Moving to Panama and Zapatilla Cay
When you move to Panama with IntlMOVE, you will get to explore the beauty of this Central American country.
IntlMOVE will help make your move to Panama a worry-free experience.
IntlMOVE specializes in international moves, so you can know you are in good hands with the professional international movers.
Zapatilla Cay is actually two small islands, which are referred to as Zapatilla Cay North and Cayo Zapatilla Cay South.
The islands are home to swamps, forests, coral reefs, beautiful beaches and hundreds of species of fish.
You can reach this tropical paradise by taking a 90-minute boat ride through Bastimentos National Marine Park.
There are full day tours that depart on a daily basis from Bocas del Toro.
Panama’s National Environmental Authority (ANAM) manages Zapatilla Cay and the livelihood of the wildlife that have made these landmasses their home.
Zapatilla Cay is a refuge for many marine turtles.
Government agencies manage the safety of the turtles on this beach.
There are leatherback turtles and hawksbill turtles that lay their eggs on these beaches.
For a small fee, you can camp on these islands and experience the wonder of nature.
Residents of Panama pay a much smaller fee than guests visiting the country.
There are beautiful coral reefs off the islands that are located in shallow waters.
You can go snorkeling and see some of the most beautiful tropical fish and marine wildlife.
If you are certified in diving, you can go down 20 feet to see the underwater world up close.
There are lobsters, snappers, angel fish, groupers, crabs and many other tropical fish that live in and around the coral.
If you just want a relaxing day on the beach, Zapatilla Cay is a perfect place to sunbathe and enjoy the warm waters of Panama.
There is a natural trail you can take to see beautiful surroundings on the island.
You will make your way through the mangrove swamp and other areas that are widely untouched.
While on the trail you will reach a very old house that is said to have been built by pirates.
There are tropical fruit trees and even a water hole on this scenic hike.
As you continue down the trail, you will reach Windward Beach, a swamp and you will even get to explore a forest with plants native to Central America.
The trail also leads to a coconut plantation, which is owned by the Ngöbe-Buglé Indians.
You will make your way back around to the ANAM area, where you can settle down and enjoy the beach.
On the way home from the tour, you can stop at Coral Cay for lunch and enjoy some delicious Central American foods, which include some of the most delicious seafood.
There are restaurants located here that are built on stilts and give you a one-of-a-kind open air experience.
When you move to Panama, you will begin an once-in-a-lifetime journey that will take you to beautiful places you never imagined possible.
IntlMOVE can help you make this dream a reality.
IntlMOVE will ship your household goods and furniture to Panama to help you enjoy your new country and your new home.
When you move to Panama with IntlMOVE, you can enjoy the tropical weather and Zapatilla Cay.
Moving to Panama and Zapatilla Cay
When you move to Panama with IntlMOVE, you will get to explore the beauty of this Central American country.
IntlMOVE will help make your move to Panama a worry-free experience.
IntlMOVE specializes in international moves, so you can know you are in good hands with the professional international movers.
Zapatilla Cay is actually two small islands, which are referred to as Zapatilla Cay North and Cayo Zapatilla Cay South.
The islands are home to swamps, forests, coral reefs, beautiful beaches and hundreds of species of fish.
You can reach this tropical paradise by taking a 90-minute boat ride through Bastimentos National Marine Park.
There are full day tours that depart on a daily basis from Bocas del Toro.
Panama’s National Environmental Authority (ANAM) manages Zapatilla Cay and the livelihood of the wildlife that have made these landmasses their home.
Zapatilla Cay is a refuge for many marine turtles.
Government agencies manage the safety of the turtles on this beach.
There are leatherback turtles and hawksbill turtles that lay their eggs on these beaches.
For a small fee, you can camp on these islands and experience the wonder of nature.
Residents of Panama pay a much smaller fee than guests visiting the country.
There are beautiful coral reefs off the islands that are located in shallow waters.
You can go snorkeling and see some of the most beautiful tropical fish and marine wildlife.
If you are certified in diving, you can go down 20 feet to see the underwater world up close.
There are lobsters, snappers, angel fish, groupers, crabs and many other tropical fish that live in and around the coral.
If you just want a relaxing day on the beach, Zapatilla Cay is a perfect place to sunbathe and enjoy the warm waters of Panama.
There is a natural trail you can take to see beautiful surroundings on the island.
