Finding the Right Car or SUV in Panama

Our 2003 Lexus LX

Before we moved here in August 2011, I did a ton of research about cars around Panama.  I frankly did not find much I liked on the cars and debated if we should bring our SUV to Panama.  We figured it would be less trouble and less money than purchasing a car in a 3rd world latin america country, but we did not know whether or not it would "fit in". Back home in Washington, I drove around in a 2007 Lexus GX and come to think of it, it would have blended in with the other cars here in Panama.  I see more Toyota Prados, BMWs and Audis here than I saw in Bellevue!  But... I loved the research and the prospect of a "new" car. 

We ended up selling my Lexus and decided with the money I would buy something here.  Fresh off the flight, day 1 of our Panama adventure was searching for the RIGHT car.  We flew in, stayed at the Trump, hired a driver and had him drive us around almost every car dealership in Panama City - probably all of them I think. 

Here are my personal steps in purchasing a car/SUV in Panama.  6 special steps, is all that you need...

Step 1: Research.  Check websites. If you live here, then word of mouth is great too.

 

We figured with the website searches on craigslist, Play Community, Ricardo Perez and Encuentra24 we had a general idea on prices.  However, the cars I liked were so overpriced we figured an older, used car would be better for our budget of $20,000.  No Hilux, no Jeep, no on a Fortuner or 4Runner, etc.

Step 2: Drive around to local dealers

Day one was not so successful on car shopping, but successful on figuring out the shortcuts and turns and traffic around Panama Centro. That was great since I kind of pictured myself driving here a lot....and I have.  Also, driving around the city gave us an idea of what type of cars were driven.  Boy was I surprised.... BMWs, Audis, Toyotas, Hondas, Mitsubishis, Hyundais, Kias, Porsches, Range Rovers, along the taxis and the diablo rojo buses.  Some dealers don't post all their inventory on the website so driving around proved to be good for us.

Snack time near Honda dealership - YUM YUM!

At one dealership,  we were close to buying a Toyota Prado, but let me tell you.  SUVs here are driven pretty well...almost to the ground. We were careful about looking under the hood, interior smells (some smelled like wet dog or low tide or muggy dirt).  I have a really sensitive nose so if it did not pass the sniff test, we moved on.  Some cars looked great on the outside, but really beaten on the inside.  Some were leather and some were cloth seats with stains.  Some had low mileage (US imported)  or  low kilometers. Some cars had nice everything but double our price.  Very hard to choose.  

BMW X5

Range Rover Evoque

Lexus GX

Mercedes ML

Step 3: Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate - Stick with your budget!

We struck gold at one dealership who we kept coming back to. You know the walk away theory, right? Luxury Motors was it for us.  We liked their inventory...who wouldn't? A maserati on their lot? Audis, Hondas, Toyotas, Mercedes, BMWs. And mostly used SUVs there too.  They did say they had a Honda Pilot but needed to come back later. Which we did....and then had to wait. Finally, we test drove it around the area and liked it.  No super dark tinted windows, no major luxury extras, just a nice car, clean smelling, paperwork on history of oil changes included. We said yes. The blue book value was $24k but we bought it for $21k.

Day 2, we went back to Luxury Motors. We were looking for an SUV because of the pot holes on the road to our Gorgona home and we found it. For an SUV we decided to pay extra at  a dealer ship as opposed to individuals selling their car.  We filled out the paper work and paid some in cash, and some on credit card.  We drove around the city looking for a place to swipe the card and transfer the money.  But we were able to drive the car back our new place.  The owners of the dealership told us to come back next week for the title and registration plates. Sure! We now know better....keep reading.

Step 4: Paperwork in Order, drive away happy.

BMW 7 series

Parking at the Mall

From experience, once you a car, you need to be sure that the title of ownership is properly transferred to you. The car must have valid insurance; this is a requirement from the National Transit and Transportation Authority. If you purchase through a dealer they will ensure that the ownership of the car is transferred to you. If you need to do this yourself you can find that you need to pay, while a dealer will take care of it for you.  We paid $100 to have all that done for us - includes the fees to register the car.  However, I kept coming back every week. Calling was a dead end because they would assure me it was there.  It took me 3 trips (1 month) to have all the paper work in order.  

