anyone want to move to panama with me 400 dollar a mont house rental

You would really look for a roommate on GLP? Well now that I think about it if you're trying to get out of the U.S. then why not find someone who feels the same way you do, wanting to escape. Hopefully you'll find someone prepared for what's about to come...

for 300/month who needs a roommate?

Careful !

SAME homo advertizing above for 'room mate' to move to Canada.

Guess he wants one 'sucker' for the summer months in Canada, and one for the winter months in Panama.

Panama?!?!
Are you a caucasian??? If so, i would GREATLY ADVISE against moving to any 3rd world central/south american country with the exception of Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay.
Panama is notorious for kidnappings and ransom of caucasians.

These people wil not think twice about stealing the 5 bucks you have in your pocket and dumping your body in a ditch on a dirt road somewhere.
Try Argentina dude, if you have to go to south america.

Where do you want to move canada or panama????Just to be clear.

Where do you get your information from?

You must have Panama confused with Colombia or Mexico. Many white foreigners have moved to Panama in the last few years and are very happy there. I lived in Panama before and will be retiring there in the next few years. Panama City has the same criminal elements you find in any city, but the rest of the country is great.

Panama is safe.

damn tempting offer, when are you moving op?

Panama is a 3rd world $h!t hole!
Yeah, right . Good call!

SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens are warned not to travel to Darien Province. Embassy personnel are only allowed to travel to Darien Province on official business with prior approval of the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. This restricted area encompasses the Darien National Park as well as privately owned nature reserves and tourist resorts. While no incidents have occurred at these resorts, U.S. citizens, other foreign nationals and Panamanian citizens have been the victims of violent crime, kidnapping and murder in this general area. Reliable communications and medical infrastructure are not readily available in the region, which makes travel therein potentially hazardous. Moreover, all around the Panama-Colombia border area the presence of Colombian terrorist groups, drug traffickers and other criminals is common, increasing the danger to travelers. Note: The Secretary of State has designated the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
From time to time, there may be demonstrations protesting internal Panamanian issues, or manifestations of anti-American sentiment by small but vociferous groups. While most demonstrations relate to labor disputes or other local issues and are typically non-violent, it is nonetheless a good security practice to avoid demonstrations. U.S. citizens are advised to exercise caution on the campus of the University of Panama, where members of radical, anti-U.S. student groups are active. For updated security information, contact the U.S. Embassy Consular Section at the address below.
Visitors should be cautious when swimming or wading at the beach. Some beaches, especially those on the Pacific Ocean, have dangerous currents that cause drowning deaths every year. These beaches are seldom posted with warning signs.

On the Pacific coast, boaters should be wary of vessels that may be transporting narcotics northward from Colombia. Special permission is needed from the Ministry of Government and Justice and the National Environment Authority to visit the National Park on Coiba Island. At this time, the island, a former penal colony, has fewer than 20 prisoners. Boaters should avoid the southeastern coast of Kuna Yala Comarca (San Blas Islands), south of Punta Carreto, on the Atlantic Coast.

Local maritime search and rescue capabilities are limited and well below U.S. standards.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site, where the current Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, Middle East and North Africa Travel Alert, Travel Warnings and other Travel Alerts can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Crime in Panama City is moderate but increasing, particularly because of the activities of youth gangs. The city of Colon is a high crime area. Police checkpoints have become commonplace on weekends on roads in both cities. Based upon reported incidents by local police, the high-crime areas around Panama City are San Miguelito, Rio Abajo, El Chorrillo, Ancon, Curundu, Veracruz Beach, Panama Viejo, and the Madden Dam overlook. Crimes there are typical of those that plague metropolitan areas and range from rapes to armed robberies, muggings, purse-snatchings, "express kidnappings" from ATM banking facilities, in which the victim is briefly kidnapped and robbed after withdrawing cash from an ATM, and petty theft. Tourists recently experienced a problem with armed bandits during an organized canoe trip on the Chagres River.
Panama City has a curfew for persons under 18 years of age. Under the law, students attending night classes must have a carnet or permit, issued by the school or, if employed, a Certificate of Employment. Minors who are picked up for a curfew violation are subject to detention at a police station until parents or legal guardians can arrange for them to be released into their custody. Parents or legal guardians may be fined up to U.S. $50.00 for the violation.

You must have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express down there huh?!?!



