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| Panama news blog with new stories daily on living, retirement, investment, travel and vacations to Panama. |
Written by Cailey Halloran
I was told while at the beach that the tides have changed as of today and the first Mahi Mahi filled Panga came to the shores of Pedasi! Read more »
(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
Loading ...Filed under: News on May 19th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Cailey Halloran
Happy Fans Cheer for Los Santos Baseball Team (Picture courtesy of La Prensa)
Last night was the final game of the Panama baseball season and Los Santos brought home the bacon! How did I find out? Horns honking through the streets of Pedasi around 10PM. Read more »
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: News, Sports on May 15th, 2009 | No Comments »
Written by Casey Halloran
Manuel Dapidran Pacquiao (aka Manny Pacquiao), considered widely to be the top boxer on earth, was spotted on the town last week according to readers in Panama City, Panama at several hot spots in the popular nightlife area of Calle Uruguay.
The Health Secretary of the Philippines, Francisco Duque had urged the fighter to delay his return flight to Manila as a safety measure against swine flu and it is theorized that Pacquiao, coming off a spotlight win over Great Britain’s Ricky Hatton, spent the layover night in the Central America capital city.
The diminutive boxer was spotted at three outlets in Panama City’s Calle Uruguay district: Prive Lounge, Pure Lounge, and Guru Clubbing Cult where he was cheered saluting a crowd of partiers from the club’s DJ booth. His entourage of manager, friends, and security arrived around midnight in a Cadillac Escalade and were said to have been invited by the owners of Prive Lounge personally. Additionally in the entourage were several members of the Panama sportsbook community who were rumored to have had contacts from within the boxer’s team.
(6 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: News on May 12th, 2009 | No Comments »
Written by Casey Halloran
Over the past six years, I’ve poured my personal life savings into various businesses and properties Panama. Lately, I’ve had moments when I’m not completely sure WHY.
Now that this global financial crunch has turned many investor’s lives upside down, I’ve had my own time to pause and re-think my strategy for investing in Panama. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and have also enjoyed a few lucky breaks. But looking back and forward at the same time, I can’t help but question the timing of my investments and more importantly, measuring my ongoing desire to remain here as a businessman and investor.
Bear in mind, my perspective comes from having spent the last decade in Costa Rica, where I continue to operate a Costa Rica travel agency and a luxury rental villa. My business interests in Panama are similar, with a boutique hotel in Pedasi, a travel agency and a few small real estate investments. Here are the questions I’ve been asking myself lately and some of the conclusions I’ve reached. Read more »
(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Business, News, Real Estate on May 4th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Cailey Halloran
Pedasi (in the Azuero Peninsula) will host a fishing tournament next month, June 5-7th, 2009. The event is open to anyone who would like to participate and costs $85 dollars per boat. Prizes range from a brand new motor to hotel nights and cash. Read more »
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: News on April 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Written by Cailey Halloran
I recently moved to Pedasi, Panama and within the first week of living here I got caught in the middle of two scary, near accident stampedes. Read more »
(1 votes, average: 1 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide, Culture on April 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Written by Cailey Halloran
After living in Costa Rica and seeing the influx of surfers and tourists over the last decade, it’s a neat change to now live in Panama where I constantly feel like Cousteau while exploring the beaches and parks.
Playa Venao surfing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Filed under: News on April 16th, 2009 | No Comments »
Written by Robin Dishner
Super 99-
This is the biggest grocery store chain in Panama, (owned by Presidential hopeful Ricardo Martinelli) it has a concrete floor with industrial feel, but you will find basically everything you need. Sometimes the veggies might be a little limp, but what isn’t in this steamy, steamy land? The Super 99 located in the Azuero Peninsula breaks up the trip to Las Tablas or Pedasi nicely, stop for a tea and a pastry. I’ve heard that the meat under the counter is a little scary, but a Panamanian told us to simply order exactly what you want and come back to get it the next day.