Step 5: Car Insurance - Illegal in Panama to drive without (same as US)

Insurance is not an option.  If you do not have insurance, you will not be able to renew your plates.  For the Honda, being a 2007 we were able to get full coverage.  We were recommended by a few friends to go with VIP Insurance (Kutu).  With all the driving to and from the city, I was nervous about driving without insurance.  For both cars we paid $1,600. The 2003 Lexus was over the 7 year rule about full coverage, but we have the regular liability. 

After a month we bought Chris' SUV, a Lexus LX for another wonderful deal from another dealer - Full Cars on calle Via Brasil & Via España (near Price Smart).  This second experience was tons smoother - paper work wise.  We actually ended up paying cash (another story on banks and getting large amounts of cash) and because we had a few repairs that the car needed, we waited a week for us to get it - not to mention days to get cash from the bank.  By then, the paper work was finished, the owner of the dealer ship was such a nice guy.  Gave us a name for a mechanic that specializes on Lexus for future fix its.  I still run into him now and then in his own Lexus around Coronado.

Step 6: Maintenance

Chris and Kami taking my car on Mailbu Beach, Gorgona 4x4

After 1 year of both cars, we have had no issues. We have had friends with mechanical issues, engine issues, brakes, boots, accidents, etc. 

We have had the regular maintenance at Tambor Tires here in Coronado: low air on the tires, and reapplying for registration on the vehicles and the regular oil and air filter changes.  I think overall, driving a car from the dealer, gives me more peace of mind.  And I do consider us lucky to have found 2 good deals.   

- Lita

Hollywood in Panama City and around Panama

Who would think that we would enjoy going out to the movies in Panama? As a family living in a country in Latin America, we realize we do have the best of Hollywood at our hands.  Granted we miss the convenience of a variety of movie theater places, convenient times of showings, but who cares?  We went online to look up theaters when the movie The Avengers came out and voila! (If you clicked on "theater" I did the website link for you).

Movie theaters or Cines were easily available to look up times, places of the movie.  Movie theaters here in Panama are located in the big shopping malls: Albrook Mall, Multiplaza or VIP, Metro Mall, Multi Centro or VIP in the city, and other locations which I have not been in outside the city.  Its all under the list of theaters.  As I'm typing this today, I've read about the new opening of a theater at the new Westland Mall in Arraiján...which is 30-40 minutes away from us beach folks in Coronado. This includes a 3D section as well.  We are excited to explore that soon.

Our day in the city:
My friend Lee, her son Gavin, Kamila, Lincoln and I treated the kids to see "The Avengers". We end up choosing to go to the Multiplaza regular subtitled showing. I think this is the nicest mall here in Panama - not to mention I have the best time finding it easily, and parking is easier for me.
Movies here are either dubbed or subtitled.  I felt my kids with their super spanish ears can keep up with the dubbed, but we end up choosing the subtitled version for Gavin.

Long lines are pretty common here in Panama - banks, super markets, food, etc. I've also seen long lines at the movie theaters:  I've seen super long lines to buy tickets at the ticket booth (no kiosks here), super long lines to buy your drinks and popcorn and finally super long lines to go into the theater (people wait outside the theater until 5 minutes before the starting).  Yes, lines for everything!

Multiplaza seating General Admission - NICE!

Being Friday morning, no lines, no crowds. Yae! We bought our tickets: $15 total. Really!! Spent $2 on coffee and $2 on popcorn! The choices are: Regular, Light, Caramel, Buttered. I ended up getting 2 small buttered and a caramel. Yum Yum! Plus the slushies for the kids.
How could I resist?!?

I must say, movies are really affordable: tickets and treats.  SfxdZgdxggcxv o you can also buy your candy, drinks, and popcorn.  I bring my own stash of sweets anyway, so I saved even more!

