AboutLorena Milanes Expertise I can answer questions regarding Panama, its people, culture, places to visit, places to watch out for, hotels to stay, how much your taxi fare should be... specific information on getting around on a safe manner.
Experience I was born and raised in Panama, educated in American schools. Since I enjoy all related to Panama history, I try to keep myself updated on local happenings in the subject. I also enjoy traveling and the internet seems a wonderful tool to use, specially when you are your own guide (which I usually am)- so I am just willing to give some of the help I have received back.
Publications Article - La Prensa Newspaper
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree - Marketing and Advertisting
MBA - Emphasys in Management
I am from Singapore and if i am to come to work in Panama City, my 2 concerns are accommodation and health insurance. Can you tell me how much health insurance will cost me for a comprehensive plan in Panama City for my wife and myself? How about accommodation? We are looking to get a 1 to 2 room apt with security in safe and good neighborhood, maybe somewhere not too far from multiplaza. How much would that set us back roughly?
Thank you so much
CK
ANSWER: HI CK,
In order to have an estimate of health insurance, the company needs to have you evaluated, health checked, age, if you are a smoker, what type of job to do... and so on before they can give you a estimate.
I am in my thirties and pay 55.00 usd a month - I am a non smoker, my job involves no risk and I have had this insurance for for over 15 years.
In regards to places to live, since crime has sky rocketed - anything can happen anywhere. Just last Sunday the apartment building where I live was broken into - with a 24 hour security guard -
Close to Multiplaza you have the following neighborhoods: Paitilla, Punta Pacifica, San Francisco, San Sebastian (NO, NO) - for what you need with 2 bedrooms it should be a minimum of 1.000. usd per month. You can check places out at www.compreoalquile.com
Hope this helps.
Lorena
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Lorena,
thanks for the quick response.
In regards to the health insurance, is it applicable to private clinics and hospitals as i was told to use those? For housing, is it easy to get 1 bedroom apt or 2 bedrooms are more common? I was told that a foreigner getting into a taxi will be charged easily 2 to 3 times more, does this mean getting around would be expensive for me? What are the chances of getting a taxi driver who speaks decent English?
Answer Hi,
Yes, the health insurance I told you about is the private one not government.
For housing, I would say 2 bedroom is more common, but you can always check the site I provided.
Taxi services are a mess here. They chose if they want to take you and they overcharge foreigners. It all depends where you are going, the are supposed to have the rate map in the cab - so that should be able to settle the over charge issue.
The odds of finding a taxi speaking driver are, I would say 1 in 20 -
Good luck.
Lorena