You will make your way through the mangrove swamp and other areas that are widely untouched.
While on the trail you will reach a very old house that is said to have been built by pirates.
There are tropical fruit trees and even a water hole on this scenic hike.
As you continue down the trail, you will reach Windward Beach, a swamp and you will even get to explore a forest with plants native to Central America.
The trail also leads to a coconut plantation, which is owned by the Ngöbe-Buglé Indians.
You will make your way back around to the ANAM area, where you can settle down and enjoy the beach.
On the way home from the tour, you can stop at Coral Cay for lunch and enjoy some delicious Central American foods, which include some of the most delicious seafood.
There are restaurants located here that are built on stilts and give you a one-of-a-kind open air experience.
When you move to Panama, you will begin an once-in-a-lifetime journey that will take you to beautiful places you never imagined possible.
IntlMOVE can help you make this dream a reality.
IntlMOVE will ship your household goods and furniture to Panama to help you enjoy your new country and your new home.
When you move to Panama with IntlMOVE, you can enjoy the tropical weather and Zapatilla Cay.
IntlMOVE Tips for Living in Panama
IntlMOVE wants your international move to Panama to be successful.
IntlMOVE has put together some great tips on money, taxis and the Spanish language for a successful move to Panama.
Money
When you are taking taxis or any public transportation, don’t carry large sums of money.
You will need the exact change to take rides on busses, so find out how much they charge and have the correct change ready.
If you are using the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, you will have to pass through a turnstile that only accepts nickels, so make sure you always have nickels available.
Most taxi drivers do not have change for $20 bills or larger bills.
In fact, most taxi drivers will not have change for $10 bills.
If you are buying food or other small items from street vendors, they too will have a hard time making change for big bills.
If you need to break larger bills, you can use them at grocery stores and sit down restaurants.
Only bring small change for tips, taxis and street vendors.
Taxis
When you are taking taxis, always agree on a fare beforehand.
Have dollar bills ready as taxi drivers do not always carry change.
You can get most places in Panama City for under $4.
Tipping is not customary for cab rides in Panama.
Be aware that most taxis do not have seatbelts.
If you do not speak any Spanish, try to learn a little bit of the language to communicate with the taxi drivers.
It is polite and it will really help you get around the city.
Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so trying to communicate with them could lead to confusion if you cannot speak or understand Spanish.
Learning Spanish
If you do not speak Spanish, try to learn it as quickly as possible.
You can go to language schools, buy a program where you can learn it from home or practice with the locals.
Practicing on a daily basis will help you enjoy Panama much more.
Some people speak English, but you will find that a lot of people only speak Spanish.
Speaking Spanish will come in handy when you are trying to navigate your way around the city and will also help if you get lost.
Find a language buddy who is trying to practice English because you can both help each other out.
Speaking Spanish will also help you in your working environment.
Some employees at your new job might not be able to effectively communicate in English.
You are in their country, so it is only polite to try to communicate in their native language.
Clothing
When moving to Panama, it might be difficult to blend in with the locals.
Come prepared with clothes that are appropriate for your new country.
IntlMOVE will help you ship your clothing to Panama to make you feel more at home.
Most Panamanians will not wear shorts, but jeans are appropriate to wear for men and women in casual situations.
Men can wear guayaberas, which are embroidered shirts that are great for the hot and humid climate.
Men can also wear polo shirts for dining out.
Women are often seen in sun dresses or jeans and tank tops.
When you get to Panama, check out what the locals are wearing and buy clothes that resemble the current styles.
When working in an office environment, be aware that Panamanians are not as casual as some companies in the United States.
You should never wear jeans, shorts, sleeveless clothes or casual wear to work.
When you are ready to move to Panama, contact IntlMOVE for a professional international mover ready to be at your service.
IntlMOVE Tips for International Move
IntlMOVE is an international mover that has been helping families ship household goods overseas for many years.
International moves can be a lot of work, so let IntlMOVE handle your international shipment.
IntlMOVE has put together some tips for international moves:
Ship your Car Overseas or Sell it
IntlMOVE will ship you car overseas if you would like to take it with you.
Having a car in you new country can be very beneficial if you have ample parking space at your new home.
If you are only moving overseas for a couple of years, you might decide against moving your car.
If this is the case, you might want to consider selling your car.
Cars need to be started and driven around a regular basis to keep them functioning.
This could be a real inconvenience for a family member or friend.