Popcorn anyone? Caramel, Regular or with Butter?

After our concessions we were surprised about the seating.  And this was regular seating!
The kids and adults were happy.  The movie was awesome! The sound was great and we had a super fabulous experience in a Panamanian movie theater.

FYI: The Multiplaza Pacifica Mall theater Cineopolis prices are as follows:

REGULAR:
Adults: $5, Kids (12 and under): $3.50
M-Th:  matinee (before 3 PM) Adults $3.50, Kids 3.50
Wednesday SPECIAL: Adults & Kids: $2.75

3D:
Kids: $6.00
Adults: $7.75
Seniors (over 60 years old): $3.85

VIP:
3D: Kids & Adults: $15
2D: Kids & Adults: $13

For future reference, when we make it to Westland Mall:

REGULAR:
Adults: $4.25, Kids (12 and under) : $3.00
M-Th: Matinée Special: Adults $3.50, Kids $2.75
Wednesday SPECIAL: Adults & Kids $2.50

3D:
Adult: $7.25
Kids: $5.00
Seniors: $3.50
M-Th Adultos $6.00, Kids $4.50

Multiplaza VIP seating - Wine please!

Regular seating is just as good as the new theaters at home.  Not ghetto at all. But then again, I should see the other seats at the other theaters, ey? Here are some pictures of the VIP in multiplaza. They serve sushi in addition to the regular concessions AND besides soda....alcohol!

We are definitely going to VIP on the next movie we like.  I think it would be mostly just to experience those nice comfy chairs...and to pay the $15 for a 3D movie  or $13 for a regular movie.  I know Kami would love the sushi option.

Multiplaza VIP Seating - WOW! 

Well, its not much difference as in the US, right?
I think if we watched a 3 hour movie it would be worth it. LOL

Can't wait until the next Hollywood hit to come down.  We anxiously await. Well, maybe a girls trip into the city to watch Breaking Dawn Part 2. Hmmm....I should start planning on that.







In the meantime, we enjoy downloading on netflix to our TV or using the Appple TV and download from our iTunes.  Still good, but nothing compares to sitting in an actual movie theater. Hooray! A new "like" for Panama.

Starting cruise charter in Panama

Deserted island in San Blas

Panamá has a lot to offer!  Im still trying to adjust to the heat here (102 degrees a couple days ago = hot, muggy and truly uncomfortable).  You would think that after a year, (can you believe that?!) we or I should say I, have acclimated to the weather.  Moving from LA to Seattle back in 1995, I say its easier to acclimate from hot to cold.  But, Im sure I could be wrong or just my body is different here.  I'm suppose to train for a 1/2 marathon in October and should be at 8 miles...hmmm... Well, all I can say is I cannot wait to finish.

San Blas: Beautiful calm waters

Isla Contadora (Pearl Islands)

Well, this particular blog is suppose to be about the sailing charter business Chris and I are running.  Things always seem easier on paper than they are in real life - or so the saying goes.  Probably true here as well, but also many joys and rare moments of being in the zone have led me to believe that our efforts and investments are starting to pay off.  Too many owners, partners have come and gone -- and thousands of dollars later, and by staying the course, we have come to enjoy promoting these fantastic cruises around Panamas's 3 incredible Archipelagos - The San Blas, Pearl Islands, and Bocas Del Toro.  

After falling in love with sailing in the San Blas Islands back in early 2011.  Chris was gung-ho about chartering here, that I had to see for myself.  I was NOT disappointed.  Back in September 2011, we met George and Melinda and Josh on their catamaran Southern Belle (check our blog on San Blas).  It is through this relationship that captain George and his 42' catamaran yacht have since come to be one of several cornerstone vessel options within the Yacht Latina framework.

 Well, a year now and we are still so fascinated with the Guna Yala (formerly known as the Kuna Yala, but their language has no "k" sound). I'm still collecting the big seashells and the molas from San Blas.  Can never have enough I say.

