The Gringo Guide to Panama: What to Know Before You Go

The bestselling Gringo Guide to Panama: What to Know Before You Go has been updated as of March 2016! In 2008, expat and author JuliAnne Murphy relocated to Panama for business, a move which proved extremely challenging in the first two years and led to the writing of this book. The Gringo Guide to Panama: What to Know Before You Go was born of all the things Murphy wished she had known before she made the move but didn't know to ask about in advance. Considered a cultural guide to prepare the reader for the realities of making such a move, this book was written for North American expats and English speakers who are moving to Panama, relocating to Panama for business or retiring to Panama to help them educate them prior to making such a move. The Gringo Guide to Panama: What to Know Before You Go goes beyond the nuts and bolts of moving to Panama. It takes you into the topics that most expats find surprising - after they move - and assists you in understanding the idiosyncrasies of Panama and how they will affect your life as an expat, before you pick up and move, lock, stock and barrel. Some of the topics covered include: - Getting beyond the glitz of how Panama is marketed - Productivity, innovation and efficiency - The reality of speaking the language - What you don't know - Making friends - The reality of Panama's affordability - The gringo tax - Local habits, customs, courtesies and formalities - Cultural and social norms - Rough edges - Holidays and their impact - Sexism, harassment, and racism - The author's Top Ten survival tips and much more. Previously published under the pen name Elizabeth Vance, Murphy lived in Panama for eight years until early 2016 and now resides in Costa Rica, where she continues to write about her expat adventures, in addition to working on her third book. Be sure to get the follow-up sequel to this book, The Gringo Guide to Panama: More to Know Before You Go - also an Amazon bestseller and also updated in March 2016. Read more about the author at www.JuliAnneMurphy.com and more of her adventures in Panama at www.PanamaGringoGuide.com.