What are your thoughts of the future of boquete & panama?
Many people are leaving, less tourists are coming. Prices are still expensive. Ongoing issues with water, electricity and no sidewalks.
Business are complaining as they are not getting enough customers/tourism. Business owners are planning to move.
Immigration is confused, there really isn't any fixed sayings and certain officers are a pain in the backside.
Boquete was featured on the news about tourism in Panama. That is a sign that they are losing out.
Replies
Hi Hil, No didn't move back to the US, I moved to Playa del Carmen where my daughter has lived for 18 years. I won't be moving back to the US -- too bloomin' dangerous Hahaha!!
Just saw this article today:
"The United Arab Emirates, Bahamas, France, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Germany are among those urging caution to U.S.-bound travelers. The concerns include mass shootings, police violence, anti-Muslim and anti-LGBT attitudes and the Zika virus."
Think I'll take my chances in Playa though there may be serious consequences from eating too much great food, snorkeling for hours at my advanced age, drinking too many colorful drinks with little umbrellas and mini-vacations over to Cozumel to visit ex-Boquete friends.
Hope all is well with you. Take Care.
Very interesting comment Donald. How will expat (not Panamanian) visionaries who hoodwink fellow exists effect the future of Boquete? Not well IMO.
Fellow expats.
To elaborate a little while also relating to other comments.
As was mentioned that it was not just foreign business that put Boquete on the world map making it what it is today, but I don’t necessarily feel all entities had the same intent or interest at heart. Some saw it as a land of opportunity like the Europeans did the U.S. a couple of hundred years ago, some internal money jumped on that bandwagon and others (let’s use ex-president Martinelli as an example) saw it as a tool to hide ill-gotten gains. Unfortunately for Martinelli Panama’s next president served in his inner circle at one time and had an axe to grind.
It is not just what has gone on in the capital that should leave use wondering, logic and simple arithmetic prompt questions about some of the things that go on in this sleepy little town which as a growing location offers opportunities for the opportunistic.
Yes there are those from Panama City and David choosing Boquete to live, some due to family already having plots of land here and others who can now afford to commute. The wealth brought into the pockets of many due to the sale of land has afforded them the opportunity of transportation they would not necessarily have had. Time will also tell if those who made substantial gains from the sale of family land in this once flourishing coffee/fruit/vegetable farming community sustain their gains through the next generation.
Many aspects of cost of living increases rest on the shoulders of gringos and I’ll just use the example of hired help many use such as gardeners and cleaners. When gringos pay sums in excess of the going rate because they have the money and can afford it and the income of that help then surpasses that of skilled workers and college educated jobs the system will correct itself and the cost of services will go up as they have.
Eventually service orientated positions will be forced to improve but not just to facilitate tourism. The Panamanian culture is becoming a household of two incomes where both hold jobs more demanding of their time and therefor neither have the time to deal with life’s necessities that that cannot be dealt with efficiently and effectively. This will force service oriented establishments to be more responsive and cordial. I hope the days are numbered where something can’t be done because the individual who signs a document is on vacation, or an explanation is not clear and concise or some ones attitude is not what it should be etc. Some might be able to remember how things used to be in the U.S. back in the 50’s and 60’s when there was no rush vs. how it is today, Panama is going through those same growing pains. What was acceptable for the people 20 years ago will no longer work for a society advancing as it is, and service oriented establishments will be forced to improve. When the government can see this it is a task that can be inaugurated immediately with little to no cost. It just takes the understanding of an attitude adjustment that works for all and that in turn will improve how the country is viewed and make all living here less frustrated.
That's up to citizens to decide, not Governments. Most Swiss buy a Rolex, Tissot or Omega rather than a Timex. The "buy Swiss quality" movement started in the 50's when the Japanese began selling cheap watches, radios etc. in Europe.
"Buy American even if it costs more" is a difficult gospel to preach in today's society where your social status is often determined by the quantity of "stuff" you own.
Granted, wealthy people everywhere will buy a Rolex or a Mercedes regardless of tariffs imposed on these items...
Jim,
All I'm saying is a trade war will be bad for Panama. Not to mention the USA and the rest of the world. It's a lose lose for everyone. This is not just my opinion, but the consensus of- I don't want to repeat myself. Most everyone.
Please give us all the benefits of a trade war. This is not a 1950 world we are living in.
We all live in a global economy. As much as conservatives would wish, we can't go back to the post WWII boom times. The manufacturing jobs are not coming back to America. Maybe a few, despite what Trump and his followers would like to believe.
Im confused as to why conservatives can't see the obvious.
Jim,
You can research the history and results of prior trade wars. The American business community, Republicans, and Democrats all agree that tariffs are a bad idea.
Disruption in global trade will obviously affect the canals' revenue and consequently the Panamanian economy.
Drug money laundering is the only explanation that makes any sense to me as far as the over-development in Panama.
Trade wars can negatively affect a currency's value. Since the Greenback and the Balboa are one and the same, Panama could be exposed to devaluation of their currency.
It was not the Embassy's decision to move SSA to Costa Rica. Orders came from the State Department itself when its budget was slashed and a hiring freeze was instituted. Less money and fewer employees equals consolidation of services and poorer services. You can thank the current administration when you encounter a critical federal benefits issue and can't get any help.
The future is more unpredictable than ever, no matter where one lives. A good old-fashioned trade war is the answer-"fun and easy to win!" in the words of the American president. Nothing to worry about, other than almost everything economic. Could likely turn into a very nasty, unnecessary, and destructive tit for tat. A lose, lose for most everyone involved. Carl Icahn excluded. Panama should be affected very little.
Boquete is one thing. More development than I see a demand for. The over-saturation of restaurants has been apparent for quite some time. One would have to be super confident/optimistic to open a new restaurant in Boquete.
David is another matter. The unbelievable commercial development taking place totally baffles me. The increase in demand seems to be moderate at best. There are large commercial buildings built years ago that remain mostly or totally vacant. With the new monster mall, there are going to be a LOT of losers. Is there something I'm missing here?
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 5 Next