THANKS for the info. ~ Pamela

Hi John,

There are many veterans living in Panama who receive their payments without trouble.

The U.S. Embassy here confirms that, “Veterans Affairs beneficiaries residing in Panama are eligible to enroll in the International Direct Deposit Program” to receive payments via electronic transfer. There is even a local hospital in Panama that will accept VA-FMP, TRICARE or CHAMPVA.

Applying for the International Direct Deposit Program should just involve filling out a form and attending an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit. You can see the process in detail on the U.S. Embassy’s website.

For detailed information on veteran-related matters in Panama, visit the Panama Veteran’s Commission website, and contact Panama-based Healthcare Alliance via email.

Bear in mind that you may have to spend some additional money to get any medication couriered into Panama. If you plan to move to the Boquete region of Panama, reach out to the Healthcare Alliance person there via email.

Hi Jonas,

Whether you’re comparing crime statistics, tourist guides, or travel advisories for the region’s different countries, you’ll find that Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America.

In fact, Panama ranks at number 68 in World Population Review’s “Crime Rate by Country 2023” report—lower than the U.S., which ranks at number 56.

So, does it follow that Panama is free from crime? No… I’ve traveled the globe and I’ve never encountered a country that was free from crime or corruption.

In every country, there will be some dangerous areas (due to localized organized crime or gang-related activity), but also many safe ones. In Panama it’s generally very easy to tell when a neighborhood is poor and thus certain to have more crime. Most are not areas you would accidentally stumble into.

In areas popular with expats, your biggest concern is likely to be petty theft or break-ins. Random violence is practically unheard of here. Panama has a large police force and crimes against tourists or foreigners are seriously dealt with.

Home-invasion-style robberies can be violent, but they are rare, especially in communities favored by expats. It’s neither quick nor easy to obtain a firearm permit in Panama, and a long-running moratorium on importation has helped keep gun prevalence relatively low. Gun-related offenses have major consequences in Panama.

On occasion, visitors to Panama make the mistake of letting their guard down completely—something they’d never do back home. In any unfamiliar city or town, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and to do what you can to blend in. Ask questions, use your city smarts, and you’ll see just how easy it is to live and travel safely in Panama.

Read my complete guide to safety in Panama here.

Hi Barbara,

I generally prefer to fly from Panama City to David, then rent a car. But let’s break it down so you can decide what works best for you.

By land: It’s an easy drive or bus ride from Panama City to David, which is where you’ll change buses or, if driving, turn off the PanAmerican Highway to head north into the Highlands. It takes at least five hours to get to David from Panama City by land, provided you’re not on a multi-stop bus.

I like the midnight express bus from Albrook (Gran Terminal Nacional) to David, as you can go to sleep in Panama City and wake up in David. Buses are usually freezing cold, so bundle up. To buy your ticket, go to Albrook Mall & Transport Terminal, buy a Rapi>Pass ($2.50), then buy your bus ticket.

By air: You can fly to David (Enrique Malek Airport) from either of Panama’s two major airports:

Tocumen International Airport (PTY), on the eastern edge of Panama City, or The domestic hub at Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert), on the western edge of Panama City.

If you’re flying into the country and want to go straight to Boquete, you’ll probably want to fly from Tocumen on Copa Airlines. These flights tend to be the cheapest with the best baggage allowances.

If you choose Albrook, you’ll fly with Air Panama.

There are several car rental outfits at the airport in David, I usually go with National because I’ve had good experiences with them in the past.

Bear in mind that September can be extremely rainy in Boquete. That said, this is an “El Niño” year, which generally means we get a lot less rain than is customary. You should have some sunny mornings and some showers (and possibly some storms).

These are usually easy to plan around, so check your weather apps and avoid the rain… or consider bringing a slicker. And lightweight gum boots, because they’re fun. Note that umbrellas aren’t always super helpful, as Boquete can get very windy. I actually enjoy this time of year in Panama’s mountain regions; it’s never too cold, so with the right gear it’s still fun to get out there and sightsee.

Splash away I say!