Also, your car could depreciate by thousands of dollars by the time you return to your home country.
Most people who do not ship their cars overseas tend to sell their cars for this reason.
What to Take on the Plane
When you move overseas, it could take up to a couple months for your household goods to be shipped to your new country.
You should take all the clothes that you will need for the next couple of months.
You should also bring your laptop so you can communicate with IntlMOVE through email.
The computer will also be useful for checking online banking, communicating with family and for many other things.
You should bring all passports and other documentation you will need in your new country.
All jewelry and other sentimental items should be brought on the plane with you as well.
Find a Home Close to School and Work
When you first move overseas, you should find a home that is close to your work and your children’s schools.
You will want a minimal commute time.
Hopefully you will live close enough to come home and have dinner with your family or come home early enough to meet your friends out for dinner.
Having a short commute time will mean that you have more time to explore your new international surroundings.
You will want to live close to your children’s schools so they do not have to commute far in the morning.
If children live close to their school, they can have their friends over after school.
You will be able to go to their school for different activities to be involved in their lives.
Prepare yourself for Culture Shock
When you first move overseas, you will be in awe of all the new things to see and to do.
However, a few weeks after your arrival overseas, you will experience culture shock.
There are signs that you might be experiencing culture shock, such as irritability, lethargy and a change in eating patterns.
Start to make friends as soon as possible.
Getting out and about in your new country will help you overcome culture shock.
By learning to love the culture, the people and the food in your new country, you will be able to move through culture shock quickly.
IntlMOVE provides each of its clients a personal move consultant that will help answer any questions in regards to international moves.
Log onto the IntlMOVE website for more tips on international moves.
IntlMOVE Tips for Living in Panama
IntlMOVE is your first choice in International Movers when you decide to move to Panama.
When you move to Panama, there are a lot of new culture norms and rules that you will need to live by.
IntlMOVE has put together a list of tips for your international move to Panama.
Panama Law
When you move to Panama, it is best to use the services of a lawyer to help you with any contracts because you will not be aware of Panamanian law.
If you are purchasing property, get a lawyer to go over any contracts with you.
When you decide to hire a live-in housekeeper or nanny, make sure you have a lawyer draft a contract.
If you do not have a contract, it is possible that you will be responsible for her medical and dental care and some expenses relating to any children she might have.
Safety
When you travel in busy or crowded streets, keep your belongings close to you at all times.
Pickpockets can be a problem in Panama, so just be careful and be aware of your surroundings.
Don’t wear any expensive jewelry or other valuables with you when you are traveling in crowded places or alone.
When you are not at home, make sure all windows and doors are locked.
Overall, Panama is much safer than many cities in North America and it is the safest country in Central America.
Violent crimes and major robberies are extremely rare in Panama.
Traffic Rules
When moving to Panama, many people decide to ship their car to their new country.
IntlMOVE can ship your car to Panama along with your household goods and personal effects.
The authorities in Panama are much more lenient on traffic rules than they are in North America.
When you first move to Panama, you might find the traffic a bit overwhelming because it takes some time to get used to it.
When you do get pulled over for breaking a traffic law, make sure you have pocket money to pay off the fine right away.
Taking Taxis
When you get into a cab, trust your instincts.
If you feel uneasy about a cab driver, get another taxi.
Check the picture of the taxi driver with the picture on the license.
Most of the taxis don’t have meters, so agree on a price to your destination before you get into the taxi.
Most taxi drivers don’t carry change, so try to have exact change with you.
Getting Acquainted with your New City in Panama
When you first move to your new city in Panama, find out where to find all hospitals, clinics, grocery stores and other places you will need.
Knowing how to get around your new city is your first step in learning to enjoy your new surroundings.
Buying a new Home
When you are buying a new home in Panama, make sure you get a lawyer to help you with the process.
Makes sure all property and land are free of any liens and have a clear title.
This can be a little tough, which is why you should utilize the services of a local lawyer, who is used to the property laws of Panama.
A realtor will be able to help you find a home and help you find a bank that can finance your purchase if you will not be paying cash.
When you move to Panama, you will have to get used to a whole new way of life.
After you get acclimated to your new surroundings, you will start to develop new routines and make new friends.
It will be a very exciting experience for you and your family.
When you are preparing for your international move to Panama, IntlMOVE will handle all the international shipping details for your household goods and furniture.
