Help & frequently asked questions

No! PoquitoTalk generates standard .mp3 audio voice clips and polite text that share directly into native WhatsApp chats. The recipient doesn't need any special app or setup.

Locals and service workers in Bocas del Toro are often driving boat taxis, on job sites, or managing busy schedules. Listening to a 10-second polite voice note in local Panamanian Spanish receives a 3x faster response rate than formal translated text!

PoquitoTalk includes built-in scenarios for A/C repairs, boat motor troubleshooting, Starlink dish alignment, plumbing/water pressure, doctor appointments, landlord communication, and taxi orders.

Standard Voices provide clear speech playback on your device screen so you can quickly hear how a Spanish phrase is pronounced.

Premium Voices sound completely natural with authentic Panamanian rhythm, friendly warmth, and human breathing. They are crafted specifically so that when you send a voice note to a boat captain, handyman, or landlord on WhatsApp, it sounds like a real person speaking to them politely.

We want everyone to enjoy natural, authentic Panamanian Spanish! Here is how our voice quality works across the app:

• Pre-recorded Island Phrases (100% Free for Everyone): All pre-recorded phrases across our 12 island service categories (boat captains, plumbers, electricians, grocery orders, emergencies) are completely free to listen to in crystal-clear, authentic human audio.

• Custom Voice Notes & Walkie-Talkie: When you type or record your own custom message to send on WhatsApp, generating fresh, natural human-sounding voice notes uses our high-quality voice packs. This is unlocked with the 50 Credits Pack or any Unlimited Pass. (Free web previews use standard device playback to let you test phrases without using credits).

• Boat & Jungle Signal Fallback: If you are out on the water or in remote areas with 1-bar cell signal, PoquitoTalk automatically uses an instant offline voice so your message is ready immediately without stalling or waiting for slow internet.

• Contractor Phone Differences: When contractors open the zero-install web link on their mobile browser (Safari, Chrome), playback uses high-quality audio files when online, or their phone's built-in speaker voice if their connection drops.

Your 50 Credits Pack or Pro Membership instantly unlocks Premium Voices across both our website and mobile app. Single voice notes use 1 credit, and credits never expire!

A 2-Way Live Audio Session allows you to talk live with a contractor, handyman, or boat captain through a lightweight web link—without them having to install any app!

• When does it start? The session only starts when the first voice message is transmitted, NOT when the contractor opens the link.
• Zero Charges for Inactive Links: If you generate a link and the contractor opens it, but no voice messages are ever spoken (or if the room closes due to inactivity without audio), zero credits are deducted and your balance is untouched.
• Session Duration & Turns: Once active, each session includes a generous 15-minute conversation window (up to 15 voice exchanges), automatically closing after 5 minutes of silence.
• Pricing & Credits: Annual Explorer and Monthly Resident passes include unlimited live sessions. For credit pack holders, 1 active live session consumes 5 credits (so the 50 Credits Pack gives 10 full live sessions or 50 single voice notes).

Our Push-To-Talk (Walkie) design is intentionally fast, lightweight, low-cost, and built specifically for the fluctuating cellular and Wi-Fi conditions on islands and coastal regions. It prevents boat motor rumble, heavy rain, and background noise from corrupting your audio or draining expensive credit meters.

While some competitors offer continuous live two-way transcription, it burns significantly more battery and expensive data bandwidth. We are able to support continuous interpretation and plan to introduce a dedicated Face-to-Face Live Duo add-on plan in our upcoming V2 release, tailored specifically for users who need in-person live translations at restaurants or technical counter talks at hardware stores.

Don't worry! You can still press hold-to-talk and record your voice note even with zero internet or 1-bar signal out on a boat. PoquitoTalk safely saves your message locally and automatically sends it the instant connection returns.

Yes! All paying users on any plan (50 Credits Pack, 7-Day Travel Pass, Monthly Resident Pass, or Annual Explorer Pass) can toggle the signature off automatically with 1 tap in the app.

How to turn it off automatically: Open the PoquitoTalk app, tap the Settings icon at the top right, and switch the "Sent via PoquitoTalk" Signature toggle off. Your exported WhatsApp messages and voice note texts will send cleanly without any app branding footer.

For free users: You can always manually backspace or delete the signature line directly inside WhatsApp before pressing send. Regardless, we deeply appreciate everyone who keeps the signature on and helps spread the word about PoquitoTalk throughout our Panama community!

PoquitoTalk will soon be available on Google Play for Android devices; the web version currently offers only samples and the verified directory, not the full app functionality. iOS is planned for release Q1 2027.

Vouching is 100% anonymous and positive-only. Tapping WhatsApp or Call simply opens your native WhatsApp application. PoquitoTalk never reads or intercepts your encrypted WhatsApp chats or voice calls. When you submit a vouch (Fast Response, Fair Price, Great Service), no personal data, name, or phone number is recorded.