Staying Connected

[Desmond]

My wife will be going back to the states after we arrive in Panama for a few months to finish her thesis.
What are the internet and/or phone options available to help her stay in touch with myself and the kids while we're in Panama?
Also, the grandparents have already given us the not-so-subtle gift of a webcam and, we have a decent laptop available to bring with us.
Approximate costs would be helpful too :)
Thanks in advance,
Desmond

[Sylvain Duford]

There are several Internet providers operating in ADM. Costs start at about $39 I believe.

You can phone over the Internet for next to nothing using Skype or MagicJack. You can also get setup with Vonage and get a local number anywhere in North America. So when family calls, it is a local number for them but rings in your house in Panama via Internet. You can also call the other way of course.

If you have a webcam, then it is easy to do video calls with your family using Microsoft's Messenger or a number of other software tools.