Rey- Rey looks and feels a lot nicer than Super 99. Vegetables are generally more fresh and products are more abundant in variety (i.e. more than two types of bread). Rey also imports more international food items. Both Rey and Super 99 are open 24 hours and have pharmacies.
Riba Smith-Best for Gourmet shopping and those hard to find foreign items (Rob finds his Coffee Mate here). Cleanest and freshes super market by far, though prices are a tad more expensive than the others. The Riba Smith on Transistmica has an amazing café with the most delicious ice cream in Panama in a huge array of flavors.
On the Run- This is a convenient store, but i needed to mention Surprisingly delicious breakfast croissants and equally delicious selection of English gossip magazines (even the obscure- Teen Vogue, Nylon anyone?) And great candy selection. (Hey, I know what’s important) so munch on your Everlasting Gobstopers and read People and be happy.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide, Food on April 9th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Rebecca Tyre
Many people visiting Panama rely on taxis to get around. This is the easiest way to ruin a trip. I’ve come to hate taxi drivers. Let me tell you why. Read more »
(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, Living & Retirement, News on April 8th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Casey Halloran
View of Panama City from Casco Viejo
As I approach my mid-30s, in addition to a nagging rotator cuff and vanishing hairline, I have also lived long enough to witness three economic downturns. My first experience was the stock market collapse of 1987. I remember “Black Monday” distinctly, because my 8th grade Civics teacher spent the entire class bemoaning the Chernobyl-eque meltdown of his portfolio. Then there was the dot-com bust, marked by a handful of my 20-something college buds who were momentarily rich and soon thereafter calling me in Costa Rica for life advice. It wasn’t easy playing Dr. Phil to amigos who were not yet ready to face a permanent 70% pay cut. Read more »
(12 votes, average: 4 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement, Politics, Real Estate on April 6th, 2009 | 14 Comments »
Written by PanaMatt
Driving in Ancon, a largely wooded neighborhood in Panama City, one of my first weeks in Panama, I nearly swerved off the road when a large rodent, the size and shape of a mutant hamster, scurried out from the brush and into the center of the street, standing on its hind legs to stare me down then scampering back into the shrubs. “What the fuck was that?” I shouted, and without even looking up from her magazine, my friend Marta said it was a capybara.
Read more »
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide on March 26th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Casey Halloran
Boat ride to Cañas Island on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula
Planning a vacation to an unknown country like Panama can be a challenge, especially when that destination is also new at tourism. Here are some common travel planning mistakes and misconceptions about Panama that we commonly encounter at my travel agency, which offers customized vacations to this wonderful country.
1. Trying To Do It All On Your Own - No, this isn’t just a shameless pitch for my agency, it’s yet another rant on the lack of top notch customer service in Panama. It’s difficult to get hotels and tour operators to answer the phone. If they do, chances are quite good they won’t speak English. There are a handful of reliable agencies in addition to mine that would be happy to assist you and no, you won’t pay any more than if you were to manage to do all the work yourself. Don’t be too proud to ask for help! Read more »
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide on March 25th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Casey Halloran
Panama City Panama: a Business Mecca?
There are plenty of great things about living and working in Panama. I’ve covered those many positives in plenty of past articles. This post deals with the more annoying challenges of living and doing business in Panama City, Panama. So, without further adieu, the list:
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Living & Retirement on March 25th, 2009 | 9 Comments »
Written by Rebecca Tyre
One of the most important things to know before moving to or visiting Panama, is that you cannot rely on ambulances. No matter the emergency, your best bet is most likely going to be to get yourself to the hospital. Read more »
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on March 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Written by Rebecca Tyre
A small film crew from the Canadian province of Quebec is currently traveling throughout Panama to shoot an extended documentary/reality show about Panama. The group will spend more than a month in Panama, shooting footage and gaining insight in to life in Panama. Read more »
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Filed under: News on March 17th, 2009 | No Comments »
