it is what it is and not much I could do or say about it. We did find private health insurance for me that I used for a short time (sorry, can't remember the name) but, I've been without insurance for over a year and have been able to afford my basic health needs. Doctor visits are cheap, most lab work is inexpensive and I don't need a prescription for my regular maintenance meds (thyroid). You might want to check with MAFRE...that is who my husband and children's med insurance is through. Also... Surgeries here are half of what they cost in the US. I am currently looking into two plastic surgeries (results of the weight loss from gastric bypass....so its a good thing!) and my quote here was $10,000, where my quote for the exact same procedures in the US was $25,000. And I feel confident with the surgeon and facility here in Panama (I'm VERY picky when it comes to my health care).

Best of luck!

carez:

thank you for your thoughtful answer; I will check with the company you suggested in contacting.

good luck with your surgery; glad to hear you took the steps to be healthy: it takes courage.

I just noticed that your locations states Columbus.....would that happen to be Columbus, OH?

Actually between Columbus and Cleveland.