Friday, March 07, 2025
Moving to Panama as a Couple: Are You Both on Board?
Let’s be real—one of the biggest challenges couples face isn’t just figuring out where to live, it’s making sure they actually want the same things long-term. Relationships, at their core, are about teamwork, and big decisions—like packing up and moving to a new country—need to be made together. That means not just dreaming about sipping cocktails on the beach but also making sure both of you are fully in for the long haul.
I’ve seen it time and time again: One partner is all in, reading every expat blog, watching YouTube videos about life in Panama, maybe even practicing their Spanish. The other? A little less convinced. Maybe they’re hesitant about leaving family behind, nervous about cultural differences, or just not sure this whole “new life” thing is right for them. The biggest mistake couples make is assuming the reluctant partner will just “come around” once they get there. Spoiler alert: That usually leads to frustration, resentment, or worse—a one-way ticket back home.
So how do you avoid that mess? Well, it starts with honest conversations. Not just about the idea of moving, but about what life will actually look like once you’re here. Are you picturing beach life, while they’re thinking city skyline? Do they imagine a retirement-style escape, while you’re planning to launch a new business? These things matter, and working them out before the big move can save you a lot of headaches later.
Another great way to test the waters? Trial runs. Take an extended visit to Panama—not just a vacation, but a real experience of what day-to-day life might be like. Rent a place, grocery shop, try navigating without Google Translate, and see how it feels. Better yet, stay in different parts of the country to see what fits your lifestyle best. Panama is diverse—city life in Panama City is nothing like a quiet beach town in Pedasí, and both are a world away from mountain living in Boquete.
And let’s talk about the reality of expat life. Yes, Panama is beautiful, affordable, and full of opportunity, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There’s bureaucracy, cultural differences, and things might not always work the way you’re used to. If one of you is more adaptable than the other, that’s something to consider.
One thing that helps? Having a plan B. No one likes to think about the “what ifs,” but agreeing on an exit strategy—whether that’s keeping a property back home or setting a timeline for reassessment—takes the pressure off. You don’t want to feel trapped in paradise.
At the end of the day, moving to Panama (or anywhere new) as a couple should be an adventure you embark on together, not a tug-of-war where one person is dragging the other along. So talk it out, take the trip, do the research, and make sure you’re building a future you both love. That’s how you turn a dream move into a solid, happy reality.
Brett Mikkelson
CEO, BM Investigations
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Costa Rica and Panama Declare Themselves Ready for the Reverse Migration Flow from the North
In recent years, the largest migration flow in Panama occurred from south to north through the dangerous Darien jungle.
Costa Rica and Panama declared themselves ready on Monday to collaborate in addressing the reverse migration flow of people who were unable to enter the United States due to the policies of the new Donald Trump administration. They also called on South American countries to facilitate their safe passage.
“We are working hard and together to face this regional challenge as a unified bloc,” said Costa Rican Minister of Security, Mario Zamora, after a meeting with his Panamanian counterpart, Frank Ábrego, held at the Peñas Blancas checkpoint on the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border.
Zamora explained that Ábrego served as an “honorary witness” to the start of an operation on Monday aimed at receiving migrants entering from Nicaragua and then transporting them by bus to the Temporary Migrant Reception Center (CATEM) in the town of Corredores, near the Panama border.
The migrants will receive a 72-hour pass to board buses at the CATEM that will take them to shelters in Panama.
“We call on the countries of South America to facilitate and open doors for this safe passage. We all have to take responsibility, and Costa Rica and Panama are doing so. This organized flow keeps people away from the control of migrant smuggling gangs,” said Zamora.
This procedure is similar to the one Costa Rica and Panama implemented in recent years when the migration flow came from South America heading to the United States. Migrants would arrive at Costa Rica’s CATEM on buses from Panama, then be moved to the Nicaragua border to continue their journey.
Zamora said that Costa Rica and Panama have been an example of “high levels of humanity” in handling migration flows, and that both countries have created the “most organized and secure passage” along the continent’s migration route.
“We are not countries that generate emigration, but we are recipients, especially of a transit that deeply moves us because it represents a human tragedy,” said the Costa Rican minister.
