FAQ

FAQ

1. Where is Panama located? Panama (officially the Republic of Panama) is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North America and South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
    
2. How do I get to Panama? Panama is well connected to the major airline carriers. Daily service from the United States leaves airports from Miami, Orlando, Newark, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines all have flights to Panama’s International Airport in Panama City. There are also flights from Canada and Europe. COPA (the international airline of Panama) flies daily from Panama to many US cities and Toronto, Canada.  Also, Air France and KLM have many weekly flights from their hubs in Europe.
    
3. How do I get to Boquete?  Flying into David from Panama City will be your most convenient option.  And reserving a flight into Panama City's Tocumen Airport that lands before or just after 1 p.m. will allow you to fly to Boquete on that same day. If your flight lands after 1 p.m. you will need to spend a night in Panama City. The reason for this is because the flights from Panama City to David do not depart from the same airport that your arriving flight to Panama City does, and the last flight from Panama City to David departs around 4 p.m. One-way airplane tickets from Panama City to David cost around $135. You can view flight times and make online reservations at: www.flyairpanama.com. You need to be at Albrook Airport (also known as Marcos Gelabert) an hour before your departure or by 3:00 p.m. You can take a taxi between Tocumen Airport and Albrook Airport or spend a night in a hotel in Panama City and then take a taxi the next morning to Albrook Airport.  A taxi from Tocumen Airport to Albrook Airport or to a hotel in Panama City should cost around $30.  A taxi from your hotel should not cost more than $5 to take you to Albrook Airport if you are staying within Panama City. Panama City hotels have one of the highest occupation rates in the world, so if you want to reserve a good room at a decent price, the sooner you book it, the better.  When you arrive in David, you will land at Enrique Malek Airport. From here you will need to rent a car or take a taxi (usually $35 for one to two people) for the 40-minute drive to Boquete. (You can also rent a car after arriving in Boquete.)  A taxi from the airport will take you to any location in Boquete. Car rentals of several types are located just outside the front door of the airport and they are usually staffed by an English-speaking clerk. It is helpful if you have a phone with apps to download “The Waze” and enter the destination of Lucero, Boquete to navigate the way.
    
4. What type of properties are available for sale within Lucero? Though every lot in Lucero has a beautiful setting there are a limited number of course-side, and premium river and mountain-view home sites. Lot sizes are generous and start at half an acre.  We are pleased to announce the release of Lucero Jazmin condominiums, duplex villas and single-family homes. They will feature quality construction, tile floors, and large kitchens with U.S. or European appliances, tile roofs, and landscape packages. You can see some of our golf course home offerings here. We will be offering even more styles and floor plans of single-family homes in the near future.
5. How do I get to Lucero Golf Club and Development?    Lucero is a 35-minute drive from David, and a 15-minute drive from Boquete on fully paved roads.
    
6. What is the developer's vision for Lucero? The developers have placed the highest priority on environmental preservation with a carefully mastered plan for growth. Residential densities have intentionally been kept low to preserve the exquisite natural setting, amazing vistas and green areas. Lucero is being developed as an international community with a strong Panamanian flavor and spirit.  At Lucero you can expect a resort-type lifestyle where the staff makes you feel at home whether this is your primary residence or a temporary stay at your vacation home.
    
7. Can I own real estate in Panama? Yes, Panamanian laws fully protect both Panamanian citizens and foreign nationals when it comes to owning real estate in Panama.
    
8. What type of properties are available for sale within Lucero? Though every lot in Lucero has a beautiful setting there are a limited number of course-side, and premium river and mountain-view home sites. Lot sizes are generous and start at half an acre.  We are pleased to announce the release of Lucero Jazmin condominiums, duplex villas and single-family homes. They will feature quality construction, tile floors, and large kitchens with U.S. or European appliances, tile roofs, and landscape packages. You can see some of our golf course home offerings here. We will be offering even more styles and floor plans of single-family homes in the near future.
    
9. Can I design and/or build my own custom home on my lot?  Yes. While we have several different floor plans to choose from for your home, buyers can elect to design and/or build their own home. We have a list of approved area architects and builders. We will work with you and your architect to ensure that your dream home complies with the established CC&Rs and design guidelines for Lucero Homes.
    
10. Are CC&R's and architectural guidelines in place? Yes. CC&Rs and architectural guidelines are in place and will be made available to qualified and interested buyers upon request.
     
11. What is the process for purchasing real estate within Lucero Homes? Listed below is a sample outline of the process:
    • The first step - If you will be acquiring a loan to purchase your property, you will want to talk to one or more of the following banks, which offer financing to foreign buyers, to compare rates and terms and make sure you qualify: Scotiabank, BAC International Bank, Banistmo, Banco General, BBVA Bank, Multi Bank, Credicorp Bank, Global Bank, Metro Bank and Banco Nacional de Panama.
    • Second - Set up an appointment to tour Lucero and locate a property that you like.
    • Third - Have your Lucero representative or your Panamanian attorney prepare your offer for the price and terms of the sale with the developer of Lucero. Either professional can prepare the contract, negotiate on your behalf and help you to lock in the property sale and secure the terms agreed upon. (The attorney will handle the due diligence, title search and gather information and property documents such as the survey.)
    • Fourth - Provide the funds for your escrow account. A deposit of 10% of the purchase price is usually required by the seller upon signing the purchase agreement.
    • Fifth - At closing, the buyers and sellers finalize and sign closing documents, payment is made to the seller, broker and attorney. And the process for transfer of the public deed of the property and registration of the property into the buyer’s name is initiated.
    • Sixth - The contract is registered at the Public Registry and the property title is transferred from the developer to the new owner.
       
