Hil

I'm reading this as a used to be Ecuador/Columbian/Cuban problem. Cubans now need a visa to enter Ecuador. Nicaragua was the first to stop this by telling Costa Rica NO MORE. Costa Rica closed it's borders to undocumented people. Now Panama is doing the right thing by closing it's borders to undocumented illegal travelers on it's Columbian border. 

This is NOT a tourist problem. There is a difference. A current passport and visa for foreign travel and no problems. Just follow the rules and not rumors. Varela is not stupid. So called "Perpetual Tourist" are just fine and spend a lot of money in all of Panama. This is not just a Boquete issue on so called "Perpetual Tourist." As a matter of fact; they are welcomed here. The problem is some expats don't like them. Panama does like them. I suggest let the Panama Government label people in their country. Not expats. We shouldn't be sticking our nose in their politics unless we have Panamanian Citizenship. A Pensionado or any other type of residency does not give us a vote on politics here.  I see too many expats trying to change the culture here to fit their standards. That won't work here either. After a couple of years I've found out blending in works better. Just my opinion. And, my thoughts are just observations of behavior of expats in restaurants, stores and in general. Personally, I wanted to spend at least a couple of years here before making the big change and reside here permenantly. That has been done----no more LABELING me. But before residency, I had NO Problems with immigration or elected officials or police in Boquete or anywhere else in this beautiful country.

No complaints from me on anyones status in this country. Actually it is none of my business.

3 hours ago, LaurenLake said:

Buried in the news stories today about closing the border with Colombia are some quotes from Varela about requiring everyone to have a proper immigration status.   For example, this story said "Varela also announced the implementation, in the coming months, of a new immigration policy that requires everyone to have formal immigration status to be in the country after the six months tourist visa."   (http://www.thepanamadigest.com/2016/05/panama-closes-border-with-colombia/)

I hope this doesn't mean that doing border runs is at an end. Our plans call for a 2-year stay in Panama, so it isn't worth it to us to go through the process to get a pensionado or friendly nations visa. 

The English language press doesn't have much to say on this, so I'm starting to dig into the stuff in español. 

I am not sure PanamaDigest is being honest on what they printed. 

21 hours ago, Hil said:

They just posted info;

http://earthquaketrack.com/recent

 

 5.1 magnitude earthquake

Today 28 minutes ago at 12:17 
May 02, 2016 UTC

Location:
Epicenter at -6.096, -107.201

Central East Pacific Rise

Depth: 15 km

Both quakes happened at the same time. We probably didn't feel the one off of the coast from David. This UTC time is difficult to read. lol

They just posted info;

http://earthquaketrack.com/recent

I did the hop (paso canoas)for the last two years and never stayed out of country over 24 hours. It will continue to be up to the agent working the window. The last two trips (with all the cubanos there) were a one hour turn arounds. Good thing is for me; NO MORE. I have residency now. If you call or visit the migracion office they will quote the rules to you.  The border is a different story. No consistency at all. How does an agent in the window determine a "border hopper" and what is the legality of crossing the border under current laws as many times as you wish?

A short Bio from one of his books; (in his book he states----copyright laws do not apply!!! Great man!)

Doctor Herminio Carrizo Villarreal, a retired OB/ GYN, is a Panamenian citizen, born in Ocu, Province of Herrera, in mid-1922. He graduated from the School of Medicine at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, on June 11, 1947. On August 22, 1948 he married, “by the church,” Miss Elma Beatriz Madrigal Hinojosa, from Rio Grande City, Texas. Doctor Carrizo practiced his profession in his native country. Herminio and Elma founded the Panamenian Christian Family Movement together with the following couples: Pepe and Margarita Camel, Roberto and Marianella Motta, Faustino and Vivian Rodriguez, Jaime and Mirella Arias, Menalco and Vangie Solis, Gonzalo and Irene Sosa, Carlos and Yolanda Sousa. Herminio and Elma attended the III World Congress of the Lay Apostolate as delegates of the Christian Family Movement of Panama celebrated in Rome during the Pontificate of Paul VI.

I was with the family all day yesterday in Alto Boquete and in David. We followed the funeral home van back to David. I drove them to David for some legal things on his death since their car was in the shop in David. We picked up their car on the way home yesterday so that was a good thing for the sisters. Two of his daughters are here now. My girlfriend works for the family. They then took the Sr. to Panama for creamation. Very interesting man; Doctor, pilot and was studying the French language just three weeks ago. I played dominos with the Sr. twice in the last month.