Kami buying a bracelet from a Guna Yala mom

Guna Yala typical home

Anyway, my enjoyment also comes from planning peoples trips and to those from out of town or locals - I like making their first time visiting the islands the best trip possible.  I field the inquiries, and manage the bookings, emails, contacts, and arranging of provisions.  Sometimes this means waking up at 3:30 AM and being in the city by 5 AM so I can avoid city traffic.  That trip, although dark, is cool.  The diablo rojos (buses) are all lit up like Christmas trees.  So cool.. I should blog about that next....

Chris proud of this baby!

Salad, soup or entrée?

Anyway, my countless trips to the city for shopping and meeting and greeting some guests have racked up thousands of kilometers on my car....Which has been a very good car to handle this much driving.

We have a website, http://www.yachtlatina.com which is designed to be a focal point in our marketing engine.  That is Chris' side job is to manage the site updates, pictures, postings, and schedules.  We also happen to live in a lovely expat community, playa coronado, where many of our friends and their families have also had the pleasure of cruising on one of our yachts, thus expanding the 'yacht latina fan club'.  

We recently expanded our yacht fleet to 7 vessels in order to provide our clients with a richer menu of sailing and cruising options all around Panama.  These vessels and their captains have come from all around the world to bathe in the tranquility of the tropic seas surrounding Panama.

San Blas Sunset 

Pearl Islands: Whale watching!

Sunset Paddle boarding 

These are some photo examples our guests have taken while on their trips.

Eric's lancha in San Blas

S is for Starfish

Which way? in Bocas

If you have yet to set sail with Yacht Latina cruises, then now is the time.  Sept - Dec is lovely and the dry season is just around the corner.  I do encourage those that live in Panama to at least try a couple nights sail.  The waters are typically calm both during sail and at anchor.  And the early morning pick up to start a cruise is well worth sitting on a hammock on your very own island (if you are lucky).

The schedule and times are posted on our www.yachtlatina.com website.  If you want to reach me directly: manager@yachtlatina.com.

Cheers!  Lita Huber

Staying fit and healthy in Panama

Swimming in the Pacific

Healthy while living in a hot, tropical climate has been a real challenge for me.  Since we've moved I've gone up and down in weight.  It's a lot of work to maintain and still enjoy the benefits of the good food and especially drinking here in Panama.

We started off with the feeling of being on vacation - going out for meals and drinking beer - tons of beer! It's so cheap at .38 as opposed to buying soda at .75!  I however got addicted to bottled coca-cola.  I can't stop!! Or I should say, I could not resist popping one open on a hot, muggy day... I had to do something quick!

I also have felt lack of energy from the heat whenever I went for a run or even a walk! We adopted Alpha in February 2012 hoping I can get some walking done, however, with the tide being at different times, the beach walks had to be on times that I was not comfortable with.  What to do, what to do?  Moving to Coronado from Gorgona helped in July. We now have paved roads and flat streets and more people around. I feel safer too.

Solution for our healthy problem? We hired Natasha from Sunwave Fitness to help us stay fit at least twice a week.  She comes to our home and kicks our but with Tash Camp (boot camp) and sometimes yoga, sometimes zumba just to switch it out a bit.

Yogacise with Tash

That has been a great fit! Literally...

I still have not been able to run more than 5 miles training wise, but we have had a race in Penenomé back in June.  That was a blast!  What started out as a group of 6 women, grew into a larger group of men and women.  A total of 12 of us were signed up, got up early and ran a 10k.  It was suppose to be a 7k, but who cares?  We did it!

7k point, but no sign so we continue.

Marci, Karyn and Linda

Finished!

More pictures as we wait for Tom who passed both markers and finished a 15k

Off we go!

Muddy trails = muddy shoes

I feel like I should have trained more for this race, but the most important thing was that I finished. I do appreciate Natasha coming over Tuesdays and Thursdays to our house to help Chris and I.  I say that for an hour, she can make me sweat profusely and even though I whine about the heat, I am happy to say afterwards "I'm glad I did it".