12. Do I need a Lawyer? Yes, it is highly recommended that you consult an attorney when purchasing real estate in any foreign country. The lawyer community in Panama is one of the largest and best educated in Latin America. Many Panama lawyers have received their education in the United States and are also members of the American Bar Association.
     
13. Is title insurance available? Yes. Title insurance is available but not required as part of the purchase process. In Panama, all property titles are registered at the “Registro Publico” through a bureaucratic yet straight-forward process.
     
14. How do I contact a representative of Lucero? You can contact a Lucero representative by completing and submitting the contact information form  on this website. We will promptly follow-up with you.
     
15. What are the monthly homeowners association fees (HOAs) at Lucero? The HOAs are just over $200.00/month for properties without homes and $175.00/month for properties with constructed homes. These fees provide for our gatehouse staff, 24-hour security, care of common grounds and landscaping, repair and maintenance of our concrete paved streets, home trash pick-up, lighted roadways, potable water and irrigation.
     
16. What recreational amenities will be provided at Lucero? Lucero has the only 18-hole championship golf course in Chiriqui Province. Our golf course was designed by the acclaimed golf course architect, J. Michael Poellot. We also offer three Classic Clay tennis courts. In addiiton, Lucero has just opened a luxurious new clubhouse featuring an infinity pool, hot tub, bar with large plasma TV, and Seasons restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions - Climate and Lifestyle in Boquete, Panama

1. What is the climate like in Boquete?  Boquete weather is characterized by a warmer Dry Season (December/January through April/May) and a cooler Wet or Green Season (May/June through November/December). Temperatures are dependent on elevation, cloud cover and rainfall. There are several micro-climates in the Boquete area and it often rains in the town of Boquete while the sun is shining on the Jaramillo mountain range where Lucero is located. Volcan Baru, which rises 13,000 feet or 4,000 meters, can get very cold at night and even some days. In other areas of Boquete, there are beautiful tropical rainforests where there is a constant mist from the ever-present rain clouds. Due to Panama’s proximity to the equator, Panama is outside the hurricane zone. Panama has never experienced a hurricane though we may receive additional moisture from hurricanes that hit north of us.
    
2. What is the currency used in Panama?  Though the official currency in Panama is the Balboa, one of the best things about adapting to Panamanian life is that American dollars and coins are used as often as the Balboa. American money is used for all transactions everywhere in Panama. Major credit cards are also accepted throughout the country. All bank accounts are in U.S. dollars.
    
3. How is telephone service in Panama?  Telecommunications are first-class and direct-dial service to anywhere in the world is available. Lucero has high-speed Internet access, voice, data and video lines.
    
4. Can I bring my pet to Panama?  Yes. Every country will have their own set of requirements for transporting a pet across international borders. You should consult with the Panamanian Consul in your home country for the list of requirements to bring your pet to Panama.
    
5. What if I don’t speak Spanish?  Though Spanish is the national language in Panama, English is spoken frequently. In Boquete, there are more expats than in other locations. You will find English-speakers shopping in the grocery store and walking throughout the downtown area. Many of the businesses that English-speakers frequent are staffed with employees who speak English.
    
6. Which time zone is Panama in? The entire country of Panama is in the Eastern Time Zone. There is no daylight savings time observed in Panama.
    
7. What is the healthcare system like in Panama? Panama offers high quality healthcare and modern hospitals in the metropolitan areas. For example, the Johns Hopkins-affiliated Punta Pacifica Hospital is the most technologically advanced medical center in Latin America. In the city of David, in the Chiriquí Province in the western region of Panama, there are two medical centers with modern facilities, and growing towns like Boquete, Chiriqui and Coronado, and Province of Panama have new medical centers scheduled to open in the near future. Many Panamanian doctors are U.S.-trained, and the standards at the top city hospitals compare very favorably with those in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Private health insurance is available and much less expensive than insurance in the U.S. for these reasons: Doctor’s fees and hospital visits are much cheaper; malpractice insurance is very low because the laws do not allow for frivolous lawsuits; and the average income is around $400 a month, and many Panamanians, particularly those employed in informal sectors, pay for healthcare out-of-pocket. (Salaried employees have access to a wide network of social security hospitals). Prices for prescription drugs are low as well because manufacturers price them for the market. Some drugs that may require a prescription elsewhere are available over the counter in Panama.

Health and Medical Care in Panama According to International Living

Get Quality, Affordable Health Care in Panama

Panama offers high quality health care and modern hospitals in the metropolitan areas. For example, the Johns Hopkins-affiliated Punta Pacifica Hospital is the most technologically advanced medical center in Latin America. In the city of David, in the Chiriquí Province in the western region of Panama, there are two medical centers with modern facilities, and growing towns like Boquete, Chiriqui, and Coronado, and Province of Panama have new medical centers scheduled to open in the next year. Many Panamanian doctors are U.S.-trained, and the standards at the top city hospitals compare very favorably with those in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Private health insurance is available and much less expensive than insurance in the U.S. (because doctor’s fees and hospital visits are much cheaper). Two more reasons why health insurance here is so affordable: 1) malpractice insurance is very low because the laws do not allow for frivolous lawsuits; and 2) the average income is around $400 a month, and many Panamanians, particularly those employed in informal sectors, pay for health care out-of-pocket (salaried employees have access to a wide network of social security hospitals). Prices for prescription drugs are low as well, because manufacturers price them for the market. Plus, some drugs that require a prescription elsewhere are available over the counter in Panama.