One of the most amusing things about the government here in Panama is they love to make laws quickly and regularly. It is sort of like market testing - they write a new law, throw it out there in public and see how the public responds. Now this is the best part- the foreigners - us- always panic and go around for days or weeks calling attorneys and reading every English news we can get our hands on to try to find out what really is the new rule. Then just about the time we think we have a handle on what it is, who might be affected and who might possible be enforcing; they decide it was a bad idea and just take the law off the books.

So good news! According to everything I have read this past week the Panamanian government has decided against implementing the yellow fever shot requirements. Now please stay tuned because you just never know what is next but for now the only people affected were the poor unfortunates who were recently preparing to travel soon and just figured they should get the shot, no problem. I prefer to skip the shot unless there is a real risk since too many people get sick from shots.

It’s amazing how quickly laws will change here (sort of) but how slowly the government really moves to serve the public. Just something to get used to and at least they don’t smother the TV with election news even though we are in the midst of presidential campaign here also. There are so many people running I cannot keep the ballot straight but a friend’s uncle is running for president and our dentist is running for a post similar to mayor so we are just hoping to know some good people who have influence; after all it can’t hurt! Important to remember though that the country is the size of South Carolina just to keep perspective.

In the meantime we just read, laugh and wait until the dust settles before we get too concerned about any new rules. And since I have discovered how to get Saturday Night Live on my computer there is plenty of political and election excitement right here at home in Boquete.

Important safety tip when you travel to Panama; NEVER EVER sweat the small stuff; not here; it just isn’t a part of the culture and you will feel strange and get strange looks if you do .

Technorati Tags: Travel Safety, yellow fever shots

I have had a lot of questions lately on the yellow fever vaccinations so here’s the scoop. You do not need a yellow fever vacinnation if you are traveling between the US and Canada. However if you plan to Travel to Panama via Chile or Ecuador for example then you will need to have taken the shot a minimum of 10 days prior to arrival in Panama.

See this article in Panama Guide for clarification and a map of some of the countries in question. Also to keep updated click on this link to the World Health Orginization for more than you ever wanted to know about Yellow Fever!

Technorati Tags: Travel Safety

Maybe it is because the Chiriqui Province supplies 50% of all the fruits and vegetables for all of Panama. Or maybe it is because the Chiricanos are known for their beautiful horses and good horsemanship. Just Possibly it’s a result of the large and successful coffee plantations strewn throughout the countryside. The natives of this wonderful province that boasts beautiful black volcanic soil think there is no better place in the world.

Apparently there are many of us Norte Americanos and a lot of Europeans who agree. The most famous and 3rd largest city in the Province is David. Pronounced with the accent on the 2nd syllable. David is in the lowlands and is hot and steamy. A realtively pleasant city especially if you walk and do not drive through all the narrow unplanned streets. David is so typically Panamanian in that there was no plan to it - it just sprouted up.

As a rule Panamanians don’t do a lot of pre planning. I haven’t discovered why unless it is how much in the moment they live. But it’s mostly true that even if there is a plan it is always subject to change at the drop of a hat; Panama hat that is. But that is another topic to address later. We once had a whole family coming for dinner and they just decided not to come; didn’t have phone teception at their house, did not drive down the road to phone; just didn’t come. It is accepted and that is how it sometimes happens in Panama.

Admittedly the joy of not planning is that a local will almost never get upset by a landslide or a road closure that totally changes their day. I do mean totally changes it; as in they are no longer able to reach their destination. Most Panamanians will just adjust their attitude to the situation and do something different. As someone who is used to the pressure cooker of the US business world - this was astounding to me! Of course like most Latin cultures being on time is not revered or expected. Even with the Chiricanos.

Back to our Chiriqui geography.

Going North from David about 40 minutes you will come tho the lovely mountain town of Boquete. Ah, cool fresh air, 70 degrees F everyday and misty mountains in the morning and again in the afternoon. This is a truly magical place. Here many expats heve convened to make a new life. Boquete was discovered primarily due to the marketing efforts of one man who built an outstanding, beautiful, amenity filled gated valley community called Valle Escondido.

Since we primarily wanted to be very close to beaches when we first visited Boquete we thought it was nice but not so special. we now know that it is a place that grows on you like the moss grows on the stone walls here. It boasts a small town atmosphere with everything you need so you almost never have to leave, surrounded by exquisite mountains, nice people and lots of other expats so you can get a chance to speak English and sing a few tunes.

More tomorrow on Chiriqui.

In the meantime for some great Chiriqui facts please go here to World Headquarters site:

Planning to Travel to Panama? Get great travel deals here.

Technorati Tags: Boquete, chiriqui, panama

My husband and I are seriously thinking of cashing in and heading down with our two sons. We think we want to be on the Pacific coast so we can surf and fish. We are going down in November to check things out. We are unsure where to start looking. Any advice out there?

Well I'm not an expat, but I'm in the relocation business here in Panama. I'm very glad you're considering relocating here, and trust me you won't be dissapointed. Panama has a lot to offer, but you do have to consider certain things before settling in.

You mentioned you have 2 boys. If they are still attending high school, I'm very sorry but moving to the beach is out of the question. The only English speaking high schools are in Panama City, unless you plan to do home schooling. Now if they're fluent in Spanish then that's another issue. You could get them into any school, however be advised that in Panama private schools are better than public schools, and if you don't live in a major town or city, you will only get public schools.

As for you guys surfing and fishing, well you'll get a lot of that. If you want to buy into some of the major developments that are going on right now, consider visiting the strip of beaches that start in Gorgona Beach and end up in Buenaventura beach. if you want to buy a piece of land and build your house by yourselves, or hire a contractor to do it for you, then please hire the services of a reputable attorney, a reputable real estate broker, or someone like me in the relocation business that won't scam you. There are a lot of issues to deal with if you want to buy land on your own, and you must have the right guiding hand to do so, or you might end up empty handed.

There are other interesting place where you can get some land, and for that I would recommend you talk with a real estate broker that can show you what's available.

If you need help contact me through yahoo! answers.