1. Does anybody know if there is a discussion group for people that live in Volcan?
2. Does anybody know where organic meats can be bought? Do you know of any private individual that sells organic meat?
3.Are mosquitoes a problem in Bouqete and Volcan?
4. Is it necessary to get vaccines to come into the country? Is malaria or dengue fever or other tropical diseases a problem there?
Replies
Sherry, just out of curiosity, have you ever been anywhere in Latin America? From your line of questions, it seems as though you're leaning toward moving to Panama. Might I suggest a visit first? Perhaps a 2-3 month stay before you decide on something permanent? Many people have moved to Boquete (note the spelling) without sufficient research and have found that it wasn't at all what they expected.
I wish you much luck on your trip and I hope you fall in love with Boquete as it's a wonderful place with lots of great people.
We give our dog a heartworm tablet every 45 days, for when we go down to the beach. Just in case! Up in Boquete, it is not necessary.
Two vets have told me it is unnecessary. My dogs have never taken them here. They are outside a lot.
Hi Sherry, you are in luck, You are very close to one of the best, organic angus beef farms there, I have his contact info at my business and I am at home today. I will post it for you tomorrow when I get to work.
Per the CDC's world map below, it's prudent to get vaccinated for hepatitis.
I know many people here will dispute this but after working and living on and off in Central and South America for 25 years I've seen a few cases of hepatitis. It's not pretty, up to six months of flu like symptoms, well worth the small amount of money for prevention.
When I visited five years ago, yellow fever vaccination was recommended because you might be asked to show the certificate when entering the country. (I wasn't asked). I also got a hepatitis a shot to play it safe, but took a pass on the malaria shot because I was not going near Darien province.
So is yellow fever and hepatitis something you see or hear a lot about there?
Are there lots of mosquitoes?
No, they are not something you hear a lot about. I've lived in Boquete over eight years and have encountered no one suffering from either yellow fever or hepatitis.
Mosquitoes are not a major problem in most parts of Boquete because of its altitude.
We do, however, have lots of snakes and scorpions.
Hepatitis can get you in any country, if you happen to run into bad sanitation.
Yellow fever was a huge problem in Panama until the time when the Panama Canal was constructed. That is when they learned how to control the disease. That travel officials might still want to see your yellow fever card suggests that the disease has not been eradicated.
I imagine that some places have many mosquitoes and other places have few. I spent two weeks traveling between Boquete and Colon and had no problem with mosquitoes, but it was the dry season. It would be a good idea to read up on the area where you are going, to get an idea of what to expect. Amazon sells several travel guides about Panama.