Adventure Writer Reportedly Kidnapped in Panama
Sean Markey
National Geographic News

January 22, 2003
A Colombian paramilitary group has reportedly kidnapped three Americans, including adventure travel writer Robert Young Pelton, in the Darién Gap region of Panama.

The trio has held been held since Friday by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a right-wing paramilitary group, according to a report broadcast early this afternoon by Voice of America.


Paramilitary leader Carlos Castano said in an e-mail media statement that the three travelers were being held for "their own safety" and would be released shortly to a humanitarian organization or church, according to the news agency.

U.S. Embassy spokesperson Guy Olson, reached in Panama this afternoon, told National Geographic News that Panamanian authorities notified embassy officials on Sunday that two American citizens and one Canadian citizen were missing in the area. Olson said it was later confirmed that all three missing travelers were American.

According to sketchy reports, the three were last seen on the afternoon of January 17 near the town of Paya in the Darién Gap region of eastern Panama, Olson said.

Eyewitness information gathered by Panamanian police and passed on to U.S. embassy staff in Panama reported that the trio was traveling in the company of a Panamanian guide when they were ambushed by Colombia guerrilla forces and fled into the jungle, Olson said. It's believed that paramilitary members later captured the American trio.

The Panamanian National Police are heading the investigation, Olson said. Panamanian National Police spokesperson Didacio Carmargo, reached by telephone in Panama, declined to comment on the reported kidnapping.

Three Americans

The three alleged captives are Robert Young Pelton, 47, of Redondo Beach, California, Megan A. Smaker, 22, of Oakland, California, and Mark Wedeven, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

The newspaper reported that Smaker works as a firefighter and was vacationing in Panama. No details were available on Wedeven at press time.

Pelton is renowned for his swashbuckling, adventure travel writing. The former public relations executive often journeys to remote, dangerous locales to meet with guerrilla groups and military leaders in countries torn by civil unrest.

He is the author of more than four books, including The World's Most Dangerous Places, a guide to global trouble spots, and Come Back Alive, a travel advice book billed as "The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Disasters, Kidnappings, Animal Attacks, and Other Nasty Perils of Modern Travel."

I had a friend long ago who father a diplomat was kidnapped in Panama


sounds like it is still dicey down there

I think you should note that it's the Americans that get kidnapped.....not Canadians....I wonder why....seems like nobody really likes Americans....I can't blame them really....

Hey OP I hope you like mosquitoes and Malaria!

Panama?

Are you kidding?

do you have an arseanol(sp?) you know, weapons? lots of weapons ammo stuff like that?

do i need to bring a port-potty too?

I am a proud United States citizen who has spent several years in Panama. Some posters appear to be very frightened of the unknown and seem to be wildly firing off angry statements based on a little research and a lot of emotion. For example, if "Anonymous Coward" chooses to look at the information about the U.S. on the same government site where he drew his long (and accurate) quote about Panama, he will find that he comes away with almost the same feeling for visiting the United States. It makes the U.S. sound pretty scary, too. Panama, the U.S., and all other countries have criminals. That is a fact of life. I've traveled a lot and have never been in a country that didn't have their share of low-life. Everywhere you go, you need to be aware of the "bad" parts of town and stay in the good parts. That is just common sense. These same countries also have many wonderful citizens that make their countries good places in which to live. The journalist who was kidnapped was in a dense jungle area close to the Colombian border. That is an area that all visitors are warned to stay away from. It is a hideout for Colombian terrorists and drug czars. Because it is wild, it is very difficult to police. Even the natives stay out of the parts of the Darien that are right next to the border. The Darien is just one small part of Panama. You can go only so far into the Darien safely. A prudent person knows when to stop. This kidnap victim is an adventure writer. He was looking for an adventure story to write about. I strongly suspect that he was well aware of where he was and the dangers therin. He will write the best story of his life when he gets out of the Darien. He was not kidnapped by Panamians, but by Colombian outlaws. The Panamanian Armed Forces are searching for him and the kidnappers. The Panamanian government truly hates these outlaws. As a whole, the Panamanian people are deservedly noted for their genuine friendliness and helpfulness. They truly enjoy meeting people from other countries, and getting to know them. Panama City has become an international banking and business center, drawing business leaders from all over the world. I am in awe of its amazing skyscrapers, great restaurants, and reasonable prices. You can rent a decent apartment (not luxurious) in a middle class area for $400. If you live outside of Panama City, the rent may be even lower. My husband and I will be eagerly returning to Panama for more visits. There are friends that we want to see, historical sites to explore, amazing flora and fauna, and so many fabulous things to do and see, that we always run out of time before we must return home. It's a great place for outdoor activities and relaxing pursuits. I actually feel much safer walking the streets of Panama City at night than I do in any major city in the United States. (I don't walk in the "bad" parts of Panama City at night, just as I stay out of certain parts of any city, worldwide, that I may be in.) I don't feel afraid to live in the United States, and I am certainly not afraid of living in Panama. If you want to live there, GO FOR IT!!! Panama has a lot to offer visitors. It's a great place. You'll enjoy it!