Currently we are searching for new Panama races.  You would think they did not exist! But let me tell you, at least one every weekend.  There really is a race for everyone.  5ks, 10ks, 21k and 42ks. And a few triathlons and not to mention we had our first panamanian Ironman back in February.

Our next big one on the horizon is Gamboa 21k race on October 2nd.  Can I say I do races for the medals? The medal looks awesome and the race is in the rainforest.  What more can I say.  I have 'til October to whip my butt in shape again.  I feel better when I sign up for something and look forward to it. It forces me to train, eat right and stay conscious of my body.  Once my race is over, I look for the next big thing. and the next.

Chris almost done

My passion for running is in my heart.  Just need my head to wrap around the idea again. Is this what we call a slump?  hmmmmm.  I have a race I love to do coming up in February 2013 - Huntington Beach 1/2 marathon.  This will be my 6th year doing it. I'm hoping this Superbowl Sunday will continue to be my tradition of running in the morning and slumping in front of the TV afterwards.

I love how I get a chance to motivate others, including my loving husband here.  He went from couch potato to basically running every morning.  I'm proud of him for continuing to set an example for me and our kids.

Panama is such a lovely country: food, fruits, rain forests, canal, mountains, beaches on both Pacific side and the Caribbean.  As well as complex when it comes to being healthy. But if other athletes can do it, so can I.

Girl-cation in San Blas, Panama 2012

Well, I finally had an all girl vacation AKA girlcation.  We decided to go to San Blas Island with Yacht Latina of course. :)

Two nights, three days of Sun, Beach and Girl time.

Me, Lee, Jo, Lynda and Corrin on Nalunega

We started out super early - like 5 AM for me and 4 AM for the girls coming from the beach.  Chris and I spent the night in the city (Gypsy Kings concert the night before).  Late night and early morning and coffee not available til 6 AM!?! yeah... I was not in my element.
But needles to say, we were on the road by 6:30 (tons of traffic coming from the beach delayed our trip by 30 minutes.
I called shotgun - whew! and decided to sleep my car sickness away.  Everyone else loved the chatting and being away from husbands, or boyfriends and kids.  This was our time and we were set to enjoy.

Guna Yala school function - DJ system?

Our first thing was to explore our lancha guides, Eric, home island: Nalunega.  Its a big island with a school and big restaurant bar.  There was  recycle museum as well. That was fun to explore.
Exploring a Guna Yala island was interesting. We came at the time where a big community meeting was happening in the main hall.  Women came in one door and sat on one side of the "hall" hut. The men came in the other door and sat in their respective sides. No kids.  After the meeting they would have a festival where big meals (fish soup) would be served to the island community.  Of course, we were not allowed to snap pictures but it was interesting none the less.

Artist and owner of the recycle museum

Store on Nalunega

Laundry area

Supporting the community

Mola bags anyone?

After, Eric dropped us off at the Lady Lu and we were off to Holandes islands.  We bypassed Isla Perro and kept going.  I however decided to sleep my sickness away - again. Corrin and I enjoyed our peace out moment.

Once we anchored, we were off kayaking and snorkeling.  Saw sharks, fish and explored the island.  We had our little cooler and basically relaxed the entire time.  The next day, some of us debated about staying an extra day (1/2 seriously).  But two nights was great taste of San Blas.

The next day we moved on to Isla Verde and basically ended up with a sunburn on my back - too much sitting in the water drinking beer and talking about recipes.

We had a nice gal from France - and her husband sporting a very euro swimsuit thong - selling jewelry that she made from coconut and Kuna vegetable "ivory".  We also had a family come on board selling us Molas.   I must say I was happy with my purchases, as well as the other ladies.  So sun, beach, snorkeling, swim, kayaking, drinking and shopping...not bad for us girls.

Me, Jo, Corrin, Catherine, Lee and Lynda - Isla Verde

you'll find her - Catherine "Tagua" Catamaran, Isla Verde

Like all good trips, they must come to an end.  And we bonded, like a wolf pack, and will always have San Blas, March 2012.

Before my water camera stopped working