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Costa Rica vs. Panama

 
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home

PostPosted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 4:23 am    Post subject: Costa Rica vs. Panama Reply with quote

I know that by putting this on the Costa Rica forum, views might be a bit biased, but I"m hoping that some people in Costa Rica have also taught in Panama.

What are the job situations in both of these countries?
How does the pay compare?
HOw do the living conditions compare?
How much can you save?
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fat_chris



Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 5:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Costa Rica v. Panama?

If it's football, I think CR would win 3-0.

Cheek. Sorry

Embarassed
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Corey



Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 112
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. Similar job situation - lack of qualified professionals. More private jobs in CR.

2. Pay is better in Panama ($US) but the cost of living is higher.

3. CR has better weather. Panama is sweating, humid hot. Security in CR may be a bit better.

4. Diffiult to save in CR. If you live like a native it is possible to save MAYBE $100-200 per month (assuming you get a univeristy job). Private institutes - next to nothing. Panama pays better so it is possible to save more there.

Good luck,

Corey
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home

PostPosted: Tue Oct 07, 2003 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could you tell me about working issues, like visas?
do most people work illegally?
If so, how does it work when you leave and they see that you have been there for six months or a year? Are you fined?
HOw is the border crossing between Panama and Costa Rica? I heard that they are very strict.
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darius19



Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

crossing the border to renew your CR visa is a very common occurance in CR. many foriegners in CR are living there illegally, some say you need to cross for 3 days, though that doesn't hold too true. you can cross for a couple of hours, especially at the CR/Panama Paso Canoas border, you could always say you just came across to go schopping. i was just down in central america for the last few months and met people in CR that had been doing this visa renewal for years.
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Carina_Cisneros



Joined: 14 Oct 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica

PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:44 pm    Post subject: Save? Reply with quote

It is hard to do much "saving" in Central America. Not because your bank might file for bankrupcy (it happens!) but because the pay is low. Not low by Central American standards (you might conceivably earn 2x-8x that of some local non-teaching professionals), but it is just not much money. Panama does not have the tourism of CR, making that a plus for some people, and a terrible minus for othes. You make more money in Panama, but almost everything will cost more, too. Living conditions are comparable in medium cities, though probably better in Panama for a comparison of the capitals, or much smaller cities. Jobs are probably comparable too. There are plenty of English speakers in both countries, making it almost impossible to land work unless you are there in the country. And, like anywhere, you best opportunities do not seem to surface until after to have a few semesters of work under your belt. In CR, you can renew your touist visa anytime, easily, no hassle. We would sometimes vacation in little San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, where we would routinely see other teachers doing the same. Really, it is the saving part that is the killer when in Central America, and this is especially true if your job does not come with housing, or if you have no one to share that espense - which is often the single biggest expense you have.
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