Why We Canceled Our Boquete Trip and Are Staying in Panama City
With The Smiths
3,222 views
📘 Planning your own move? Grab The Panama Relocation Toolkit for Families:
https://withthesmiths.gumroad.com/l/q...
🔗 All our links and resources: https://linktr.ee/withthesmiths
Support our Channel: buymeacoffee.com/withthesmiths
Shop Our Merch: https://withthesmiths-shop.fourthwall...
____
We were all set to spend 10 days scouting Boquete, Panama... and then we canceled. In this video we sit down and talk through why we're staying in Panama City for now: the real cost of that trip (about $3,500!), why life outside the city basically requires a car, and how we realized we might not be the "nature people" we thought we were. 🐊🐒
We also walk you through the full process of getting a Panamanian driver's license as US expats (yes, including the trip to the bank to deposit $2 in cash), plus the neighborhoods we're looking at for our next apartment and our must-have list for a family of four.
If you're planning a move to Panama with kids and trying to decide between the city and the mountains, we hope this helps you think through the hidden costs before you choose.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 We're not going to Boquete
00:30 The car problem
01:45 What the trip would have cost us
03:00 What about Peru?
03:45 Cooler climate vs city convenience
06:15 Are we really nature people?
08:10 How to get a Panama driver's license
10:15 Hidden costs of living outside the city
12:50 Neighborhoods we're considering
15:25 Our next apartment must-haves
17:00 Family wrap-up
___
✨ HELPFUL RESOURCES:
🌎 Start Abroad (Residency & Relocation Support)
Professional help navigating residency and moving logistics in Panama.
Use code "SMITHS" for 5% off.
🔗 https://startabroad.com/aff/smiths/
⚖️ Immigration Attorney – Prime Solutions Legal & Tax
For professional help with Panama residency visas, immigration paperwork, and legal guidance.
🔗 https://primesls.com/book-free-consul...
🏡 NEED A REALTOR? Reach out to Edgar Pringle on WHATSAPP +507 6318-3113 ir email at epringlerealtor@gmail.com (let him know the Smiths sent you 😉)
💻 Find Remote Work From Anywhere
The path that allowed us to work full-time remotely. Use our link for a FREE intro course + $50 OFF
🔗 https://withthesmiths.short.gy/course...
💳 We use Charles Schwab for unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide.
Get up to a $1,000 bonus when opening an account:
👉🏾 https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/...
💸 Manage Money Internationally (Wise)
How we pay local bills without a local bank account. Get a fee-free transfer:
🔗 https://withthesmiths.short.gy/wise
🌐 Stay private & secure online — Get Surfshark VPN + 3 FREE months:
https://withthesmiths.short.gy/surfshark
📖 Mindset for Men by Lee Smith
Check out Lee’s book to help sharpen your vision and mindset:
E-Book: https://withthesmiths.gumroad.com/
Paperback: https://a.co/d/bTSvqNJ
🙏🏾 SUPPORT THE MISSION:
We thrive on your prayers! For those who have asked how to directly support our family's growth, business, and adventures, we are so grateful:
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/withthesmiths
CashApp: https://cash.app/$withthesmiths
Note: Some links above are affiliate links that help support our channel at no extra cost to you. We only share resources we've personally vetted. Always do your own research to make sure they fit your situation.
#PanamaExpat #LivingInPanama #Boquete #PanamaCity #ExpatFamily
20 Comments
Of course, every place has its pros and cons. For me, the convenience of Panama City and having the Cinta Costera right at my doorstep ultimately won out.
The nice thing is that I can always visit Boquete whenever I want. I really enjoyed the video! 🙂🙏🏾
Why We Canceled Our Boquete Trip and Are Staying in Panama City
With The Smiths
3,222 views
📘 Planning your own move? Grab The Panama Relocation Toolkit for Families:
https://withthesmiths.gumroad.com/l/q...
🔗 All our links and resources: https://linktr.ee/withthesmiths
Support our Channel: buymeacoffee.com/withthesmiths
Shop Our Merch: https://withthesmiths-shop.fourthwall...
____
We were all set to spend 10 days scouting Boquete, Panama... and then we canceled. In this video we sit down and talk through why we're staying in Panama City for now: the real cost of that trip (about $3,500!), why life outside the city basically requires a car, and how we realized we might not be the "nature people" we thought we were. 🐊🐒
We also walk you through the full process of getting a Panamanian driver's license as US expats (yes, including the trip to the bank to deposit $2 in cash), plus the neighborhoods we're looking at for our next apartment and our must-have list for a family of four.
If you're planning a move to Panama with kids and trying to decide between the city and the mountains, we hope this helps you think through the hidden costs before you choose.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 We're not going to Boquete
00:30 The car problem
01:45 What the trip would have cost us
03:00 What about Peru?
03:45 Cooler climate vs city convenience
06:15 Are we really nature people?
08:10 How to get a Panama driver's license
10:15 Hidden costs of living outside the city
12:50 Neighborhoods we're considering
15:25 Our next apartment must-haves
17:00 Family wrap-up
___
✨ HELPFUL RESOURCES:
🌎 Start Abroad (Residency & Relocation Support)
Professional help navigating residency and moving logistics in Panama.
Use code "SMITHS" for 5% off.
🔗 https://startabroad.com/aff/smiths/
⚖️ Immigration Attorney – Prime Solutions Legal & Tax
For professional help with Panama residency visas, immigration paperwork, and legal guidance.
🔗 https://primesls.com/book-free-consul...
🏡 NEED A REALTOR? Reach out to Edgar Pringle on WHATSAPP +507 6318-3113 ir email at epringlerealtor@gmail.com (let him know the Smiths sent you 😉)
💻 Find Remote Work From Anywhere
The path that allowed us to work full-time remotely. Use our link for a FREE intro course + $50 OFF
🔗 https://withthesmiths.short.gy/course...
💳 We use Charles Schwab for unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide.
Get up to a $1,000 bonus when opening an account:
👉🏾 https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/...
💸 Manage Money Internationally (Wise)
How we pay local bills without a local bank account. Get a fee-free transfer:
🔗 https://withthesmiths.short.gy/wise
🌐 Stay private & secure online — Get Surfshark VPN + 3 FREE months:
https://withthesmiths.short.gy/surfshark
📖 Mindset for Men by Lee Smith
Check out Lee’s book to help sharpen your vision and mindset:
E-Book: https://withthesmiths.gumroad.com/
Paperback: https://a.co/d/bTSvqNJ
🙏🏾 SUPPORT THE MISSION:
We thrive on your prayers! For those who have asked how to directly support our family's growth, business, and adventures, we are so grateful:
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/withthesmiths
CashApp: https://cash.app/$withthesmiths
Note: Some links above are affiliate links that help support our channel at no extra cost to you. We only share resources we've personally vetted. Always do your own research to make sure they fit your situation.
#PanamaExpat #LivingInPanama #Boquete #PanamaCity #ExpatFamily
If you're planning your own move to Panama with kids, we put everything we wish we'd known into The Panama Relocation Toolkit for Families. It includes our Housing Comparison Tool to help you weigh neighborhoods like we're doing right now 👇
https://withthesmiths.gumroad.com/l/qfewjh
Now we want to hear from you: are you team mountains 🏔️ or team city 🌆? And if you've lived in El Dorado, Costa del Este, or Clayton, tell us what you love (or don't) about it!