On February 12, both ministers met at the common Paso Canoas border and agreed to transfer migrants from the reverse flow to shelters at the borders, where they would then be returned to their countries of origin.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said last Thursday that over 2,000 people in transit had entered Panama in February through the Costa Rica border, contributing to an increasing reverse migration flow, while the number of people insisting on continuing northward continued to decrease.
In recent years, Panama’s largest migration flow occurred from south to north through the dangerous Darien jungle (the Panama-Colombia border), reaching a record 520,000 migrants in 2023, while in 2024, the number dropped to 300,000.
The flow of irregular migrants entering through the Darien marked a “historic” 94% decrease in January compared to the same period in 2024, with 2,158 migrants entering, compared to 34,839 in the same period last year, according to official data released by Panama’s National Migration Service.
CK Hutchison Reaches Agreement and Defines Key Terms to Sell the Concession of Its Ports in Panama
The Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. has reached an agreement and defined the key terms to sell the control of its operations at the ports near the Panama Canal.
This comes amid tensions between Panama and the United States over claims made by President Donald Trump, who has insisted that the neutrality treaties have been violated and that he will regain control of the waterway, arguing that China has taken over the interoceanic route. These statements have been denied by the Panamanian government.
Today, it was announced that the sale of shares will amount to $22.8 billion. It is important to note that CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., through Panama Ports Company, has managed the Balboa and Cristóbal ports in Panama under a concession that was first signed in 1997 and extended in 2021 until 2047.
In a statement, CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. announced that the BlackRock-TiL consortium, a U.S. company, will acquire:
- 90% of HPH’s stake in Panama Ports Company (PPC), which owns and operates the Balboa and Cristóbal ports in Panama.
- 80% of CK Hutchison’s effective and controlling interest in its subsidiaries and associated companies, which own, operate, and develop a total of 43 ports with 199 berths in 23 countries. This includes all management resources, operations, port operations systems, IT, and other assets related to the control and operation of these ports.
It was made clear that the sale perimeter of the ports does not include any interest in the HPH Trust, which operates ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and southern China, nor in other ports in China.
It was established that the perimeter of the sale of HPH ports, including the Panama ports, has been agreed upon at $22.8 billion.
The final documentation for the Panama Ports Company transaction, which operates the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, is expected to be signed by April 2, 2025, or earlier.
It is important to note that the sale of 90% of Panama Ports Company (Balboa and Cristóbal ports) requires approval from the Panamanian government before proceeding, as it is a concession.
Over 9,000 Fines During Carnival
During the recent carnival celebrations, authorities intensified security operations on the country’s main roads. Commissioner Edgardo Núñez, Director of the National Police (PN), presented a report on traffic accidents and penalties imposed on drivers during the festivities.
According to the report, more than 9,000 fines were issued during the operation, with a tragic toll of four fatalities related to traffic accidents. Of the recorded violations, more than 2,000 were for speeding, while 270 drivers were penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol.
On the other hand, the commissioner also reported on the operations carried out at the King Momo festival, held at the Cinta Costera, where 166 people were found with prohibited items, and several illegal objects were seized.
“The Police were prepared to deploy their capabilities and provide security to citizens. Across the country, 557 individuals were processed, and through collaboration with the National Authority of Transparency and Access to Information (AIG), we were able to identify 53 individuals with criminal subrogates who attempted to enter the carnival areas,” Núñez stated.
ACP Reiterates That There Is No Toll Review Agreement with the United States
After White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced that “the tolls on U.S. naval vessels have been eliminated,” the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued a statement once again denying this claim.
The agency reiterated that there have been no adjustments to the tolls or other fees for transiting the Panama Canal.
This is not the first time that the ACP has rejected such statements. On February 5, following claims from the U.S. Department of State, they denied making any adjustments to the tolls for U.S. vessels.
However, the agency expressed its full willingness to engage in dialogue with the relevant officials regarding the passage of U.S. warships.
According to Leavitt, the acquisition of two ports located in areas underlying the interoceanic route by BlackRock and the elimination of tolls for U.S. vessels are a “victory” for President Donald Trump in his mission to reduce Chinese influence in the region.
