How a $47,000 lesson became a mission to help Canadian families relocate to Panama safely.
In 2015, I did what thousands of Canadians dream about—I sold everything and moved to Panama. I'd done my "research" (YouTube videos and expat forums), found a property online that looked perfect, and wired a deposit to a "recommended" lawyer I'd never met in person.
Within 18 months, I'd lost $47,000:
I was broke, embarrassed, and ready to go back to shoveling snow in Ontario.
Instead of leaving, I got angry—at myself. I spent the next two years learning everything I should have known before I arrived. I found the honest lawyers, the trustworthy realtors, the banks that actually work with foreigners, and the healthcare providers who speak English.
In 2017, a fellow Canadian from my church in Vancouver asked if I could help his parents avoid my mistakes. I flew them down, introduced them to my network, and showed them Panama through the eyes of someone who'd learned the hard way.
They moved successfully. Then they told their friends. And Hop On Panama Tours was born.
"To give every Canadian family considering Panama the clarity, confidence, and connections they need to make an informed decision—before they spend a single dollar."
We're not travel agents selling vacation packages. We're architects designing your new life with vetted professionals at every step.
We don't earn commissions on properties you buy. Our only job is to show you the truth—good neighborhoods and bad.
We understand Canadian pensions, healthcare concerns, tax implications, and the specific fears that hold Canadians back.
Book a free discovery call with Franklin. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest answers about whether Panama is right for you.
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