Thursday, March 20, 2008
Dear International Living’s Panama Roundtable Member,
I still remember the days when I had to schlep to various government offices or banks in Panama to pay my bills. I was working full time, so like all the other poor nine-to-five grunts, I was forced to go when the lines were longest, usually forfeiting my lunch hour. Those days are long gone.
Though the mañana syndrome is prevalent everywhere in Latin America, Panama officials and businesspeople recognize that time is money. As a result, they’ve made great strides in modernizing antiquated systems. Here are some tips:
The mail system is still slow and unreliable in Panama…I may receive my energy or water bill long after payment was due. Whenever possible, I ask to have bills sent to me via e-mail instead of snail mail. My life insurance company, Assa, does this, as does my cable company (Cable Onda).
Check your water and trash collection bill at the water institute (the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales, or IDAAN) website. From the main menu, choose "Servicio al Cliente" and then "Consulta de Saldo." All you need to do is punch in your six-digit client number ( número de cliente) and hit the "consultar" button.
Most local banks will allow you to pay bills online for free. I have an account at Banco General that I use to pay my water, electric, credit card, cable, car loan, and telephone bill.
Banco General, BanIstmo/HSBC, and other banks also allow you to buy time from Movistar or Cable & Wireless (Panama’s two cell phone service providers) instead of buying a card and fishing in your purse or pocket for a coin to scratch and reveal the pin number. (My father loves this option, as the tiny numbers on the cards are hard to read, but on his computer he can choose to see large font.)
Banco General also allows me to transfer funds for free between my accounts, to my sister’s account at the same bank, and even to my father’s account at another bank…BanIstmo/HSBC.
Panama’s two major supermarket chains are Super 99 and El Rey. The first offers online shopping (and delivery in certain parts of Panama City). El Rey says it will offer this service soon, too. Register for online shopping at Super 99 here.
Unfortunately, the website is in Spanish, so if you’re not fluent enough, you may need to enlist some help to register. Then, when you shop, check with your maid, neighbor, a friend, a dictionary…anyone or anything that can help you make sure you don’t get mixed up between avena (oatmeal) and arena (kitty litter). If you don’t live in one of the delivery areas, you’ll have to pick up your order when it is ready.
Even travel and entertainment are easier nowadays:
- Both domestic airlines, Aeroperlas and Air Panama offer online booking
- I can check movie schedules at a variety of websites—my favorite is www.cineymas.net, because it tells me where my movie of choice is playing subtitulada (subtitled) as opposed to doblada (dubbed). A few things to know: T.P. stands for todo público or a general audience rating, while may. 14 stands for "over 14." Some showtimes are limited to "v" for viernes or Friday, "s" for sábado or Saturday, or "d" for domingo or Sunday
- Staying in to watch television? If you have a deluxe cable or satellite TV package, you can see what’s on by using the menu button on your remote…but Cable Onda’s inexpensive cable packages don’t give you that capability. Not a lot of people know this…even locals…but TV Guide has an online listing for Panama. Just go here and choose Chorrera, Colon, or Panama City, depending on where you live.
Best regards,
Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider
IL Panama Roundtable News
