Despite previously living in Las Tablas, Panama for several years, I recently found myself on a Panama Relocation Tour.
In late January, I flew to Panama because I decided I didn’t want to deal with winter this year.
I survived my arrival during the Papal visit and the World Youth Conference, and settled in at my home away from home in Guarare.
I spent a couple of weeks enjoying the sun and the ocean (and wallowing in Vacation Brain, truth be told). On the 10th I met up with Jackie Lange and the bus in Chitre.
I’ve been friends with Jackie since 2012, and I interviewed her for a podcast last year. I had mentioned to her that I wanted to revisit Boquete, and take a look at Puerto Armuellas, while I’m in the country. She said, “well, why not hop on the bus with us, we’re going to both places.”
So I did. I had a great time, met some fun and interesting people, and saw the places I wanted to see. And I have to say, the tour was not what I expected. . .
For one thing, they’re proving so popular that Jackie ran two tours in January and February, something that’s never happened before.
If Panama’s on your radar, here are 5 reasons to plan a Panama Relocations Tour.
#1. People who take the tour end up moving to Panama
Jackie keeps tabs on the folks who join her tours, and she knows that 57% of them move to Panama within a year. This tour, based on what attendees were telling her, the numbers are likely to be higher.
#2. Jackie provides quality information
During the time spent driving from one location to another, Jackie regaled us with information about everything from health care to banking to how to find a place to rent or buy, to Panamanian history and customs, to local insider information, and more.
Each drive ended up being a comprehensive seminar on some aspect of living in Panama. Only instead of a conference room, we were rolling through gorgeous mountain scenery.
#3. You get to meet a busload of interesting people
And I had a chance to meet more than 30 people excited to be getting a firsthand look at Panama.
Their stories were all different, and yet all eerily the same. They were all looking for an active retirement, and couldn’t afford the retirement they wanted in the US or Canada.
Some are planning to retire totally, while others want to continue working online or remotely.
Some loved the beaches, some loved the mountain towns of Boquete and Volcan. Some wanted a busy social life with lots of expats, and some wanted more immersion into the local community. But all of them were searching for a better and more fulfilling retirement than they could have if they stayed home.
When I first talked with Jeff and Laura, for example, he was talking about retiring at the end of 2019. By the end of the tour, he was going home to hand in his notice and looking for a place to rent starting in just a few months.
#4. There’s no hidden agenda
Jackie doesn’t push real estate – in fact, she routinely turns down offers of commissions and partnerships. She wants to be able to tell it like it is, and she does just that.
#5. It’s a well designed and professionally run experience
I’ll be sharing more about the tour itself, but to say I was impressed is an understatement.
I’ve known Jackie since 2012, when my husband and I used to meet her group when it came through Las Tablas every month and talk to them about what it was like living in that area.
I’ve always had a lot of respect for her integrity and the fact that she’s not promoting any real estate agenda.
What I didn’t expect was the incredible level of professionalism and the outstanding quality and quantity of information Jackie provides. It was like attending a conference, but without the boredom.
I’ve been recommending Panama Relocation Tours for years, based on knowing Jackie. Now, after joining the tour and experiencing it for myself, I only have one question for you.
What are you waiting for?
Dateline: February 18, 2019
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