As a side note; I was told by person in the know (from a funeral home) that some agency in Panama City will not sign off on the new crematoria in David. He didn't give a reason. We will see.

Dr. Carrizo was a great man and friend.

Here is the Embassy Website and the Rules.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/panama.html

Click on; Entry, Exit, And Visa Requirements

Again; it depends on the agent working the window.

I went March 13th. Thousands of Cubanos where there and had NO effect on crossing back and forth. Since then, some  Africans (turned away from CR) and more Cubanos have arrived. So, who knows. I had all the doucments just in case; Passport, $500 cash, bank statement, ONWARD travel. You can read on the Panamanian Embassy website-----land, sea or air.......ONWARD travel. The agent for the land, sea or air company is supposed to enforce this before bording any vessel entering Panama (not sell you a one way ticket or show proof of other transportation out of Panama). Now, if you stay past your return flight---you will need new onward travel when exiting and reentering Panama. If you cross the border after the return transportation has expired you will need an updated onward travel. But, they enforce what they see fit on anyday. It depends on the agent at the window. I would suggest stop by migracion office in David and get a copy of the rules. All this uncertified information on the internet gets people in trouble. The Panamanian Embassy is the best. Or at least it used to be.

The agent looked at my passport and did not ask for anything else as far as documents are concerned.

One hour turn around and that's because I sat down and drank a cup of coffee on the CR side.

My first trip here, I bought a bus ticket online from Tracopa (while in the USA) and used it for bording United Airlines in Houston,Texas. Again legally all you need is onward travel. (legally doesn't mean much here. it's the agent at the border.)

HAVING SAID THIS------I GET MY CARNET TODAY IN DAVID!!!

Not impressed at all with the size of Panama City and one dog abuse case prosecuted. Probably a political stunt. IMHO

The presidency of the u.s. will have lots to do with tourism in panama with the up coming elections.

thanks

Is there a Florida Notary in Boquete or David? If so, I could use your services for the Consulate Of Panama In---Miami. I need one document notarized.

Please message me or post in this topic..

Thanks,

Hil Jenkins

What attorney in David did you use?

The Fair Grounds. It is a huge place. It's near the new huge vegetable market. Approaching David from Boquete go West on the InterAmericana Highway( turn right, do not cross overpass). Turn LEFT at the first traffic light. Go past the Nissan place on your left. Turn right on the street before the school/church(two story)------two or three blocks before the traffic light at the prison(two story church/school). Keep straight you'll see the fair grounds on your right. This is the highway for Las Olas and La Baraqueta. I lived near it at one time. Go past the Nissan Place and most all of the right turns take you past the Fair Grounds.

Google the Texas Instruments IN FOCUS projector line. The user manuals for your projector are free and easy to ready. I just looked those projectors up online. You'll need to know the model. Look up clean filters. There may be more than one filter also.  A dirty filter causes the projector to over heat and the safety feature shuts down the projector if over heating-----saving the $500 bulb.

I used a Panamanian Notary for a government agency in Florida. The agency did NOT require an apostle. David has a professional Notary office not far from the Chiriqui Hospital. That is all they do. As a matter of fact the notary was a lawyer. $7

LOOKS LIKE THE DATE OR DAY IS WRONG. JUST SAYING.

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Soy and whey are very similar. Body builders use Soy for the natural bulking up instead of steroids. Whey is used for maintaining muscle in older people like me. I started using it two years ago while working out in the gym. It will help with keeping muscle toned up. Great protien. I get the chocolate or vanilla at Price Smart when the have it (powder). They have plenty of Soy and it will do the job until they get some whey.

4 hours ago, Bajareque said:

I just bought the last bottle of whey protein at Romero's. Does anyone have a good source for this in Boquete or David?

Whey down in David at Price Smart. They have Whey and Soy.

2 hours ago, JudyS said:

Here is the chart in English.  Boquete is Region 1

http://www.businesspanama.com/about_panama/investment/labor_salaries.php

Your link is the 2015 rates. There is a new one out for 2016

https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/27934/54016.pdf

It's about time. They did the deal. A warrant is being issued.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/court-orders-martinelli-detention