Disappointing Tour Leadership Tour Guides: John and Victoria (with guides in training: Bob & Felecia) While I appreciate the logistical coordination and overall structure of the Panama Relocation Tour, I must express significant concern regarding the overall tone and demeanor of the lead guides, John and Victoria. Together, they are not an effective pairing. Both possess sharp, authoritative personalities that, when combined, create an atmosphere of tension and negativity within the group. Their communication style often felt condescending and dismissive, treating participants more like schoolchildren than prospective residents considering a major life decision. While it is essential to be transparent about the realities of relocating to a foreign country, their "keeping it real" approach frequently crossed the line into discourtesy. Their delivery made Panama appear unwelcoming and inaccessible, and their overall demeanor came across as unapproachable. I do not believe this was their intent; however, the impact on group morale was significant and largely negative. I have watched numerous PRT videos and Q&A sessions with Jackie Lange and have never observed the type of abrasive interactions that occurred on this tour. Notably, one participant posted a review during the tour expressing many of these same concerns -- and only after that post did John and Victoria soften their tone, unfortunately near the end of the trip. Panama City Segment: The visit with the PRT alum was the clear highlight of the day. However, the featured property was disappointing -- unfinished, very small, and priced well above what most retirees would consider. Even John expressed dissatisfaction afterward. It would be helpful for guides to pre-screen properties (even briefly the night before) to ensure they are representative and suitable. Additionally, the Panama City tour lacked a driving overview of key neighborhoods, which would have provided valuable context. Although PRT cannot control last-minute property cancellations (e.g., Panama Pacífico), the absence of any backup materials -- such as pricing sheets or brochures -- was unfortunate. By contrast, the couple who spoke during lunch in Bahía was exceptional. Their honest, balanced perspective brought much-needed realism and optimism to the experience. Unfortunately, the property shown afterward was poorly maintained and appeared abandoned, though the realtor provided useful information about the Coronado area. Azuero Peninsula Segment: The visit with the PRT couple who opened their new rental home was a highlight. It offered an authentic and relatable example of what new arrivals might rent, complemented by an engaging and informative realtor. "Flaco Bob" was also outstanding -- personable, knowledgeable, and encouraging. The final property shown in this area was well-chosen and consistent with what PRT typically showcases online. Boquete and Volcán Segments: Most of the properties shown in these regions did not align with what is typically represented in PRT's videos. The final property, however, was a positive exception. Given the number of PRT alumni and available connections, it seems feasible to develop a more structured and consistent process for property showings to ensure alignment with client expectations. Overall Observations: John and Victoria do not appear to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for leading tours. Their delivery style feels rote and transactional -- as though they are "checking the box" rather than engaging participants in a meaningful way. The tone of their commentary was overwhelmingly negative, with few balanced or positive insights. If PRT's goal is to prepare attendees realistically while maintaining enthusiasm for relocation, this particular guide team did not meet that standard. Both guides also struggled to answer questions with patience, kindness, or clarity. Their responses were often curt or condescending, which alienated several participants. Their communication style may be better suited to small, private consultations rather than large group facilitation. Positive Acknowledgment: The bus driver and his son, Junior, were excellent -- professional, personable, and efficient. The buses were consistently clean and comfortable, and their courteous service contributed greatly to the tour's logistics and safety. Date of experience: October 2025 read more

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A great way to see everything Panama has to offer. If you are considering retirement or just being a snowbird from the north, Panama might be a good fit. I have had Panama Relocation Tours on my radar for several years. The COVID pandemic and work prevented me from scheduling a trip, so I finally decided to just pick a trip and put a down payment on it. I am so glad I did! My trip took place at the end of January 2023. First of all, the trip is all-inclusive. Once you arrive at Tocumen Airport (PTY) at Panama City, everything is taken care of for the next week. Hotels, meals, fees, transportation - all covered. It was such a care-free experience that I didn't even bother to exchange my gringo dollars at the airport! A bonus - in spite of any safety concerns, I don't recall anyone on our tour that ever felt uncomfortable, no matter where we went. Our tour had a mix of singles and couples, aged from perhaps the mid 30s all the way past 70 or so. Out of the 30 tourists on the trip, I would say most were middle class, with some upper class sprinkled in. Everyone was from the USA, and all spoke English, a few spoke Spanish as a second language. Attire during the trip was casual. Our excursion started at Panama City. The first couple nights were spent at a very nice hotel. During the day, we toured in and around Panama City and the Canal Zone, looking at apartments and condos, places to rent, lease or buy. After looking in the city, soon we were on our way to places further west. Our next stop was down the Pacific coast, at a nice condominium on the beach. Multiple units were shown, rates discussed, all questions were answered. As we worked our way along the Pacific, we saw other real estate that was available. Each place along our trip was shown by a real estate agent who was well versed in the amenities of the location. Of the condos, apartments and houses we visited, there was something affordable for everyone. Eventually, we reached the area where I was interested - Boquete, in the Chirique province. I had worked in the area decades prior while in the U.S. Armed Forces and wanted to visit there again. Our lodging in Boquete was great, with meals on-site. Boquete is a sort of tourist and expat destination, and we stayed in an eco-friendly hotel. Young adult backpackers were seen regularly in the city, some were single girls.The area is so very safe! English is spoken freely here, so it was possible for me to roam the streets and easily get by with the very little Spanish that I could remember. Travel and accommodations were generally very good. Our bus driver was a Panamanian and spoke good English. As part of the team leading us, he was knowledgeable of the routes and was an exceptional driver. Meals during the week were good and plenty. You certainly will not walk away hungry from a meal on their tours. I gained weight while there. During the week, group presentations were made at various stops. We spoke with an immigration lawyer, heard about US military veteran benefits, discussed health benefits and pricing for access to doctors, clinics and hospitals.We visited a hospital, so very modern with the latest technology. It would give the best hospitals in North America a run for their money. While on the bus, our two tour guides (Americans) educated us on so many topics, took questions, called ahead with menu selections when needed. If a problem arose, they worked tirelessly to resolve the situation. Prior to the tour, I spent hundreds of hours researching the areas I might be interested in visiting. I especially looked at the many YouTube videos and social media provided by Panama Relocation Tours. On a related note, they generally host a live video session on YouTube every Saturday at 6pm Eastern, 5pm Central time. As I reflect back on my time in Panama, I must say that I found the price I paid for the tour was money well spent. I highly recommend!! read more

Other reviewers on other sites mention the great food, the chance to see typical rentals in various locations -- beach communities, mountains, city; access to ex-pats, immigration lawyers, and realtors (no sales pressure, just info), and while I agree with all the posted praise on those points, I want to say that I also appreciated the thoughtful, smaller touches such as a daily choice among 4 or 5 menu options for lunch and dinner, which always included a vegetarian meal; the fact that PRT provided a boxed breakfast on the last day of the tour when the bus was scheduled to leave at 7 a.m., the same time the restaurant opened so no time to eat in the restaurant; plus dessert at two of our meals, and, in Boquete, a meal prepared by an Italy-trained chef. These extra touches added immeasurably to the overall value of the experience. Tour guides Victoria and John, and coach driver Jorge, were personable, knowledgeable, and entertaining. I highly recommend PRT to anyone interested in retiring in Panamá. Act quickly, as tours are fully booked through June 2025. read more