Guides

In short: A travel insurer and an airline do not pay for the same things. The airline answers for transport, under whatever law applies to the flight. The insurance answers for the events and limits its policy sets. According to the ASSA Travel website, its plans include trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay from 12 hours, with different limits in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Europe. Plan data read in October 2026. Contents of this guide Who pays for what The published limits by plan Four scenarios and who answers What the airline owes in Europe What to check before…

In short: updated October 13, 2026. The earthquake of Friday, October 9 struck at 12:56 p.m. Panama time, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured it at magnitude 7.7; other official sources and media use 7.5. According to the SINAPROC tally as of October 12, 7,480 people are affected across nine provinces, and the United Nations records no deaths. This guide covers what happened, where to ask for help, which health facilities changed their services and how to donate only through verified channels. Contents of this guide What happened: magnitude, time and place Official tally of damage and affected people…

In short: updated on 13 October 2026. The surge of interest in the Social Security Fund has a verifiable cause: the earthquake of Friday 9 October damaged the institution's facilities, and the CSS announced a 90-day plan to keep medical care and pension payments going. According to Telemetro, the next payments to retirees and pensioners are Monday 19 October by bank transfer (ACH) and Tuesday 20 October by cheque. Contributions are checked in Mi Caja Digital, and appointments now depend on which facilities remain open. Contents of this guide What changed: the earthquake and the 90-day plan Payments to retirees…

In short: updated on 13 October 2026. According to Executive Decree No. 49 of 2025, published in the Official Gazette, Panama's 2026 school year ends with classes on Friday 11 December and closes with a balance and graduation week from 14 to 18 December. The calendar applies to public and private schools, runs 42 weeks and is split into three terms with two one-week breaks. For 2027, La Estrella reported that Executive Decree No. 43 set the start of classes for Monday 1 March. Contents of this guide 2026 school calendar dates End of the school year and year-end break…

In short: according to the ASSA Travel website, the travel insurance accepts insured people from 6 months to 80 years old; from 71 to 80 a surcharge applies and the medical expense coverage drops to 50% of the plan amount. The general conditions define a pre-existing condition with a 2-year window for treatment and symptoms and a 5-year window for hospitalizations or surgery. The US CDC recommends that people over 75 start looking for specialized policies early. Updated October 2026. Contents of this guide Maximum age and what changes from 71 Table by age bracket How much is left in…

In short: Selling a car privately in Panama takes three things in order: paperwork in good standing, a written contract and a verified payment before the keys change hands. According to the ASSA Market website, posting the listing is free, there are no sales commissions, and the site offers a guide and a sample contract. The transfer registers the change of owner with the Municipality and the ATTT, and the Panama City Mayor's Office lists the Single Vehicle Ownership Registry and the current-year inspection certificate among its requirements. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide What to have ready…

In short: A foreign public document to be used in Panama is apostilled in the country that issued it, if that country is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, and is translated into Spanish when it is in another language. Panama has been a party since August 4, 1991. Updated in October 2026. If the country of origin is not a party, the route goes through consular legalization. In the other direction, a Panamanian document for use abroad is apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIRE), with an online request for the electronic apostille. Contents of this guide…

In short: an HVAC asset survey is the technical inventory of all the air conditioning equipment in a building or premises: what it is, where it sits, which model and age, its condition and which units are critical. According to the Climatiza website, it is the first step in moving from reacting to breakdowns to a preventive plan. It is most useful for towers, corporate buildings, hotels, multi-site chains and any operation that has grown in stages. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide What it is and what it is for When a building needs one The nine…

In short: a commercial warehouse in Panama is chosen on four things: the size the inventory needs, how goods are loaded and unloaded, the conditions inside and the contract term. According to the Supreme Storage commercial solutions page, the company offers flexible space in Vía Brasil, Bella Vista, Costa del Este and Paitilla, with a level dock for cars, vans and 20 and 40 foot containers, and 6, 12 and 24 month plans. Contents of this guide What to look at first in a commercial warehouse Size by type of inventory Dock, unloading and equipment 6, 12 and 24 month…

In short: choosing a master's degree in Panama comes down to four things: the field, the format, the program's current resolution and the entry documents. According to its website, Universidad Latina de Panamá groups its master's programs into six fields, says they usually last 1 to 2 years and asks for a bachelor's diploma, transcripts, a resume and an ID document to enroll. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide Which master's fields are listed How long a master's lasts What is asked for admission How to choose between options Credits from another master's Frequently asked questions Sources Which…

In short: for Canada, Panamanians who have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa can apply for an eTA instead of a visa, for air travel only, according to the Government of Canada. In both countries the risk that insurance covers is the same: medical care abroad usually has to be paid on the spot, and medical evacuation, according to the US CDC, runs from 25,000 dollars within North America to more than 250,000 dollars. Updated October 2026. Contents of this guide What each country asks and what insurance covers ASSA…

In short: the inspection of a used car in Panama can mean the mandatory vehicle check or an extra workshop review. According to the ASSA Market website, its inspection is optional, takes 15 to 30 minutes, covers ten vehicle systems and is carried out only by workshops authorized by the platform. Once the report is correct and sent, the Inspected badge appears on the listing within 24 to 48 hours. Updated October 2026. In this guide Two checks that are not the same The ten systems it covers How the badge is obtained What to ask the workshop When it…