526607 you rock!! lived in the middle east for years, loved it! good and bad in all countries.

[link to www.youtube.com]

Do you worship the pope and enjoy military dictators?

Panama 85% Roman Catholic

Costa Rico

Most Panamanians are Catholic, but there are also prominent Jewish families, Mormons, Protestants, atheists, and members of other religious groups which enjoy Panama's religious freedom. As for dictators, Panamanians overwhelmingly hate Noriega. Their government leaders are elected in democratic elections, to serve in a government patterned after that of the United States.

Moving to the Amazon rain forest-need a couple of hot looking chicks to do the chores and take care of me. Any takers? Plenty of wild life and a big river to fish in-friendly head hunter locals.

i was gona leave the the carrebian but my plans have failed.

so once the road warrior lifestyle kicks in ill just go around looting and breakingshit... ohhh fun times!!!!

comon baby!!!! im waiting!!!

FUCKING BULLSHIT. I lived there too for three years, still have friends there who refuse to let me come and visit stating it's not safe for me. The last time I did visit I had a private security guard paid for BY MY RICH FRIENDS haunting me everywhere I went. Anywhere in Panama province is simply not safe if you are American. They hate Americans with a passion you cannot being to imagine. Just pop by Chorillo and have a look at the missing arms and legs and bullet holes from OUR invasion.

Not to mention, in order to live in Panama you must prove PRIOR to gaining approval to live/retire there, that you are a pensionado, if you cannot, you cannot stay. I know people who retired to Panama...and left.

I love Panama, but I worked on the economy made lots of rich Panamanian friends and would NEVER dare to live in Panama province...ever. Chiriqui near volcan Baru, MAYBE....but you have more than they do, and trust me, they will do all in their power to relieve you of it. LOL when I moved back up to the states I swear despite how hard I watched every other box of mine went on THEIR truck, especially the ones with all my ceiling fans in them. And don't even get me started on the police. Until you have been SHOT at by the cops trying to stop you for a bribe you don't know fear.

Stay the hell out of Panama. It just is not safe yet.

Costa Rica is the oldest, most stable, and most affluent democracy in Central America, and I'd still not really want to live there...in a few select areas MAYBE.

There's rent here in the US less than that
Panama sounds expensive

This thread is hilarious.

I'm actually here in Panama as we speak. I'm a young, british, blonde female and I've lived here for five years now, in both Chiriqui and the Panama province and those years have passed without ANY incident whatsoever. I have a great deal of wonderful friends, I am not a pensionada, no one has stolen/kidnapped/raped/hurt me in any way shape or form and this is categorically one of the most beautiful, safe and incredible countries in the world.

It is this narrow minded attitude that gets you guys a bad name.

If any of you plan to visit the country and would like a locals perspective, be sure to look me up on facebook or something.

P.S. Where the hell are you finding these 3 bed houses at 300 dollars a month?! If you're coming across something like that on craigslist I can guarantee it's some kind of scam.

Where in America can you rent a house for $300-400 ?

dude.... wtf? panama is one of the most developed contries in central and south america :S and there is no kidnappings at all... so shutup and learn a little bit more about something your advising about... ok? panama is one of the best places to live.... everything is cheap, girls are hot, good food tho. i live in panama sinse 5 years ago and its paradise... good choise man =)

I was just there 2 months ago. That place is booming. Construction 24/7. Panama City is beautiful. Would have loved to have stayed longer. Maybe someday we'll retire there.

LIES! LIES! ALL LIES!

BE AFRAID! VERY AFRAID!! OF EVERYTHING!!! AND EVERYONE!!!!

It's the American Way!



(this has been a public service message from the Department of Homeland Hysteria)