Next time try visiting the country first before investing everything you have. Might have made more sense to rent an apartment and figure out that Balboa Ave sucks before pouring your life savings into it. I read of another woman who purchased a condo on Balboa Ave and said she couldn’t wait to lay on the beach out front of her condo.

When I arrived in Panama City after shipping everything I had after my retirement, I rented a furnished apartment near Av. Balboa waiting for my new condo to be built but during the low tide I was not able to breath,my asthma got worst, the smell was terrible, I had a huge headache even with the windows closed; next day I went to the hospital; I called the realtor and after many fights since the contract was already signed, I was able to move to a house , a strange place to be, leakings, floodings, rising crime, bad neighbours.. Then three projects were cancelled, all my money gone.

Sorry but I did not meet the nice people just crooks, compulsive liars. Now I am leaving for good, upset for believing in the fake ads that do not mention the traffic jams, skyrocketing prices, cancelled projects that have damaged Panama’s credibility as a safe investment haven worldwide, maybe the country doesn’t have the technical capacity yet, those three big cancellations have affected a significant number of investors like me. And the attorneys, landlords that take your money, lying to you 24 hs. a day?

I am upset with myself for not researching more carefully before moving to Panama. Maybe some expats are still living here pretending they are happy, that the country will be always a paradise which is not but I was expecting more. Much more.

Goodbye Panama!

Panama FIRST ALERT • Panama FIRST ALERT • Panama FIRST ALERT •
May 30, 2007
Panama City, Panama
Dear Panama First Alert Reader,
Visitors to Panama will no longer be granted a 90-day stay with a tourist visa. Previously, Panama immigration law allowed for a 90-day extendable stay. Now, anyone entering the country on a tourist visa will be granted just 30 days—extendable only once for a total maximum stay of 60 days.
Government authorities recently passed an amendment to Law No. 15 which amends one provision of the Immigration law —one of a series of changes implemented to control illegal immigration. As of this month, Panama has deported 512 non-nationals—from Colombia, China, Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, among other countries—for lacking appropriate documentation.
What does it mean to those who travel often to Panama or wish to spend extended amounts of time in Panama? It means you will now need to exit and re-enter the country every 30 days (60 days if you extend your tourist visa), or you will need to qualify for a visa other than a tourist visa. Panama offers several different visa options…but some of these require considerable investments in terms of time and money.
Best Regards,
Jessica Ramesch

Sounds like I can’t set up shop in Panama anymore…. what you think?… will they be bouncing Americans soon?

YeahDogg

i’ll look into the visa changes. i’m just hearing about it now (thanks raul). last april i renewed my visa and it was 90 days and then another 45 days. last year it was 90 and 90.

where’d you read expats are getting tossed? i haven’t heard that.

YeahDogg

of course you’re right, i am a cynical sob. there’s no “perhaps” about it, my writing’s way over the top.