What you need to know about San Carlos, Panama!

[@papi7672]

I lived in New York city and believe me if you can drive in NY you can drive any where in the world. I have been in San Carlos/Coronado area and the prices there are reasonable, so it depends where you shop. One more thing when you travel abroad things are going to be different that's why you travel, but if you expect things to be exactly the same as the USA you are better off staying there.

[@guillermogouldburn763]

The way I know if someone is a country bumpkin is when they say "traffic in Panama is crazy" 😂 I live in New York City and Panama City traffic is LAME!

[@broadfootd6791]

Exactly

[@panama-canada]

Food expensive? You’ve gotta be kidding me. It’s very cheap! Just buy local food from local markets.

[@CharlieBrown0507]

The problem is that the royals don't get out much and think they can make a video with "information" of the places they visit.

[@broadfootd6791]

@@CharlieBrown0507 yep exactly!

[@carolynanderson7387]

Why go to any foreign country and expect to see American brands? Develop the mindset to adapt to the local lifestyle and cuisine. The meats taste different because it isn't laden with GMO and is grass not grain fed.

[@wholesalepreneur6175]

You are spot on it’s just blatant ignorance at this point 😂

[@mtngrl5859]

Most people buy their staples at Price Smart. There was a Heinz very large 2 Pack for around $9.00, so $4.50 each. Pricesmart is the same as Costco in the USA. Same brands and this was an organic ketchup, so it typically costs more in the USA.

[@thrivediscoveries]

Definitely good to know. But the closest Price Smart was 1 hour away, that's probably why we didn't know about it!

[@mtngrl5859]

@@thrivediscoveries My home in California, I'm 40 min from Costco, so pretty much the same. However, there are many local people in Panama who have been hit hard by the Covid, one can easily pay someone to do their shopping for them. Unlike the USA, where there was a great deal of stimulus, not so for Panamanians. Another thing to be aware of is that many people in stores are not paid a salary. So, the bagger at the grocery stores who walks you out to your car, please tip them per bag, this is their salary. So, tip around $3.00 if you have several bags of groceries. In Mexico, there are workers who actually pay the gas station to work there. Again, tip someone for helping you clean your windows etc. It's a different culture, but something to be aware of.

[@LiliaKharabora]

This was super informative and interesting. And y’all so cute 🤩

[@thrivediscoveries]

Thank you so much :D

[@marcvandenbussche49]

You can get american meat cuts, like at Riba Smith, Felipe Motta and meat shops.

[@thrivediscoveries]

Riba Smith was incredible! Meat cuts were a little pricey. By the end of the month we were just eating what the locals were and it was great and cheap! Rice, beans, eggs, and papaya! Loved it!

[@VFRExplorer]

Good quick little summary of your experiences. Glad to have the privilege of hearing your story in person, too. Please remember me when your channel blows up with millions of subscribers, lol

[@thrivediscoveries]

We now need to get together and talk about Belize, haha! Lol tipa promise not to forget you!

[@kristenmaragh4221]

The beauty of traveling is embracing new cultures and going with the flow. Glad you were able to do this with the family! Looking forward to hearing about Belize and Panama for that matter 😃

[@franko311]

Hello seems that you guys are not happy we’re are you staying. You guys try a Hilton hotel ! In Panama City. There are plenty of places that you can eat good meat, fresh sea food etc etc.

[@amazing-osky2052]

Loved your video, excellent analysis of your experience in Panama.

[@panama-canada]

Standard American first world problems LOL!

Panama is a really safe country thank god. The city yeah, some neighborhoods can be scary. But most part of the city is pretty safe I will say.

[@thrivediscoveries]

Absolutely agree!

[@lvncsr6166]

So good to hear the 'truth' about Panama. So many videos saying how wonderful it is but most of these things are not mentioned.

[@broadfootd6791]

Not truth it their perspective!

[@bellekyskeefe655]

There are places to buy for less.You should probably connect with Jackie Lange from Panama Relocation tours. She is so knowledgeable and can point you in the right direction to help you with resources. Best of luck😊

[@thrivediscoveries]

Wow, that's so good know! Thank you!

[@michaelpeternixon]

From gated community to shopping mall this is accurate, overpaying for sub-standard products and services.

[@panama-canada]

Meat problems? Eat fish!

[@chepty3098]

Ketchup 10 bucks? Who in the hell buy or sale it in San carlos?? Show some prove

[@thrivediscoveries]

Don't have actual proof since we don't live there anymore. But Rey and Super 99 in Coronado had American ketchup brands for around $10. We did find non American brands later for half the price or cheaper! Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but that was our experience. Belize was the same way!

[@guillermogouldburn763]

Shop around. I guarantee Panamanians are not buying ketchup for $10. Where are they shopping? ;)

[@marionky]

PriceSmart. 2-44oz bottles of Heinz Organic Ketchup is $10. A single 64oz bottle of a Panamanian brand is $3.69.

[@itadrummer1]

Just do not be a typical gringo and LEARN THE LANGUAGE : contrary to what you may think , English is NOT widely known for the simple reason that you are NOT in America anymore but in a different country where v people speak their own language which is Spanish . Got it ? 😆

[@lauraleeg1156]

Let’s talk about the bugs?! Cockroaches? Mosquitoes? What bugs are we talking about?

[@itadrummer1]

In South Florida we have the same bugs there are in Panama if not worse and nobody makes it a big deal ! If you want to leave in a tropical climate you got to adapt . Period . Or stay where you are . End of the problem.

[@thrivediscoveries]

Mosquitoes in the evenings! But not as bad as BUGTOBER (that's what the locals call October) in Belize! You would be fine with a can of bug spray for a few weeks. We were using one can per day in Belize and still got bit over a dozen times a day. Mosquitoes LOVE me, haha!

[@marionky]

I live in the mountains. Bugs aren’t a concern at this elevation.

[@vlads.7330]

That’s a handsome man right there

[@thrivediscoveries]

Mine.

[@marlue0209]

Seriously?

[@123ALEXHOUSE]

Hi, I enjoyed your video. You should go to the city, go by PriceSmart. They're located in Via Brasil, El Dorado, Costa Verde. They have several locations It's almost like Sam's. You nailed it Panama is a rip-off when you go to the supermarket, and they drive like they are on Crack. Please be extremely careful. Do not trust anyone including the police. You should learn how to say American Embassy in Spanish. The police do not like that word they will not give you a hard time. I live in the City of Panama in the summer we have a BBQ Cook-Off lot of fun and lot of Americans and Panamanian who speaks English attend. Nightlife in Panama most of us go to the casino they have live entertainment.