She even mentioned that perhaps the Panamanian authorities are unaware of what is happening in the waterway, and therefore, reducing China’s control to ensure U.S. security is crucial for the Republican president.
In his first speech at the Capitol, Trump reiterated his intention to “take the Panama Canal,” assigning this mission to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In response to doubts that may have arisen from Trump’s statements, President José Raúl Mulino stepped forward, rejecting the notion that the discussions with Rubio involved negotiations about the Canal.
The president emphasized that the interoceanic route will remain under Panama’s control and denied that the waterway is in the process of being reclaimed, as the U.S. has suggested.
Regarding the purchase of the Cristóbal and Balboa ports by a U.S. company, the government stated that it is a global transaction between private companies driven by mutual interests and has nothing to do with Trump’s intentions.
They also assured that they will ensure all local regulations and laws are followed before any decisions are made by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) on behalf of the Executive.
Be Careful! Weather Conditions Could Be Favorable for Fire Generation
For Thursday, March 6, dry conditions, high temperatures, and a moderately windy sky will prevail in most of the national territory, according to the latest weather bulletin from the Panama Meteorology and Hydrology Institute (Imhpa).
According to the agency, regular seasonal atmospheric conditions are expected to prevail throughout the day. On the Caribbean side, there will be cloud coverage ranging from partly cloudy to overcast, with some rainfall, particularly in mountainous areas. Meanwhile, the Pacific side will experience mostly dry conditions, warm weather, and no adverse weather throughout the day.
Imhpa warned that atmospheric conditions will be favorable for the high spread of fire or the occurrence of wildfires, which poses a risk to certain areas of the country. Regarding temperatures, the institute detailed that minimum temperatures in coastal and lowland areas will range from 20°C to 25°C, while in the Central Mountain range, temperatures will vary between 10°C and 19°C. Maximum temperatures in coastal and lowland areas will range from 28°C to 34°C, while in the Central Mountain range, they will reach between 23°C and 29°C.
On the other hand, the country will experience moderately windy conditions, with prevailing winds from the Northwest, North, and Northeast. Convergent winds from the South and Northeast are expected in the afternoon over Chiriquí, Darién, and the Emberá-Wounaan comarca. Sustained wind speeds will range between 5 and 20 km/h.
Regarding maritime conditions, the institution recommended caution in the Eastern Caribbean of the country, where windy conditions will generate “choppy seas.” The Caribbean will have wave heights between 0.5 and 1.5 meters, with periods between 5 and 8 seconds. In the Pacific region, caution is advised from Azuero to the Gulf of Chiriquí. In the Gulf of Panama, wave heights will range from 0.3 to 1.5 meters, with periods between 11 and 16 seconds.
The institute also highlighted that the maximum UV-B radiation risk level nationwide will range between High and Extreme, with indices ranging from 6 to 13, which could cause skin burns within 6 to 30 minutes. Therefore, they advised the population to follow the recommendations and guidelines of the various safety agencies, as well as the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc).
The March 2025 Sticker and License Plate Removal Are Now Available
The Panama City Hall has announced that vehicle owners can now pick up their stickers for March 2025. To complete the process, the vehicle must have a valid 2025 inspection and have paid the corresponding circulation taxes.
Users can confirm if their sticker is available and check if their vehicle inspection is up to date and if they have a municipal clearance through the portal alcaldiadigital.com or by checking mupa.gob.pa in the online services section.
Office Hours for License Plate and Sticker Pickup
• Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The pickup of license plates and stickers is carried out at the License Plate Center, located at Francisco Arias Paredes Park.
Digital Services Available at Panama City Hall
• Check taxpayer number and register as a new taxpayer.
• Carry out digital procedures such as registering businesses, calculating payment arrangements, and managing sworn declarations.
• Track construction permit requests and schedule appointments for the Directorate of Works and Constructions.
• Submit citizen reports and track them through the phone numbers 506-9600 or 524-8900, or by email at atencionciudadana@municipio.gob.pa.
This is an important step to streamline the verification process and obtain the required documents for vehicles in Panama.
